DriveWorks Pro 22

ODBC Data Export

ODBC Data Export

DriveWorks has the ability to export data to an external database (using a Microsoft Windows ODBC connection) as part of running a DriveWorks Project.

Each ODBC Data Export in the Document List can export data to a single table in a single database. By creating multiple ODBC Data Exports, it is possible to export data to any number of tables in any number of databases.

Each ODBC Data Export consists of one or more rows to be exported into the table in the target database.

Each row in the data export will be added to the table, or update an existing row in the table, or be ignored. The behavior for each row is controlled by Control Fields.

Before You Begin

Before attempting to export data to any database familiarize yourself with the database the data will be exported to. Pay particular attention to the data types associated to each column in the data table.

Data Types

Data types designate the type of data that will be stored within the field. This can take several different forms which includes (but is not limited to) text strings, numbers and dates.

To Add an ODBC Data Export:

In DriveWorks Administrator open the Project the Document is to be add to and go to Stage4: Output Rules then Documents - Data

1. Click the Add button on the command bar.
2. Choose the  ODBC Data Export Document from the list on the Add Document wizard.
   Once you have completed the wizard to set up the connection rules can be applied for the Path, Username and Password.

   See To Edit an ODBC Data Export section below.

3. Give the new Document a name.
4. Click Next and then select the required ODBC Data Source from the list.
5. Enter a User Name and Password if the database is protected and click Next.
6. Select the table to export data to and select at what stage the data will be exported in the Time to Export option ¹.
7. Click Next and select the Control Fields.
   

   Control Fields control whether a row is inserted, updated, or ignored:

   • If the values in the Control Fields of a row do not match an existing row in the database then DriveWorks will insert a new row.
   • If the values in the Control Fields of a row match an existing row in the database then DriveWorks will update the existing row.
   • If any of the values in the control fields of a row are blank, then DriveWorks will ignore the row.
8. Click Next  and select the Common Fields (see the Before You Begin section for more information about Common Fields).
   

   Common Fields can make it easier to export data to certain types of systems, for example PDM and ERP databases where often multiple rows will need to be exported, but certain columns always have the same value in each row. For example an IsSubmitted column might always contain the value 0.

   For these columns, you may only want to build one rule, instead of a separate rule for each row. To do this, mark the column as a Common Field, and DriveWorks will automatically use the same rule for the column in all rows.

9. Click Finish.

Notes

By using Specification Flow it is possible to gain even more control over when Documents are created.

The Wizard can be reopened at any time by selecting the Open Wizard button.

To Edit an ODBC Data Export:

Edit Options

The options for the ODBC Export can have rules applied once the initial connection has been set up.

From the Documents - Data task:

1. Select the Document to edit from the Documents List.
2. Click Edit from the command bar.
3. From the Options section choose the ODBC Option to build a rule for.

   

4. Click Build at the end of the option field.
5. Enter the Rule in the Rule Builder and click OK when done.

Edit Cell Rules

The rules for the export are edited by returning to Stage 4: Output Rules then Documents - Data.

1. Select the Data Export document to edit
2. Click Edit from the DriveWorks command bar
   • To add a row click the Add Row button on the command bar, and the new row will appear at the bottom of the table. To Insert a row select the location where you would like to insert the row then right click Insert Row. This will add a row above the selected cell.
   • To build a rule for a cell select the cell and then click the Build button on the command bar. If a column has been setup as a Common Field then the rule will only need to be entered once for it to apply to all rows.
   • To delete a row select the row number to highlight the entire row then right click Remove Row.

Cell Rule Examples