The LOTSMAN:PLM Import module is designed to receive data into the LOTSMAN:PLM system from any systems that can be accessed via the ODBC interface.

The data import process is performed in two steps.

1. Creation of an XML “document containing data from a DBMS or other system.

To get an XML “document containing the imported data, it is necessary to perform a series of sequential actions, that is, to execute the import algorithm.

Import algorithms are stored in *.ldx files.

Import algorithms are created using the Import Algorithm Designer module (hereinafter Import Designer). The import designer is a visual designer of programs that convert data from any DBMS into XML documents of the LOTSMAN:PLM system.

To work with the Import Designer, you need to:

• know the basics of programming and algorithmization;
• have an understanding of the XML data representation format;
• have skills in working with structured query language SQL;
• know the structure of the DBMS from which you want to import data.

2. Importing data from an XML document into the LOTSMAN:PLM system.

Data import is carried out using the LOTSMAN:PLM Import module. The module performs the actions specified by the import algorithm and generates an XML document, and then receives data from the XML document into the LOTSMAN:PLM system.