Data import methods

Data is imported into the DemandTec by Acoustic services in one of three ways.

1. Received through the DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink application. This is the most common method for importing new data. Customers send their data (in text .txt files) to DemandTec by Acoustic each week (through FTP) for sales, locations, products, competitive prices, and product cost changes. This data is received in DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink, which uses automated validations to ensure data cleanliness. There is very little manual, or user, intervention in these files. The imported files are monitored using the Import Dashboard report in DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink.

   Larger sets of data should be sent through DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink to take advantage of automated data accuracy screening. DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink is a tool used to prevent inaccurate or corrupted data from entering the applications. The data is put into a standard format and then validated. The validation checks for errors, and flags the errors. The errors are fixed, and validation is run again. The final output from this process is clean and accurate data.

   Note: When new vendor costs or competitive prices come in through DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink and exceed thresholds, they are sent to the New Data Approval page in the pricing application and must be manually approved.
2. Directly into DemandTec by Acoustic services using Excel Spreadsheets or DB IV formats, such as Microsoft Access. This is usually done after your data has been imported for editing purposes, or for importing small amounts of new data. Note that importing data directly from an Excel spreadsheet mitigates DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink automated data validations. See Using Excel spreadsheets for more information.
   Note: When data is imported using a DemandTec by Acoustic service other than DemandTec by Acoustic OpenLink, the only validation is to see if the data file conforms to the standard format. As a result, you can potentially import invalid or bad data. Make sure you check the data thoroughly before importing through a DemandTec by Acoustic service. You will typically export data from the application, edit the data, and then import it back in.
3. Directly into the DemandTec by Acoustic Data Maintenance page using editable fields in Data Maintenance reports. For example, if you receive new vendor cost or new competitive data which requires immediate implementation, the new data can be entered directly into the Price/Cost or Competitive Products report in the Data Maintenance page. See Data maintenance reports for more information.