How to Define an NCPDP Batch File

There are two methods of creating the map components for an NCPDP batch file:

Loading an NCPDP DDF
NCPDP Map Component Creation Process

Loading an NCPDP DDF
The simplest way to create the NCPDP side of your map is to load the appropriate NCPDP DDF that IBM supplied with your Sterling Gentran:Server product. Each DDF contains the required batch components as well as the transaction components. After you load the DDF, you can add, cut, and modify components to meet your needs.
NCPDP Map Component Creation Process
This topic describes the process of defining the NCPDP components in a map.
Configuring NCPDP File Properties
When the NCPDP file object is on the input side of the map, the translator uses the properties to parse and validate input data. When the NCPDP file object is on the output side, the translator uses the properties to structure the output.
Creating the Batch Header Segment
The batch header segment is a positional segment that contains the Sender ID and Receiver ID. Each file can have only one batch header segment.
Creating a Group
In an NCPDP map, a transaction is represented by a map group. A group contains related segments, groups, or both that repeat in sequence until either the data ends or the maximum number of times that the loop is allowed to repeat is exhausted. The system permits up to four repetitions.
Creating the Batch Detail Data Segment
The batch detail data segment is a positional segment that contains the Transaction Reference Number. In a Sterling Gentran:Server NCPDP map, this segment contains only two fields - Segment Identifier and Transaction Reference Number.
Creating a Transaction Header Segment
A Transaction Header segment is a positional segment that indicates if the transaction is a request or response. This header segment contains one field that Sterling Gentran:Server uses to determine the Trading Partnership code for inbound translation.
Creating the Batch Trailer Segment
The Batch Trailer segment is a positional segment that contains the total number of segments in the batch, including the Batch Header and Batch Trailer segments. This segment also contains a message field that can be used to include information about the batch transmission. Each file can have only one Batch Trailer segment.
Creating a Positional Segment
The fields in positional segments are always in fixed positions and do not require separators. The NCPDP Positional Segment Properties tab enables you to specify an identifying value for a positional segment, the loop usage and type, and constants.
Creating a Delimited Segment
The Patient, Insurance, Claim, Pharmacy Provider, and other transaction-level segments are delimited segments. Delimited segments and their fields require separators because their lengths are variable. The NCPDP Delimited Segment Properties dialog box enables you to create a delimited segment.
How to Create a Positional Field
Creating a Delimited Field
Each NCPDP delimited segment contains a group of logically-related data fields, separated by the field delimiter character. This topic explains how to create a delimited field.
About Repeating Fields
Repeating fields within a segment occur as logical groups and must be submitted as a set. Only fields that are designated as repeating fields (looping fields) in the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard can be repeated.