Defining transformation rules

Complete definitions of data objects and the rules for their transformation are embodied in an IBM® Sterling Transformation Extender map. Map objects are created using the Map Designer, a graphical tool that makes complex transformations easier to define and maintain. Maps are analyzed, compiled, and tested directly in the IBM Sterling Transformation Extender Design Studio environment.

A map object can implement a wide range of interface functions, from simple transformation to sophisticated integration solutions involving multiple, heterogeneous inputs and outputs, rule-based routing, and complex interface structures.

The IBM Sterling Transformation Extender Design Studio transformation server processes interface data without pre-formatting or preprocessing. You can compare, move, and transform data using any combination of sources and targets, without regard for underlying interface formats. The graphical environment of the Design Studio also delivers complete integration solutions that require no programming to complete the job. Complex interface problems that involve multiple input sources and multiple output targets can be handled in a single map. There is no need to break up a unit of work into multiple steps unless the business problem requires it.

The Design Studio's comprehensive set of integration rules enables you to go beyond transformation to construct and route entirely new business objects. You can apply rules to route business objects to appropriate targets based on data content, runtime conditions, or any other criteria you choose. You can apply rules to filter, scrub, calculate, validate, parse, substitute, expand, change character set or otherwise convert data from multiple inputs to multiple outputs. All of these capabilities supplement simple, drag-and-drop mapping where needed.

With the Design Studio, data sent to an output does not have to come from an input. You can compute data, look up something in a database, sort, extract, merge, or use any of dozens of IBM Sterling Transformation Extender functions to create output, where appropriate.

You can also map outputs to each other. For example, you can transform data that was generated at the top of an output to the bottom of the same output so that you can summarize, tally, or validate what has been created. You can also map an output that was generated in one output to another output. For example, you can generate a message as one output and archive all or part of it as another output.

Multiple input and output types can be used within a single map for any number of sources (adapters) in an any-to-any fashion. IBM Sterling Transformation Extender is also designed for one-to-many, many-to-one and many-to-many processing. This flexibility provides unconstrained support for common integration needs, such as creating a sales distribution document and an invoice from the same purchase order and updating the inventory database at the same time.