Overview of the Abra Data Import Utility

The Abra Data Import Utility automates the process of linking to Foxpro software, collecting and updating your employee data in an Abra mapping table, and then importing that data into Deltek Advantage for processing.

Once you import the data, you can check its validity and then insert and update the Employee (EM) table with the information.

What do you want to do?

Access the Abra Data Import Utility

Link Files into Abra

Map Your Data

Import Your Data

Exit the Abra Data Import Utility


Abra Data Import Security

Deltek Advantage closely controls who can use the Abra Data Import utility. Two layers of security protect the utility:

•	You must log into the utility using a valid username and password.

•	You cannot import data unless you have security access to Deltek Advantage.

Username and Password

The Data Import utility has its own login form, where you must enter your Username and Password.


Accessing the Abra Data Import Utility

To begin using the utility:

1.	Select Programs from the Start Menu, and then select Deltek Advantage.

2.	From the list of Deltek Advantage applications, select the Import Utility for Access 2002.

3.	Select a processing period from the list of valid periods.

Deltek Advantage uses the period ending date that you choose as the end date for any data entry batches that you create during this login. The period must be prior to, or the same as, the current period.

When you choose a processing period, Deltek Advantage displays a blank form with menu choices at the top.

4.	Select Utilities from the menu.

5.	Select Best Import Utilities and then ABRA Import Utility. Deltek Advantage displays the Abra Data Import Utility form.

If the file that you plan to import is in a different database from the one to which you are currently linked, you can change databases easily by linking to a different database.


Linking to a Different Database

In Advantage, you can change your database from the Import Utility by performing the following steps.

To change databases:

1.	Select Utilities from the menu at the top of the form.

2.	Select Database Wizard.

3.	Click the Next button. From here you can search for your database.

4.	Click the Browse… button, and then search for the desired database.

5.	When you have located the database, click the Open button.

6.	Click the Link option. The Database Wizard links you to the new database.


Linking Files into the Abra Utility

When you link a file, Deltek Advantage:

•	Deletes the original file.

•	Brings the file into the Abra Data Import utility.

To link a file into the Abra Data Import utility:

1.	Access the Abra Data Import utility.

2.	From the General tab, link to the Foxpro Personnel Table using the Browse… button, which defaults to the hpersonnel.DBF file.

3.	Click on the Link to ABRA Personnel file button to link the file to the Data Import utility.

4.	Click on the Employee tab. The Employee section is where you map your Employee initiation fields with the fields from the ABRA personnel table.

What’s Next?

Map your data.

Import your employee data into Advantage.


Mapping Your Data

The data type in the EM Column should match the data type that you enter in the ABRA Column. Deltek suggests that you refer to the following mapping table when you prepare Employee data.

EM Column	ABRA Column
emEmployee	p_empno
emLastName	p_lname
emFirstName	p_fname
emJobCostRate	p_unitrate
emJobCostType	p_unitpay
emHoursPerDav	p_normunit
emHireDate	p_orighire
emRaiseDate	p_nextpay
emStatus	p_active
emSSN	p_SSN
EmAddress1	p_hstreet1
EmAddress2	p_hstreet2
emCity	p_hcity
emState	p_hstate
emZIP	p_hzip
emCountry	p_hcountry
emPhone	p_hphone
emEmail	p_empemail
emTerminationDate	p_termdate


Browsing for a File

To browse for a file:

1.	Click on the Browse button.

2.	Click on the drop-down arrow in the Look in field of the Open dialog box.

3.	Navigate to the directory where the file resides.

4.	Locate and highlight the file.

5.	Click on the Open button.


Importing Abra Employee Data into Advantage

The final step when utilizing the Abra Data Import Utility is to import your employee data into Deltek Advantage, where it will be approved and then processed.

To import employee data into Advantage:

1.	From the Abra Employee tab, press the Import to Advantage button. The Import Utility Employee tab appears.

2.	Complete the information on the Import Utility Employee tab.

3.	Use the Employee Approval form within Advantage to complete the import process.


Import Utility Employee Tab

Use this tab to map Abra employee fields to Advantage employee fields.

Adv Column

This view-only column lists the employee fields in Advantage.

Abra Column

This column lists the Abra Employee Table field that is mapped to the Advantage Employee Table field listed in the Adv Column. Only the fields with data in this column will be exported to Advantage. For example, "p_empno" in Abra will export to the "emEmployee" field in Advantage. However, nothing will map to the Advantage "emRaiseDate" field because there is no Abra field mapped to it.

To change the mappings, use the drop-down list to change the default mappings or select a new mapping.

If you try to change a mapping for a primary key field, you will receive an error message indicating that the field cannot be changed.

Adv Len/Abra Len

Note that if a field length in Abra exceeds an Advantage field length, the utility will truncate the field to match the user’s setting in Advantage System Setup.


Approving Employee Data in Advantage

After running the import process, you must use the Approval form to complete the import of Abra data into Advantage. During the approval process, Advantage compares the Abra information to the data previously entered into Advantage, and tells you whether or not the new Abra data can be imported. Advantage only imports new Abra data that is error free.

To approve Abra data:

1.	Click the Approve option next to each row of data you want to approve. To select all rows, click the Select All button.

2.	If you only want to view the fields that are required to be filled in for Advantage to accept the data, select the Hide non-required fields option.

3.	Click OK to begin the final import process on those records where the Approve option is selected. A message indicates the Records Selected, Records Approved, and Records Rejected.

4.	Select the Report Errors button to view errors in any of the records you are trying to approve.


Exiting from the Abra Data Import Utility

To exit from the utility:

1.	Click on the Close button on the Abra Data Import Utility form.

2.	Click on the Exit button.