CSV/XML Interface Setup

The following section describes how to setup your RaPTr Server to use the CSV or XML interface option.

1. Launch RaPTr Server Utility

2. Enter in Username and Password

3. Select CSV or XML from the Type drop down menu located in the Interface section.

4. Optionally, select Enable File Output, Enable Order Tracking or Enable Pallet Counting.

6. Save changes and force RaPTr Server to restart.

CSV/XML MANUAL IMPLEMENTATION

CSV:

The easiest way to load a list is via Excel or another spreadsheet program.
Open Excel (or another spreadsheet program; this tutorial will presume Excel).

Enter the barcodes for the list in the first column. These need to match the barcodes to be scanned, so type the barcodes carefully, copy/paste, or export from another program. A sample CSV file is attached to this article for reference.

Once the barcodes are entered, custom responses can be created that are tied to each barcode. Likewise, a color can be selected, represented by a hexadecimal string, that will display on the background of the text. The example above shows Green (#00FF00) for all. Other colors can be generated by searching “hex color picker” in Google. Google will provide a utility that allows selecting a custom color and displaying the corresponding hexadecimal code.

The fourth column is reserved for the location ID. This will tell the server which scanner should expect to see the barcode. In the fifth column, enter the order number associated with the barcode. This can be any alphanumeric string of characters and can be an Order Number, Bill of Lading, etc.

Note: It is recommended that barcodes be unique to a pallet. This allows for the most accurate tracking information. If this is not the case, a quantity field is provided.

When all the barcodes are entered, save the file as a CSV. From here, copy the CSV file to c:\Artemis\Files. Once the copy is complete, the file will briefly exist in the directory before RaPTr Server retrieves the data and deletes the file.

Opening the CSV file in a text editor (Notepad, Notepad++, or any other text editor) will show that the file is just lines of text separated by commas.

XML:

The easiest way to load an XML list is via Notepad++ or another text editor program.
Open our sample XML file (c:\Artemis\SampleXML.xml) in Notepad++ or another spreadsheet program. A sample XML file can also be found attached to this article.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Order xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" OrderNumber="1234567" LocationID="15">
<Responses>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="WO08711433-1:72" ResponseString="Good" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="WO08711434-1:72" ResponseString="Good" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#FF0000"/>
</Responses>
</Order>

To enter a new barcode, copy and paste an existing dock door response.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Order xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" OrderNumber="1234567" LocationID="15">
<Responses>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="WO08711433-1:72" ResponseString="Good" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="WO08711433-1:72" ResponseString="Good" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#FF0000"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="WO08711434-1:72" ResponseString="Good" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#FF0000"/>
</Responses>
</Order>

From here, change the barcode field to match the target barcode. These need to match the barcodes to be scanned, so type the barcodes carefully, copy/paste, or export from another program. Once the barcodes are entered, custom responses can be created that are tied to each barcode. Likewise, a color can be selected, represented by a hexadecimal string, that will display on the background of the text. The example above shows Green (00FF00) for all. Other colors can be generated by searching “hex color picker” in Google. Google will provide a utility that allows selecting a custom color and displaying the corresponding hexadecimal code.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Order xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" OrderNumber="Sample Order" LocationID="46">
<Responses>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="5S3052229276684" ResponseString="Good. Next Product: GreenEggs" Quantity="3" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="5S3052229276711" ResponseString="Don't Forget the Ham" Quantity="2" ResponseColor="#FF0000"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="5S3052229276712" ResponseString="Good. Load to Tail" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="5S3052229276713" ResponseString="Good. Load to Nose" Quantity="5" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
<DockDoorResponse Barcode="5S3052229276714" ResponseString="Good. Order Complete" Quantity="1" ResponseColor="#00FF00"/>
</Responses>
</Order>

When all the barcodes are entered, save the file as an XML file. From here, copy the XML file to c:\Artemis\Files. Once the copy is complete, the file will briefly exist in the directory before RaPTr Server retrieves the data and deletes the file.

Note: Both CSV files and XML files can be generated via a program or exported from a WMS or ERP system. The concept will remain the same for files generated automatically.