CSV/XML Interface - Description

RaPTr Server will monitor the directory specified by File Directory for either CSV or XML files. When RaPTr Server detects a new file, it will parse the contents of the file, store the order information in its own internal database, and then delete the file from File Directory. If RaPTr Server fails to parse the file correctly, it will create a text file in the same directory that enumerates the issues that were found while attempting to parse the CSV or XML file.

Each entry in the file is tied to a Location ID where a pallet should be expected and must contain the following parameters:

Parameter	Definition
Barcode	Barcode that will be present on a given pallet
Response	The message to the material handler
Response Color	The color of the message to the material handler
Location ID	The Location ID where the pallet should be scanned
Order Number	Any alphanumeric string to which the pallet has a relation. Can be bill of lading, or simply an order number.
Quantity	In cases where pallets are serialized, this should be 1. In other cases, this can be greater than one.

After a file has been uploaded, RaPTr Server checks the data and gets a list of each LocationID that was contained in the file. From there, it goes to its internal database and deletes any existing entries that are related to the Location IDs in the list. What this means is that the system considers any new information regarding a LocationID to be valid and that the Supervisor is implying that any existing information is no longer valid.

For some, this means that a file should contain only one location’s information and that it gets uploaded once the truck arrives and an order is being fulfilled. For others, this means that all order data for an entire day is uploaded in the morning. It is truly flexible to the needs of an operation, but it’s important to be aware of the assumption being made by RaPTr Server.

When a barcode read event is received, RaPTr Server checks the existing information in its internal database. If an entry does not exist for the given Barcode and LocationID combination, RaPTr Server responds “Wrong Truck” in red. If the combination does exist, RaPTr Server responds with the Response and Response Color found in the entry. If Enable Order Tracking is selected, the current order number, the number of pallets scanned, and the total number of pallets in the order will be displayed to the material handler in the Meta-Data section of RaPTr Scanner’s UI. If Enable Pallet Counting is selected, RaPTr Scanner will append the number of instances in which the pallet was scanned along with the quantity of that barcode to the “Good” message.

Enable File Output allows for scan records to be populated in the C:\Artemis\Output folder. The purpose of this feature is to enable two-way communication between RaPTr Server and the Supervisor. When a BarcodeReadEvent is triggered, RaPTr Server creates a new file for that event and populates the file with the MessageID, LocationID, CameraID, ResponseCode, ResponseColor, ResponseString, and OrderNumber. Once file writing has completed, RaPTr Server will not modify or delete the files, this action is left to the Supervisor to prevent file access errors. The format of the output file will match the selected interface.

In most cases, the Supervisor puts the necessary pallet information into the File Directory, but it can be done manually.

PARAMETERS

Parameter	Definition
File Directory	Directory to be monitored by RaPTr Server. If this directory does not exist, RaPTr Server will attempt to create it.
Enable File Output	If selected, RaPTr Server will populate the Output File Directory with files containing barcode scan records. Each file will contain exactly one record to eliminate the possibility of interference with other applications.
Output File Directory	Directory where barcode scan files will be located.
Enable Order Tracking	If selected, it will populate Order information into the “Meta-Data” section of RaPTr Scanner’s UI following a barcode scan.
Enable Pallet Counting	If selected, it will append quantity information regarding a specific barcode to the response to the material handler.