Oracle PBCS Data Management operates as a highly configurable option to load data to existing PBCS applications. Utilizing variable features within import formats, data load rules and data load mappings allows the user to import data files with a high degree of flexibility.
One additional feature of Data Management that is extremely useful is the use of parent locations. As a specific use case, we can look at the ability to store data load mappings at a parent location to save on initial build time and overall maintenance of an application that utilizes multiple load processes with the same (or numerous identical) data load mappings.
For example, you have a data load file with multiple rows of data, each with a different currency. Multiple locations (Denoting each currency) with their respective import formats would need to be created to effectively bring each row of various currency data into the application.
Or perhaps there are multiple data load files, each with different data, but all the files are structured in the same way (So as to say that the same mappings would be used on each file during the load process).
This is where utilizing a parent location can be highly beneficial. Rather than setting up data load mappings for each specific location, data management allows you to create an additional location, and attribute this location as a parent location to any other pre-existing locations. This is an effective solution as you then can store any mappings that would apply to numerous locations (and associated data load file/s) at the parent location, and upon saving those mappings they will be filtered down to any other location that has the parent location added to it. If at any time additional mappings need to be added, they can be added to the parent location and dynamically applied to all locations “beneath” the parent location.
(See images above – Multiple locations and associated Import Formats, one for bringing USD data in, and another for Local currency data. Both have the same “ParentIntl” designated).
To enter/view the mappings that need to be applied to the numerous locations, visit the Workflow > Data Load Mappings tab within Data Management and set the Location to the parent location (See below).
All mappings stored at this parent location, across all dimensions will automatically be applied on save to the location/s that specify it as a parent location. (See below).
This solution is a quick and effective method to manage multiple mappings across numerous locations that require the same mappings to be applied.
