Sage 50 Accounts Professional XML Data Exchange with FTP
Project ID:
739720Project Type:
FixedBudget:
$250-$750 USD
Project Description:
Sage 50 Accounts Professional XML Data Exchange with FTPIntroduction
This system requires use of XML and the .Net Framework 1.1 or 2.0. The hardest part is the transformation of one type of XML to another. Anyone who has had experience with XML transformations or even EDI will probably have come across this before. It is working around limitations of Sage 50 Accounts Professional in order to electronically exchange data from one system to another. I have only just got into XML and .Net, as well as Sage. As much as I would like to learn and do this myself I simply do not have the time. A test server is set up so the application can be properly tested.
Scenario
We are the supplier of the goods. Our best customer is moving away from paper-based and email orders to paperless electronic ordering. They have an FTP server setup which we can access.
The new process we have to use
What happens is, the customer deposits an XML file into the FTP folder. That XML file could be any of the following:
Purchase Order
Purchase Order Amendment
Purchase Order Cancellation
We periodically check this FTP folder for any new of the above documents. If we find a new document, we grab the data from it and respond with the following XML file:
Purchase Order Acknowledgment (Presumably a confirmation of the order)
Any file that we deposit/upload to the FTP generates an .ack file, meaning the structure and information in the file we have just sent is correct, or a .nack file, meaning the file is incorrect, and hence there is something wrong with the file we have deposited/uploaded, and they will reject the file.
Assuming we had a response of the .ack file, we then respond either immediately or later with one of the following XML files:
Invoice
At the moment we are taking and responding to orders using email, printing them off when necessary and manually entering the data into our Sage package.
Ideally I want to automatically input any data we receive directly into our Sage 50 Accounts Professional. This version of Sage supports Transaction Email, which works by attaching XML files to an outgoing email. If the receiving party also had Sage with Transaction email, they would be able to automatically input the data directly from the XML file attached in the email and update their Sage.
We have a VPS web server which I propose to use, to bridge the gap between the remote FTP and Sage Transaction Email.
Any outgoing Transaction emails from sage would be sent to the FTP via the VPS. The VPS takes the attached XML file and transforms it into the XML type required for the customers FTP. The VPS then uploads the new XML file to the FTP directory.
The VPS must also periodically check the FTP for any new files. These could be .ack or .nack files as described above or order files. If a new order file is found, the VPS must transform it to Sage XML, and then email it to our address, where it will be picked up by Sage Transaction email.
Some pointers to be aware of:
• There is no way of editing the way Sage generates its XML, hence the need for the VPS to transform it to structure required by the customer. I can, however amend any information in the email body itself.
• Sage can send and receive XML files through its Transaction Email. It cannot check remote FTP directories, again a need for the VPS.
• Emails being sent to the FTP via the VPS will be a sage reports with an attached XML file.
• Emails being received by Sage from the VPS will be in a different XML format (Transaction Email type) than the type being sent out.
Skills required:
.NET, Electronic Forms, IIS, XML, XSLTAdditional Files:
XML+Specs+and+samples.rar Process+Detail.pdf Sage+50+Accounts+Professional+XML+Data+Exchange+with+FTP.docx
Public Clarification Board
3 messages
-
sambracewell
Hi all. First my appologies for late responses. I work in and out of office - sometimes I am away for a day at a time so it may take some time for me to reply.
As I explained in my project listing I am fairly new to XML, .Net and Sage so I will answer as best I can.
Currently we have only one customer who requires electronic data exchange, so accept for the two different XMLs that Sage uses, there is currently only one customer XML type. However I have designed this system with new customers in mind. The idea being that if we get another customer which uses their own different XML type, then it would be a matter of adding the necessary rules to the VPS to change the Sage XML to the specific customer XML. For example the VPS could map the XML depending on which email address the message is to, or perhaps the company name which is detected in the attached XML file. The company name in the XML is what Sage Transaction email uses to reference which account in Sage to apply the data to.
Using the VPS to do the work and not making any changes to Sage itself, accept to which address the mails are being sent to, allows us to still use Sage Transaction Email to SEND and recieve data from other customers who also use Sage Transaction Email.
A quick reminder here is with customers who do not have Sage Transaction Email, we will send a normal email from within Sage with the XML attached. This goes to the VPS for futher processing. Customers who DO have Sage Transaction Email, we can use Sage Transaction Email to SEND as well as recieve. Any electronic messages sent from Sage always have email body, subject, etc, with the XML file attached.
With regards to will customer provide their schema or DTD? All the information and literature sent from the client I have uploaded with this project.
If this information is not there, then please ask me exactly what additional information I require from the customer, and I will ask them for it.
I have no major objections with adding a Windows service to do the checking of FTP and new messages. Ideally I would like this project done with code that I can get to and edit if necessary. I want to be able to learn from this and hopefully adapt it further myself in the future.
Thanks, Sam.over 1 year ago
-
elasticbrains
Hello,
Thanks for publishing the project.
I have reviewed the business and technical requirements. Before applying for the project, could you please clarify the following:
Transforming Engine
1. Will your xml be transformed to unique format for every customer? or in other words your client's customer will use your client standard message format for different business transaction?
2. Will your clients' customer provide their schema or DTD?
Windows Service at VPS
Can we run windows service on VPS which polls the ftp for uniform time period and check if there's any new message or xml arrived?
SAGE LINE 50 XML Email
How are sage sends xml, as attachment or embedded message?
Any question please feel free to ask
Regards,
Mubasher Ali
Sage & Accounting Software Consultant
Freelancer Profile: elasticbrains
Skype: Travelqaover 1 year ago
-
zoom009
Hello Sir,
Hope you are doing great!
I am Manikanth Prasad, the Business Development Manager for Technodynamix. I am here to focus on acquiring and understanding your business needs and nurturing you with the outstanding talent we have which will generate and sustain significant and beneficial growth to your organization maintaining the quality. Here is a little more information on our services and center in India has over 300 developers, with a wide variety of skills, and a 6 day standard workweek.
You can actually set up a Virtual Office (also known as ODC = offshore
development center) within our centers and the assigned developer(s)
will be dedicated employees to you and report directly to you on a
full time basis. You are able to communicate any time with them by
VOIP Lines, IM, Email and free Skype me on manikanth_cronus and you can monitor them.
We would love to supplement your team with our professionals. Our
staff includes professionals in the following areas:
.NET (C# and VB.net)
Cold fusion
Delphi
PerlTriadix
JSP/ Java
C++
PHP
Web Designers
System/Network Administrators (MCSE) (CCNA) (CCNP)
SQL Server DBAs
Oracle DBAs
ASP
Pocket PC
Visual Fox Pro
Access Developers
QA testers
3d Animation
Thank you and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks & Regards
Manikanth Prasad
Business Development Manager
Technodynamix
"Committed to Human Excellence Through IT"over 1 year ago
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