Import Project Data

Explanation

This activity is used to import project data from Primavera Project Management (Primavera) to IFS Applications. All information necessary for project planning purposes, such as project information, the sub project structure and activities with their relevant information, is handled in the integration. In addition, for each export, it is possible to configure if certain data types should be transferred, such as project calendars, dependencies, constraints and resource assignments. An import of project data will create new records, or update the information in existing projects, in IFS/Project. The basic data, i.e. calendars and resources, must exist in IFS/Project before it can be assigned to a project in IFS/Project  through a project integration.

Integration configurations are created and saved as records in the Integration Configuration/Projects Integration tab. They can be reused any number of times to perform a project data analysis, or to initiate a project data integration.

Before the actual import is started it is possible to run a data analysis that will check the most fundamental differences in business logic between IFS/Project and Primavera. Executing the data analysis functionality is a recommended part of the process of integrating data; and it will give information about data that may need to be rectified before performing the integration, in order for the integration to be successful. The analysis can be started separately using the Analyze Data menu option, or in combination with the integration by using the Analyze Data and Run Integration menu option. While the analysis is optional, but recommend, the integration can also be run without it by using the Run Integration menu option.

When initiating a project data import, the project data from both IFS/Project and Primavera is compared in order to find the changes that will occur to the project data, should the import be completed. This information is displayed in the Compare Data dialog box that will open. Thus it is possible to analyze the consequences of updating the project data before the actual import. Once the basic data from IFS/Project and Primavera has been compared, the actual import can be performed.  A completed project data import, or project data analysis, results in a history record. An excluded activity or subproject will not be part of any import or compare dialog and can therefore improve the integration performance.

The details for the project data import can be found in About Integration to Primavera Project Management.

Prerequisites

• The Primavera Project Management module should be installed.
• A project should exist in IFS/Project.
• You should have access to the entire project to perform the import
• A suitable integration configuration record for project data import must exist.
• If basic data (calendars and resources) used by the Primavera project should also be used by the integrated project in IFS/Project, the basic data must exist in IFS/Project before the project data import is started. This can be done by a basic data import or by entering it manually in IFS/Project.

System Effects

• Selected projects are imported from Primavera to IFS/Project, where projects are created or updated with new project data. Note that project data can be inserted and updated by the integration, but cannot be deleted.

Window

Integration Configuration

Related Window Descriptions

Integration Configuration/Projects Integration
Integration Messages
Compare Data
Integration History
Planning/Primavera

Procedure

1. Open the Integration Configuration/Projects Integration tab.
2. Populate and select, or search, for the relevant integration configuration record to use for the import.
3. Select the row, right-click and then click Analyze Data and Run Integration.
4. If the analysis results in integration messages, it is possible to view them in the Integration Messages window.

Note: If the project data analysis results in integration messages of type Error, project data must be rectified before running the integration. Correct the data accordingly in IFS/Project or Primavera. Continue to the activity Analyze Integration Messages to get more detailed help on how to rectify problems. It is optional to take action on the other types of integration messages, i.e. warnings or information messages.

5. The Compare Data dialog box will open and display information about the eventual changes of data that will take place at the receiving side of the integration if the import is completed. Observe these changes and click OK to complete the import. Now project data will be created or updated in IFS/Project. Alternatively, if unexpected differences in data are found, click Cancel and no changes will be applied to IFS/Project. Rectify data in IFS/Project or Primavera, and restart this procedure to continue.
6. Optionally, open the Integration History window and populate the window to view the history record for the import.

Notes:

• More information on integration messages is available in Analyze Integration Messages.
• Alternative to steps 3 to 5: The Analyze Data menu option can be used to perform the analysis of the project data that is to be imported separately. This will create integration messages that can be viewed in the Integration Messages window. This step must then be followed by the Run Integration menu option for the actual import to start. The Compare Data dialog box will open.
• To run the integration directly as above is called to run it in online mode. The integration can also be run as a background job, by selecting Run Integration as Background Job in step 3. The integration can also be set up to perform as a scheduled task. In both these cases the Compare Data dialog box will not open.