Data files produced by your suppliers or from within your organisaton for upload into a system will typically have differing configurations i.e. different file types, formats and content. Rather than requiring one standardised file configuration for upload, data sources can cater for a range of different configurations via its data file configuration functionality.

This functionality allows you to specify how your upload files are configured which then enables data sources to identify and upload file contents into the correct BraveGen CSR data tables.

On this page:

Locate and View Data File Configurations

Locate Data File Configurations

Data file configurations are located on the 'Data File Configurations' page, available under the 'Configurations' menu option on the data sources Main Menu, as displayed below.


View Data File Configurations The grid on the Data File Configurations page contains the configurations created for your organisation's data upload requirements. To view the details of a selected data file configuration, click on its name, as indicated below.





The details of a selected data file configuration are displayed below. These details include:
  • The file type e.g. Excel or CSV and the location of the data in a file.
  • Identifying information which enables data sources to identify and match the data file contents to BraveGen CSR facility or inventory items.
  • Activity data information which enables data sources to locate the activity data contained in the data file and, in conjunction with the identifying information, populate the relevant activity data logs in BraveGen CSR.

 
   

Add, Edit and Delete Data File Configurations

Add Date File Configurations Adding a data file configuration involves completing the following 5 steps:

1. Click on the button, located above the grid on the Data File Configurations page, to navigate to the 'Create A New Data File Configuration' page .





2. Select the correct type of Data File Configuration by clicking the appropriate 'Add button', as displayed below. Click this link for more advice on choosing the correct Data File Configuration.





3. Enter the data file configuration's name and description plus choose a file type from the drop down box provided, as displayed below:


4. Specify the identifying information as displayed below. Determine whether the file contains location and/or inventory item related information and click the appropriate box. Then choose from the dropdown boxes to populate the requested identifier details and click on the 'Next' button:




5. Choose the activity data information by populating the fields provided, as displayed below. These fields allow the system to locate usage, costs, dates and commentary in the data file. Refer to Handling Dates for guidance on date formats. This section may differ depending on the Data File Configuration type you select. Finally, click on the 'Save' button.


Edit Data File Configurations To edit a data file configuration, go to the 'Data File Configurations page', locate the data file configuration on the grid and click its name.





This will take you to the 'Configuration Details' page for editing the required fields.

Editing the selected configuration's name, description, file type or location of the data in Excel file sheets is handled in the fields displayed at the top of the page as displayed below.





Editing facility or inventory identifier information is handled in the middle section of the page in the fields displayed below.





Editing activity data information can be handled toward the bottom of the page in the fields displayed below. If the date format is being edited, refer to the guidance on Handling Dates.





Finally, click the 'Save' button at the foot of the page to save your edits.
Delete Data File Configurations To delete a selected data configuration, go to the grid on the Data File Configurations page and click on the button adjacent to the selected configuration, as displayed below.

Choosing the Correct Data File Configuration Type

Choosing the Correct Data File Configuration Type

Choosing the correct data file configuration type from the outset is critical as this determines the questions that data sources asks you about your file. The following suggestions and examples may assist you.
Row by Row Files

Row by row files are the most common and familiar structure of data files and they are akin to database formats. The column names are at the top of the file and data flows down.

A common situation is that data for a single month may be spread across several rows requiring the data to be summed up into their corresponding months. This is referred to as "Transactional Style Data" in data sources as many individual transactions make up a single months data.
Monthly Data by Column Files

Monthly data by column files have a 2D format. Typically the identifying information is in the initial columns from the left flowing down the file. Activity data (e.g. kWhs, litres, kgs etc) then appears in monthly columns with a date as a heading. e.g. Jul-16 in column Q, Aug-16 in column R and so on per the screenshot below.

In some cases columns can alternate between activity data and cost. E.g. Jan 2012 activity data in column B, Jan 2012 cost data in column C, February 2012 activity data in column D , February 2012 cost data in column E and so on.
Invoice Files

Invoice files are common amongst utility suppliers. In most instances, each invoice and its details are presented on a single row. Invoice activity and cost data for a date period is determined by either a combination of a "Read From" date and a "Read To" date or a combination of a "Read To" date and a "Number of Days" value.

The column names are usually at the top of the file and invoice data flows down. In some cases invoices may spread over more than one row in the file and contain a mixture of fixed and variable costs.

For data sources to understand the contents of an invoice file certain types of data must be present:

  • A unique identifier e.g. ICP
  • A read to date
  • Either a read from date or number of days
LBG Files

LBG files, or more broadly corporate community investment (CCI) files, often have a row by row format. They typically contain an extensive number of data fields related to individual CCI contribution, leverage or management cost transactions, often as specified by LBG. Transaction details can be uploaded and recorded in the BraveGen CSRCorporate Community Investment module for value add analysis and reporting purposes.

Handling Dates

Specifying Date Formats In Excel File Configurations

The format of dates in an Excel spreadsheet are not always what they seem. Usually the format of a date in a cell is altered to reflect a more user friendly format and/or the format is based on the settings of your computer's locale. For example, if a date in a cell appears as Jul-2011, placing your cursor in the cell will show the date as dd/mm/yyyy or mm/dd/yyyy in the fx (Insert Function) box. It is this dd/mm/yyyy or mm/dd/yyyy format that should be entered in the Data File Configuration.
Specifying Date Formats In CSV and Text File Configurations

If viewing CSV or Text files in Excel the format of a date in a cell may be altered to reflect a more user friendly format and/or the format is based on the settings of you computer's locale. The safest way to determine date formats in CSV and text files is to open the file in Notepad. This is the format to enter when created a Data File Configuration in data sources.

 

https://community.foundationfootprint.com/FoundationFootprintHelpCentre/FoundationConnect/DataFileConfigurations.aspx