Use the PDW to PDW File Merge Utility to combine two records for the same product in the Product Data Warehouse (PDW). You can also run a purge to remove the duplicate file.
For example, if two records for the same widget are created due to an incorrect import, use the Merge Utility to combine these two records into one, combining any duplicate information and including all data elements.
Before you can do a merge, you must find the product records that need to be merged. Search for these records by indicating the date the records were loaded, any metadata items they share, or any parametric data they share.
To merge PDW records:
From the Tools > Product Data Warehouse (PDW) menu, select PDW to PDW Merge Utility to display the PDW to PDW Merge Utility screen.
In the Select Catalog By field, press F10 and select one of the following ways to select the products to merge:
Load Date/Data Source
Indexed Meta Item
Parametric Data
Depending on your selection for the Select Catalog By field, the next two fields vary.
Complete the fields associated with the selected option:
Field |
Description |
Effective Date / Data Source |
Import date for the product you want to merge, such as 10/27/01. |
Source: Import Layout ID for the product you want to merge, such as TS280. |
|
Load Date / Data Source |
Import date for the product you want to merge, such as 10/27/01. |
Source: Import Layout ID for the product you want to merge, such as TS280. |
|
Indexed Meta Item / Value |
Metadata item on which to search, such as Manufacturer name. |
Value: Value it should match, such a Syl. |
|
Parametric Data / Value |
Parametric metadata item on which to search, such as Manufacturer name. |
Value: Value it should match, such as Syl. |
Use the Multi hot key, as needed, to enter multiple sources or values to use for selecting metadata items.
In the Match On field, enter a metadata item for the product against which you want to verify the other product.
For example, if the UPC numbers in the two product records identify them as the same product, enter UPC in the Match On field.
Use the Filter 1 hot key to define a filter for the Match On metadata item, if necessary.
In the Match To field, enter the other product's metadata item that should match up with the Match On field's entry.
For example, if you entered UPC in the Match On field and the matching metadata item in the other product file is Vendor UPC, enter Vendor UPC in the Match To field.
Use the Filter 2 hot key to define a filter for the Match To metadata item, if necessary.
In the NonMatching Indexes field, press F10 and select either:
Include - Displays metadata items that do not match between the two product records.
Exclude - Displays only metadata items that match between the two product records.
In the Sort By field, press F10 and select how to sort the products on the Merge Utility screen:
Description
Unique Key
PDW ID
Once you have entered data in these fields, the utility runs and displays the defined data.
Verify the data in the following columns:
Column |
Description |
U |
The system displays one of the following:
|
Unique Key |
The value for the metadata item entered in the Match On field. For example, if you entered UPC in the Match On field, the UPC number displays in this field. |
PDW ID1 |
The PDW ID for the first PDW product record. |
PDW Description 1 |
The description of the first PDW product record. |
PDW ID2 |
The PDW ID for the second PDW product record. |
PDW Description 2 |
The description of the second PDW product record. |
In the U column, enter M next to each row of PDW product records that you want to merge into one record.
Use the Clear hot key to clear all values in the U column.
Use the Update hot key to perform the merges.
Press Esc and enter Y at the prompt to save completed merge updates and to exit the screen.
Note: Before exiting the screen, make sure that you have completed all merge activity. When you exit the PDW to PDW Merge Utility screen, you will lose any incomplete merge updates.
More Options for Merging PDW Records
The PDW to PDW Merge Utility screen also offers these options.
Hot Key / Option |
Description |
ID1 |
Displays the PDW Data Viewer for the first PDW product record. |
ID2 |
Displays the PDW Data Viewer for the second PDW product record. |
Search |
Displays the PDW Catalog Search screen, which you can use to further search for matching records if the system does not find matches on the initial search. |
Displays the Hold Entry Pre-View screen, where you can view and print the PDW to PDW Product File Merge Report. |
See Also:
Searching for Matching PDW Product Records