How to Set Up SyteLine XML Data Exchange
SyteLine supports XML-based data exchange for integrating with external systems that communicate through structured XML documents. The XML Data Exchange framework handles inbound document parsing, schema validation, XSLT transformation, and outbound XML generation. This guide covers configuring XML exchange profiles, schema mappings, and automated processing for common business document types in CloudSuite Industrial.
Defining XML Exchange Profiles and Schemas
Navigate to System Administration > XML Exchange > Exchange Profiles to create new XML data exchange configurations. Each profile defines the document type, XML schema (XSD), processing direction (inbound or outbound), and target IDO mapping. Upload or reference the XSD schema file that validates incoming XML documents against the expected structure. The SLXMLExchangeProfiles table stores profile definitions with references to schema files stored in the SyteLine application server's XMLSchemas directory.
- Create separate exchange profiles for each document type such as PurchaseOrder, Invoice, ShipNotice, and ItemMaster
- Upload XSD schema files to the SyteLine server's XMLSchemas directory referenced by profile configuration entries
- Configure namespace handling to strip or preserve XML namespaces based on the source system's document format requirements
- Set validation mode to Strict (reject invalid documents) or Lenient (log warnings but process) based on data quality needs
Mapping XML Elements to SyteLine IDO Properties
In the XML Exchange > Element Mapping form, define how XML elements and attributes map to SyteLine IDO properties. The mapping supports XPath expressions for navigating complex XML structures with nested elements and repeating groups. Configure transformation rules for data type conversion, date formatting, and code table lookups. For hierarchical documents like purchase orders with line items, define parent-child IDO relationships that map XML parent elements to header IDOs and child elements to detail IDOs such as SLSalesOrders and SLSalesOrderLines.
- Use XPath expressions like /Order/Header/OrderNumber to map XML elements to SyteLine IDO properties precisely
- Configure repeating element mappings for line items using /Order/Lines/Line with child IDO SLSalesOrderLines
- Define XSLT transformation templates for complex format conversions between external schemas and SyteLine IDO structures
- Set up code table lookups to translate external code values (e.g., UPC codes) to SyteLine internal identifiers automatically
Automating XML File Processing and Delivery
Configure automated XML processing using SyteLine background tasks. The SLXMLInboundProcessor task monitors designated folders for incoming XML files and processes them according to the matching exchange profile. Outbound XML generation is triggered by business events or scheduled tasks using the SLXMLOutboundProcessor. Set up FTP or SFTP connections for remote file exchange with trading partners. The XMLProcessingLog table records all processed files with timestamps, record counts, and error details for audit compliance.
- Configure folder monitoring paths in the background task for inbound XML files with wildcard filename pattern matching
- Schedule outbound XML generation to run after business hours using SLXMLOutboundProcessor with configurable triggers
- Set up SFTP connections in System Administration > File Transfer for automated XML file delivery to partner endpoints
- Implement file archival rules to move processed XML files to dated archive folders with 90-day retention policies
Frequently Asked Questions
What XML standards does SyteLine support for data exchange?
SyteLine supports generic XML with custom schemas, OAGIS (Open Applications Group Integration Specification) BODs, and Infor-specific XML formats. The OAGIS 10.x standard is used for ION integration with over 400 standard noun-verb combinations. Custom XML schemas can be any well-formed XSD definition. Maximum XML document size is typically 25MB per file with larger documents requiring chunking.
Can SyteLine XML exchange handle real-time processing?
SyteLine XML exchange primarily operates in batch mode with polling intervals. The fastest practical polling interval is 30 seconds for the inbound processor background task. For true real-time XML processing, use the IDO Web Services endpoint which accepts XML payloads via HTTP POST with sub-second processing. Typical batch processing throughput is 500-1,000 XML documents per hour depending on document complexity and validation rules.
How do I handle XML validation errors in SyteLine?
XML validation errors are logged in the XMLProcessingLog table with error codes, line numbers, and descriptive messages. Failed files are moved to a designated error folder with the original filename plus timestamp suffix. Configure email notifications on the background task to alert administrators when validation failures exceed a threshold of 5 errors per batch. Reprocessing is done by correcting the file and placing it back in the inbound folder.
Key Takeaways
- 1Defining XML Exchange Profiles and Schemas: Navigate to System Administration > XML Exchange > Exchange Profiles to create new XML data exchange configurations. Each profile defines the document type, XML schema (XSD), processing direction (inbound or outbound), and target IDO mapping.
- 2Mapping XML Elements to SyteLine IDO Properties: In the XML Exchange > Element Mapping form, define how XML elements and attributes map to SyteLine IDO properties. The mapping supports XPath expressions for navigating complex XML structures with nested elements and repeating groups.
- 3Automating XML File Processing and Delivery: Configure automated XML processing using SyteLine background tasks. The SLXMLInboundProcessor task monitors designated folders for incoming XML files and processes them according to the matching exchange profile.
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