Data Collection Method 
Definition
The grouping of multiple data collection procedures into one method.
Integration
You can use data collection methods to simplify the customizing of data collection (in particular, customizing of data collection tasks), in addition to data entry layouts and methods for flexible uploads, for loading from data streams, for copying, and for deleting.
These let you combine different data entry layouts and methods, and assign these to data streams.
You assign the data collection method itself to a task for data collection (see the following example).
Example: Data collection method
Data Stream |
Data |
Method/ |
Doc. |
Pres. |
Log. |
File Name |
Totals records |
Manual entry |
Grp01 |
|
|
|
|
Totals records |
Flex. Upload |
FlexUpl01 |
|
X |
|
C:\temp\upl2.txt |
Inventory data |
Manual entry |
|
|
|
|
|
Supplier data |
... |
... |
|
|
|
... |
Data to be entered in the data collection method
Data |
Method/ |
Doc. |
Pres. |
Log. |
File Name |
Manual entry of financial data |
Data entry group |
|
|
|
|
Flexible upload |
Upload method |
XB |
X |
(X) |
X |
Load from data stream |
Method Load from Data Stream |
XB |
|
|
|
Copy, periodic |
Copy method |
|
|
|
|
Delete, periodic |
Deletion method |
|
|
|
|
Explanations:
· X = required; XB for collection of documents
· (X) = optional
· Data stream type and data collection procedure:
You need to assign a data collection procedure to a data stream type to be able to save the data for the data stream type.
· Data collection method/data entry group:
No specification is necessary for the manual entry of additional financial data. This is because the data input screens are hard-coded.
· Presentation server; logical file; file name:
¡ Presentation server: Here you determine whether you specify a path on the presentation server or on the application server.
¡ Logical file: Here you determine whether you specify a logical or a physical file name.
¡ File name: Here you specify the name of the logical or physical file (that is, the <path> + <file name>).
Example
To be able to execute a data entry layout, you assign the data entry group that belongs to the data entry group (for example, Grp01) to a data collection method (for example, DC1). And you assign the data collection method to a task (for example, DT10). See the illustration:
When you run task DT10 for consolidation unit C1000, the system displays the data entry layout (from data entry group GRP01) where you can enter the data.