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Rules for input to A-Source data files

    

Rules for A-Source input file
These rules apply for files being loaded into the A-Source application using the function Upload an RFQ Response:
  • The quantity and unit price fields must have a numeric value in them. They must contain a number greater than or equal to zero. These fields can not contain values like N/A, NA, -, none, etc.
  • Each part number must have a value in the quantity field using the rules above.
  • For part numbers that have multiple supplier names/supplier part numbers, the first row (entry) for the part must contain all the fields with the first supplier name/supplier part number filled in. Subsequent rows should only contain the supplier name and supplier part number for the remaining suppliers. See example below of the proper format for an input file.
  • Information can be contained at the top of the input file. This information will be skipped over when you designate which line to start reading from on your input screen. From the first row with part number information to the end of the file must contain either part number information or blank lines. If any other information is in there, the application will try to load them as part numbers and errors will occur.
  • A part should only be defined once in an assembly. If the part is contained in the BOM multiple times, all the information about the part will be loaded into the system the first time the part is read. After that, if the part is encountered again, only the unit price will be updated for each subsequent time the part if found in the BOM. Therefore, the last unit price is the price that is actually stored for the part. the quantity loaded will be from the first time the part is read.

The application does not sum up the quantities for the part:

Example of a good input file format

IBM P/N DESCRIPTION VENDOR VENDOR P/DQty U/P(US$)
MAM0020 PWR_CTLR_HIP6018BC HARRIS HIP6018BCB-T 11.3
MAM0021 128X8_SRAM MITSUBISHIKM681000CLTI-7L13.2
TOSHIBATC551001CFT-70L

Procedure for entering Component price and Supplier information into data File
Open down-loaded text file containing BOM data using a spreadsheet tool, such as Excel:
  • Step 1 : Ensure that you are in the in default, Delimited, select Next.
  • Step 2 : By inspection, select appropriate delimiter (i.e.: Comma).Then click Next then Finish to see the data in Excel's spreadsheet.
  • Step 3 : Highlight all columns headers, click Format in the menu bar-> Column -> AutoFit.
  • Step 4 : Format Col E as numeric by right clicking Col Header 'E' -> Format Cells.-> Number (under Number tab) -> Change decimal places to 4 -> Click OK. Notes: Reference Description may be in multiple rows. Multiple suppliers may exist for a part number.
  • Step 5 : Add the component price in column E: Unit Selling Price. Note: This is the best price, not necessarily for supplier seen on this row.
  • Step 6 : Optionally add a new row for a part when contract manufacturer has alternate supplier. (Look at example of part MAM0021 in table above). Note : Mandatory columns are IBM Part Number, Qty., Description, Unit Selling Price, Supplier's name and part number. However these columns can be put in any order.
  • Step7 : Save this file as a CSV file or a text 'txt' file.
  


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