Initial Export RM Data to MS SQL Server

In this section of the documentation we provide the necessary steps to send data from Restaurant Manager to the MS SQL Server. We accomplish the data transfer using RM SQL Data Export Utility (RMSQLExport.exe). The utility can be access using the one of the methods outlined below:

Select Window's "Start" button > Programs > Restaurant Manager SQL v18 folder > RM SQL Data Export Utility
Go to rmwin directory and select RMSQLExport.exe
Windows Start > Run > enter C:\rmwin\RMSQLExport.exe

Note: "C:" in the commands above represents the drive where the rmwin folder resides. This may be different on your computer.

Initial Export Data Setup Process

The exporting process will allow you to select data from one or more restaurants. A single store will export data from the local rmwin folder. If exporting data for multiple stores, you will link to the same folder used when setting up Central Manager. Use the following steps below to export Restaurant Manager data to MS SQL Server:

Open the RM SQL Data Export Utility (RMSQLExport.exe) using one of the methods described above. You will see a screen similar to the one picture below the first time you access the utility.

Click on the "Export Setup" button to set up the location (s) you want to export data from (i.e. ChatnChew Store 1, ChatnChew Store 2,etc).
Since this is the first time the data export has been run, you will see a screen similar to the one below. Click the "Add New Restaurant" to start the Add Restaurant Wizard.

In the Add Restaurants Wizard, click on the "Add Restaurant" button to add a single restaurant. Click on the "Add From Central Manager" button to add multiple locations at once.

A row will be added to the Add Restaurant Wizard form. You will need to enter information in the following fields:

Restaurant Name- Click on the Restaurant Name cell and type the name of the restaurant.

Data Path- click on the Data Path cell and enter the directory path where the rmwin folder resides (i.e. c:\rmwin). Alternatively, use click on the ellipsis button in the cell to enter the directory path. If using Central Manager, you need to drill down to the location folder:

Store 1- C:\rmwin\LOC0001\

Store 2- C:\rmwin\LOC0002\

Can Add- by default this will read "Please specify a path". This field will automatically change to "OK" when a directory path has been entered in the neighboring cell.

Click the "Next" button after adding all restaurants.

Restaurant Manager needs to know how to connect to MS SQL Server’s RMData database. Click on the “Build Connection String” button:

In the next screen, select the "Use Connection String: option and click on the "Build" button. Note: the "Use Connection String" remains empty prior to clicking on "Build".

In the Data Link Property window, "Select Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Serve"r and the click "Next"

Under the Connection tab fill in the following fields:

1. Select or enter server name- type the name of the computer followed by " \SQLEXPRESS" . In the picture below our server name is rmserver so we entered "rmserver\SQLEXPRESS". Alternatively, you may you the drop down menu to make your selection.

2. Enter information to log on to the server- select the "Use Windows NT Integrated security" option.

3. Select the database on the server- type "RMDATA" or use the drop down menu to make your selection.

Click the "Test Connection" button when finished configured the data fields above.

You should get a confirmation that the connection is successful – if not check the connection settings and try again.

Click the "OK" button in the Data Link Properties screen. You will be redirected back the Connection String window, The Use Connection screen should now contain string information. Click the "OK" button in this screen to proceed to the next step.

Click the "Next" button in the Add Restaurant Wizard screen

Use the default options provided in the Add Restaurant Wizard and click "Finish". These options in this screen are described later in the setup guide.

The last screen in the RMSQL Export Setup process will look similar to the one pictured below. Click "OK" at the bottom of the form to save the changes.

The setting in this form are discussed in the section: Scheduling Data Updates.

At this point the data in RM is ready for initial export. To do the initial setup click on the “Manual Update” button:

In the Manual Update window, select the restaurants listed by clicking on each one individually or use the "Check All" button to include all restaurants if more than one exists (i.e. Central Manager). Click on the "Next" button after making selections.

In the next screen you will presented with a list of Restaurant Manager databases. Select the database to be exported by clicking on each one individually (uncheck to exclude) or use the "Check All" button to include all databases. Click the "Next" button to save selections and proceed to the next screen.

In the next screen we can choose the time period of the data we want to export. Example we want to export the data for the last 2 years so we select “Current and previous X months” using the Export Period drop down menu and then enter 24 in the months edit box. After entering your time period criteria, click the "Finish" button to begin the export process.

You’ll see the export progress. The export might take a while to complete depending on how much data Restaurant Manager contains for the time period selected.

Note: use the default settings the first time you run this program. If running a second time change the Export Method to "Brute Force" and uncheck "Update Modified Tables only".

The first two steps in the initial setup process covered setting up communications between SQL Server and Restaurant Manager in addition to making the RM database available for reporting services. The last step in the initial setup process will be to deploy a number of preset reports to the MS SQL Service reporting services for viewing.

Next Topic "Deploying Reports"