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Excel and RMSQL Reports receive data from MS SQL Server. Data from Restaurant Manager must be pushed to Reporting Services to receive information for a predetermined time period. Two options are available to export data: Manual or Scheduled. Use the manual option choose to push the data from rmwin to Reporting Services at irregular intervals.The manual method requires user intervention. Use the scheduled option to schedule data to be pushed from rmwin to Reporting Services at predetermined time periods. The advantage to the scheduled method is it requires little user intervention. Both scheduled and manual exports require the use of the RMSQLExport utility. The utility has a dual role: one is to configure export, the other role acts as service to push the data (similar to Dsend.exe). The utility must always be running for data to be exported at the scheduled time interval. Data exports are customizable in intervals of minutes, hours, or days. You can also choose the amount of data being exported (i.e. current month, last two months, last 12 month, etc.). Scheduled updates will occur at timed intervals configured in the RMSQL Setup form and are timed against the point when the "Start Scheduled Export" button is selected on the RM SQL Export screen.
The setup form used to configure scheduled data export is contained within the RMSQLExport(.exe) Utility. The form is accessed by is accessed by opening RMSQLExport(.exe) and selecting the "Export Setup" option. The sections and options of export setup form are described below:
Restaurant List- the restaurant list is found on the left side of the setup form. The list is auto populated during the processing of adding a restaurant. Add or remove restaurants from the list using the [Add Restaurant] and [Delete Restaurant] buttons at the bottom of the list. The restaurant list section is broken into three sections:
Enabled- restaurants are automatically enables when being added. Uncheck the Enabled box associated with a restaurant to disable. Disabling a restaurant will prevent any further updating of restaurant data.
Rest. ID- the restaurant ID is automatically assigned when the restaurant is first added to the list. This field is static and the restaurant ID cannot be changed here. The restaurant ID number can only be changed in the "Restaurant Unique Identifier" field box.
Restaurant Name- the restaurant name is created when adding a restaurant. The name of the restaurant cannot be changed in this field. This field is static and the restaurant name cannot be changed here.The restaurant name can only be changed in the "Name" field box on the right of the form.
Restaurant Unique Identifier- The number in this field box reflects the restaurant selected on the Restaurant List. Use this field to change the restaurant ID only when needed (i.e. to change the ranking on the list). Click on the field to type in a new number or use the arrows within the field box to affect change.
Name- The number in this field box reflects the restaurant selected on the Restaurant List. Use this field box to change the name of a restaurant and how it will appear on the selection list.
MS SQL Server Connection String- The information in this field is auto populated during the Build string process when adding a restaurant. Use the Build Connection String button to restore connection parameters if the string within the box has changed.
Polling Type- the information in this field determines the time method used to export data. The option selected in the field works in conjunction with the time intervals (X) configured in the "Every" field directly to the right. Use the drop down menu to choose one of for options;
Manual- use this option only if you choose to manually update data using the "Manual Update" button on the SQL Export default screen.
Every X minutes- choose this option to export data in minute intervals. This option would be typically used by restaurants that frequently view information throughout a work day.
Every X Hours- choose this option to update information in hour increments. This option should be selected for restaurants that may want to view reports throughout a day but only need the information reflecting a period of time (i.e lunch sales, dinner sales, etc).
Every X Days - choose this option to export data on a daily basis. This report is perfect for restaurants that collect data daily or weekly basis.
Every- the number entered in this field determines the incremental time of the Polling Type setting. Example, if 5 is entered in the "Every" field and Every X minutes is Polling Type, the system will export data every five minutes starting when the "Start Scheduled Export " button is selected on the default SQL Export screen.
Export Type:The option used under this option will pull the data from the Restaurant Manager databases for the specified period. Use the drop down menu to select a time period:
Current month- this option pulls data for the current month only. The incremental time setting to the right does not apply when using this option.
Current and previous X months- Selecting this option will send data to MS SQL Server for the incremental time period configured in the field box to the right and will include the current month. Example: On January 20th, 2012 the user enters 24 in the field box to the right of the Data Export field. The system will send data to Report Services for all months dating back from January 2010 including the current month.
Demo Date- this option should be used on Restaurant Manager demo systems only. if this option is selected, the system will only send data for June 1, 1990 (demo date).
Export Method- The options under this field also determine the amount of data being sent. Reporting Services keeps a history of all data sent. Therefore, in most circumstances a restaurant need only to update report records that have been modified since the last export. The settings under the drop down menu are:
Modified Records (recommended)- choose this option to send records that have been modified since the last export. Enable the "Update Modified Tables Only" option to the right if Modified Records is used.
Brute Force- choosing this option will resend all data records for the time period selected in the Export Type field. Do not enable the "Update Modified Tables Only" option to the right if this option is selected.
Data Path - the data path cell displays the path where the rmwin folder reside (i.e. c:\rmwin). This field is auto populated when initially adding a restaurant. The data in this field should be changed only if the path is incorrect. If using Central Manager, drill drown to the store location folder:
- Store 1- C:\rmwin\LOC0001\
- Store 2- C:\rmwin\LOC0002\
Data Export (Valid for all restaurants) - The "Data to export" field list all databases in the rmwin folder available to export. All data fields are enabled by default. Databases may be excluded for export by removing the check mark in the Export cell row associated with a database.
Initiating the schedule process is discussed in the topics Scheduled Updates and Manual Updates.
RMSQL Server Setup Form
Next Topic "Scheduled Data Export Updates"