Migrate data from AX to Robots

Important

Only proceed with migrating the data if you have completed the previous stages of the migration. For more information, see Recreate your AX repository structure in Robots and Migrate scripts from AX to Robots.

If your AX repository contains either of the types of data listed below, you may need to migrate the data to Robots. Depending on the nature of the data, using a script to import a fresh instance of the data to Robots may be quicker and easier, and more appropriate, than physically migrating an existing table from AX.

If your AX repository does not contain any data that needs to be migrated or recreated, you can move to the next stage in the migration: Recreate automated AX processes in Robots.

Type of data AX location
Analytics data tables Data subfolder
Input files such as Excel and *.csv Related Files subfolder

Recreating or migrating Analytics data tables

This general guideline can help you decide whether to recreate Analytics data tables in Robots or migrate them from AX:

  • Recreate Data tables that are overwritten every time an analytic script runs can be recreated in Robots rather than migrated from AX.
  • Migrate Data tables that have records appended to them every time an analytic script runs should be migrated.

Note

When you migrate data tables, all the data tables in a Data folder are migrated as a group. So if a Data folder contains some tables that are overwritten and some tables that are appended to, all the tables are migrated.

Create the robots first

Whether you recreate or migrate Analytics data tables, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you have created the appropriate robots to contain the tables in Robots. You may already have created the required robots, but if not, you need to create them now. For more information, see Create robots to structure content and automated processes.

How you intend to use the data tables in Robots dictates how you should structure individual robots to contain them.

Intended use of Analytics data table Robot structure
Store and protect a single copy of data imported from a data source that can then be linked to by multiple automated processes in other robots Create a robot with a name such as "Source Data". Create multiple robots if you want separate containers for different types of source data. For example, "SAP Source Data", "Oracle Source Data", and so on.
Provide input for subsequent analytic scripts as part of the same automated process, or several automated processes Create a robot to contain all the scripts and data tables required for the automated process or processes. For example, "A_01_AP analytic tests".

Recreating data tables

Analytics data tables that are overwritten every time an analytic script runs should be recreated in Robots rather than migrated from AX. Migrating tables in this situation is wasted effort because the tables will be overwritten as soon as the scripts that create them run in Robots.

For example, if you import a monthly transaction table from your organization's SAP or Oracle installation, and overwrite the previous month's table, the easiest approach is to start importing the monthly table to Robots using the same analytic script that you use to import the table to AX.

Likewise, any data tables that are overwritten each time automated analysis runs should be recreated by running the analysis in Robots rather than migrated.

Options for recreating data tables in Robots

You can use any of the following options to recreate data tables in Robots:

  • Run an entire automated process
  • Run only a portion of an automated process
  • Use a set-up script to initialize data tables

Migrating data tables

Analytics data tables that have records appended to them every time an analytic script runs should be migrated from AX to Robots rather than recreated in Robots. Migrating tables in this situation is required to preserve the accumulating, historical data that the tables contain.

For example, if you import a monthly transaction table from your organization's SAP or Oracle installation, and append the records to an accumulating yearly table, the yearly table needs to be migrated to Robots.

Likewise, any data tables that have records appended each time automated analysis runs should be migrated to Robots rather than recreated.

The process for migrating data tables to Robots

Diligent Support has made scripts available to assist with migrating historical data tables from AX to Robots. The first script exports the data tables from AX to an intermediary location on your network. The second script imports the data tables from the intermediary location to Robots.

The migration scripts are necessary because, unlike AX, you cannot directly upload Analytics tables to Robots through the user interface.

Note

The scripts work at the individual AX folder level and the individual robot level. You need to run the scripts repeatedly for each folder containing data tables that you want to export, and for each robot that you want to import data tables into.

Create linked tables in Robots

If you use master and linked data tables in AX and you want to continue this arrangement in Robots, you need to recreate the linking relations in Robots. For set-up information, see Sharing and linking data tables in ACL robots.

Uploading or migrating non-Analytics related files

You have two options for populating non-Analytics related files such as Excel or *.csv in Robots:

  • migrate the files from AX to Robots
  • upload the files from a network location

Uploading the files requires fewer steps. You may need to use both options depending on the availability of files. Regardless of which approach you take, make sure that you populate Robots with the current version of each file.

Migrate the files from AX to Robots

You cannot migrate related files directly from AX to Robots. Export related files from AX to an intermediary location, accessible to both AX and Robots, such as your own computer.

This procedure assumes that you are using your own computer as the intermediary location.

  1. Create a folder on your computer for storing exported files.
  2. In the AX Server Explorer, do one of the following:
    • select a Related Files folder to export all the files in the folder
    • select individual files in a Related Files folder using Ctrl+click
  3. Select File > Export.
  4. In the Export dialog box, deselect Work with the exported file(s)?.
  5. Click Browse, select the folder that you created for storing files, and click OK.
  6. Click OK to export the file or files.

    The files are exported to the specified location.

  7. Repeat the process for files in other Related Files folders that you want to migrate.
  8. Continue with the procedure below for uploading files.

Upload the files from a network location

If you have current versions of related files stored locally, or available on your network, you can upload them directly to Robots.

Note

Related files must not exceed 1 GB in size and must be a permitted file type. For a list of permitted file types, see Permitted types of files in Robots.

  1. From the Launchpad home page (www.highbond.com), under Audit & Analytics, select the Robots app.

    You need to sign in to Diligent One if you are not already signed in.

  2. From the dashboard in Robots, select ACL Robots.
  3. Navigate to the robot that you want to upload the related file or files to, and select the robot to open it.
  4. In the upper-right corner of the robot, click Development to switch to development mode.

    The production mode header has a light background and the development mode header has a dark background.

  5. On the Input/Output tab, do one of the following:
    • Drag and drop Select one or more files from your local file system and drag them onto the Drag and drop upload section.
    • Choose files Click Choose files, browse to the files that you want to upload from your local file system, select them, and click Open.

    Result the file or files are uploaded and appear under Files in the Input/Output tab.

What to do next

Once you have migrated the data for one or more automated processes you can move to Recreate automated AX processes in Robots.