Quickly Update Multiple Data Points on Your Site
Catalyst's Fast Track Data Overlay service provides a quick and easy way to update or supplement data on your site. In essence, you upload a modified load file via our Overlay FTP folder. The service automatically updates your site with the desired information.
This can be used to update production information or to correct multiple records at the same time. You can choose to replace existing data or append new information to the desired records and fields.
Why Fast Track Data Overlay?
Let's say you or your client just produced 10,000 documents. You want to update your Catalyst CR site to reflect production information for each of those records.
In the past, you would send that information to a Catalyst technician to update your site database. The update might include the fact that the document was produced and could also include a new production number. You would then have to wait until Catalyst could get to your request and complete it.
With the Fast Track Automated Data Overlay service, you can do this work yourself whenever you like. The process is easy and the results are quick.
Catalyst CR provides a Bulk Update feature that you may have used in the past. It is designed to update multiple records with the same value or values. Fast Track Overlay was designed to address a different issue. It allows you to update multiple records with individual values for each record.
Getting Started
The process starts with an overlay request to your Project Manager by filling out Fast Track Mapping Request Workbook. We will work with you to set up the overlay process. We can also provide an Access MDB template (or the newer ACCDB format) for you to use.
The MDB template must include a cross-reference field (e.g., DocID, BegBates, VendorID), so we can correctly match up the data and records. It also needs columns for the fields that need to be updated or changed.
So, for example, if you needed to update production records, your template might have the following fields (columns):
- VendorID
- ProdBegControl
- ProdEndControl
In this case you would be adding new values or replacing existing data for ProdBegControl and ProdEndControl. In other cases, you may want to append data.
How Do I Do It?
Fast Track Data Overlay is as easy as 1-2-3.
- Load your approved MDB file with the appropriate record data.
- FTP it to Catalyst by placing it in the Overlay folder for today's date.
- Sit back and watch the process run.
The Fast Track Data Overlay process starts almost immediately. It will first evaluate your load file and match it against your site. If the two schemas don't match (e.g., the fields are different than expected or there is a problem with the cross references), then the update will fail. You will promptly be sent a message advising you of the problem. You can then correct the file and try again.
If the validation is successful, Fast Track will do the work automatically. We can't say the results will be immediate because that depends on the size of your request and the number of other requests in the queue; however, we can say it will be done quickly, often in minutes.
The system creates a Support Ticket for each overlay job. You can access the Support Ticket via Catalyst ST.
What are the benefits of using the Fast Track Data Overlay?
The benefits are as simple as the program itself.
- No Waiting: The work is started almost immediately after we receive your MDB file.
- Instant Feedback: You will receive immediate notification if the load file fails, allowing you to correct any errors.
- Easy Monitoring: Using Catalyst ST, you can follow each step of the automation process through completion. We will also send an email to you when the work finishes.
- Automatic Backup: If you made a mistake, we automatically create a backup of the data, allowing rollbacks if necessary. There may be a fee to correct your data.
Download the Fast Track Data Overlay How-To Guide.
Download a copy of the Fast Track Data Overlay announcement.
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