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Setting Up External File Layouts

To set up external file layouts, use the External File Layouts component (BANK_INPUT_FILE).

This section provides an overview of external file layouts and discusses:

Student Financials enables you to import charge and payment information from outside sources. For example, many institutions have housing and parking management applications from third-party vendors. Or you may use a lock box service to receive and record payments. This information is imported into the Student Financials application using a file transfer process.

Field Positions and Lengths

Each piece of information in an external file is defined by a starting character position and a field length. Certain types of data (for example date fields) do not require a length definition because they have a fixed length. Consult the data provider to determine the correct definition.

Control Data

You must also set the location and length of the control data. This information is loaded into the Group Control Information. It is used to compare what the data source indicates they have sent to what was actually received, loaded, and posted. Control data also includes the origin code and the currency code. Control data may be located in the file header or trailer.

Page Name

Definition Name

Navigation

Usage

Record Types

BNK_RCN_INP_LAY1

select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types

Define basic file layout parameters.

Field Details 1

BNK_RCN_INP_LAY4

select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Field Details 1

Define the first set of field positions and lengths.

Field Details 2

BNK_RCN_INP_LAY5

select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Field Details 2

Define the second set of field positions and lengths.

Field Details 3

BNK_RCN_INP_LAY6

select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Field Details 3

Define the third set of field positions and lengths.

Control Totals

BNK_RCN_INP_LAY2

select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Control Totals

Defining locations and lengths of control data.

Access the Record Types page (select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types).

Image: Record Types page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Record Types page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Record Types page

Field or Control

Definition
Use Header Flag and Use Trailer Flag

Select to indicate to the system to look for information in the header position, trailer position, or both.
Trailer

Enter any specific information that you want included in the file trailer.

Access the Field Details 1 page (select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Field Details 1).

Image: Field Details 1 page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Field Details 1 page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Field Details 1 page

Note: Use the Field Details 2 page and the Field Details 3 page to define positions and lengths for additional fields.

Field or Control

Definition
Use

To activate a field, select the Use check box next to it. The Customer ID, Amount, and Item Type fields are required.
Start and Length

Enter the start position and length for any applicable fields.
Format

Enter the format for any applicable fields.
Default

Enter the default for any applicable fields.
Prefix

Enter a prefix value if one is required.

Access the Control Totals page (select Set Up SACR, then select Product Related, then select Student Financials, then select External File Layouts, then select Record Types, then select Control Totals).

Image: Control Totals page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Control Totals page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Control Totals page

Field or Control

Definition
Use

To activate a field, select the Use check box next to it.
Start and Length

Enter the start position and length for any applicable fields.
Default

Enter the default for any applicable fields.

Control Field Location

Field or Control

Definition
Header or Trailer

Select either header or trailer to indicate where control values can be found.