Configuring an Instance for Using Data Feeds

The Data Feed Manager provides the ability to build and configure dynamic integrations with external enterprise systems and files. Use the Data Feed Manager as a transport path between Archer and an external source, and then map the data from that source to an existing target application or questionnaire. You also can configure the data feed to run on a set schedule. After the initial configuration, the data feed runs automatically with no need for you to intervene.

Because Archer is vendor-neutral and content-independent, you can use Data Feed Manager as a point of consolidation for enterprise data of any type, supporting analysis, and process management. With a centralized view of data from point solutions, databases, spreadsheets, and other sources, you can access content that is relevant to your job functions more easily. You can also re-purpose data to support a variety of business processes. For more information about configuring for data feeds in the instance, see "Data Feeds" in the Archer Platform Help.

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Configure an instance for using data feeds

  1. On the Datafeed Settings tab, go to the General Settings section.

    1. Open the Archer Control Panel.
    2. From the Instance Management list, double-click the instance.
  2. Do the following:
    1. In the Accessibility field, select Enable access to the Data Feed Manager for this instance.
    2. In the Max Active Feeds field, enter the maximum number of data feeds that can be active at 1 time.
    3. In the Manual Trust field, select Enable Manual Trust Levels.
    4. In the Manual Trust Level field, enter a value in the range from zero (high) to 99 (low) to specify the trust level.
  3. In the Transporter Availability field, select the transporter for Data Feed Manager. Select all that apply.
  4. In the Home Directory of the Data File Management section, enter the directory in which data files will be stored.
  5. On the toolbar, click Save.

You must configure the following options for activating Data Feeds:

General settings for activating data feeds

The following table describes the general settings for activating data feeds.

Option

Description

Accessibility

Specifies whether Data Feed Manager is available for the instance. By default, this option is activated. When you select Enable access to the Data Feed Manager for this instance, all other options become available for selection and input.

Max Active Feeds

Designates the maximum number of data feeds that can be active at 1 time. By default, this option is not available until Accessibility is activated.

Manual Trust

Specifies whether a data feed can overwrite data entered by another data feed. The Manual Trust Level value set in the Archer Control Panel is a global value for all data feeds that cannot be overridden in Data Feed Management.

Manual Trust Level

Specifies whether the user-updated values that a data feed originally updated is further modifiable by any other data feed. The value you enter for the Manual Trust Level is assigned to the record or field that the user updates to prevent further modification. The Manual Trust, which you must establish first, works in conjunction with the Manual Trust Level.

You can enter a value from zero to 99, with zero being the highest trust level, and 99 the lowest. A data feed cannot overwrite a previous feed that has a higher trust level. For example, a data feed with a trust level of 75 cannot overwrite a data feed with a trust level of 20. By default, this option is not available until Manual Trust is activated.

Transporter availability

By default, all transporters are selected. To restrict the number of transporters, clear the checkbox of the transporter. Only the selected transporters are available in Data Feed Manager.

The following table describes the transporters that are available in the Data Feed Manager.

Transporter

Description

Archer Web Servers

Retrieves data from an instance of Archer through Web Services API.

Database Query Transport

Captures data from an external database.

File Transporter

Captures data from a specific file location.

FTP Transporter

Captures data from an external server.

HTTP Transporter

Retrieves data from an HTTP or HTTPS site.

JavaScript Transporter

Allows you to ingest data, push data, or update external data (or any combination of the 3) with a JavaScript file.

Mail Monitor Query Transporter

Captures data from an external mail server.

RSS Transporter

Retrieves data from an RSS feed.

Data file management

Restricts the location that the Data Feed Manager can obtain data files. If relative path is set to Require relative path, specify a directory.