Data Export for Micros 3700 2

[ibstoby]

I need to export data from a Micros 3700 into a file that will be imported into a database for reporting. I need
sales data by hour, sales data by time period, discounts by date. Is it practical to export "ALL" detail information for each and every transaction into a database then compile reports as needed? Seems like I am asking to reinvent the wheel. Is there a commercial product out there that polls or otherwise extracts raw data from the 3700 to be used as one sees fit?

 

[savissimo]

You have tools such as Export Utility, Check 3700, but you can always export files on the old fashion SQL way!

 

[pmegan]

I generally dump data using SQL. The sybase version that Res4.x runs on lets you unload a query instead of just whole tables which is kind of handy. You can even use a variable as the unload path, letting you dump data straight to timestamped files.

Is the Export Utility still in use? I just realized that it's available on my Res 4.1 servers but not on the ones running version 4.5. If it was quietly discontinued by Micros it might effect a decision on how to export data.

What's Check 3700? I'm always interested in utilities that will make life easier.

 

[savissimo]

I`ve checked now, the Export Utility exists on my 4.6 version so it is not discontinued, but for, me, it is muche easier to create SQL queries and to export data with UNLOAD or OUTPUT TO statemets I`ve never tried Check 3700 but i`ve heard it is widely used for interface with Materials Control. This app. creates a few new tables in database where the check details is stored in much convenient and consistent way and it is easier for export.

I also like to export check detail data through the ISL scripts, this is good for creating interactive interfaces with the third systems...

 

[pmegan]

I had to reload one of my test servers and found out that the export utility is now an optional component. I guess it just wasn't included in the live servers we have. No big deal, I'd rather extract through SQL too.

 

[ibstoby]

In Januray 2009 azrobert (Programmer) wrote:
Glad to see I am not the only one having fun getting data from Micros...... I wrote a program a few years ago to extract the sales and payroll info. The sales was not to bad but the payroll is a nightmare! The hard part will be matching a servers sales info to a particular shift. Let me know what kind of luck you have and I will answer any questions I can if you need..... I am always looking to improve the way I am getting the data.

I'm new to Tek-Tips. How do I get in touch with azrobert about the program he wrote to extract sales data?

 

[azrobert]

ibstoby

we should talk about the payroll info export...

I wrote a vb6 program a few years back that exports and send the info by ftp to my corp office server, You are right... matching the shift and sales info is not fun. we should compare methods....

Robert

 

[ibstoby]

Thanks Robert I have discovered I can get what I need via Crystal Reports!

I just had a blinding flash of the obvious. I own an iphone and there are 20,000+ applications that have been written for it. Why? Because Steve Jobs worked real hard on a developer’s kit before he ever released the phone. Someone needs to call Micros and tell them if they want a REAL competitive advantage they need to spend several million dollars on creating a developer kit for the Micros system. Then all the really smart folks on this forum could be developing really cool applications instead of answering questions for novices like me on how to get data out of the system…etc etc. duh

 

[ibstoby]

P.S. Thanks to everyone for your replies and being so helpful

 

[pmegan]

I wouldn't count on Micros spending money on a developer's kit. One of the services they offer is custom programming, so they would be laying out several million dollars to take money out of their own pockets. There are a few companies that make 3rd party Micros applications, Blue Moon Solutions and Beyond POS come to mind, but those are former Micros programmers who opened their own businesses.

The best way to learn the 3700 database is by looking at the tables and procedures used in the crystal report templates, then going through Sybase Central to get the relationships and see what the procedures are doing. Also, take a look at the Schema.rpt and Domain.rpt templates in the res\pos\reports folder. They're a really big help when you have to figure out what some of the value abbreviations are. And be glad you're not working on a 9700, that database is a nightmare.

SIM programming is a whole different story. The documentation these days is pretty weak. If you can get your hands on a Res 3.0 or earlier installation cd, they had a SIM Help companion guide pdf that was pretty handy. You can also reach out to somebody with a 9700, which still comes with a SIM Manual. Since Micros wrote the language most of it applies to both systems. Also, go through all the 3700 service pack ReadMe files. New SIM functionality is added with almost every sp and the ReadMe's have descriptions and examples.

 

[ibstoby]

pmegan, thanks both for your insight into Micros and for all the helpful information. I am a restaurant owner who is somewhat technical. Several years ago (early 90's) I worked closely with a guy who had a hard time writing me a program because he was distracted with wanting to teach me dbase .( I was not an interested student at the time) Ten years later in another company I striped info from mainframe reports using Monarch then used Crystal to write reports on the data. I am not qualified to even be called a beginner. It just seems to me that Micros “number one job” should be to sell systems – they could have such a competitive advantage if they went about things differently. At any rate I am not a brilliant guy and leaning programming would be a lot of hard work for me …I guess I am still not highly motivated to conquer the learning curve….