Target

Use the Target tab to select the target for the data defined in the Source tab (go to Source for more information), or if external files are to be used, specify how the files are to be delivered (email or FTP).

The Target Types listed in the tab's left column are those defined in the specific Data Central project. Any number of outputs can be defined for a project, and these outputs can include data files, reports and log files. Data files can be SPSS, Quantum, SSSXML, SAS or Transposed. The properties available in the Target tab will depend on the Target Type (data file, report or log file), then if Data file, the type of data file, and then the File Transfer type selected.

Properties when the Target is a Project

Use the Target tab - - to select the target for the data defined in the Source tab (go to Source for more information), and specify how the files are to be delivered.

The Target Types listed in the tab's left column are those defined in the specific Data Central project. Any number of outputs can be defined for a project, and these outputs can include data files, reports and log files. The properties available in the Target tab will depend on the type of output selected. This section describes the options available when the target is a project.

Figure 1 - The Target tab when the target is a project

The data fields and options are as follows:

• Data Destination - when the selected target is a Forsta project, the processed data can be sent to:
• BitStream Files - BitStream files are generated.
• Survey Database - a new project database is generated.
• Project - if you wish to use an existing project as the target, select this option and type in or select the project to be used.
• Create New - if you wish to create a new project to be the target, select this option. This option is selected by default when generating a new rule.
• Incremental Updates - only changed or new responses for the survey (since the rule was last executed) will be included.
• Apply Schema Changes - check this option if wish to merge schema changes into the target survey (note that it is not possible to merge hierarchical/loop changes).
• Update BitStream Files - check this box if you also wish to merge schema changes into the BitStream files.
• Use Test Database – check this box if you are testing the setup and wish to send the data to the test database.
• Execution Mode - select how the data is to be added to the target database.

• Append Data - any records in the source that do not exist in the target survey database will be added to the target survey database. Any records in the source that already exist in the target survey database will be ignored.
• Update Data - any records in the source that already exist in the target survey database will be updated with values from the source. Any records in the source that do not already exist in the target survey database will be ignored.
• Merge data - all the data from the source will be added to the target survey database. Any records in the source that already exist in the target survey database will be updated, and any records in the source that do not currently exist in the target survey database will be added to the target survey database.
• Variables to include - if for example you have a Forsta project which is to be processed in Data Central (perhaps you wish to perform a cleaning operation), the result after execution of the DC rule will be a new Forsta project which contains the changes specified by the rule. If in addition you wish to specify the order of the questions or the column positions in this new project, you cannot do both within the rule. However you can build a template to choose the subset of data fields for your exports and arrange the columns (go to Creating a New Template for more information), and then apply this template to the target. Check this box, then select the template you wish to use. Three template types are supported: Simple (Delimited), Fixed width and Punch card.

Properties when the Target is a File

Use the Target tab - - to select the target for the data defined in the Source tab (go to Source for more information), and specify how the files are to be delivered (email or FTP).

The Target Types listed in the tab's left column are those defined in the specific Data Central project. Any number of outputs can be defined for a project, and these outputs can include data files, reports and log files. Data files can be SPSS, Quantum, SSSXML, SAS or Transposed. The properties available in the Target tab will depend on the type of data file and then the File Transfer type selected.

Figure 2 - The Target tab when the target is a file

Note that the rule in the example is set up with two targets (in the left column). The SSSXML file type is currently selected, so the properties in the area to the right apply to that package. If you select the "transposed" file as the target type, the properties available will change.

• File Transfer - files can be transferred by email, placed on a Forsta FTP server and retrieved from there, or imported from an external FTP server. The remaining properties will depend on which file transfer method you use:
• Email - sends an email. The files' default names are given in the Schema File and Data File fields; edit these if necessary.
• FTP - if your company has licensed the FTP add-on and it has been enabled, this option will be active. You can then send the file to Forsta's FTP location. The files' default names are given in the Schema File and Data File fields; edit these if necessary. Forsta's FTP address is specified as part of the enabling procedure and cannot be changed.
• External FTP - the files can be sent to an external FTP location. The files' default names are given in the Schema File and Data File fields; edit these if necessary. In this case the, Folder Name (at the external FTP location), the Host Name, and the FTP User name and Password must be specified. The Verify connection button is provided to allow you to check whether the FTP settings are correct.
• Encrypt file - File transfer encryption functionality makes it possible to export data from Forsta securely. The encrypted files can then be either ordered by email or sent to the FTP server for downloading. The users will have to decrypt the files using their private PGP encryption keys. The setting will be disabled on the following cases:
• Encryption is enforced due to company settings.
• The public encryption key is missing.
• Variables to include - if for example you have a Forsta project which is to be processed in Data Central (perhaps you wish to perform a cleaning operation), the result after execution of the DC rule will be a new Forsta project which contains the changes specified by the rule. If in addition you wish to specify the order of the questions or the column positions in this new project, you cannot do both within the rule. However you can build a template to choose the subset of data fields for your exports and arrange the columns (go to Creating a New Template for more information), and then apply this template to the target. Check this box, then select the template you wish to use. Three template types are supported: Simple (Delimited), Fixed width and Punch card.
• Use SFTP - select this option if you wish to use protected protocol SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). Note that this option can be preset as a company setting, in which case it will be grayed out and will not be "deselectable".