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Export data to XML files with MIF

Exporting data with the Integration Framework is alot easier than importing data.  When importing data, we use “Enterprise Services”, but for exporting data we need to use “Publish Channels”.  Of course they are both based on Object Structures.  Out of the box, Maximo provides plenty of Publish Channels and Enterprise Services to satisfy most of our needs.  So for this tutorial, I will show you how to export ITEMS to an XML file.

What you will learn:

• Setup integration framework global directory
• Export data to XML file
• Export data that is formatted correctly (readable)

Before we begin exporting data, we need to specify the global directory for the integration framework which is where the XML file is going to ultimately end up.  If you installed your maximo in the default directory, on your app server, create a new directory under the ‘maximo’ folder called ‘mif-globaldir’, just like so:

C:ibmSMPmaximomif-globaldir

Next log into Maximo and go to System Configuration -> Platform Configuration -> System Properties.  Filter for the value “mxe.int.globaldir”, which is the Integration Global Directory.  This directory holds all the exported XML files, flat files, web services etc.  Set this value to the newly created directory from the previous step.

Then go to Integration -> Publish Channels and search for MXITEMInterface.  I personally like to enable message tracking because I like to see if everything is working, so you can enable that here.  You don’t need to set it up for this tutorial, but if you want to, then you can continue reading or move on to the next step.  To enable message tracking on this interface, click on Select Action -> Message Tracking and click on “Enable Message Tracking?” checkbox.

Next, go to Integration -> External System.  You should have an EXTSYS1 that we will use to export data.  You don’t need to create a new external system here.  IBM actually suggests that you create a new system when importing data so you can use EXTSYS1 as a reference to an out of the box system.  But EXTSYS1 is already setup and ready to use but first make sure that it is enabled.  So, open up that system and click on Publish Channels tab.  Hit enter and you should see all the outbound interfaces available to you.  Filter it and find ‘MXITEMInterface’.  Set the end point to be MXXMLFILE like so:

Save.  To export using this interface, click on the ‘MXITEMInterface’ row and make sure it is highlighted and selected.  Click on the “Data Export” button.  A dialog box opens and you should see two fields: Export Condition and Export Count.  The latter is self explanatory, but the Export Condition is where you specify a where clause to select what ITEMS you want exported.  You can enter “1=1″ to export all the items in the database or you can enter:

itemnum=’12345′

Notice I didn’t type in “where”.  It’s implied.  Next, click on OK and wait for it to complete.  Go to your global directory, in our case it’s “C:ibmSMPmaximomif-globaldir”.  You should now see a bunch of new folders and one of them is ‘xmlfiles’.  Open that and you should see an XML file name something like “EXTSYS1_MXITEMInterface_1243130872220611751.xml”.  The numbers are irrelevant, it’s just a unique id, but you get the idea. You can then open it with IE.

Note: if you open this file with notepad, you will notice that the contents was written all on one line.  This is by default because it’s better for optimization.  In order to export data that is more readable, you have to make changes to the MXXMLFILE end point.  Go to Integration -> End Points and open up MXXMLFILE.  Set the PRETTYPRINT property to 1 and save.  Try your export again.

That’s it.  Really simple huh?  Well, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Please leave a comment.

Tags: Maximo, Maximo 71, Integration Framework, Export Data