Reading Product Brands, version 4.6.6.6.


The process of reading data for the product brand table. In the SQL Server, within the destination database, exists a table named Dim_Brand. Upon inspection of the Dim_Brand table, it's evident that a code, a descriptor, and a reference to the category code of each brand need to be stored.



Referencing the PIS, specifically the text container, where data regarding brands and categories is stored, reveals the necessary relationship between brands and categories for this table. However, while the source data contains brand and category descriptors, the destination table requires codes instead.



To bridge this gap, transformations are required. Navigating to the Transformations tab and creating a new transformation named Load Dim_Brand. A descriptor is added, and the source object, representing the container of brands and categories, is selected. 






Subsequently, a lockup process is employed to generate codes for brands. The Lockup Brand transformation is created, utilizing the brand descriptor as the search criterion to retrieve the brand code from the destination. This process ensures that each brand is assigned a unique code for storage.


Moving forward, a similar lockup process is applied to determine category codes based on category descriptors. A new Lockup Category transformation is created, linking category descriptors to their respective codes in the destination. A default category code is specified for unmatched descriptors.


After these transformations, the unnecessary category descriptor column is removed using the Delete Columns transformation. Then, the column names are adjusted using the Alias transformation to match the destination table's field names.


To ensure compatibility with the Automatic Box, metadata adjustments are made, specifying field sizes, data types, and primary keys. The primary key is set as the Brand Code.


Upon previewing the transformation results, it's confirmed that the data layout aligns with the destination table's structure.