Skip to main content

Manage data imports

Learn how to use the import functionality in SAM Core on Snow Atlas to create new objects or update existing objects with new metadata.

You can import information to the standard fields in the SAM Core user interface and to most custom fields applicable to the category. The exception is custom fields of the type "​currency"​.

For imports of license data, see Manage license imports.

For imports of Microsoft License Statement (MLS) files, see Manage MLS imports.

tip

If the import is interrupted, for example, if the browser window is accidentally closed, you can resume the import process by selecting the same import type on the Data imports page. A dialog then appears, where you can select to either Resume current import or Start a new import.

Prerequisites​

Before you start the import, you must prepare an import source file which contains the data that you want to import. To help you, there are import templates available for download. For more information, see Download import templates.

Certain information must be provided for a successful import. For detailed information on the required data for each import and where the data can be found in SAM Core after the import, see Data Import Field Description.

If you run a data import for existing objects, for example, computers or users, these objects must already exist in SAM Core.

Download import templates​

Import templates in XLSX format are available for download from the ​Data imports​​ page in SAM Core.

  1. On the ​​SAM Core​​ menu, under ​Home​​, select ​Data imports​​.

  2. Select ​Import templates.

  3. Select the import template you want to use, and then select Download.

    The import template will be available as a downloaded file in your web browser.

Import and update licenses​

For information on how to import and update license data, see Manage license imports.

Import agreements​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Agreement import.

  3. In Agreement import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Agreement import - Field mappings (step 2 of 4), do the following:

    1. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    2. Optional:

    3. Select Next.

  5. In Agreement import - Preview of imported data (step 3 of 4), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  6. In Agreement import - Importing data (step 4 of 4), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import MLS files​

For information on how to import Microsoft License Statement (MLS) files, see Manage MLS imports.

Update existing applications​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Update existing applications.

  3. In Applications import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Applications import - Field mappings (step 2 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select which field in the import file that you want to use for the identification of the applications in SAM Core. Do one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: In Map identifiers, select the column that you want to map to either Application ID or Application name.

      • For an import file without column headers: Select Map by index, and then select the position of the column that you want to map to either Application ID or Application name.

    2. Optional: To remove any spaces in the beginning or the end of the identifier value, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

    3. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    4. For custom fields, you can select how to handle fields with values in SAM Core but without values in the import file. For more information, see Manage empty custom fields.

    5. Optional:

    6. Select Next.

  5. In Applications import - Preview of imported data (step 3 of 4), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  6. In Applications import - Importing data (step 4 of 4), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Update existing computers​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Update existing computers.

  3. In Computers import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Import settings (step 2 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select how to handle computers that exist in SAM Core but are not present in the import file, the obsolete computers:

      • Do nothing: Nothing will happen to the obsolete computers.

      • Inactivate: All obsolete computers will be set to status inactive during the import.

      • Archive: All obsolete computers will be archived during the import, and all licenses currently attached to them will be released.

        caution

        An archived computer cannot be restored. If you use an import file that does not include all of your computers in SAM Core, only select Archive if you really want to remove the obsolete computers.

    2. Select Next.

  5. In Computers import - Field mappings (step 3 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select which field in the import file that you want to use for the identification of the computers in SAM Core. Do one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: In Map identifiers, select the column that you want to map to either Computer name or BIOS serial number.

      • For an import file without column headers: Select Map by index, and then select the position of the column that you want to map to either Computer name or BIOS serial number.

    2. Optional: To remove any spaces in the beginning or the end of the identifier value, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

    3. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    4. For custom fields, you can select how to handle fields with values in SAM Core but without values in the import file. For more information, see Manage empty custom fields.

    5. Optional:

    6. Select Next.

  6. In Computers import - Preview of imported data (step 4 of 5), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  7. In Computers import - Importing data (step 5 of 5), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Update existing users​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Update existing users.

  3. In Users import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Users import - Field mappings (step 2 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select which field in the import file that you want to use for the identification of the users in SAM Core. Do one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: In Map identifiers, select the column that you want to map to the User name.

      • For an import file without column headers: Select Map by index, and then select the position of the column that you want to map to the User name.

    2. Optional: To remove any spaces in the beginning or the end of the identifier value, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

    3. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    4. For custom fields, you can select how to handle fields with values in SAM Core but without values in the import file, see Manage empty custom fields.

    5. Optional:

    6. Select Next.

  5. In Users import - Preview of imported data (step 3 of 4), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  6. In Users import - Importing data (step 4 of 4), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import new custom objects​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Import new custom objects.

  3. In Object import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Import settings (step 2 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select the Object type that you want to import.

    2. Select Next.

  5. In Object import - Field mappings (step 3 of 5), do the following:

    1. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    2. Optional:

    3. Select Next.

  6. In Object import - Preview of imported data (step 4 of 5), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Errors like conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  7. In Object import - Importing data (step 5 of 5), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import vendors​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select Import vendors.

  3. In Vendor import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Vendor import - Field mappings (step 2 of 4), do the following:

    1. Select which field in the import file that you want to use for the identification of the vendors in SAM Core. Do one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: In Map identifiers, select the column that you want to map to the External ID of the vendor.

      • For an import file without column headers: Select Map by index, and then select the position of the column that you want to map to the External ID of the vendor.

    2. Optional: To remove any spaces in the beginning or the end of the identifier value, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

    3. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    4. Optional:

    5. Select Next.

  5. In Vendor import - Preview of imported data (step 3 of 4), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  6. In Vendor import - Importing data (step 4 of 4), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import SAP® information​

You can manually import SAP information to SAM Core by using a file generated by Snow Optimizer for SAP® Software.

When you import the file, it must be in its original state and format. You can use the file for import only once.

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select SAP Import.

  3. In SAP import (step 1 of 3), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your generated import file.

    2. Select Next.

  4. In SAP import (step 2 of 3), the import file and the data are validated with one of the following results:

    • If the file is successfully validated, a message appears stating that the file is ready to be imported.

      To start the import, select Next.

    • If the file contains errors, a message appears and the file will not be imported.

    • If the file has already been imported, a message appears and the file will not be imported.

  5. In SAP import (step 3 of 3), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import license assignments​

  1. On the SAM Core menu, under Home, select Data imports.

  2. Select License assignment import.

  3. In License assignment import - Upload a data source (step 1 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select Browse, and then select your prepared import file.

    2. For imports using CSV files, select the Delimiter character used as column separator in the file.

    3. Select Next.

  4. In Import settings (step 2 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select if you want to Add to the existing assignments on a license or Replace them.

    2. Select Next.

  5. In License assignment import - Field mappings (step 3 of 5), do the following:

    1. Select which field in the import file that you want to use for the identification of the license assignments in SAM Core. Do one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: In Map identifiers, select the column that you want to map to either External ID or License ID.

      • For an import file without column headers: Select Map by index, and then select the position of the column that you want to map to either External ID or License ID.

    2. Optional: To remove any spaces in the beginning or the end of the identifier value, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

    3. Map the import Source fields to the Destination fields in SAM Core by doing one of the following:

      • For an import file with column headers: Verify the suggested mapping of the data. To change a mapping, select the Source that you want to change, and then select the correct column from the list.

      • For an import file without column headers, see Map by indexes.

    4. Optional:

    5. Select Next.

  6. In License assignment import - Preview of imported data (step 4 of 5), do the following:

    1. Verify the data and correct any errors. Conflicts or invalid values are highlighted in red. Rows that have any fields highlighted in red will not be imported. For more information, see Troubleshoot import files.

    2. To start the import, select Next.

  7. In License assignment import - Importing data (step 5 of 5), wait for the import to complete, and then select Finish.

Import Oracle orders​

For information on how to import Oracle orders, see Bulk-import Oracle orders.

Map by indexes​

If your import source file has no column headers, you can map the data in the Source file and the Destination fields by using index mapping. This means that you map each column by its position in the source file instead of its name.

In the mapping step of the Agreement import, Update existing applications import, Update existing computers import, Update existing users import, or Import vendors, do the following:

  1. Select the blue button next to the Source that you want to map by index.

  2. In the dialog, select Map by index.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Select the Source again, and then select the correct column position from the list.

  5. Repeat for all columns in the import file.

Trim leading or trailing white spaces​

You have the possibility to remove any potential white spaces in the beginning or the end of a value in the import file.

In the mapping step of the Agreement import, Update existing applications import, Update existing computers import, Update existing users import, or Import vendors, do the following:

  1. Select the blue button next to the Source that you want to remove white spaces from.

  2. In the dialog, select Trim leading or trailing white space.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Repeat for all sources for which you want to remove white spaces.

EXAMPLE

The values "Application xyz" and "Application xyz " in the Application name field will be interpreted as one and the same application when you select this option.

Use default values​

If a column in the import file contains rows without any values, you can use a default value instead.

In the mapping step of the Agreement import, Update existing applications import, Update existing computers import, Update existing users import, or Import vendors, do the following:

  1. Select the blue button next to the Source for which you want to set a default value.

  2. In the dialog, enter the Default value that you want to use.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Repeat for all sources for which you want to set a default value.

EXAMPLE

If the Is upgrade column of the import file contains the value yes for upgrade licenses but is empty for non-upgrade licenses, and you add no as a default value, the destination field will be populated with the value no for all empty source fields.

Add prefixes to data values​

You have the possibility to add a prefix, like a text or a number, to a value in a column of the import file.

In the mapping step of the Agreement import, Update existing applications import, Update existing computers import, Update existing users import, or Import vendors, do the following:

  1. Select the blue button next to the Source that you want to add a prefix to.

  2. In the dialog, enter the Prefix that you want to use.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Repeat for all sources for which you want to add a prefix.

EXAMPLE

If the invoice reference values in the import file are 1, 2, and 3, and you then add the text INV_ as a prefix to all invoice references, the imported values will be changed to INV_1, INV_2, and INV_3.

Manage empty custom fields​

For updates of existing objects with custom fields, you can select how to handle the custom fields that have values in SAM Core but that have no values in the import file.

note

If you have defined a Default value for the custom field, the Empty value action will not apply. For more information, see Use default values.

In the mapping step of the Update existing applications import, Update existing computers import, or Update existing users import, do the following:

  1. Select the blue button next to the Source of the custom field that you want to manage.

  2. In the dialog, under Empty value action, select how to handle an empty custom field in the import file:

    • Do not update: The value in SAM core will not be updated.

    • Remove value: The value in SAM core will be updated with the empty (blank) value.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Repeat for all custom fields for which you want to manage empty values.

Troubleshoot import files​

In the preview step of the imports, you might see errors, missing information, and data that differs from what is expected highlighted in yellow or red. It is possible to continue with the import even if there are invalid rows in the source file. However, rows with fields highlighted in red will not be imported.

The fields in the preview are highlighted as follows:

Highlighting colorDescription
No colorThe field is properly filled out.
A row with no highlighted fields has the status Ready with a green check mark icon.
For license imports, the license will be included in the import and it will be included in compliance calculations.
YellowRequired information is missing.
A row with fields highlighted in yellow in addition to any fields with no highlighting has the status Ready with an orange check mark icon.
For license imports, the license will be included in the import but marked as incomplete and it will not be included in compliance calculations until it has been completed with the missing data.
Note: For license updates, if you have empty fields in the import file the corresponding fields will be cleared in SAM Core. To avoid unintentional loss of data it is therefore important to consider yellow fields, if any, for this type of import.
Note: If the Allow users to save incomplete licenses setting is enabled in SAM Core settings, under License Management, fields that are missing the required license information are highlighted in yellow.
RedThe field contains errors, such as conflicts or invalid values.
A row with one or more fields highlighted in red is given the status Not ready and will not be included in the import.

To troubleshoot invalid rows in the preview step, do the following:

  • To see more information about a field with an error, point to the highlighted field.

  • To export all information in the preview to a file in XLS format, select Export all rows.

  • To export only rows with errors to a file in XLS format, select Export invalid rows.

    Descriptions of the errors and the warnings are included in the file which can help you correct the import file.

  • To change the version of an application, select the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) column, and then select the version that you want to change to. The list of versions appears if you selected to use SKU for mapping of licenses to applications in the Configure import settings, and if the SKU represents multiple application versions. Changing the application version will trigger a re-validation of the row.

  • To add new metrics from the license import file to applications in SAM Core, select Add new metrics. For more information, see Add new metrics.

  • To go back and correct field mappings and import settings, select Previous.

  • To cancel the import, select Cancel.