Oracle Fusion offers the data upload from Excel file into Oracle. The mechanism provided for data upload is mainly using FBDI or ADFdi files. We did a detailed comparison or the feature and functionalities provided by FBDI and ADFdi templates. Where relevant we provided a hyperlink to the Simplified Loader web page detailing the specific functionality offered by Simplified Loader Excel templates.
| Feature | FBDI | ADFdi | Simplified Loader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible Layout | ✘ Rigid columns sequence and date format ✘ Requirement to organize data in separate sheets means an additional Macro is necessary to format data. | ✘ Rigid columns sequence ✘ Inability to copy and paste data | ✔ Column layout can be adjusted to the user’s requirements ✔ Ability to delete or hide columns not required for data input ✔ Ability to add custom columns to help data analysis ✔ Flexible date format (i.e. enter date format per user's preference) Click here to view details |
| Plugin Installation on the user’s machine | ✔ Not needed - Runs as a standalone file | ✘ Need ADFdi plugin | ✔ Not needed - Runs as a standalone file |
| Support for data input by end-users | ✘ No lookups ✘ Too Technical to share with end-users ✘ Needs macro to convert data | ✘ The end-user must have ADFdi plugin ✘ The end-user must have Oracle account | ✔ Supports offline lookups ✔ Supports offline validation Click here to view details |
| Language - Non English characters | ❑ Few FBDI files supports Unicode character set | ✔ Supports Unicode character set | ✔ Supports Unicode character set Click here to view details |
| Sharing sheet with others | ✔ Possible, but recipients have no access to lookups | ✘ Can only be shared with users who have the ADFdi plugin and access to the Oracle. | ✔ Recipients can capture data and utilize lookups without logging in to Oracle Fusion ✔ Ability to disable upload functionality before sharing the Template Click here to view details |
| Time taken for initial setup on the user machine | ✔ None | ✘ ADFdi plugin installation | ✔ None - Get the file and immediately start using it |
| Data download | ✘ Not possible | ✔ Very few ADFdi Templates support specific data download | ✔ Each Template comes with pre-designed operations that download data from Oracle Fusion using SQL queries. ✔ Possibility to customize SQL queries. Click here to view details |
| Support for Single Sign-On | ❑ Not Applicable | ✔ Supported | ✔ Supported Click here to view details |
| Support Non-SSO login | ❑ Not Applicable | ✔ Supported | ✔ Supported Click here to view details |
| Custom Validation | ✘ Not possible | ✘ Not possible | ✔ Any custom validation is possible. ✔ Gives control to Admin to turn the validation on or off at the template level or user level Click here to view details |
| Version Control | ✘ No control to stop users from using an older FBDI version file | ✘ New ADFdi version requires IT Dept involvement | ✔ New versions of Templates can simply be distributed by email to users. ✔ Ability for Admin to centrally turn off any data exchange with Oracle Fusion using older template versions. Click here to view details |
| Data Transformation Rule | ✘ Not possible | ✘ Not possible | ✔ Any custom rule is possible to transform data. ✔ Gives control to the Admin to turn transformation logic on / off at the template level or user level. |
| Selective upload | ✘ Not possible | ✔ Supported | ✔ Supported Click here to view details |
| Error Reporting | ✘ Time-consuming ✘ Users need to look for the error message in the log and output file of ‘Load Interface’ or log and output file of the actual input process ✘ Tool not designed for the end-user | ✔ Error details are not part of the input table. User needs to click on individual rows to view error messages | ✔ The error message is part of the actual transaction. Click here to view details |
| Resolving error | ✘ Errors need to be fixed in the source CSV file. ✘ The user needs to complete the entire upload process again to confirm if the error has been resolved | ✔ Error fixed within the same file | ✔ Error fixed within the same file Click here to view details |
| Organizing Transaction data | ✘ Data for Parent and Child records are maintained in separate sheets | ✔ Limited fields available for the user to enter data | ✔ All data (irrespective of hierarchy level) is entered and maintained in the same sheet Click here to view details |
| Steps involved to upload | ✘ Extended process involving seven steps: - Prepare CSV - Generate ZIP - Load ZIP - Execute Load Interface. - Review Log and Output files for error - Execute Import process - Review Log and Output files for error | ✔ Depending on ADFdi integrator, either one-step upload or data upload using Fusion interface tables | ✔ Single click upload Click here to view details |
| Restriction on number of records (Mass upload) | ✔ None | ✔ None | ✔ None |
| Upload Speed | ✔ Fast | ✔ Fast | ✔ Fast |
| DFF | ✘ Uses Attribute 1 naming | ✔ Displays DFF field name ✘ Puts DFF fields as multiple segments under a single column | ✔ Displays DFF field name Click here to view details |
| Use of WebService (SOAP and REST) | ❑ Not Applicable | ❑ Not Applicable | ✔ Uses REST / SOAP API |
| Real-time or Batch processing | ❑ Batch processing | ✔ Real-time | ✔ Real-time |
| User Management for Data Upload | ❑ Not Applicable | ❑ Not Applicable | ✔ Maintain users in Oracle Lookup tables Click here to view details |
| File Management | ✘ Produces six files to perform a successful upload. ✘ The number of files multiplies for each error resolution cycle | ✔ Single file | ✔ Single file |