There was a time when we loved DataLoad: a multi-purpose and data-agnostic uploading tool that allowed us to set up our data in a spreadsheet and upload into Oracle without having to navigate the forms by hand. While it had some problems and limitations, in those days there simply was no better solution for getting high volume data into the ERP.
But that was then, and this is now.
Anyone still championing this tool should take a step back and consider their options. The world has moved on and much better solutions are available in the modern marketplace. Sticking with a product that had its heyday 20-30 years ago could be seriously limiting your data-entry outcomes.
In this article, we will dive into:
- The reasons you should be making the switch
- The current data entry landscape in Oracle E-Business Suite
- The problems with DataLoad
- The ideal scenario for data loading in Oracle E-Business Suite
- The advantages of More4apps’ EBS Toolbox
Current Landscape: The Reality of Data Entry in Oracle E-Business Suite
Data entry in E-Business Suite has historically been accomplished using one of three methods:
- The Oracle front-end forms
- Oracle Interface Loads
- Web ADI (Web Application Desktop Integrator)
The front-end forms are the default and obviously the most comprehensive method. The whole system can be managed using them, but they are slow to operate and create bottlenecks when data volumes increase.
To address that, the other two methods have been employed.
Oracle Interface Loads use a back-end approach to pass high volumes of data into Oracle and work great in many scenarios, but it’s a highly technical approach and requires substantial IT knowledge and investment. Further, this method can only be implemented in a limited number of areas.
Web ADI offers a spreadsheet-loading approach that’s very appealing to end users, but Web ADI upload templates within Oracle are not commonplace so there have been limited opportunities to leverage it.
So that left a bit of a problem. What to do with data areas not supported by Oracle Interface Loads or Web ADI loaders? This is where DataLoad made its mark as a robotic approach to data entry via the front-end forms. It didn’t require a huge investment and considerably improved data entry outcomes.
DataLoad: It Gives and it Takes Away
So what’s the problem with DataLoad? Essentially an RPA (Robotic Process Automation) solution for the Oracle front end, DataLoad lets you script uploads in a spreadsheet-grid format, then sends them to the Oracle front end, where forms are robotically manipulated to enter the data for you. In theory, this speeds up data entry immeasurably. In practice, it’s far less intuitive than users expect.
Key limitations of using DataLoad for Oracle EBS data entry:
- Messy data preparation — actions are intermingled with data, creating a real risk that actions get accidentally loaded as data
- No support for complex datasets — you must predict the exact behavior of the forms, so DataLoad struggles with datasets that vary in detail
- Blind execution — DataLoad doesn’t react to unexpected form responses; it just pumps data into the application window, so errors can get the process stuck in a loop or, worse, load incorrect data into the system
- Fragile performance — slow computer response times, especially with DataLoad Classic, can cause the robot to fall out of sync with the forms
- Difficult error tracing — transactional records often disappear from view after being committed, forcing users into a trial-and-error process to figure out what’s already loaded
- Constant monitoring required — users must watch DataLoad closely and react quickly the moment something goes wrong
- No multitasking — your computer is fully tied up during the process, so you can’t get other work done
These limitations are exactly why so many teams are now looking for a modern DataLoad alternative for Oracle EBS data entry, one that removes the manual monitoring and error-tracing headaches altogether.
The Ideal Data Entry Process
DataLoad allows us to lay out our data in a spreadsheet grid, and this spreadsheet-driven approach is an excellent choice, but there are better tools to achieve true spreadsheet loading.
Ideally, the whole upload should be driven from the spreadsheet alone, without any mucking about in the front end. The process should be as simple as:
- Enter data
- Upload it
- Review the results
Data should be easy to lay out in the spreadsheet, and when there are errors, it should be easy to identify them, correct them, and proceed. It really doesn’t need to be hard, and there are tools available to enable us.
Web ADI is one such solution, and although many users appreciate its approach, its appeal is greatly reduced because of the inflexibility of its layouts, limitations in the areas it supports, and (more recently) problems with Oracle and MS Office upgrades.
However, there is one suite of tools that provides all the benefits of spreadsheet loading without any of the downsides.
The More4apps EBS Toolbox
More4apps EBS Toolbox provides a truly integrated spreadsheet-loading experience. It allows end users to drive their high-volume data uploads completely from within a spreadsheet, delivering significant benefits:
- Single Spreadsheet: All the data is in one sheet, and the sheet has nothing but the data no cursor actions or keystrokes. The intelligent layouts allow for flexibility in the details, surpassing what can be uploaded with DataLoad.
- One-Click Uploading: Upload data directly from the spreadsheet with a single click.
- Advanced Validation: Validation occurs in real time within the spreadsheet, ensuring data accuracy before submission.
- In-Row Error Feedback: Errors are highlighted directly in the spreadsheet, which removes the overhead of identifying, locating, and correcting problems like with DataLoad.
- Flexible Layouts: Choose, remove and rearrange your columns to suit your needs.
- Data-Owner Control: End-users have full control of the data entry and reconciliation processes. No IT expertise required.
- Integrated Download: Existing Oracle data can be downloaded, manipulated, and re-uploaded back to Oracle, making updates easy. A whole new dimension compared to DataLoad.
More4apps EBS Toolbox brings together flexibility, ease of use, and end-to-end control, making data entry and maintenance a breeze.
Watch this brief video which compares the creation of Fixed Assets in the EBS Toolbox versus DataLoad. With EBS Toolbox, the same task is completed 30x faster!