Automating XML Imports

[Bob Minteer]

Howdy from Texas!

I have a new project where I must automate the retrieval and import of XML files (Purchase Orders and XML translated EDI data) "dropped" in a specific directory on a dedicated Filemaker workstation.

The target solution is already a mature multi-user system, where users are able to manually import XML generated by the customer's database over the web.

The data will be sent to me via AS1 or AS2 protocol. A fact that I mention, only to paint a clearer picture of how the files end up on the Filemaker workstation. If you don't know anything about AS1/AS2, then suffice it to say that files sent to my system will magically appear in c:incoming .

I will also have to export XML files (status updates) to a directory c:outgoing (translated for proper schema via XSLT) which will be magically "sucked up" and sent to my trading partner for import into their database.

I thought about setting up a table as an outgoing queue which, when a user updates certain status indicators in a job record, the updates would create a data item in the outgoing queue.

I envision a "looping main script" which would export each record in the outgoing queue until the queue is empty. Next it would look for incoming items, process them, sleep for one minute, then repeat the process forever.

Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation ? Any pointers ? Recommendations ? Thoughts ?

Anyone using Filemaker in an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) environment ?

regards...

Bob Minteer