Data Toolkit

About Data Toolkit

Ever needed the ability to create JSON/XML on-the-fly with Switch metadata? Join multiple JSON/XML files together into a single JSON/XML file? Convert JSON or XML file(s) into spreadsheets? Or, perhaps, you’re familiar with other similar automation software like Switch that has similar functionality. This is the answer.

Data Toolkit is a collection of apps (or tools) to create, manipulate, and convert documents for ease of use within Switch flows. They were also designed to work together to provide more benefit than just utilizing them separately.

If there is functionality you believe is missing, or have an idea on how to expand the current functionality, please reach out to us by sending us an email with the subject prefix “Data Toolkit Functionality”.

The Bundle

Presently, Data Toolkit consists of the following seven apps:

• Select key pieces of information within an incoming document (JSON/PDF/Spreadsheet/Text/XML) as private data. Enabling XPath 2.0 functionality, you are able to go beyond the base Switch metadata functionality and use all available XPath 2.0 functions!

• Create files with basic syntax validation and variable encoding for correct XML output (if applicable). Switch metadata fields can be used to create complex structures, including the use of script expressions (with the Scripting Module). This app can also allow you to create simple (non-XML based - e.g. JSON, CSV) text documents for other purposes.

• Edit documents using a find-and-replace method, similar to the Rename job action available in Switch. Each action can build on the previous, by adding new elements/nodes, attributes, comments, or removing node structures entirely

• Split documents into multiple by a common element. Useful for cases where a singular file contains more than one ‘thing’, you need to take action on. For example, a web-2-print solution sends a single xml file with multiple ordered items. Splitting on this document allows you to send multiple out.

• Join documents together from an XPath expression. Merging these documents eliminates the need to keep track of separate documents all together, or to create complex XML structures with ease.

• Convert From XML allows you to convert your incoming document to one of several formats. Below are a list of what is available:

  • JSON

  • Excel 2007+ XML Format

  • Excel 2007+ Macro XML Format

  • Excel 2007+ Binary Format

  • Excel 97-2004 Workbook Format

  • Excel 2.0 - Excel 5.0/95 Workbook Format

  • Excel 2003-2004 (SpreadsheetML)

  • Numbers 3.0+ Spreadsheet

  • OpenDocument Spreadsheet

  • Flat OpenDocument Spreadsheet

  • Lotus Workbook (WK3)

  • Lotus Worksheet (WK1)

  • Lotus Formatted Text

  • Comma Separated Values

  • UTF-16 Unicode Text (TXT)

  • Symbolic Link (SYLK)

  • HTML Document

  • Data Interchange Format (DIF)

  • dBASE II + VFP Extensions (DBF)

  • Rich Text Format (RTF)

  • Ethercalc Record Format (ETH)

• Convert to XML from an incoming document. Outputting a proper XML document that can be attached as a dataset to be utilized in Switch. Supported formats (currently) are as follows:

  • Excel Spreadsheet

  • JSON

  • PDF

  • Text File

Simple Use-Cases

• Create an XML/JDF file to send for output to another application or RIP.

• Edit existing JSON by adding new information to the file before saving out to a job folder.

• Split on multi-item jobs to send through Switch individually.

Multi-App Use-Cases

• Create a CSV of batched incoming jobs by using the Create app to create the individual XML’s, Join app to join these files together, and Convert From app to make a CSV document.

About Significans Automation

Significans Automation Inc. specializes in delivering next-generation automation to the Printing and Packaging industry. The company offers programming and expertise in custom workflow development, communication and project management, color management, prepress training, and end-to-end business integration. The company is driven by the conviction that customized automation is the only path forward.