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Video

In this onboarding video, you will get a compact introduction to importinterface management in the LDB:

Navigation

Open the Import Interfaces overview via:
Navigation bar → Samples → Import Interfaces

Overview

Import interfaces enable the structured import of data from external systems, devices, or files into the LDB. Interfaces are available for almost all data types and support various transfer methods and file formats.

Supported Data Types

The following data types can be imported via import interfaces. New entries can be created or existing entries can be updated.

• Measurement data
• Samples
• Orders
• Files
• Customers
• Contacts
• Equipment
• Equipment control values
• Equipment-Bookings
• Invoices
• Offers
• Assets
• Subassets
• Sampling Points
• Materials
• Batches
• Reports
• Specifications
• Tasks
• Templates
• Notes
• Recipes
• Ingredients
• Time recording

Supported File Formats

• Data can be imported in text-based formats such as CSV, JSON, XML, HL7, LDT as well as files in document and image formats such as PDF, PNG, JPG.
• Furthermore, information contained in documents such as PDFs can be automatically extracted using AI-powered text recognition (OCR) and prepared for further processing. For more details, see: AI Extension for Import Interfaces
• Spreadsheet formats such as Excel (.xlsx) are not supported. Excel provides the function to convert the file to CSV.

Transformation of File Structure Using JavaScript

It is possible to individually transform the structure and content of the data to be imported using JavaScript code. This enables flexible adaptation to almost any text-based source data format.

Typical use cases include:

• Renaming or merging columns/fields
• Calculating or deriving new fields from existing values
• Filtering or cleansing records before import
• Converting date or number formats
• Splitting or merging records
• Individually configured error messages

Our recommendation: Talk with your customer support team regarding JavaScript transformation, if the source format cannot be mapped directly via standard mapping. This allows almost any external system to be connected.

Transfer Methods / Connections

Data can be submitted to the import interface in various ways:

• Manual upload: Upload a file directly to the respective import interface (drag & drop is supported).
• HTTPS PUSH: Send data as HTTPS POST to the LDB (the interface is labelled with the HTTPS badge).
• HTTPS PULL: Retrieve data via HTTPS from a predefined URL (the interface is labelled with the HTTPS badge).
• SFTP: File import via SFTP server (the interface is labelled with the SFTP badge). Further information: Automatic FTP/SFTP Import
• Email reception: Each import interface has its own email address and can receive files as email attachments (the interface is labelled with the Email badge).

Connection to External Systems (Selection)

The LDB supports the connection of numerous external systems via REST, SFTP and HTTP POST/GET.

Laboratory devices (selection): Agilent, Chromeleon, Bio-Rad, Bruker, Leco, Tecan, Thermo Fisher, TiAmo, SybrGreen, Zwick and many more.

CRM/ERP systems: AS400, Business One, MS Dynamics/Navision, ProAlfa, Salesforce, SAP

Authorities: DEMIS-RK, EMS, EPI BRZ EU Green Pass, TEIS/NiWaDaB/Octoware/TWISTweb

External laboratories & reporting networks: Caritasnet, Novid20, neolution, 2weeks

Medical practice software: eTermin, M1, Tomedo

Description of the Import Interfaces Overview

Import interfaces are displayed grouped by data type in an overview.

Note: All blue-highlighted names in the list are clickable links to the respective import interface. Import interfaces with an automatic transfer method (HTTPS, SFTP, Email) are labelled with a coloured badge.

Functions

Create a new Import Interface

Create a new import interface directly from the overview.

• Click the grey + Create Import interface button to the right of the respective data type.

Edit an existing Import Interface

Modify the configuration of an already created import interface.

• Click the pencil icon next to the name of the import interface.
• Alternatively: Click the blue-highlighted name of the import interface and then click the orange Edit Import Interface button.

View Import Interface / Perform Import

• Click the blue-highlighted name of the import interface to open the detail view.
• In the detail view, depending on the configuration, you can:
  • manually upload a file (drag & drop is supported)
  • enter data via a form or text field
  • trigger an import from the configured SFTP or HTTP server
• Imports from an SFTP server can be automated at intervals of every 10 minutes if required.

Change Order

Adjust the display order of import interfaces within a data type group.

• Click the Change order button in the upper right.
• Then click the arrow icon next to the import interface and drag the entry to the desired position.
• The new order is saved automatically.

View Import History

A complete history of all performed imports is maintained for each import interface.

• Click the name of the import interface to open the detail view.
• The detail view displays past imports in a table with date, user, imported file, and result (success/failure).
• Use the coloured links successful (green) or failed (red) to filter imports.

View Changes to the Import Interface

Changes to an import interface are recorded in the audit trail of the LDB and can be traced at any time.

Repeat Import

You can repeat an already performed import.

• Click import again on the relevant import entry.
• Alternatively: Open the desired import via the view button.
• Then click import again to re-execute the import with the original data.

Note: The import repeat is only available if the raw data of the original import was saved and no import preview mode is active.

Related Topics

• Import results from measuring instruments
• Create CSV measurement data import interface
• Import measurement data
• Automatic FTP/SFTP Import
• Mode for measured value import
• AI Extension for Import Interfaces