How to use DSDF?
(DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format)
DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format (DSDF)
1. Meaning of DSDF
2. Target group
3. Reasons for development
4. Targets & Advantages
5. Formats
6. Implementation & Outlook
1. Meaning
“DSDF” is the abbreviation for
DIGITALEUROPE Service Data Format
developed by the e-Service Group of
DIGITALEUROPE organisation. The purpose
of this format is to exchange service data
between IT-systems of all parties involved in
service-processes.
2. Target group
The use of DSDF is meant for all partners
involved in a service process such as:
• manufacturers
• logistic companies
• call center / service companies / providers
• IT-services
• repair shops
• purchase co operations and dealers
2. Target group
Call Center
other plattforms
of a
manufacturer
Logistics
DSDF
Dealer/small
TPM´s
internal Webtool
for small dealers
of a
manufacturer
EICTA 2.0
web based
Warranty Tool
of a
manufacturer
individual external
plattform like
Infotip or Media
Saturn
larger repair
shops and TPM´s
EICTA 2.0
Dealer/small
TPM´s
3. Reasons for the DSDF-development
• In the past manufacturers mostly were informed
about warranty claims of their products after a repair
process was closed. By means of the DSDF data
exchange manufacturers will be informed about
existent product defects already from the beginning.
• The information contain details about the entire
service process, i.e. from the announcement, the
pick-up service/logistics, the repair respectively the
take-back activities, the product return to the
administrative handling. All parties involved will be
advised about the current status already from the
beginning.
4. Targets & Advantages of DSDF fort he users
• quick data exchange will become necessary in future
• data monitoring will become more and more
important
• reduction of multiple handling through different
knowledge of the parties involved
• use of a common data format (harmonisation)
• reduction of redundant jobs and costs at the user’s
site
It is also possible to install cross linking to further
manufacturer driven processes. In addition the format
can be
used for so called bulk-shipments within logistic
processes.
5. Formats
General
• The DSDF allows using XML and TXT-formats as a standard.
• The DSDF can be use flexibly by different channels (web
service, ftp-server or e-mail) and can be integrated into
company internal data bases / interfaces.
• Schematical configuration of the standard form:
• all data are structured in so called “containers”
• each data field has a unique field name
• characters and contents are defined
• certain fields already dispose of fixed contents (e.g. details
about currency, status, etc.)
• mandatory fields require data input (e.g. manufacturer’s name,
country code)
• additional fields can be defined as mandatory or optional fields
among the users
5. Formats
TXT-Format
• N = numerical
• only numerical data from 0 to 9
• numerical data are adjusted to the right and filled up with 0 to the left
• X = alpha-numerical
• alpha-numerical data from 0 to 9 and A to Z as well as country specific characters
• control code characters are not allowed
• alpha-numerical data are adjusted to the left and filled up with blanks “ “ to the
right.
• Data records
• All data records are transferred as a text file. Several batched can be included in
one file.
• In case of a claim all records should be come / inserted in an ascending sequence.
• Each record type (line) has to be closed with a line feed CHR (10) plus carriage
return CHR (13).
• For UNIX EDP only line feed CHR (10) can be used optionally.
• All fields in a record have to be filled in (or filled up) as soon as the record type is
included.
• The record length is mandatory to match the format definition.
• Code table for Windows is used / standard Windows Ansi ISO-8859-1 / Code
Page 1252 Western Europe.
5. Formats
XML-Format
•
XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) describes a standard to define a mark-up
language in the computer technology. Hierarchical structured data are
demonstrated by means of text files and are used for data exchange among
computer systems, in particular via internet.
•
Names and structural elements can be chosen individually. A XML-element can
contain and describe different data (e.g. texts, graphics).
•
A XML-document disposes of a physical and a logical structure. A data record
has to comply with rules such as
• base/root elements, i.e. the outside element of a document
• a start and an end code of all elements including contents
• any attributes with the same name
•
When using XML-documents for data exchanges the format should be defined
by a so called grammar (document type definition – DTD – or an XML-scheme).
•
The reading of the XML-document is done through particular programme
components, a XML-processor. The conversion of XML-documents / data
records can be executed via “data binding” (data access as data structure
directly for programme access).
6. Implementation & Outlook
• Publication of version 1.0. on the DIGITALEUROPE
homepage in autumn 2010.
• Integration of the contents of “EICTA 2.0 warranty
information” in the DSDF in 2010 to obtain a fully
XML-based interface. Information about spare parts
should be integrated in the DSDF next year as well.
All “old” formats, e.g. EICTA 2.0 can also be used in
future.
• Trading companies (e.g. Media Markt Saturn) as well
as logistic providers (DPD, UPS) have shown interest
in using the new interface.
• Further developments of the DSDF will be
continuously adapted through the DIGITALEUROPE
workgroup “e-Service workgroup.