Customer Interface: Pipe Delimited Method

Use the Customer Interface to add new or update existing customer information using data from external applications. Information you load using this interface adds to the data already stored in PENTA.

The Customer Interface has a Request Type of CUS and an Interface Type of U. Data files you load must have Request Types assigned to the U (Customer) Interface Type.

You can use the Customers window to view customer data that you load through the Customer Interface.

A Note About Detail Records

For Detail Records, you can add new customers and update existing ones:

  • If you are adding a customer, data must exist for the fields listed as Key or Req for each of the Detail Record types you add.

  • If you are updating an existing customer:

  • You can enter any number of Detail Record types (assuming you set up the customer earlier in the data file, in a previous data file, or directly into PENTA).

  • Data must exist for the following:

  • Fields listed as Key or Req (required) under each record. PENTA does not process the record if these fields contain no values.

  • Fields with previously entered information that you want to retain.

Available Records

Contact (CON) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be CON.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Contact Number

Key

I 3

Id of the customer’s contact record.

4

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

5

First Name

Opt

C 15

First name of the Customer’s contact.

6

Last Name

Opt

C 20

Last name of the Customer’s contact.

7

Type

None

C 3

This must be left blank. This classifies the Contact.

8

Title

Opt

I 4

The Contact’s job title.

9

Email Address

Opt

C 50

The Contact’s email address.

10

Customer Location

None

C 8

This must be left blank. This is the location of the customer.

Contact Phone (CONPHN) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be CONPHN.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Contact Number

Key

I 3

Id of the Customer’s contact.

4

Phone Number Type Code

Key

C 8

Id of the phone number’s category.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

6

Area Code

Req

C 3

Area code of the Contact’s phone number.

7

Phone Number

Req

C 11

The Contact’s number.

8

Extension

Opt

C 5

The Contact’s extension.

Customer (CUS) Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be CUS.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

4

Type

Req

C! 1

Valid values are:

  • C (Regular Customer)

  • E (Employee)

  • I (Intercompany Customer)

5

Prefix

Opt

C 15

Do not enter a value if the Type is E.

6

Name

Req

C 30

Required if the Type is not E; otherwise, do not enter a value.

7

Status

Req

C! 1

Default is A.

8

Prospective Customer

Req

Y/N

Default is N.

9

Employee Id

Opt

X

Required if the Type is E; otherwise, do not enter a value.

10

Parent Customer Id

Opt

X

Id of the “parent” Customer with authority over the (“child”) Customer.

11

Default Invoice Loc

Opt

C 8

You cannot enter this value on Activity Code A records, since the location does not exist yet.

12

Customer Contact

Opt

I 3

You cannot enter this value on Activity Code A records, since the location does not exist yet.

13

Currency Id

Opt

C! 3

You can only enter this value if System Option 44 is Y.

14

Credit Limit Amount

Opt

F 12.2

The maximum amount of open receivables that can exist for the Customer Location at a point in time.

15

Credit Limit Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold applied to the Credit Limit Amount. You can only enter this value if the Credit Limit Amount has a value.

16

AR Days Outstanding Limit

Opt

I 5

The maximum day limit you allow for open receivables on this Customer Location at any point in time.

17

AR Days Limit Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold code associated with AR Days Limit. You can only enter this value if the AR Days Outstanding Limit has a value.

18

Customer Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold code associated with the Customer and/or Location.

19

Receivable Statements

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether you want to print AR statements for the Customer. Default is Y.

20

Credit Rating Code

Opt

C! 3

Id of the credit rating applied to the Customer.

21

All OU Code

Req

C! 1

Valid values are:

  • A (All)

  • S (Some)

22

Invoice Form Id

Opt

C! 8

Id of the form you want to use when printing the Customer’s invoices.

23

Number of Copies

Opt

I 3

Number of invoice copies you must print for the Customer.

24

Payment Terms

Opt

I 3

The term of payment for invoices billed to the Customer.

25

Invoice Cycle Number

Opt

I 3

Id of the invoice cycle signifying the periods and times at which you want to generate invoices.

26

EQ Rental Discount Percent

Opt

F 8.3

The discount percent you want to apply to equipment rental cost billed to jobs for the Customer.

27

Other Pay Code

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

28

Reimbursements

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

29

Taxable Fringes

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

30

Non-Taxable Fringes

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

31

Payroll Burden

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

32

Overhead

Req

C! 1

Default is based on the value in System Configuration window’s Invoicing tab.

33

Split Premium

Opt

C! 1

Possible values are:

  • C (Complete Overtime)

  • P (Partial Overtime)

  • S (Split Overtime)

34

Labor Rate Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the rate schedule for labor items billed for the Customer’s invoices.

35

Equipment Rate Schedule

Opt

I 3

The rate schedule for equipment billed for the Customer’s invoices.

36

Other Cost Markup Schedule

Opt

I 3

The rate schedule for costs from accounts payable and general journal entries billed for invoices under this Customer.

37

Inventory Markup Schedule

Opt

I 3

The default rate schedule for inventory items billed for the Customer’s invoices.

38

Sales Order Discount Percent

Opt

F 7.3

The discount percent given to the Customer when you process a sales order.

39

Display Invoice Line Detail

Req

Y/N

Default value is Y. This value applies to the Sale Order Information.

40

Tax Exempt Reason

Opt

C! 3

Id of the reason why the Customer is exempt from paying sales taxes.

41

Tax Certificate

Opt

C 15

Number of the tax certificate indicating the Customer is exempt from paying sales taxes.

42

Ship Carrier

Opt

C! 8

Id of the preferred shipping carrier for items sold to the Customer via sales orders.

43

Ship Method

Opt

C! 8

Id of the Customer’s preferred method of shipment.

44

Preferred Warehouse

Opt

C! 4

Id of the warehouse from which you pull inventory to fill sales orders for the Customer.

45

FOB-Destination

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether you are responsible for transportation costs of shipping goods to the Customer. Default value is N.

46

Default Shipping Location

Opt

C 8

The default destination for shipments to the Customer. You cannot specify this value on an Add (A) record, as the location will not exist yet.

47

Default Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

The default pricing schedule used when processing sales orders for the Customer.

48

Work Order Invoice Layout

Opt

I 3

Id of the invoice format you will use for the Customer’s bills.

49

Salesperson Employee Id

Opt

X

Id of the salesperson for the Customer.

50

Minimum Invoice Amount

Opt

F 16.2

The minimum amount for which you want to generate an invoice for this Customer.

51

Maximum Invoice Amount

Opt

F 16.2

The maximum amount for which you will generate an invoice for this Customer.

52

Work Order Payment Terms

Opt

I 3

The terms of payment for work order invoices billed to the Customer.

53

Service Charge Id

Opt

C! 8

Id of the applicable service charges for the Customer.

54

Work Order Inventory Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for all inventory items billed for the Customer’s work order invoices.

55

Work Order Equipment Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for equipment billed for the Customer’s work order invoices.

56

Work Order Labor Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for labor billed for the Customer’s work order invoices.

57

Work Order Other Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for miscellaneous items billed for the Customer’s work order invoices.

58

Work Order Line Item Structure

Opt

I 3

Id of the invoice line item structure assigned for the Customer’s work orders.

59

Require Customer PO for WO

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether Work Orders set up for the Customer require a customer purchase order. This value defaults as N.

60

Unit Bill Schedule Number

Opt

I 8

Id of the unit billing schedule.

61

Region Id

Opt

C 8

Id of the region that applies to the Work Order.

62

Default AR Account

Opt

X

The default AR Account PENTA should use when processing AR transactions for the Customer/currency. Only enterable if System Option 44 is N.

Customer Location OU Security (OU) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be OU.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the customer location.

4

Organization Unit

Key

X

Id of the organizational unit.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • D (Delete) – Delete an existing record. If PENTA cannot delete the field, it records an error.

Customer Location Status (LOCSTAT) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be LOCSTAT.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer Location.

4

Effective Date

Key

D

Effective date of the Customer Location.

5

Status Code

Key

C! 1

Id of the Customer Location’s status.

6

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. The only possible value is A (Add), which indicates that if a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

Customer Location Tax Jurisdiction (TAXJURIS) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be TAXJURIS.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer Location.

4

Tax Type

Key

C! 6

Type of taxes PENTA should apply to the Customer Location.

5

Jurisdiction

Key

C! 10

Id of the Customer Location’s taxing Jurisdiction.

6

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • D (Delete) – Delete an existing record. If PENTA cannot delete the field, it records an error.

Default AR Accounts (ARACCT) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be ARACCT.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Currency Id

Key

C! 3

Id of the account’s currency.

4

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

5

Account Number

Req

X

Id of the Account.

Invoice Customer Location by Call Type (INVCUSCALLTYPE) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be INVCUSSRVTYPE.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Can be null.

4

Effective Date

Key

D

Effective date of the Call Type.

5

Call Type Code

Key

C! 8

Id of the call requesting service work.

6

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

7

WO Invoice Customer Id

Req

X

Id of the Customer on the work order invoice.

8

WO Invoice Customer Location Code

Req

C 8

Id of the Customer Location on the work order invoice.

Invoice Customer Location by Service Type (INVCUSSRVTYPE) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be INVCUSSRVTYPE.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer Location. Can be null.

4

Effective Date

Key

D

 

5

Service Type Code

Key

C! 8

Id of the service type.

6

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

7

WO Invoice Customer Id

Req

X

Id of the customer on the work order invoice.

8

WO Invoice Customer Location Code

Req

C 8

Id of the customer location on the work order invoice.

Invoice Customer Location (INVCUSLOC) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be INVCUSLOC.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer’s Location. Can be null.

4

Effective Date

Key

D

Effective date of the Customer Location.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

6

WO Invoice Customer Id

Opt

X

Id of the Customer on the work order invoice.

7

WO Invoice Customer Location Code

Opt

C 8

Id of the Customer Location on the work order invoice. Required if the WO Invoice Customer Id has a value.

Location (LOC) Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be LOC.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer’s Location.

4

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, PENTA records an error.

5

Description

Req

C 30

Name/description of the Customer’s location.

6

Location Type

Opt

C 8

The Location’s classification.

7

Prefix

Opt

C 15

Prefix of the Address’s Name.

8

Name

Opt

C 30

Name that appears on mailing addresses for the contact. Defaults as the customer's name unless an explicit null ('~') is used.

9

Valid Invoicing Address

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether this is a valid invoicing address. Default is Y (yes).

10

Valid Shipping Address

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether this is a valid shipping address. Default is Y (yes).

11

Phone Area Code

Opt

C 3

Area code of the contact number associated with the address.

12

Phone Number

Opt

C 11

Contact number associated with the address.

13

Phone Extension

Opt

C 5

Extension of the contact number associated with the address.

14

Primary Contact Number

Opt

I 3

You cannot enter this value on Activity Code A records, since the contact does not exist yet.

15

Building Manager

Opt

C 30

The Customer Location’s building manager.

16

Address 1

Opt

C 30

The Location’s primary address information.

17

Address 2

Opt

C 30

Line for the Location’s additional address information.

18

Address 3

Opt

C 30

Line for the Location’s additional address information.

19

City

Req

C 20

City of the Customer Location.

20

State

Req

C! 4

State of the Customer Location.

21

Postal Code

Req

C 10

Zip code of the Customer Location.

22

Country Code

Opt

C! 3

Id of the Customer Location’s country.

23

All OU Code

Req

C! 1

Possible values are:

  • A (All)

  • S (Some)

24

Credit Limit

Opt

F 12.2

Maximum amount of open receivables that can exist for the Location at a point in time.

25

Credit Limit Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold code that applies to the Credit Limit. You can only enter this value if there is a value for the Credit Limit Amount.

26

AR Days Outstanding Limit

Opt

I 5

Maximum day limit you allow for open receivables on the location at any point in time.

27

AR Days Outstanding Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold code associated with the AR Days Outstanding Limit. You can only enter this value if there is a value for the AR Days Outstanding Limit.

28

Customer Location Hold Code

Opt

C! 6

Id of the hold code associated with the Location.

29

Work Order Invoice Layout

Opt

I 3

Id of the format you want to use for the Location’s invoices.

30

WO Salesperson Employee Id

Opt

X

Id of the salesperson for the Location.

31

Service Zone Code

Opt

C! 10

Id of the service zone for the Location.

32

Service Charge Id

Opt

C! 8

Id of the service charges for the Location.

33

WO Inventory Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for inventory items billed for the Location’s work order invoices.

34

WO Equipment Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for equipment items billed for the Location’s work order invoices.

35

WO Labor Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for labor items billed for the Location’s work order invoices.

36

WO Other Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for miscellaneous items billed for the Location’s work order invoices.

37

WO Line Item Pricing Schedule

Opt

I 3

Id of the pricing schedule for line items billed for the Location’s work order invoices.

38

Require Customer PO for WO

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether you want to require entry of a Customer Purchase Order # for Work Orders assigned to the Location. This defaults as the value set at the Customer level.

39

Unit Bill Schedule Number

Opt

I 8

Id of the unit billing rate schedule used to price unit work for the Location.

40

Region Id

Opt

C 8

Id of the regional unit billing rate schedule used to price unit rate work for the Location.

Reference LOV (REFLOV) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be REFLOV.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Reference Code

Key

C 15

Id of the Reference Code for recording additional information for the Customer.

4

Value

Key

C 30

The value associated with the Reference Code. For example, if you had a “Customer PO #” Reference Code, this value could be the purchase order number.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

6

Description

Req

C 30

Description of the Value.

Reference (REF) Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be REF.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Customer Location

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer’s Location. Can be null.

4

Reference Code

Key

C 15

Id of the Reference Code for recording additional information for the Customer.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

Note: Activity Code A is only valid if you did not specify a Customer Location.

6

Format

Opt

C 30

The value associated with the Reference Code. For example, if you had a “Customer PO #” Reference Code, this value could be the purchase order number.

Technician Preference (TECHPREF) Detail Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be TECHPREF.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the Customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the Customer’s Location. Can be null.

4

Employee Id

Key

X

Id of the preferred technician.

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • A (Add) – If a record with the same key already exists, PENTA records an error.

  • C (Change) – Update an existing record. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

6

Preference Code

Req

C! 3

Id of the degree to which the technician is preferred.

7

Rank

Req

I 3

A 1-3 preference rank for the technician.

8

Do Not Assign Code

Req

Y/N

Indicates whether the technician is eligible for assignment to the Customer or Location. Defaults as N.

User Defined Field (UDF) Record

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

#

Field

Entry

Format

Description

1

Record Type

Req

C! 5

The value should be UDF.

2

Customer Id

Key

X

Id of the customer.

3

Location Code

Key

C 8

Id of the customer location. Can be null.

4

Column Name

Key

C 30

 

5

Activity Code

Req

C! 1

Required for all activity. Possible values are:

  • C (Change) – Update an existing UDF value. If PENTA cannot update the field, it records an error.

  • D (Delete) – Set the value for the UDF to null.

6

Column Value

Opt

C 1024

The value for the UDF. Whether an entry is required depends on the rules established for the User Defined Field in the User Defined Fields window.

7

Effective Date

Opt

D

Use format YYYYMMDD.

Required if the UDF requires an effective date and does not default as the system date; otherwise, do not enter a value.