Training

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Ascential (Mercator) Training

Fox & Associates provides training and education on all of the following Ascential (Mercator) Products:

Mercator Classes

Introduction to Mercator

This three-day foundation course provides basic instruction on the use of core tools in the Mercator Design Workstation — Type Editor, Map Editor and Command Execution Engine. Topics include how to use Mercator to develop data integration solutions, object-oriented mapping, identifying data objects, defining data using the Type Editor to create type trees, how to read the Map Editor trace file and use it as a debugging tool.

Through lecture and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to define transformation rules in the Map Editor, use the Functional Map Wizard, explore error detection and recovery, and map execution. Emphasis is placed on preparing attendees for complete mapping project implementation using Mercator.

(Prerequisites: Completion of chapters 1 and 2 in Mercator Design Guide.)

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Mercator for X12 EDI

This two-day Mercator course provides instruction on the use of the Mercator Design Workstation – specifically the Type Editor and the Map Editor – for developing ANSI X12 EDI data integration solutions. Topics covered include a detailed study of the EDI data structure, Mercator ANSI X12 EDI type tree structure, basic and advanced inbound and outbound EDI mapping, and customizing the ANSI X12 EDI type trees to create functional group subset, multi-version, and multiple partner type trees. Hands-on exercises are included with emphasis placed on preparing attendees for complete EDI mapping project implementation using Mercator.

(Prerequisite: Completion of the Introduction to Mercator course.)

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Fundamental Integration Concepts and Tools

This 5-day course provides a management overview of the Mercator Enterprise Broker and the fundamentals of data transformation. This course offers basic instruction, through lecture and hands-on exercises, on the use of the Mercator Design Studio components to define business processes and transform data for use on one system to another. The components covered include the Type Designer, Map Designer, Integration Flow Designer and Database Interface Designer.Topics covered include business process definition, object-oriented mapping, Design Studio concepts, debugging, error detection and recovery using the data audit, and map execution. The instructor led course includes hands-on exercises designed to help the student utilize the skills acquired. Emphasis is placed on preparing attendees for complete mapping project implementation using Design Studio.

This course is designed for programmer/analysts and business systems analysts, who implement data integration and transformation solutions using Mercator products.

(Prerequisites:  There are no course prerequisites for the management overview portion of this class, however, proficiency in using Microsoft Windows is recommended. A solid understanding of data formats and processing logic is required for the fundamentals of data transformation portion of this class.)

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Implementing Database Solutions with Mercator

In this two-day workshop, instruction is presented on installation and use of Mercator database adapters for ODBC, Oracle, Microsoft SQL, Sybase SQL Server and DB2. Students will learn to use the Database Interface Designer to import metadata about queries, tables and stored procedures for data stored in relational databases and to identify characteristics of objects that meet mapping and execution requirements.

Participants will learn to define specifications for accessing a relational database and create maps by defining queries or stored procedures as an input source, or a table or stored procedure as an output target.

All concepts will be reinforced through hands-on activities.  

(Prerequisites: Experience in your specific operating system, A working knowledge of adapter-specific database, Completion of the Fundamentals of Data Transformation course or equivalent experience.)

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Implementing X12 EDI Solutions with Mercator

This two-day seminar presents the Mercator Design Studio, specifically the Type Designer and Map Designer for developing ANSI X12 EDI data integration solutions. Topics include a detailed study of the EDI data structure, Mercator ANSI X12 EDI type tree structure, basic and advanced inbound and outbound EDI mapping. Participants will learn to customize the ANSI X12 EDI type trees to create functional group subsets, multi-version, and multiple partner type trees. Emphasis is placed on preparing participants for complete EDI mapping project implementation using Mercator software. Hands-on exercises are designed to reinforce newly acquired skills.

  (Prerequisite: Completion of the Fundamentals of Data Transformation course.)

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Implementing XML Solutions with Mercator

This two-day course for Mercator users offers instruction through lecture and hands-on exercises on the use of the Mercator Type Designer and Map Designer for XML mapping. Topics include a detailed study of the XML type tree structure; DTD creation; basic and advanced inbound and outbound XML mapping, and an understanding of the role XML plays in web-based data manipulation. Hands-on exercises reinforce the concepts learned in the course. Emphasis is placed on preparing participants to handle a web-based mapping project implementation using the Mercator Design Studio.

(Prerequisite: Completion of the Fundamentals of Data Transformation course.)

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Implementing HIPAA Solutions with Mercator

This workshop is a three-day study of Mercator’s HIPAA type trees and the process of mapping both inbound and outbound interchanges.  Participants will learn to analyze the incoming data in comparison to the desired output.  They will then go through several case study examples of mapping both proprietary and HIPAA compliant data.

Through lecture and hands-on experiences, attendees will learn to navigate Mercator’s Design Studio, both the Type Tree Designer and the Map Designer.  Participants will learn the looping structure of the HIPAA type trees as well as the nested loops within these trees. Emphasis will be placed on mapping strategies and advanced mapping skills.

This course is designed for:

Prerequisites Completion of Fundamental Integration Concepts and Tools or equivalent experience.  Working knowledge of EDI.

What You Will Learn

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Mercator Enterprise Broker - A Management Overview

This one-day seminar is for all users of the Mercator Software design tools that comprise the Enterprise Broker. Lecture and demonstrations provide participants with a basic understanding of terminology, system modeling, data definition, mapping, and deploying systems using the Design Studio, and running systems using the Event Server. The components covered include the Integration Flow Designer, Type Designer, Database Interface Designer, Map Designer, Event Server and Command Server.

An example of a working business application is used to present a top-down approach to system development and deployment.

This course is designed for Information Managers, Application Development Managers, Technical Editors/Writers and Marketing Managers who want to have a better understanding of Mercator Enterprise Broker and Design Studio terminology and capabilities. Systems programmers/analysts and business systems analysts that will be using Mercator Design Studio to implement data transformations will also benefit from this course.

This course is a prerequisite for the Fundamentals of Data Transformation portion of the FICT. An understanding of data formats and processing logic will be helpful for those intending to take this course.

What You Will Learn

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Upgrading from Mercator Version 6.5

A two-day training program designed for current users of Mercator Software's design tools. The course offers instruction focused on use of the new and improved GUI and functionality and is designed to facilitate the transition for current users to Version 7.5.

Attendees prepare for transitioning their own systems to Version 7.5 by learning through lecture and hands-on exercises. Topics covered include introduction to the Version 7.5 GUI, using the Navigator feature, new and improved functions, use of the Map, Card, and Command/Event Server settings, an introduction to the Integration Flow Designer, and Database Interface Designer and the database adapters.

The course includes hands-on exercises designed to help attendees become at ease with Version 7.5.

   

(Prerequisites: Proficiency in using Microsoft Windows, Solid understanding of data formats and processing logic, Currently using a version of Mercator Software's design tools prior to Version 2.)

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Using the Mercator Commerce Manager

Mercator Commerce Manager is a component of Mercator Commerce Broker Suite and is a client/server product for managing and controlling the B2B integration of partner relationships and message flow. This three-day course introduces participants to Commerce Manager and its components, Partner Manager and Message Manager. Participants will define trading partners and trading relationships and process the message flow of electronic commerce data.

 

This course combines case studies and hands-on exercises with an instructor-lead slide presentation. Topics include using Partner Manager to define and manage Trading and Application Partners and Trade Links, using the pre-packaged system of maps of Message Manager to route and manage data flow, viewing and creating reports in Partner Manager, re-sending e-commerce data and troubleshooting.

 

(Prerequisites: Completion of Fundamentals of Data Transformation, Using the Mercator Event Server and Implementing X12 EDI Solutions With Mercator. )

   

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Using the Mercator Event Server

A two-day study of Mercator's Event Server highlights workflow management for systems of Mercator maps using the Integration Flow Designer and Mercator's powerful event and command transformation servers. Participants will learn to analyze system relationships and manage multiple maps within an enterprise to define systems, verify component relationships and prepare their systems to run successfully.

Through lecture and hands-on experiences, attendees will learn to navigate the Integration Flow Designer GUI and become familiar with the Event Server for platform dependent multi-threaded/multi-application services. Also explored are Mercator's Event and Resource Managers that drive map initiation and synchronization of shared data and timing interfaces in a distributed environment. Participants will learn event settings that watch and trigger events to initiate maps and the events that cause maps to run. Emphasis will be placed on Enterprise monitoring tools to permit developers and production managers to troubleshoot real-time map execution status in a graphical environment.

(Prerequisite: Completion of the Fundamentals of Data Transformation course or equivalent experience.)

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Mercator Trading Partner PC/32

This hands-on training session is designed for users of Trading Partner PC/32. This course was designed to accommodate both daily operations and advanced functions of Trading Partner. You will be guided through setup, performing EDI tasks, and system automation.

You will become acquainted with the use of the setup and configuration Wizards, automating your system, and the many new features of Trading Partner PC/32.

(Prerequisite includes knowledge of Windows 95.)

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