DataCenter - Alabama

Owned by Robin Rodrigue
Last updated: Jul 20, 2017

Download the Plugin

To access the download files you must have a Customer Connect account. If you do not have an account please check with your District's MCS Software contact to determine if an account already exists for your District. If you are a primary Point of Contact, please submit a request to Support  for the creation of an account.

  1. From Customer Connect, login with your user name and password.
  2. Click the SUPPORT link and select Downloads.
  3. Click VIEW MCS DOWNLOADS.
  4. Locate and click on the DataCenter folder to open it. Then, click on the Plugins folder.
  5. Select the correct .zip file from the list by clicking on it once.
  6. Select Save the file to your system. Some browsers download files instead of giving you the option to save. (It is important to know where files are downloaded to on your computer.)

Install the Plugin in DataCenter

External Plugins allow you to add, remove and maintain plugins for your state or district. External plugin files are accessible for download through the Customer Portal. 

  1. Login to DataCenter.
  2. From the Admin tab, select Maintenance. Then, choose External Plugins.
  3. Select one of the following options:
    1. Check for Upgrades - Checks for plugin upgrades.
    2. Add - Allows you to add a new plugin from your computer or network.
    3. Remove - Removes the selected plugin.
    4. Enable/Disable - Turns the selected plugin on or off.
    5. View Details - Displays the details of the selected plugin.
    6. Close - Closes the window.
  4. If you are adding a plugin, locate the downloaded plugin on your local or network drive and click Open.
  5. A confirmation window will appear notifying you of the version of plugin you are about to install. Click Ok to install the plugin.
  6. After processes have run, notice the plugin status is Not loaded. Click Close.
  7. You must restart DataCenter for changes to take effect.
  8. After restarting DataCenter, access external plugins to ensure the status has changed to loaded.

Run the SIS Import Using the Plugin

Importing Massive Changes

Importing a file that requires a number of massive changes to the existing data, such as the initial SIS import at the beginning of the school year, is deemed suspicious by DataCenter and pauses the process. This is to ensure changes are being made by the District and authorized personnel and helps to protect confidential data. You will need to contact Support prior to running the import so they may review your release request comments and authorize massive changes.

  1. From the Admin tab, select Setup Student Information System.
  2. Click Add.
  3. Select the correct importer to use. Then, click Ok.
  4. Enter a description for the import file. Then, click Configure.
  5. Enter the requested information. Then, click Ok.
    1. Url - Enter the url.
    2. Username - Enter the username associated with the url.
    3. Password - Enter the password.

    4. SIS Key Field - Use the drop-down menu to select the correct SIS Key Field (Guid, Id, Student Number, StateId).

      You should continue utilizing the SIS Key Field previously established. Failure to do so will result in an abnormal amount of "Adds" to the system and duplicate students (which will then require student merges to be performed). If you are unsure which field was utilized, you should change the SIS Key Field type and test the results until you are certain the information changes are correct and "Updates" and "Adds" are of an acceptable amount.

    5. Student Number Field - Use the drop-down menu to select the correct Student Number Field (Guid, Id, Student Number, StateId, none)
    6. Homeroom Format - Use the drop-down menu to select the homeroom format (None, Homeroom Name, Teacher Name (First Middle Last), Teacher Name (Last, First Middle))
    7. Guardian Name Format - Use the drop-down menu to select the guardian name format (None, First Middle Last, Last, First Middle)
    8. Email Address - Use the drop-down menu to select the email address to associate with the student record (None, Student, Guardian, Guardian if defined, otherwise student, Both; semicolon delimited)
    9. Include Student SSN - By default, the student's social security number will be imported. Uncheck the box to exclude student SSNs from import.
  6. Complete setup for the SIS import. Then, click Ok.
     
  7. You should now see the SIS import. Click Run Now.

    You will see a series of processes while the information is updated.
  8. Only the first 10,000 rows can be displayed when massive updates occur. Click OK to continue.

  9. Spot check records to ensure the system is importing information correctly. If records look accurate, click Ok. If records appear incorrect, click Cancel and review configuration details.

    Click the plus + sign next to a student record to view additional details than what is displayed.


  10. If massive changes are required in the system, such as the initial SIS import at the beginning of the school year, the import process will be paused and you will be warned that the number of changes that are about to occur seems suspicious to the system. If you would like to commit the changes, click Yes.

  11. Click Submit Request to enter a comment requesting to authorization or Manual Approval to enter a code provided by your Support agent.

    It is vital that you contact Support prior to attempting to import a file with massive changes. Support will direct you which action you should take.


  12. Once you have received approval, you will notice a progress bar as imports occur.