Importing a starting point VPE update

You may want to import a starting point VPE that has been updated by aPriori. aPriori starting point VPEs are updated and delivered semi-annually. Updated information typically includes Regional Data Libraries and/or cost model updates such as machining tables for specific processes or cost model logic for specific processes or operations. Each update includes release notes that explain the changes that have been made and the trends in the Regional Data Libraries.

aPriori Customer Support will provide you with a URL link to the specific update files that are appropriate for your version of aPriori software.

Updates must be loaded from a computer which has aPriori installed and is on the same local area network (LAN) as the database server. The amount of time the update will take is dependent on the connection to the database and the number of regions to be updated.

Note: If you try to load updates from a machine which is not on the same LAN as the database server, the update may take many hours to complete.

Your aPriori user ID must have administrator privileges to import VPE updates. aPriori recommends notifying the end users when the update will take place. Users may remain connected to the system during the update. The updates are effective immediately and the end users may notice cost differences as the updates happen.

Note Starting point VPE updates are sometimes compatible only with certain versions of aPriori. Please consult the relevant Release Notes for the aPriori starting point VPE update and work with aPriori Customer Support to determine if a specific update is appropriate for your needs and environment.

To import a starting point VPE update

The most up-to-date procedure for installing an update will be in the Release Notes that accompany the update. These steps typically include the following.

Downloading the files and importing the baseline update file:

1 Download the package provided by aPriori Customer Support to a local folder. This folder should contain the following content:

• A license file: <filename>.apz

• A baseline update file: baseLineUpdate-<version_numbers>.apx

• Regional Data Library region files: <region_name>.vpe.zip

2 Import the new license file (the user who completes this step must be configured as a System Administrator in the aPriori environment)

3 Import the baseline update file (the user who completes this step must be configured as a VPE Manager in the aPriori environment)

4 From the aPriori client, click Tools > VPE Toolset

5 In the VPE Toolset, click File > Import > aPriori Baseline Update…

6 Navigate to the baseline update file, select it, and click Open.

Note: If you downloaded the file using Internet Explorer, the original file extension (.apx) may have been changed to .zip. By default, the file browser only displays files with .apx extensions, so you will need to either select All files in the Files of type: field or change the file extension of the update back to .apx.

7 Click OK.

While the update is being loaded, you will see the progress in the lower right corner of the VPE Manager Toolset.

8 When the update completes, a message pops up confirming that the update was successful.

Click OK.

Importing the Regional Data Libraries

The previous steps must be completed before starting the steps below. To complete these steps, you must be a VPE Administrator.

Note: . The process below assumes that you have configured your installation with an aPriori Macro that enables you to import multiple VPEs at one time. You must contact your aPriori account representative to discuss installing this macro. It is possible to install the Regional Data Library files one by one without this macro (using the standard VPE Toolset menu File > Import > VPE…), but the procedure will take much longer and requires much more interaction.

1 From the VPE Toolset click File > Import > Multiple VPEs…

Note: This option is available only if you have installed the aPriori Macro mentioned above.

Follow the steps in the resulting window to locate and import the VPE files:

2 Select a local directory that contains all of the regional data libraries (.vpe.zip files).

3 Select the VPE files you wish to import

4 Click OK.

Note: While the update is being loaded, you will only see a progress bar in the bottom right corner of the aPriori client, not the VPE Toolset window.

5 When the import completes, a message pops up confirming that the update was successful.

Click OK.