How do catalogs get updated?

Whenever ACS makes a change to a data warehouse database, the master Impromptu catalog is changed if it is necessary. (Some database changes, such as changing the length of a field, may not require catalog changes.) Every user is set up to use a distributed version of the master catalog. Everytime you open one of your catalogs (your personal catalog), there is a check to see if there is a change to the master catalog. If there are changes, your catalog is updated. Local modifications to your personal catalogs, such as customized filters and calculated fields will not be altered.

When you have a catalog open, you can go to Catalog, Properties to see where your catalog looks for your master catalog. The location of your master catalog is in the box following the line "This catalog was created from a distributed catalog". Master catalogs are typically located in c:\imprompt, with subdirectories for each data family. YOU SHOULD NOT BE WORKING WITH THE CATALOGS IN THIS DIRECTORY UNLESS you are installing new master catalogs, refreshing your master catalogs or creating a personal catalog for the first time.

Personal catalogs are typically located on the 'c' drive or a server drive in a directory called EUR with subdirectories for the data families. You always work with your personal catalogs.

Different data families have different numbers of catalogs.

How do my catalogs get updated?

Impromptu users will be notified when they need to update their catalogs.

1. To refresh or install new master catalogs click on
   
   all catalogs (all_catalogs.exe)
   
   and save "all_catalogs.exe" to your desktop (or location of your choice - using Netscape or Internet Explorer).
   
   
2. Minimize your web browser and double click on the "all_catalogs.exe" file now on your desktop. This will extract the latest versions of the Impromptu master catalogs to your PC and place (or replace) them in the appropriate directory structure, c:\imprompt.
   
   If your Imprompt directory is on the "C" drive, then the path "c:\imprompt" is correct. Click the 'start' button. If your Imprompt directory is on a different drive change the drive letter to the appropriate drive letter (e.g. 'D:\') and click the 'Start' button. When you see 'finished - all files have been extracted' you are done! Click 'OK'.
   
   
3. After the new master Impromptu catalogs have been extracted, you can delete the "all_catalogs.exe" file from your desktop.

The next time you open a personal catalog, it will check the set of recently updated master catalogs to see if there are any changes.

I currently access FRS catalogs only. I just received permission to access Cumsal - how do I set up my master and personal Cumsal catalogs?

1. Within your EUR directory create a subdirectory for the new data family (e.g. cumsal, frs, fist or space).
2. Do steps 1, 2 and 3 from above.
3. In Impromptu open the master catalog from the Imprompt directory, appropriate subdirectory. You will be prompted to indicate a name and location for your personal catalog - save the catalog with the same name in your EUR directory, appropriate subdirectory. You only need to do this once for each new personal catalog you are creating!
4. Close the catalog and close Impromptu. Launch Impromptu again. Open and sign in to your new catalog as you normally do with your other catalogs. Go to catalog, properties to verify that you are accessing the personal copy that you created from the distributed (master) catalog in 'C:\imprompt with the same name.

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