Migating a Excel 2007 mailing list into BCM 07

[Pete]

Hi

I have an Excel 2007 customer mailing list thats 18 columns wide & approx
250 records (rows). I want to import this mailing list into OL BCM 2007. We
want a more efficient customer contact management solution. My questions are:

1. Can I import a xls or csv file into BCM 07?

2. Can I add custom column headings into BCM 07's 'Business Contacts' (to
match my existing Excel columns headings) & import the records neatly?

3. Should I rename the column headings in Excel to match BCM 07 column
headings before importing the data?
--
TIA

Pete

Win XP SP2, Office 07, OL BCM07

 

[kevinw]

I have an Excel 2007 customer mailing list thats 18 columns wide & approx

250 records (rows). I want to import this mailing list into OL BCM 2007. We
want a more efficient customer contact management solution. My questions are:

Having done this myself with varying degrees of success over the past few
days, I can add some "unofficial" answers:

1. Can I import a xls or csv file into BCM 07?

Yes, but I had a lot better success with XLS than CSV.

2. Can I add custom column headings into BCM 07's 'Business Contacts' (to
match my existing Excel columns headings) & import the records neatly?

You don't need to. The BCM Import function asks you to select a file to
import, and then gives you a Map option. In this, you get a list of your
column headings on the LHS, and the BCM fields on the right. Just drag and
drop yours to the BCMs. NB you can also add and map custom fields in BCM if
you want to (eg I migrated from GoldMine, so added custom fields with the GM
key so I know where the record came from).

3. Should I rename the column headings in Excel to match BCM 07 column
headings before importing the data?

See above.

One thing I would add that you will need to choose if you are importing
Accounts or Business Contacts. I did both both the Business Contacts don't
seem to tie up automatically with their Account, even with the Parent Account
Name filled.

HTH, Kevin

 

[Pete]

Thanks for your help Kevin. I have a mixture of accounts & Business Contacts
as well.

I will give your suggestions a try.