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EFT file Duplication

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Posted on by Monty22

We are running MS Dynamics GP 2018 on MS Windows 2016 server (virtual). Users connect to this server via a Citrix application server (also virtual Windows 2016 server) using a GP Dynamics client installation on the Citrix server.

We have Dynamics set up to save EFT files to a network share. The file(s) created are named using the checkbook name + date (yyy+mm+dd) + a sequentially incremented number (-0001). In this case, dd=settlement day.

The problem we are experiencing is that if a user creates a second file with the same settlement date (on the same day), the file does not increment to the next number (i.e. -0002) and it overwrites the first file with -0001. This also happens if a different user creates and EFT file from the same checkbook on the same day.

From my understanding, Dynamics 'looks' to see if the file already exists, and if it does, it's supposed to increment the file by 1 (i.e., -0001 exists, new file should be -0002).

Oddly, sometimes it does increment the file and other times it does not, it just overwrites it.

Any helpful suggestions for a fix, and explanation as to why this might be happening, and/or a possible workaround would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Cheryl Waswick on at

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RE: EFT file Duplication

Hi,

Often if you are too many file folders deep, the file won't generate at all.

Random issues are difficult because it can be anything within the environment, and it is outside of Dynamics GP. With GP code or permissions, it either works or it doesn't. So random issues are tough. Maybe you can read through this blog and see if there are any troubleshooting tips that may be helpful:

community.dynamics.com/.../performance-with-dynamics-gp-where-do-i-start

I think renaming the file immediately is going to be the route they need to take.

Hopefully you can get some suggestions from the community why a file will overwrite at a shared location when the GP code is designed not to.

Regards,

Cheryl Waswick

Microsoft Dynamics GP Support
Monty22 5 on at

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RE: EFT file Duplication

That's the difficult part... it happens randomly, but more often than not. We are going to change the referenced file folder location (fewer levels in the file path) to see if that has any impact or not..
Cheryl Waswick on at

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RE: EFT file Duplication

I haven't seen this happen before, so may have something to do with your configuration. If it happens every time and it doesn't happen directly at the server, then you know. You can also test with a different shared drive, etc... to help narrow it down.

I see you are renaming the file to be -0002. I would use a completely different file name so it doesn't interfere with the process.

Cheryl

Microsoft Support
Monty22 5 on at

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RE: EFT file Duplication

Thank you for your response Cheryl. Yes, we are sure that the file is getting overwritten. If you check the properties of the file after the second user overwrites it, you can see that it has the original creation date/time from the first user, and then a date/time when the file was last modified (as a result of the second EFT file generation to the same name) by the second user. For now, we have been doing what you suggested.. making a backup copy after the first file is created, and if the EFT operation overwrites the file, we rename it -0002 and restore the first file -0001. While this works, it is cumbersome... was hoping there was another solution, but I do appreciate your response..
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Cheryl Waswick on at

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RE: EFT file Duplication

Hello Monty22,

You are correct that the EFT process will look to the folder it is writing to and if it finds the file with the same naming convention, it will not overwrite, and will instead increment the end of the file name to add another file to the same folder.

I haven't heard it it overwriting before, as it is designed not to. If the first file is removed, or it can't read it for some reason, then it will start over at -0001 again. Are you sure the first file was not moved or deleted (by mistake)? And so the next time it just started over at -0001 again and so the user just assumed it overwrote since it had -0001 on it again? Can you recreate it happening where the -0001 file is already there and you generate a new one and it overwrites? I would encourage the user to be sure what exists in the folder before they generate a new one for a time being so you can get to the bottom of what is actually happening.

Another idea for the user is after generating the first file, is to rename it, or save a copy of it elsewhere for safe keeping. It only takes a right-click to either rename it or make a copy of it so could be a part of the process for the user if you want to be sure it does not get overwritten if you think there are issues.

Hope that helps,

Thanks

Cheryl Waswick

Microsoft Dynamics GP Support