MANAGE COBRA EXTRACTION PARAMETERS
When integrating Costpoint and Cobra, you can define a single extraction or set of parameters on how the integration will occur, or you can create multiple extractions each with a different set of parameters. For example, if you have some projects that load actual costs into weekly, while others are reported on only on a monthly basis you would need two different extraction definitions. Other instances may require you to create a comma separated value (CSV) file to provide actual costs to a prime contractor. In this scenario, you must create two extraction parameters for the same project. One will load directly into Cobra and the other will create a CSV file for delivery.
You can create multiple extraction parameter screens by saving each screen and assigning a parameter ID and name. Each parameter can have a unique charge template, budget element template, and cost template. This flexibility allows you to create very specific rules for processing a given group of projects. You can define the settings for the Costpoint projects and Cobra programs that are processed with each parameter.
You can choose to process only valid transactions during the extraction process. This means that all the records that do not contain errors are loaded into Cobra and the records containing errors are sent to the error file. You can then correct the errors in the data existing in the error file and reprocess the data. You can also create a parameter that performs validation of the data without loading it into Cobra.
Before running the extraction process:
You can use the extraction parameters that you create on this screen when you select the Compute Cobra Burden and Run Cobra Extraction option on the Compute Cobra Burden Costs screen.
Location
Identification
Use the fields in this block to create a new parameter ID or to retrieve a previously saved parameter ID. A parameter ID represents a set of screen selection parameters. After you have saved a parameter ID and its related parameters, you can retrieve them using Query.
You can use the retrieved parameters to produce reports and run processes more efficiently and with greater consistency. The saved parameters are also useful and necessary when you want to run the process as part of a batch job. Many users save a unique set of parameters for each different way they run a report or process. When you select a previously saved parameter ID or parameter description, the associated saved screen selection parameters automatically display as selection defaults. The page setup and print options are also included in the saved parameter ID if there are any. You can change any of the associated selection defaults as necessary.
Parameter ID
Enter, or click 
to select, a parameter ID of up to 15 alphanumeric characters. Choose characters for your parameter ID that help identify the type of selections you made in the screen, such as PERIOD or QUARTERLY.
When you save your record, all the selections made in the screen are stored with the parameter ID. Later, you can retrieve the parameter using Query.
You can use the parameter to run the process more efficiently because you can select the parameter ID with its previously defined screen selections. After the default selections display in the screen, you can override the defaults.
Description
Enter, or click to select, a parameter description of up to 30 alphanumeric characters.
Extraction Settings
Use the fields in this group box to select a charge template, budget element template, and cost template for this extraction parameter. The default templates that were selected on the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen automatically display in these fields but can be changed.
Charge Template
Enter, or click 
to select, a charge template for this parameter. You can accept the default charge template that was entered on the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen or select a new one.
Charge templates are set up in the Manage Cobra Charge Templates screen. Charge templates dictate the relationship between charging elements in Costpoint and those in Cobra. The extraction process uses the structure identified in the charge templates to create the CSV files.
BE Template
Enter, or click to select, a budget element template for this parameter. You can accept the default budget element template that was entered in the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen or select a new one.
Budget element templates are set up on the Manage Cobra Budget Element Templates screen. Budget element templates instruct the system how to link labor and non-labor cost in the Costpoint and Cobra databases. The extraction process uses this information to create the CSV files.
Cost Template
Enter, or click to select, a cost template for this parameter. You can accept the default cost template that was entered in the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen or select a new one.
Cost templates are set up in the Manage Cobra Cost Templates screen. Cost templates instruct the system how to link indirect pools and COM in the Costpoint and Cobra databases. The extraction process uses this information to create the CSV files.
Define Projects
Use the fields in this group box to select the range of Costpoint projects or the Cobra master program that will use the templates and other settings in this parameter. The choice made in this group box determines whether the list of projects using a given parameter is derived from Cobra or from the range of projects entered in this group box.
Cobra Master Program
Select this option and enter, or click to select, a value in the field to the right if you want to use a Cobra master program.
A Cobra master program allows you to identify multiple projects in the Multi-Program dialog box to act as a single project. When loading actual costs into a master project, you can either uniquely identify all cost accounts within the master project, or use a combination of the project name and the cost account (or alternate code identified in the charging template).
By selecting a Cobra master program as the project selection criteria, Costpoint uses the Cobra programs linked to the Cobra master program to identify the Costpoint projects that will be included in the extraction. The Costpoint projects are identified using the Project Mapping table logic as defined by the Cobra Mapping Tables option in the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen.
Costpoint Projects
Select this option and add project information in the Selection group box if you want to specify a range of Costpoint projects that will use this parameter. Costpoint will apply the settings in this screen to the range of projects entered in the Selection group box.
Selection
Use the fields in this group box to enter project information if you have selected the Costpoint Projects option. You can select a range of projects, from the beginning of the projects to a specific project, a single project, or a specific project to the end of the project list. You can also select a non-contiguous range of projects.
Select By
From the drop-down list, select the value you want to use for selection. The available options are:
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Project
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Project Classification
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Project Type
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Cobra Program
Range Option
From the drop-down list, select the desired range of projects, project classifications, project types, or Cobra programs you want to use. The following options are available:
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All — Select this option to include all available records. The Start and End fields are disabled for this option.
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One — Select this option to include only one record. You must enter that value in the Start field. The End field is disabled for this option.
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Range — Select this option to include a contiguous range of records. You must enter the beginning value for the range in the Start field and the ending value of the range in the End field.
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From Beginning — Select this option to include all the records from the beginning of the available records to a specific record in the range. You must enter the last value for the range in the End field. The Start field is disabled for this option.
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To End — Select this option to include all the records from a specific record to the end of all the available records. You must enter the value from which the range should begin in the Start field. The End field is disabled for this option.
Non-Contiguous Range
Select this check box to include multiple project ranges. You must then specify the ranges you want to include in this report using the Project Non-Contiguous Ranges subtask. When you select this check box, Costpoint automatically sets the Range Option drop-down list box to All.
From
Enter, or click to select, the starting project, project classifications, project type, or Cobra program, as applicable.
To
Enter, or click to select, the ending project, project classifications, project type, or Cobra program, as applicable.
Include Inactive Costpoint Projects
Select this check box to include inactive projects in the extraction process. If you do not select this check box, the actual costs associated with any inactive tasks are included in the extraction process.
Select the Active check box in the Manage Project User Flow screen to enable the project.
Costpoint Settings
Use the fields in this group box to define Costpoint settings. You can define the values you want to include in the CSV file, select a rate with which to burden the actual costs, and select the timeframe for which you want to transfer actual costs. You can also define the beginning period for an inception-to-date transfer.
Values
From the drop-down list, select the values you want to include in the CSV file for this extraction parameter. You can choose one of the following options:
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Hours Only — Select this option if you want to include hours only in this extraction parameter. This option assumes that costs and burden will be calculated using stored rates in Cobra. This option is primarily used for interim reporting. Budgeted hourly rates by labor resource are stored in Cobra and can be used to calculate approximate actual costs using the hours transferred with this method.
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Hours and Labor Dollars — Select this option if you want to include hours and the related labor dollars in this extraction parameter. This option assumes that burden will be calculated using stored rates in Cobra. This option is primarily used for interim reporting or when other direct costs are not required.
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Hours and Direct Dollars — Select this option if you want to include hours and direct costs in this extraction parameter. This option assumes that burden will be calculated using stored rates in Cobra.
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Hours and Total Dollars — Select this option if you want to include hours, total direct dollars, and burden in this extraction parameter. The burden that is transferred is from the CB_BURD_SUM table in Costpoint. This table is created by the Compute Cobra Burden Costs process which must be executed before you can run the extraction process. This method is generally used at the end of a period for the final earned value calculations.
Rates
From the drop-down list, select the types of rates that you want to use for this extraction parameter. The options are Target and Actual. These rates are only be used for current year costs. The rate used for prior year costs depends on the rates in the Manage Prior Year Cobra Costs screen. This field is only available if you have selected the Hours or Total Dollars option in the Values drop-down list box. Indirect costs for all other options in the Values field are computed using the rates in Cobra.
Timeframe
Use the fields in this group box to define the timeframe you want to include in the CSV file for this extraction parameter.
Time
From the drop-down list, select the timeframe from which the actual costs must be summarized. The options are Subperiod, Period, and Inception-To-Date. If you select the Inception-To-Date option, you can enter a beginning fiscal year, period, and subperiod for the range of projects or just let Costpoint select all periods.
Define Beginning Period
Select this check box to identify the beginning fiscal year, period, and subperiod for this extraction parameter. This field is only available if you have selected the Inception-To-Date timeframe in the Time drop-down list box. The Fiscal Year, Period, and Subperiod fields are only available if this check box is selected. The extraction process automatically includes all inception-to-date costs if this check box is cleared. This option may be used on programs where re-baselining was required and only costs since the re-baseline event should be transferred.
Fiscal Year
Enter, or click to select, the fiscal year that identifies the beginning of the range of periods that must be used for the inception-to-date actual costs. The ending fiscal year is the fiscal year displayed in the Current group box of the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen.
Period
Enter, or click to select, the period that identifies the beginning of the range of periods that should be used for the inception-to-date actual costs. The ending period is the period displayed in the Current group box of the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen.
Subperiod
Enter, or click to select, the subperiod that identifies the beginning of the range of periods that should be used for the inception-to-date actual costs. The ending subperiod is the subperiod displayed in the Current group box of the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen.
Cobra Import/File Settings
Use the fields in this group box to specify Cobra settings. You can advance the Cobra calendar, define additional calculation results needed in the CSV file, post only valid transactions in a file that contains errors, perform validation only processes, and replace BE classes for specific types of extractions.
Advance Calendar
Select this check box to roll the Cobra calendar forward to the next period before the CSV file is loaded.
Calculate Results
Enter, or click to select, additional results you want to include in the extraction. This could be something like full-time equivalents (FTEs) that do not exist in Costpoint. is only available if you have established a connection in the Configure Cobra Interface Settings screen.
Generate File Only
Select this check box to create a .CSV file and do not want to load it automatically into Cobra.
Generate File and Validate (No Import)
Select this check box to generate and validate the file without importing it. When this check box is selected, the Generate File Only check box is disabled.
Post Valid Transactions
Select this check box to load the CSV file for valid records, even if there are errors present in the data. If you select this check box, you will be able to correct and reprocess records included in the error file and the valid records will be subsequently uploaded to Cobra.
If you select the Post Valid Transactions check box, the Use Cobra Web Service check box will be available.
Use Cobra Web Service
This check box is only available when the Post Valid Transactions check box is selected.
Select this check box if you want to use Cobra Web services to transfer data when your run the Compute Cobra Burden Cost process. If this check box is not selected, the Compute Cobra Burden Cost process uses the locally installed Costpoint to Cobra application (CostpointCobra.exe) to transfer data.
Use Asynchronous Call
This check box is only available when the Use Cobra Web Service check box is selected.
Select this check box if you want the invocation of the Cobra Web service to be asynchronous. In this case, the Compute Cobra Burden Cost process will not wait for the Cobra Web service to finish the transaction. When the request is sent, the Compute Cobra Burden Cost process continues to run and not wait for responses from Cobra Web services.
If this check box is not selected and the Use Cobra Web Service check box is selected, the invocation of the Cobra Web service will be synchronous. This means the Compute Cobra Burden Cost process waits for the Cobra Web Services to be done with transactions. The Cobra Burden Cost process receives responses from the Web service before continuing to run.
Include the Cobra Program Name in the Export File
When running in master program mode, you can select this check box to include the Cobra name in the CSV file produced by the AI engine.
Cost Class
Use the fields in this group box to select overrides to the cost class contained in the budget element template for specific types of extractions. You can replace one or all of the classes.
Use BE Class
Select this option if you do not want to replace of the classes identified in the budget element template. This is the default setting.
Replace BE Class
Select this option if you want to replace one of the classes. Use the field to the right to enter, or click to select the cost class you want to replace.
With
If you selected the Replace BE Class option, use this field to enter, or click to select, the cost class that you want to use in place of the cost class you specified in the field to the right of the Replace BE Class option.
Replace All Classes
Select this option if you want to replace all the cost classes in the budget element template entered in the BE Template field. Enter the cost class that you want to use for this extraction in the field to the right.
Subtask
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Subtask
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Description
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Project Non-Contiguous Ranges
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Click this link to open the Project Non-Contiguous Ranges subtask and specify multiple project ranges you want to include in this process.
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