The MP8 and MP9 import process is used to bring regional opportunity and order-intake information from Finance spreadsheets into the Data Warehouse in a consistent and repeatable way.
What this process is for
This process ensures that:
- Data submitted in MP8 and MP9 spreadsheets is captured centrally.
- The information can be reported alongside IFS opportunity data.
- Historical submissions are retained so that changes over time can be reviewed.
It is primarily used where opportunities exist in regional or pre-IFS systems and are not yet fully represented in IFS.
How the process works
1. File discovery
At each refresh, the system automatically looks for MP8 and MP9 spreadsheets in the Finance folder structure for all reporting periods.
2. Data extraction
From each spreadsheet, only the relevant MP8/MP9 tabs (for example “MP8 Won” and “MP8 Lost”) are read.
3. Template clean-up
Because the spreadsheets are designed for human use and contain titles and notes:
- The non-data header rows are removed.
- The first true data row is treated as the column headings.
This ensures the data is interpreted consistently even if the spreadsheet layout changes slightly.
4. Field alignment
The columns in the spreadsheet are matched to the standard set of fields required by the Data Warehouse (such as dates, values and descriptions).
5. Identifier handling
Each record keeps the identifier provided in the spreadsheet.
This identifier is later used to:
- Link the record to an IFS opportunity where possible.
- Distinguish one opportunity or bid from another.
No artificial ID is created at this stage.
6. Quality filtering
Only valid data rows are kept (for example, rows that contain a “won” or “lost” date).
This prevents totals, notes, or blank rows from being loaded.
7. Time-stamping
Each imported record is stamped with the date and time it was loaded, so it is always possible to see:
- When the data was received.
- Which version of a spreadsheet it came from.
8. Storage in the Data Warehouse
The cleaned and standardised data is stored in the Data Warehouse as a historical dataset.
Multiple submissions for the same period can be retained, allowing:
- Trend analysis.
- Comparison between versions.
- Audit and reconciliation.
9. Use in reporting
The MP8/MP9 data is combined with IFS opportunity data in reporting views so that:
- Early-stage or regional opportunities can be reported consistently.
- Pipeline and order-intake reports show a complete picture, even where IFS does not yet hold the data.
Key assumptions
- The spreadsheet identifier represents the business identifier for the opportunity or bid.
- The MP8/MP9 templates remain broadly consistent in structure.
- Finance folders are the authoritative source for these spreadsheets.
Key benefits
- Reduces manual handling of MP8/MP9 spreadsheets.
- Improves consistency between regional and central reporting.
- Preserves history rather than overwriting previous submissions.
- Supports reconciliation between Finance spreadsheets and IFS.