Host Transport Protocol GAS

Host Transport Protocol “GAS” (Glaxo Agency System)

This DDE transport protocol downloads Glaxo Transaction data onto the PC's hard disc for later processing by the PC's Glaxo Agency System Package (GASP). At monthend, the protocol uploads to the Host any Glaxo settlement discounts calculated by the GASP.

“DOPE” is an alias for the “GAS” protocol.

The protocol is enabled/disabled on the PC by the /D switch on the MS-DOS command line when starting GO.EXE.

Protocol Syntax

The Host activates DDE by sending the Title frame:
PIC X(4) DDE Protocol Identifier:
VALUE “GAS ”

`PIC X(4)`	DDE Protocol Identifier: `VALUE “GAS ”`

The Host sends the Run Parameter frame (2 bytes):

`PIC X`	Software Platform: `VALUE “C”` to use COBOL conventions. `VALUE “M”` to use Machine Code conventions
`PIC XX`	Software Schema: `VALUE “1”` if Version 1. `VALUE “E”` if Emergency mode (disable format checking).

Either the PC sends GS if it is ready to receive the next frame (go to step 4),
or the PC sends US if it did not receive the previous frame correctly (Host must repeat previous frame and return to step 3),
or the PC sends ESC and terminates DDE program GAS.
Either the Host sends the next Data Block if any (go to step 3),
or mark the transfer done (go to step 5).
The Host sends an empty frame.
Either the PC sends US if it did not receive the previous frame correctly (return to step 5),
or the PC sends the next message frame if any (go to step 5),
or the PC sends ESC and terminates DDE program GAS.

At program termination, any transfer to the PC was successful if and only if marked done at step 4. Any transfer from the PC was successful if and only if a "MT" message block was received. Successful transfer means that the data is not to be sent again, any other outcome means the transfer must be restarted from the beginning.
In practice, the GASP cannot under the current or any likely future implementation calculate the Settlement Discount in the same run that it receives Sales Data from the Host. Therefore, a GAS transfer must be run (usually several times during the accounting period) before the GASP calculates the Settlement Discount and then again afterwards. At month end, the Host should warn against any attempt to age the master files whilst any GAS transfer to the PC is outstanding. The Host should also warn against any attempt to print statements before all Settlement Discount data has been received from the PC.
If the Host has no monthend subsystem, it must wait (idle) whilst the PC calculates Settlement Discount, as this is required on the statement. For the benefit of those with monthend subsystems, any data sent to the PC after its calculation of the Settlement Discount will be assumed to belong to the next accounting period. To ensure Settlement Discount is not accidentally returned to the wrong system, the PC will return Settlement Discount data only if no data has been sent to it in this computer run.

Data Blocks (Host to PC)

Each Data Block comprises a single record as defined in the Glaxo Agents' Programming Specification (version 2). The first byte indicates the Record Type:

A: Sales Data Header
L: Sales Data Line
T: Sales Data Trailer
C: Rebate Credit
D: Rebate Credit (Alias)
B: Stock Header
S: Stock Item

Associated Sales Data Header, Lines and Trailer records must be transferred consecutively. A Stock Header must precede any Stock Item records. Prior to and during any stock reconciliation transfer, the Host must ensure that no invoices/credits are awaiting processing and that all Glaxo goods received notes have been processed. Any Glaxo items in transit (not yet received) at the instant of reconciliation must subsequently also be loaded onto the standalone PC system as these must be included in the reconciliation data despatched to Glaxo.

Where a COBOL platform is specified, record layouts match the TRANSFER file formats. All numeric fields are to be zero filled and right justified, the decimal point is never to be presented. All alphanumeric fields are to be left justified and space filled. Do not append the CR LF.

A Machine Code platform follows the COBOL rules, except that Name, Address and Post Code are moved to the end of the record and are presented in the traditional format (variable length lines with separators) prefixed by the separator (CR, LF or “~”).

Message Frames (PC to Host)

Monthend Discount

`PIC XX`	`VALUE("MD")`
`PIC X(17)`	Customer Account Number
`PIC 9(13)V99`	Settlement Discount Amount

A single Monthend Discount frame is sent for each Customer Account with non-zero Settlement Discount amount.

Monthend Trailer

`PIC XX`	`VALUE("MT")`

A single Monthend Trailer frame is sent after the last Monthend Discount frame.

PC File “REBATE”: Record Layout

`PIC X(17)`	Agent's Customer Code
`PIC 9(13)V99`	Settlement Discount Amount

PC File “TRANSFER”: Record Layouts

Sales Header (247 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “A”`
`PIC X(17`	Agent's Customer Code
`PIC X(35)`	Name
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 1
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 2
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 3
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 4
`PIC X(8)`	Post Code
`PIC 99`	Customer Category
`PIC X(35)`	Serial Number
`PIC XXX`	Transaction Code (`“INV”` or `“CRE”`)
`PIC 9(6)`	Transaction Date (YYMMDD)

Sales Line (97 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “L”`
`PIC X(35)`	Original Serial Number (if Back Order Invoice)
`PIC 9(9)`	Agent's Product Code
`PIC 9(15)`	Quantity
`PIC 9(13)V99`	Value at List (Trade) Price
`PIC 9(13)V99`	Invoice Line Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Rate %

Sales Trailer (112 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “T”`
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 3 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 3 VAT Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 3 Goods Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 4 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 4 VAT Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 4 Goods Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 5 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 5 VAT Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 5 Goods Value

Stock Reconciliation Header (7 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “B”`
`PIC 9(6)`	Date (YYMMDD)

Stock Reconciliation Line (39 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “S”`
`PIC 9(9)`	Agent's Product Code
`PIC 9(15)`	Stock Level
`PIC 9(13)V99`	List (Trade) Price

Glaxo Rebate Credit (357 bytes + CR + LF)

`PIC X`	`VALUE “C”`
`PIC X(17)`	Agent's Customer Code
`PIC X(35)`	Name
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 1
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 2
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 3
`PIC X(35)`	Address Line 4
`PIC X(8)`	Post Code
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 3 List Price Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 3 Rebate Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 3 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 3 VAT Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 4 List Price Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 4 Rebate Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 4 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 4 VAT Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 5 List Price Value
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 5 Rebate Value
`PIC 9(4)V999`	VAT Code 5 Rate %
`PIC 9(13)V99`	VAT Code 5 VAT Value