This option allows you to obtain an initial value for the synchronization operation. You can then transform the obtained initial value before assigning it to the attribute you want.
To get started, click the down arrow on the button in this option, and then select an item from the drop-down list:
-
Attribute: Allows you to select the attribute whose value you want to use.
-
Rule: Allows you to obtain a value by using a value generation rule. For more information, see Using value generation rules.
-
PowerShell script: Allows you to obtain a value by running a Windows PowerShell script.
-
Text: Allows you to type a text value.
-
Referenced object attribute: Allows you select an attribute of a referenced object and use the value of the selected attribute.
-
Parent object attribute: Allows you to select an attribute of a parent object and use the value of the selected attribute.
-
Empty: Generates an empty value.
Once you have explicitly selected an attribute in this option, you can click the Advanced link to configure some advanced synchronization settings for the attribute.
For example, you can specify which characters to retrieve from the attribute value, how to modify the retrieved value (remove white-space characters or change the capitalization), or set how to process references in the attribute. The available settings depend on the attribute types selected in the Source item and Target item options.
A merge sync rule allows you to merge attribute values between the source and the target data system. As a result, these values become identical.
To create such a rule, follow the instructions in Modifying attribute values by using rules to select the Merge Sync Rule type. Then, configure your rule by using the options in the dialog that opens:
-
Source item: Allows you to specify an attribute in the source data system. To select an attribute, click Attribute.
-
Target item: Allows you to specify the attribute in the target data system. To select an attribute, click Attribute.
-
Merge Settings: Allows you to select a method to merge the values of two multivalued attributes. This link is only available if both the source and the target attributes you have selected are multivalued.
When running a sync workflow step that has a merge sync rule configured for the first time, synchronizes attribute values from the source to the target. In each subsequent run of the sync workflow step, the synchronization direction depends on which attribute value (source or target) is more recent, as follows:
Table 105: Synchronization direction
|
Source |
Source => Target |
|
Target |
Source <= Target |
|
Source and target are equally recent |
Source => Target |
To configure a list of rules for selecting an attribute value or generating a value, you can use the Configure Generation Rule dialog.
Figure 10: Configure Generation Rule
To add a new rule entry
-
Click Add.
-
Configure the rule entry as appropriate. For more information, see Configuring a rule entry.
To remove an existing rule entry
-
Open the Rule entries list.
-
From the Rule entries list, select the entry you want to remove, then click Remove.
To edit an existing rule entry
-
From the Rule entries list, select the entry you want to modify, then click Edit.
-
Configure the rule entry as appropriate. For more information, see Configuring a rule entry.
This section provides instructions on how to configure a rule entry in the Define Entry dialog that looks similar to the following:
Figure 11: Define Entry
To configure a text entry
-
Under Entry type, select Text.
-
In the Text value box, type the value.
-
Click OK.
To configure an attribute-based entry
-
Under Entry type, select Attribute.
-
Click Select to select the attribute whose value you want to use, and then click OK.
-
If you want the entry to include the entire value of the attribute, select All characters. Otherwise, click Specified characters, then specify the characters to include in the entry.
-
(Optional) To add additional characters to the entry, click If value is shorter, add filling characters at the end of entry value.
-
(Optional) Specify Advanced settings.
-
When finished, click OK.
