Bulk Import Using XCRI

The bulk import functionality in PROMT has been developed to assist learning providers who maintain their own databases or data files of course information. Learning providers who have a large number of courses which are updated on a regular basis, or which are being added to the National Learning Opportunity Database (NLOD ) for the first time, will benefit from importing data into PROMT.   

 

Importing data into PROMT offers the following benefits:

 

• large numbers of courses can be added at once

• course information can be entered and maintained using the provider's own systems

• course information is entered once - there is no need to re-key it into PROMT

• reduces the time taken to update the NLOD

• improves the accuracy of data held in the NLOD by minimising data keying errors

 

The bulk import functionality in PROMT is currently being updated to conform to the XCRI-CAP data formatting standard.  XCRI is a Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded project to establish a specification to support the eXchange of Course-Related Information (XCRI). They have developed an XML specification, the XCRI Course Advertising Profile (or XCRI-CAP for short). XCRI-CAP is now recognised as the industry standard for formatting and transferral of course information.

 

Providers wishing to use our new upload service will need to provide their data in an XML packet which complies with the XCRI-CAP standard. This will be uploaded to our database through PROMT, where it will also be possible to monitor the progress of the upload.  Once the information has successfully uploaded, it can then be checked in PROMT, with any necessary amendments being made and courses being submitted for ILA approval in the normal way.

 

If you would be interested in uploading your course information in this way, please contact your information specialist in the information services team.