Custom File Formats

If your core system cannot export data in our standard format, RiskScout can work with custom formats.

When to Request Custom Format Support

Consider a custom format if:

• Your core system has limited export capabilities
• Standard format would require significant development
• You have existing exports that closely match our needs
• Legacy systems use fixed-width or proprietary formats

What We Need

To evaluate a custom format, provide:

1. Sample Files

• At least one file per entity (customers, accounts, transactions)
• Minimum 100 rows per file (production-representative data)
• Include examples of edge cases (nulls, special characters)

Sensitive Data

Redact or mask sensitive data (SSN, account numbers) in samples. Use realistic but fake data where possible.

2. Data Dictionary

For each field in your export:

Item	Description
Field Name	Column name or position
Data Type	String, integer, date, etc.
Format	Date format, decimal places, etc.
Required	Yes/No
Description	What the field contains
Sample Values	2-3 examples

3. Code Value Lists

For coded fields, provide lookup tables:

Code    Description
01      Checking Account
02      Savings Account
03      Money Market
...

4. Relationship Documentation

Explain how entities link together:

• What field links customers to accounts?
• How are joint accounts represented?
• Are there any composite keys?

Evaluation Process

1. Submit request - Email samples and documentation to your implementation specialist
2. Technical review - Our team evaluates mapping complexity
3. Proposal - We provide a mapping plan and timeline
4. Approval - You review and approve the approach
5. Implementation - We build custom transformations
6. Testing - Validate with your team

Format Limitations

We can typically accommodate:

• Different delimiters - Tab, pipe, semicolon
• Fixed-width - Position-based layouts
• Different date formats - Most standard formats
• Nested structures - With documentation
• Multiple files per entity - Split exports

We cannot easily accommodate:

• Binary formats - PDF, Excel (must convert to text)
• Inconsistent structures - Files that change format
• Undocumented fields - Need clear mapping
• Real-time streaming - Batch files only

Contact

To submit a custom format request:

1. Email your implementation specialist
2. Or contact support@riskscout.com
3. Include "Custom Format Request" in subject line

Attach:

• Sample files (zipped if multiple)
• Data dictionary (Excel or CSV)
• Code value lists
• Any existing documentation