In 2014, PDS introduced the payroll backup utility that, as part of the payroll update stream, could back up all tables updated by a payroll run to an XML file. Only those employees that would be processed in the update phase would be backed up. The utility is meant to be an alternative to the database backup that was required prior to an update phase. To activate the utility, you simply check the Run the Payroll Backup checkbox on the update phase scheduling page and enter the full path to the folder where the backup file will reside. You don’t specify a file name, the system will build it based on the database name and the register control id, making each backup unique.
Tables to be included in the backup are listed in one of two table groups, Payroll Backup Employee Tables (PYRBKUPEMP) and Payroll Backup Time Tables (PYRBKUPTME). To add your own custom table to the payroll backup, if the table qualifies, you just have to add the table name to one of the groups above by going to Setup Tables in System Administration and selecting Table Groups under the Database section. Select either of the payroll backup groups and click on your table name in the Available list. You must run the Sync Schema process for your table to appear on the available list.
For your table to qualify to be included in one of the backup groups, it must include person_id and company_code so that only employees that were updated during the payroll update phase are backed up and restored, in the event that a restore is necessary. We’re assuming that you would also have a custom process that would be run either by one of the update phase programs or have a custom job that was added to the payroll stream. The payroll engine provides several user exits for custom processing, if applicable. If you’d like additional assistance, PDS Professional Services can help implement the appropriate solution for your needs.