When you transfer data using a DMS file and the UNICOM Intelligence Data Model, you generally need to specify an input metadata source. The metadata source can be a Metadata Document (.mdd) file or a proprietary data format for which an MDSC is available. However, for some data types you do not need to specify a metadata source, although it is usually preferable to do so, because without an input metadata source, you cannot use these sections:

Moreover, if you are transferring data to a target data source that already exists without using an input metadata source, the transfer will succeed only if the structure of the output data exactly matches the existing target data.

You define the input metadata source in the connection string in the InputDataSource section (see InputDataSource section). If you are using the Connection String Builder or WinDMSRun sample application to set up the connection string, you can select the metadata source and the MDSC (when relevant) on the Data Link Properties: Connection tab (provided the UNICOM Intelligence OLE DB Provider is selected on the Provider tab). Alternatively, you can type the connection string into the DMS file manually.