We have been testing XML files from several organisations for the last months and we would like to share the common mistakes found in the files.

On file level:

• File name incorrect: The correct file naming is ION-1234-D.xml.pgp or ION-1234-C.xml.pgp
• Wrong public key used for encryption: For the XML files you have to use the new BMDW public key.
• File is signed: The file should not be signed; only encrypted with the BMDW public key.
• Encoding in the top line: we recommend to add the encoding in the top line: <?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”utf-8”?>  

• We would recommend to create the XML file not as one line of data. For better readability, you should use line endings and indentations.

On record level:

• CREATION_TIIME and SNAPSHOT_TIME: These values should look like 2016-08-23T13:16:48Z; so no fractions of seconds and a 'Z' to reflect UTC time.
• SCHEMA_VERSION is missing: This element was added in the last version of the XSD files. We prefer to add this already.
• BIRTH_DATE: Correct format should be YYYY-MM-DD and this is a mandatory field.
• GRID: GRID is only applicable for DONORs and nor for CBUs.
• POOL: POOL is no longer an element within <DONOR> or <CBU>, but should be within <INVENTORIES>
• HLA values: DNA values should not be added to the <SER> (serological) value fields.
• Order of the elements: The data should be delivered in the correct order of the elements. Otherwise you will receive messages that a certain elements is not expected.
• VOL versus VOL_FRZN: VOL represent the volume of a cord at time of the collection. VOL_FRZN is the volume after processing and before freezing. VOL_FRZN is comparable with NVC in DOT20 files.
• TNC versus TNC_FRZN: TNC represent the total number of nucleated cells of a cord at time of the collection. TNC_FRZN is the number of cells after processing and before freezing. TNC_FRZN is comparable with TNC in DOT20 files. Also be aware that the units of these elements are different in DOT20 and XML. For DOT20 for example you used 300 and this was in units E7; for XML you should use the real number, e.g. 3.0E9
• CD34PC versus CD34PC_FRZN: CD34PC represent the number of CD34+ cells of a cord at time of the collection. CD34PC_FRZN is the number of CD34+ cells after processing and before freezing. CD34PC_FRZN is comparable with CD34P in DOT20 files. Also be aware here that the units are different.

If you haven't started to create your XML test file, please take the above mentioned mistakes into account. If you have any questions, please contact us by sending an email to support@bmdw.org