Method and apparatus for generating CSV-formatted extract file

An apparatus for generating an extract file, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;
• the processor operative with the program in the memory to:
• receive a request to generate a non-proprietary file that includes a plurality of extracted records associated with a proprietary software application, and in response, request at least one proprietary file from a software tool;
• receive the at least one proprietary file from the software tool, the at least one proprietary file comprising the plurality of extracted records associated with the request, the proprietary extract file having an application specific format associated with the software tool;
• format the extracted records according to a comma separated value format;
• and
• generate the non-proprietary file containing the formatted records.

A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for generating an extract file, the processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:

• receiving a request to generate a non-proprietary file that includes a plurality of extracted records associated with a proprietary software application, and in response, requesting at least one proprietary file from a software tool;
• receiving the at least one proprietary file from the software tool, the at least one proprietary extract file comprising the plurality of extracted records associated with the request, the at least one proprietary file having an application specific format associated with the software tool;
• formatting the extracted records according to a comma separated value format;
• and
• generating the non-proprietary file containing the formatted records.