Nexus Preproduction

Nexus Preproduction Testing March 2024

Step by Step instructions on how to upload your files to SBA Nexus for the March 2024 testing in the preproduction environment.

This guide can be used by anyone that needs to load their Nexus XML files generated by their CRM system, such as our own Center IC.  

Before the actual real imports that are scheduled to start in April 2024, SBA has requested a select group of resource partners to load test files into preproduction. This is a great opportunity for the involved testers, as the feedback they give to SBA after this test will likely have more weight as it can help SBA to shore up any deficiencies before going live in April or later.

Side note: SBA has committed to building a 'round-trip' API for vendors and resource partners to upload from partner systems directly into SBA Nexus, so that files do not need to be manually loaded by humans as described below. This API was not ready or in development by SBA in March 2024. We will support this API as soon as it is available, so consider mentioning API support to SBA in your feedback to them.

1. Generate your XML files from your MIS system.
   1. If you are a customer of Center Dynamics, you would use the Nexus page to generate two files, one for advising (the 641 file), and another for training events (the 888 file)
   2. Download the files from your system to your computer.
2. Log into SBA Nexus Preproduction
   1. Link: SBA Nexus Preproduction
   2. If you are having trouble with your login, please contact SBA Nexus support at Nexus@sba.gov
3. Navigate to the Home
   
4. Select Create new Client intake
   
5. Select the File Upload tab
   
6. Select Start Upload
   
7. Select Upload Files
   
8. Choose the xml or zip file from your computer
   1. In our experience, dragging and dropping more than one file caused issues, so we recommend loading one file at a time.
9. A dialog will appear and will say Done after the file is loaded.
   
   1. Click Done to close the dialog.
   2. Note: any files you upload will not appear on this screen after you close this dialog. If you are uploading several files you may want to use a pen and paper to keep track of which files you uploaded, as it is quite difficult to check which files you have already uploaded in Nexus.
10. After you have loaded all your xml files, the next step is.. wait. File processing can take at least an hour, or sometimes multiple hours. It is probably best to log off and come check the files the next day.
    1. You should get an email for each file you load after the file is finished processing. This email has been unreliable in our testing (it sometimes does not arrive), so waiting a day after you upload should work in this case.
    2. Impatient, like we are? You can go and check the upload file status right after you upload with the next step.
11. Click on the More menu, then My Client Intake Uploads
    
12. This will take you to the Client Intake Uploads list, which shows you a list of all the files you upload.
    
    1. Unfortunately, this list does not show you the name of your files that you upload.  (We have asked for this, but feel free to ask SBA to add this)
    2. The file status of "Complete" is misleading and the file is not actually finished processing at this point. The status you want to see is "Complete and Notified"
       
13. SBA has stated that their reports and dashboards are not in the scope of this testing. However, if you want to take a peek after your files have processed, head over to the More menu and check out the CRMA Dashboards