Advanced Customization > Business Logic Customization > Data Exchange using Standards in Windchill > STEP Data Exchange using EXPRESS > STEP Foundation > Introduction to EXPRESS > STEP Import and Export Process
  
STEP Import and Export Process
The following information details of how the standard IX framework that is already part of Windchill core capabilities is used to facilitate product data exchange using STEP standards
Export
This represents the typical flow of an export operation
1. Collect: Identify what needs to be exchanged. This step is out of scope of STEP data exchange.
2. Establish source model confirming to Windchill Express schema Windchill Information Exchange Model using Export Handlers
3. Validate the source model against the Windchill Express schema (Optional)
4. Convert to a target model confirming to a specific application protocol schema
5. Validate the target model against the application protocol schema (Optional)
6. Output to a file.
Import
This represents the typical flow of an import operation
1. Read the input in specified AP format
2. Create a source model populated with the data from the step file confirming to a specific application protocol schema
3. Validate the source model against the application protocol-specific schema (Optional)
4. Convert to target model confirming to the Windchill Express Schema
5. Validate the target model against the Windchill Express Schema (Optional)
6. Import the product data into Windchill using the import handlers