This document shows how to jump from the most aggregated level (dashboards) to the most detailed level (ECC),  including, interactive  and advanced analysis jumps.  The document attached includes screenshots as well.

        0.      Linking wizard

1.      PassingValues between Dashboards

1.A   Calling a dashboard and filter the bex-variable via the link

2.      Passing values between Dashboard (Parent) to WebI (Child)

3.      Passing values between WebI – reports

3.A    Embed image into WebI - reports (via url)

3.B    Passing values between WebI – reports with Bex-variable

4.      Passing values between WebI and Olap-Analysis

5.      Input parameters

6.      Embedded dashboard

7.      Jump to ecc

8.      Design Studio

8.A    Passing Range from Design Studio to Explorer

8.B    Passing Data from Design Studio to WebI

8.C    Design Studio RRI & Open Document

9.      Hyperlink of a variable

How to obtain the Open Document wizard.

Set your preferences in the BI Launchpad to HTML.

Example, check out the setting in underneath screenshot.

When you open your document as viewer (read mode), then click on design mode, you will be able to use the link-wizard.

When you open your document directly via Modify (you will go via Applet) and you will not be able to use the link-wizard.

Step 1: Create Child Dashboard (Flash 2)

• Create combobox (dynamically – linked with cell “B1”, here we will enter the passed value) and chart
• Create connection (Flash Variable)
• Link the range to your spreadsheat (important:the name of ranges, ie: “Range”)
• Save to the platform

Step 2: Create Parent Dashboard (Flash 1)

• Create combobox and graph (combobox we will use the select our passing value, the value will be placed in “Blad1!AA2)
• Paste the “Document link” of your child dashboard in a cel (this you can retrieve from the platform)
• Paste the Ranges name of your connection of your child dashboard in a cel
• Use the formula to create the URL =<link>&”&sKind=Flash&IsS”&<range_name>&”=”&<variable_value>
• Use URL-component and link it with the url link (blue)

Step 3: Check it out

• Open parent dashboard
• Click on URL (now we want to pass the value “Massilly” trough to our child dashboard
• Open child dashboard (our chart is filtered by the value we pushed trough)

See document Dashboard filtered by BEx-variable, filled via URL

Step 1: Create Webi-report

• Create filter: “Production entity”, as an optional prompt, only one value to enter.
• Save to Platform and fetch the document li

Step 2: Create Dashboard

• Paste document link in spreadsheet
  
  http://DUN-TST-BOXI04.armony.net:8080/BOE/OpenDocument/opendoc/openDocument.jsp?sIDType=CUID&iDocID=ARew.LkSbaFDpWaepr48XRY
• To force prompt pop up screen: =<link>&"&sRefresh=Y"
• To fill prompt of “production entity” (filter created on WebI level):

     =<link>&”&sRefresh=Y&IsM”&<promptdescription>&”=”&<variable_value>

• You can replace <variable_value> by no_value if you want to leave the selection open (optional prompt)

     =<link>&”&sRefresh=Y&IsM”&<promptdescription>&”=no_value-

Step 1: Create Webi-report

• Create filter: “Production entity”, as an optional prompt, only one value to enter.

• Save to Platform and fetch the document link

Step 2: Create Webi-report

• Create table with production entity in it

• Select column

See Document: Hyperlink on image within webi report

To get this working you should check first how your bex-variable is defined.  Because when you have your Bex-variable as "selection option" your values will not be passed.

The passing of the value is nothin special.

Note that you have the assign the key as well!

good doc on this toppic :

http://scn.sap.com/community/businessobjects-web-intelligence/blog/2013/03/11/how-to-use-opendocument-with-bex-variables

(Victor Gabriel Saiz Castillo)

Variables in OLAP Anlaysis are BEx variables, to “call” them you have to use the technical name of the variable! In example we use: QUXOIQRT

Important NOTE: the same method (link) can be used also for passing values from Dashboard to advanced analysis, just note that the input variable will look like in chapter 2.

• Add hyperlink >> Browse for advanced analysis report >> insert it >> no popup of the variables appear like in chapter 3 >> so we have to change the link via formula >> so click “ok” and go to the formula bar, edit it. And add the extra parameter below, like you see in the link below.
• &lsMQUXOIQRT=
• ="+[L01 Invoicequarter]+"

="<ahref=\"../../opendoc/openDocument.jsp?iDocID=AXj.NgMoYXhImmeGywITRjI&sIDType=CUID&sType=amw&lsMQUXOIQRT="+[L01 Invoice
quarter]+" \" title=\"\" target=\"_blank\"
nav=\"doc\">"+[L01 Invoice quarter]+"</a>

View of the formula bar.  The hyperlink you see above, is the result of your link.  You see, we are passing the second quarter through.

URL setup

• documentDownload?iDocID=<iDocID value>&sKind=Flash

Dashboard setup

• component swf-loader (source url / app domain New)
• Note that the Panel component doesn’t download dashboard

See document >> BI 4.1 - How to Import a dashboard in another dashboard

url http:///<server>:<port>/sap/bc/gui/sap/its/webgui?~transaction=*CJ03%20*PROJ-PSPID=300002903;DYNP_OKCODE=/00

SERVER ED1               ecc-dev.belgrid.net

Port (T-CODE : SICF)    8000

http://ecc-dev.belgrid.net:8000/sap/bc/gui/sap/its/webgui?~transaction=*CJ03%20*PROJ-PSPID=300002903;DYNP_OKCODE=/00

>>> test

It is important that the integrated ITS service default_host->sap->bc->gui->sap->its->WEBGUI within your ECC’s NetWeaver instance is active before you can call a WebGUI transaction. The server is your ECC one that you can find in the SAP Logon. You can also find the right port in transaction SICF. The transaction itself must also be enabled for WebGUI access in SE93. The above example URL is calling transaction code CJ03 and filling the screen field PROJ-PSPID with the WBS number 300002903 and bypassing the selection screen by clicking on the Execute button. This is a static example but in real life, the number should be replaced by the column name in the Web Intelligence report.

Transaction ?

In ECC execute the requested T-Code:  for example ME23N

Passing values

Go to the parameter you want to fill in and press F1

Gui data >> Status >> MECHOB PROJ-PSPID=300002903;DYNP_OKCODE=MECHOB

http://ecc-dev.belgrid.net/:8000/sap/bc/gui/sap/its/webgui?~transaction=*ME23N%20*MEPO_SELECT-EBELN=48013468;DYNP_OKCODE=MECHOB

If the Design studio application is located on the BI Launchpad.  You can access the design studio via the opendocument lingo...check out tutorial:

SCN:

Design Studio 1.1: Pass URL parameters between applications (sap official)

A range in Design studio has format: 2011 - 2013

A range in Explorer has format: 2011;2012;2012;2013

When we push our values as answer from Design Studio prompt, we will recieve those 2011-2013 format

Check out the code to go from one format to the other

Nothing special here, use what you already learned above.

script in design studio= APPLICATION.openNewWindow();

add opendocument-rul from webi, add parameters, it as simple as that.

Note, do not forget to create the prompt in your webi and use that name in your parameter!

    1. Actions in design studio

• APPLICATION.openNewWindow("http://ISOSAP115.belgrid.net:8080/BOE/OpenDocument/opendoc/openDocument.jsp?sIDType=CUID&iDocID=AfZDGoYxjP5FuG1B4o86lu4&lsSYear=var_end");

• var url ="http://ISOSAP115.belgrid.net:8080/BOE/OpenDocument/opendoc/openDocument.jsp?sIDType=CUID&iDocID=AfZDGoYxjP5FuG1B4o86lu4&&sRefresh=Y&lsSCompany="+var_end;

    APPLICATION.openNewWindow(url);

var_end can be a variable you filled in via startup or you can set it as the result of a filter

example:

var_end=DS_1.getVariableValueExt("VAR_YEAR");

     2. Actions in webi

Creation of prompt

Nice doc on this toppic by Deepu Sasidharan

Design Studio 1.4 RRI and Open Document

create variable "signature".

add for example =www.google.com

this can be handy if it is based on an IF statement, where you in once case jump to report A and in the other case to report B.

use formula below in your report

="<a href=\""+([Signature])+"\" title=\"\" target=\"_blank\" nav=\"web\">Click Here</a>"

Comparison of Features by Version for the SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform

The components in the SAP® BusinessObjects™ Business Intelligence (BI) platform have evolved and continue to evolve rapidly. This document is a reference to help you understand when key features were introduced in the BI platform. This information should help you plan how to evolve your infrastructure, plan your upgrades, and deploy the right component to the right audience. This document covers the SAP BusinessObjects BI Suite and the Edge edition of SAP BusinessObjects BI software.

Although this document is not an exhaustive reference of every feature in the BI platform, we attempted to identify features that are important to most implementations. There may be features not described in this document that are important to your specific deployment.

This document does not replace the product availability matrix, which details the specific supported platforms for each release and support pack. These are available at service.sap.com/sap/support/pam. Please note: you need an authorised user ID to access this information.

The document presents you the list of features starting with SAP BusinessObjects XI3.1 up to BI4.1 SP04

View this Document

For the previous version containing XIR2 up to BI4.0 GA, please download the report here

Version History

Planned Updates

Additions planned for version 6 of the document are:

- Include BI4.1 SP05 Features

- Include Design Studio 1.4 Features

- Include/Update Analysis Office 2.0 Features

- Include Lumira

Hi All,

Recently I tried to install BO 4.1 SP06 on JBoss Application server in Windows 2008,

I like to share my experience through this post,

Operating System: Windows 2008 R2 Standard Ed

JBoss                   : Enterprise Application Platform(EAP) 6.1.0 [Includes JBoss AS 7.2.0]

BO Version          : BO 4.1 SP06 Full Build

Installation Steps:

Note: some of the screen shots I am not shared here, just included the details in the steps itself.

Step1: Extract the files from the Installation pack and run the setup file,

Step2: Refer the below Pre-requisition for BO 4.1 SP06

Step 3: Now, you will get License Agreement screen, next screen is the Product Key Registration Screen and then you will get a Language selection screen

             After entered all the details you can able to view the below mentioned installation type screen,

     3.a -   If you are selecting Custom/Expand install option then just un-check the Tomcat 7.0,here I am selected the Full Install option,

Step 4: Once you selected the Install type as "Full" then you will get the installation path screen, select the Designation Folder and click next

Step 5: Select the Database option in the next screen, here I am selecting default Sybase SQL Anywhere DB

Step 6: we are not going to install the Tomcat, so I am selected the second option which is mentioned in the below screen-shot

Step 7: Next screen is the Version management, select the required option.

Step 8: Next is SIA configuration screen, In the SIA Configuration, Enter the Node Name

Step 9: After Entered the SIA configuration, you will get the next screen as CMS Account Password Setup which is mentioned below.

Note:Be very careful while entering the password, if you entered the simple password,

it will not though any error but at the end of the installation you will not able to find SIA in the CCM, (if you are not able to find the SIA then try to check the In the Event view log warning messages will show like "Your password is too  simple. Your password should be a combination of upper case, lower case...etc )

       So try to install with the very complex password to avoid issues

Step 10: Enter the DB Password details

Step 11: Configuring the HTTP Listening Port

Step 12: Next screen is configuration of subversion setails

Step 13: Select theSMD Agent Option

Step 14: Select the Introscope Enterprise Manager option

Step 15: Finally you can able to view the installation start screen,click next to run the setup files

Step 16: At the end of the installation you can able to view the below mentioned screen

Step 17: This below screen shot of GUI just for your reference, as of now there is no option visible to deploy JBoss App Server using Wdeploy GUI Interface

               so just cancel it in the Wdeploy screen

Step 18: kindly refer the below steps, here I used the command line Wdeploy tool option

              (For Any Additional Details, kindly refer the Web Application Deployment guide for Windows)

Step 19:Assumed,already JBoss Installation done.

Step 20: Configuration in Wdeploy conf file

               Default Path:<BIP_INSTALL_DIR>\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\wdeploy\conf

               File name: config.jboss7 (In this file add your Jboss installation path)

Step 21: In the command prompt goto your installation path and run the wdeploy.bat file

            Ref Path:C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\wdeploy>wdeploy.bat jboss7 predeployall

           Note: kindly refer the Web Application Deployment guide for Windows to use different/custom deployment options.

Step 22: if the above command completed successfully then folder called "workdir" will be created under wdeploy and

               extracted all the required war files within the same directory structure

            Ref Path:C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\wdeploy\workdir\jboss7\application

Step 23: kindly copy this war file and add it in your JBoss installation path, [Ref Path: <INSTALL PATH>\standalone\deployments\ ]

Step 24: War files will be processed and created a deployed file in the same directory of JBoss App server.

Step 25: Now you can able open and view your BI Launchpad and CMC

Issues occurred during Deployment

After end of installation I can able to view the CMC login page and BI Launchpad, but not able to view AdminTools Page and also not able to connect the BO from Dashboard

Error while opening AdminTools Page:

Error while connecting from Dashboard

The below Solution is helped to fix these issues

Tried with different SAP Notes related to similar error but no luck, finally the below solution worked for this issue.

Ref Source: Web Application Deployment guide for Windows (4.1 SP06 - section 6.10 JBoss)

Just I shared the content of the mentioned section for your easy reference.

Security exception when deploying AdminTools, dswsbobje, or BusinessProcessBI to JBoss 7.1

When deploying the AdminTools, dswsbobje, or BusinessProcessBI web applications to JBoss 7.1, you may encounter the following error:

java.lang.SecurityException: Toolkit not encapsulated by a jar.(Actually this similar error occurred only when trying to connect the Dashboard to BO Enterprise Logon, this error captured and displayed in the JBoss Server log).

This error is thrown by an RSA library. To resolve the issue, you must make changes to the web application source files and to your JBoss application server before predeploying and deploying the web application. The following example uses the AdminTools application.

Follow the same steps for the dswsbobje and BusinessProcessBI applications

Solution steps from the Ref Source

1. Copy all files from the following WDeploy RSA module directory:<BIP_INSTALL_DIR>\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\wdeploy\rsa_module

2. On your JBoss application server, create an rsa\main directory under modules\com and paste all files copied in Step 1:

    <JBOSS_INSTALL_DIR>\modules\com\rsa\main

3. Move the jboss-deployment-structure.xml file from:

   <JBOSS_INSTALL_DIR>\modules\com\rsa\main

   and place the file in the following AdminTools source file directory:

   <BIP_INSTALL_DIR>\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\warfiles\webapps\AdminTools\WEB-INF

4. Remove the RSA JAR files certjFIPS.jar, cryptojFIPS.jar, and ssljFIPS.jar from the AdminTools source files:

    <BIP_INSTALL_DIR>\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\warfiles\webapps\AdminTools\WEB-INF\lib

5. Predeploy the modified AdminTools web application using the WDeploy tool. For example:

   wdeploy jboss7 predeploy -DAPP=AdminTools

6. Deploy the modified AdminTools WAR file using the JBoss Command Line Interface (CLI).

After re-deployed I can able to view the AdminTools page and also able to connect between Dashboard and BO.

Hope this document may be useful for the person who is trying to do a custom installation on JBoss.

To create a CR report based on multiple Qaaws connections, you can follow the below steps:

Take a backup of Registry before modifying making any changes in it. Refer the KBA:1323322 - Editing the Windows Registry - Warning

1. Unless and until we add the below parameter in registry, we will not be able to create a CR report based on Qaaws.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SAP BusinessObjects\Suite XI 4.0\Crystal Reports\DatabaseOptions]

"AllowQaaws"="Yes"

2. Create a new report in Crystal Reports 2013.

3. Choose XML and Web Services for the connections.

4. Check the option "Convert Multi-Occurs to Table" and select the option " Use Web Service Data Source". Click Next.

5. Open the Query As A Web Services tool and create a new Qaaws on which you want  to create a CR report.

6. Copy the URL by clicking To clipboard.

7. Paste the URL in the text box HTTP(s) WSDL URL and click next.

8. Enter the user ID and Password of the connection (blank username and password). Click next.

9. Service, Port and method are automatically filled. Click Finish.

10. Enter any Prompts requested. Set null to Session id, Client Type, Audit Object. Click ok.

11. Select the three tables and drag them to the right from the database expert. Click ok.

12. Click OK to accept the default linking.

13. Click Ok to the Database Warning.

14. The fields will appear in the report. Create a CR report based on the fields you want.

15. Save the report to Enterprise and open it using CMC and BI Launchpad.

16. If you are getting the below error while saving the report to CMC, then save the report locally. Then add it in BI Launchpad using the option: New -> Local Document. Try to access it using the CMC and BI Launchpad and it should work.

17. Add an additional Query as a Web service by going to the Database Expert and creating a new connection of XML and Web Services. Click ok.

Hope this will help.

Regards,

Soniya

How to Restore BI4 Properly from FRS & CMS Db Restore from Backup

Step 1: Doing Server Back-Up to TAPES (Same TimeStamp)

Complete Back-Up Process includes:

• STOP
• BOBJ Servers Image back-up by IT
• CMS and Audit database
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\FileStore
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\Polestar
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\TrendingDB
• START

Step 2: Doing Server Restore from Back-Up (TAPES):

Complete Restore Process includes:

• STOP
• Restore CMS Database and Audit Database
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\FileStore
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\Polestar
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\TrendingDB
• START

NOTE: Previous content MUST be deleted before you restore.

Step 3: Phase 1 - Server Restore Process:

• You will notice that ALL the servers except for CMS are in the STOPPED stage.
• We need to re-initialize ALL the servers

Step 3: Phase 2 - Servers Re-Initialization Process (Step-by-Step):

SAP's Maheshwar Singh and Frank Praebl provided this webcast yesterday to ASUG members.  We had a busy question & answer, and I thank them for taking the time to answer the questions along with our ASUG Volunteer Shawn Cooper.

Reference

Join us next month for What is coming in SAP BI4.2 -- register here

Join us next week in Austin SAP Analytics BusinessObjects Conference Starts Monday in Austin

See our upcoming webcasts here

Hello Everyone,

Objective: Create Tab Menu for reports instead of providing reports in Folders.

Introduction: BI Workspace is customizable interface which allow multiple documents like Dashboard, Webi reports and other documents together into a single viewand the same can be deliver to specific groups or users. We can make own Menu tabs for report and create multiple workspaces for specific group of users like sales users, management users etc as per business requirement.

Create BI Workspace:

Step 1: Login into BI launch pad with administrator rights, click on Application and then BI Workspace.

Step 2: Now add new tab and set the column and put the name as per requirement. (We can add multiple tab or sub tabs) 

Note: in this scenario, two tabs ‘Sales Reports’ and ‘Inventory Reports’ are added, In Sales Reports tab further two sub tabs are added as ‘BO Report-1’ and ‘BO Report-2’

Step 3: Now Navigate to public module in Module Library (Left side)

Step 4: Open the folder in which Dashboard and Webi reports are saved and then drag and drop on the workspace background.

Step 5: Save the BI Workspace in public folder.

Step 6: Change BI Launch pad preferences for specific users or group as per requirement.

Hope this Document helps to create Menu base tabs in SAP BI Launch pad. Suggestion and comments are welcome which help to improve this Documents.

Thanks,

Kashif Ali Khan

I have Tomcat 7.0.55 installed on my BO Server.Now today I had a requirement to deploy a WAR file.To accomplish that I had to login to the Tocat Manager application using below URL http://<hostname>:port/manager/html

But It was giving me authorization error

In order to fix the this access issue, we need to make some changes in tomcat-users.xml file.The process goes as follows:

1. Navigate to the conf folder which is located in G:\SAP BusinessObjects\tomcat\conf
2. Make sure we make a backup of the tomcat-users.xml file. 
3. Open the tomcat-users.xml file in a WordPad/notepad editor. 
4. Once we open the file it should look like:

            <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

          <tomcat-users>

          <role rolename="tomcat"/>

          <role rolename="role1"/>

          <user username="tomcat" password="tomcat" roles="tomcat"/>

          <user username="role1" password="tomcat" roles="role1"/>

          <user username="both" password="tomcat" roles="tomcat,role1"/>

          </tomcat-users>

• Note that for Tomcat 7 onwards, the roles required to use the manager application were changed from the single manager role to the following four roles. You will need to assign the role(s) required for the functionality you wish to access.

               manager-gui - allows access to the HTML GUI and the status pages
               manager-script - allows access to the text interface and the status pages
               manager-jmx - allows access to the JMX proxy and the status pages
               manager-status - allows access to the status pages only

    5.   We have to add the following two roles:

          <role rolename="manager"/>
          <role rolename="admin"/>

          <role rolename="manager-gui"/>

          <role rolename="manager-script"/>

          <role rolename="manager-jmx"/>

          <role rolename="manager-status"/>

    6.  Once we add the roles, we have to add the following string:

          <user username="administrator" password="password" roles="admin,manager,tomcat,manager-gui,manager-script,manager-jmx,manager-status"/>

    7.  After editing the tomcat-users.xml file, it should look like this:

          <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

          <tomcat-users>

          <role rolename="tomcat"/>

          <role rolename="role1"/>

          <role rolename="manager"/>

          <role rolename="manager-gui"/>

          <role rolename="manager-script"/>

          <role rolename="manager-jmx"/>

          <role rolename="manager-status"/>

          <role rolename="admin"/>

          <user username="administrator" password="password" roles="admin,manager,tomcat,manager-gui,manager-script,manager-jmx,manager-status"/>

          <user username="tomcat" password="tomcat" roles="tomcat"/>

          <user username="both" password="tomcat" roles="tomcat,role1"/>

          <user username="role1" password="tomcat" roles="role1"/>

          </tomcat-users>

8. Go to Central Configuration Manager and restart the Tomcat Server. 
9. Open Internet Explorer and type http://hostname:port. In my case the port was 8080 
10. It will prompt you for username and password
11. Enter the credentials as specified in the tomcat-users.xml file.

Reference:-1308046 - How to Deploy WAR files in Business Objects Enterprise XI 3.1 using Tomcat Manager?

Accessing Query Builder

Query Builder can be found at the below URL http://MyServer:Port/AdminTools

Make sure you are using a user credentials that is part of Administrator user group in order to gain access to all the repository objects. Please note using Query Builder we can only query the information stored in the CMS database not from the File repository files.

Simple queries to use against the repository

To list all the Users

          SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='USER'

To list all the Universes

          SELECT * FROM CI_APPOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='UNIVERSE'

To list all the WebI reports

          SELECT * FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='WEBI'

Query Builder Blog series

Basics

             BusinessObjects Query builder - Basics

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Best practices & Usability

Sample Queries

             BusinessObjects Query builder queries

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part II

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part III

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part IV

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Visualization Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Monitoring Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder - Exploring Lumira & Design studio Objects

Use cases

               BusinessObjects Environment assessment using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Environment Cleanup using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Query builder – What's New in BI 4.0    

Migrating SAP BI4 Sample Database & Universe to Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Introduction

Two sample Microsoft Access databases and Universe come with SAP BI 4.1.x eFashion and Club. This document describes the step-by-step instruction to migration the eFashion database from Access to Microsoft SQL Server 2012, as well updating the eFashion Universe. The Club database and Universe can be migrated and updated in a similar manner.

Overview

To migrate the database we will use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), a tool that creates NEW tables in a SQL Server 2012 schema and imports data from an Access database. Once the database has been migrated we then need to make a several updates to the eFashion universe to use SQL Server 2012 rather than Access syntax.

The sample Access databases, Universes and Web Intelligence documents (screenshot showing location)

D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Samples\webi

Prerequisites

First we need to download SQL Server Express 2012 and SQL Server Management Studio tools (FREE). If you already have a licensed site for SQL Server 2012 no download is required. The great thing with using SQL Server Express 2012, it will support 64bit ODBC Drives now required by BI4 Platform.  The SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) does not need to be installed on BI4 Platform Server as long as the SSMS tool can read the eFashion Access Database.  You can even copy the efashion.mdb file to SQL Server2012 Server.

Link to download SQL Server Express 2012 + Tools [FREE]

http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=29062

Second we need to installed SQL Server 2012 64bit Native Clients ver11 on all BI4 Platform Server and create 64bit System DSN called eFashion [ http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=36434 ].

Make sure you have proper permissions to MS SQL Server Express 2012 / SQL Server 2012 to create tables and insert data.  You will need a BLANK SQL Server 2012 database called “eFashion”.

Migrate eFashion Database

Migrate / Update eFashion Universe

Now that we have successfully migrated the eFashion database to SQL Server2012 we need to update the eFashion universe to utilize the SQL Server2012 datasource.

We need update SQL for several Objects and Predefined Condition, see below

Step 01: Launch Designer and go to <Tools>, <Connections> to make sure proper connection exist using SQL Server 2012 driver, called “eFashion_SQL”.  If you already have another connection, you can utilize that one instead.

Step 02: After validating connection, <import> universe from BI4. Import the eFashion universe found under “webi universes”. Optional take back-up of eFashion using Access DB

Step 03: Next go to <File>, <Parameters>, Definition Tab <Connection> and update to use “eFashion_SQL”.

Step 04: Update Description so that we can identify our updated universe, for example:

• Add comment about using MS SQL Server 2012 Database
• Update when last updated

Step 05: Next we need to <View>, <Refresh Structure> to confirm all the Tables are valid. You may need to update the table owner depending on UserID being used to connect to SQL Server. Select all tables, right click and select rename table with owner, if needed.

Step 06: Click <Ok> to save changes

Step 07: Run an Integrity Check to view error’s prior to making changes

Step 08: Update the SQL Select &/or Where clause for list of objects as shown below.

Update Invalid Objects and Conditions

Step 09: After update then <Save> and check <Integrity> to make sure all is working properly.

Step 10: Last <Export> to CMS to test updated eFashion Universe.

Step 11: FINISHED

If you have any documents that are created against this universe then check that these are OK by editing the query and executing. Remember to save updated report.  You are also provided with list of samples located at D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Samples\web

NOTE: See attached FIXED UNIVERSE & Excel showing SQL changes

Download attached file containing UNV & Excel table.  You may need to change extension from TXT to ZIP for ZIPPED file. !!!

Business Objects  Single Sign On also called SSO with Windows AD  is now available on CentralManagementConsole (CMC) in Business Objects 4.1 SP06.

On a  system which is already configured for SSO with BI Launchpad in 4.1 SP06, the end user needs to do the following changes to enable SSO for CMC.

Go to tomcat directory under the SAP Business Objects installation .Example Assuming the installtion directory path is C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\tomcat.

Create a file Create a file CmcApp.properties under C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\tomcat\webapps\BOE\WEB-INF\config\custom.

Enter the following Configurations

• sso.supported.types=vintela, trustedIIS, trustedHeader, trustedParameter, trustedCookie, trustedSession, trustedUserPrincipal, trustedVintela, trustedX509, sapSSO, siteminder
• authentication.default=secWinAD

Restart tomcat once the above configuration steps are completed.

The Configured AD user will be automatically signed into CMC using SSO  .The user will not be prompted to login to CMC entering credentials.

NOTE:

When we do explicit log off in the login screen the authentication mathod might be shown as Enterprise.This occurs due to caching.

Hence to prevent this Browser cache has to be cleared first when we do the initial CMC SSO setup, otherwise old authentication method(Enterprise) will be cached.

BusinessObjects environment assessment is one of the critical steps whenever you go for migration or an upgrade. Identifying the existing objects in current deployment and cleaning up the unnecessary and unused objects will help you to design and size your system properly with optimal performance. In this document I want to show simple steps to estimate BI contents using Query builder.

Have a look here BusinessObjects Query builder - Basics  for Query builder basics. You should fire the below environment assessment queries in Querybuilder.

1. Estimating User Community

User count

          SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'USER'

Named user count

          SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'USER' AND SI_NAMEDUSER=1

Concurrent user count

            SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'USER' AND SI_NAMEDUSER=0

User group count

            SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'USERGROUP'

2. Estimating BI Content

Universe count

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_APPOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'UNIVERSE'

Connection count

            SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'CONNECTION'

Count of crystal reports

            SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'CRYSTALREPORT'

Count of Full client reports

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'FULLCLIENT'

Count of WebI reports & Instances

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'WEBI'

Count of WebI reports (Only report templates)

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'WEBI' AND SI_INSTANCE=0

Count of WebI report instances

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'WEBI' AND SI_INSTANCE=1

Count of Folders

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS, CI_APPOBJECTS, CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'FOLDER'

     * Please note I have included all three virtual tables for the folder count as it may exist in all the categories

Count of Categories

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'CATEGORY'

Count of Program Objects

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'PROGRAM'

Count of Shortcuts

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'SHORTCUT'

Count of Agonistic documents

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND IN ('EXCEL','PDF','WORD','RTF','TXT','POWERPOINT')

Count of Calenders

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'CALENDAR'

Count of Events

          SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'EVENT'

Count of Hyperlinks

          SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'HYPERLINK'

3. Estimating Servers/Server groups and metrics

Server count

            SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'SERVER'

Server group count

           SELECT COUNT (SI_ID) FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'SERVERGROUP'

Server metrics

           SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = 'SERVER'

At the end of the assessment you should be able to provide the below matrix

Query Builder Blog series

Basics

             BusinessObjects Query builder - Basics

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Best practices & Usability

Sample Queries

             BusinessObjects Query builder queries

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part II

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part III

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part IV

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Visualization Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Monitoring Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder - Exploring Lumira & Design studio Objects

Use cases

               BusinessObjects Environment assessment using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Environment Cleanup using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Query builder – What's New in BI 4.0   

As a subsequent step to BusinessObjects environment assessment BusinessObjects Environment assessment using Query builderwe need to perform the Cleanup activity in the environment. This includes identifying unused BI content (Users, Universes, reports,etc.). We are going to see more in detail about identification of unused objects using Query Builder in this document.

Let us see how to identify unused objects in each category listed below

1. User Community

       a. Users not logged in for the past 6 months

          SELECT TOP 5000 SI_NAME, SI_LASTLOGONTIME FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS

          WHERE SI_NAME NOT IN ('ADMINISTRATOR','GUEST') AND SI_KIND='USER'

          AND SI_LASTLOGONTIME < '2013.12.25' ORDER BY SI_NAME

       b. Users who never logged in to system

           SELECT TOP 5000 SI_NAME, SI_LASTLOGONTIME FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS

           WHERE SI_NAME NOT IN ('ADMINISTRATOR','GUEST') AND SI_KIND='USER'

            AND SI_LASTLOGONTIME IS NULL ORDER BY SI_NAME

       c. Users not in any group except Everyone group

           SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='USER'

          AND SI_USERGROUPS.SI_TOTAL=1 ORDER BY SI_NAME

       d. User groups without user

           SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='USERGROUP' AND

           SI_ENT_GROUP_MEMBERS.SI_TOTAL=0 ORDER BY SI_NAME

2. BI Content

       a. WebI reports without universe

          SELECT TOP 2000 * FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS

          WHERE SI_KIND='WEBI' AND SI_UNIVERSE.SI_TOTAL=0

       b. Universes without WebI reports

          SELECT * FROM CI_APPOBJECTS

          WHERE SI_KIND='UNIVERSE' AND SI_WEBI.SI_TOTAL=0

       c. Universes without connection association

          SELECT * FROM CI_APPOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='UNIVERSE'

          AND SI_DATACONNECTION.SI_TOTAL=0

       d. Connections without Universes(Only from BI4.x onwards)

          SELECT * FROM CI_APPOBJECTS

          WHERE SI_KIND= 'CCIS.DATACONNECTION'
          AND SI_CONNUNIVERSE.SI_TOTAL=0

       e. Categories without documents

          SELECT * FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='CATEGORY'

          AND SI_DOCUMENTS.SI_TOTAL=0

       f. Folders without any content (Only with in public folders)

          SELECT * FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='FOLDER'

          AND SI_CHILDREN=0 AND SI_ANCESTOR = 23

       g. Publications without subscriptions

          SELECT SI_ID, SI_NAME, SI_PUBLICATION_DOCUMENTS FROM CI_INFOOBJECTS

          WHERE SI_KIND='PUBLICATION' AND SI_PUBLICATION_DOCUMENTS.SI_TOTAL=0

3. Servers and Server groups

       a. Servers that are disabled

           SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='SERVER' AND SI_DISABLED=1

       b. Server groups without servers

           SELECT * FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND='SERVERGROUP'

          AND SI_GROUP_MEMBERS.SI_TOTAL=0

Query Builder Blog series

Basics

             BusinessObjects Query builder - Basics

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Best practices & Usability

Sample Queries

             BusinessObjects Query builder queries

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part II

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part III

               BusinessObjects Query builder queries - Part IV

               BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Visualization Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder – Exploring Monitoring Objects

              BusinessObjects Query builder - Exploring Lumira & Design studio Objects

Use cases

               BusinessObjects Environment assessment using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Environment Cleanup using Query builder

               BusinessObjects Query builder – What's New in BI 4.0   

Where can I find my version number?

You can find the version number (also referred to as the build number) for your software in several locations, including:

• On Windows, in the Add or Remove Programs dialog. The update indicates the current level.

• In the Help > About menu of most BI platform client tools, such as the universe design tool.

What does my version number mean?

The version number of your software appears as 14.x.y.abc. This number corresponds to a particular Support Package (or Feature Pack) and Patch level as follows:

• 14 = Major release 4.0/2011.
• x = Minor release number.
• y = Support Package level.
• abc = Build number corresponding to your Patch level.

For example, 14.0.2.481 corresponds to 4.0 Support Package 2 Patch 6, or Patch 2.6.

The following table lists the version numbers for SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 4.0, and what Feature Pack (FP), Support Package (SP), and Patch level the version number corresponds to. These levels are the same for both the client and server installation programs and also apply to SAP Crystal Server 2011.

Where can I find version information for BI platform 4.1 and Crystal Server 2013?

Starting in 4.1, the installation program creates and updates a version.txt file where you can check the current version of your BI platform server installation. The file is located at:

• <BIP_INSTALL_DIR>/sap_bobj/enterprise_xi40/linux_x64/version/ (Unix)
• <BIP_INSTALL_DIR>\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\win64_x64\version\ (Windows)

This file contains the build number and version name for the last update applied to your installation. For example:

14.1.0.981

4.1 Patch 2

See "Checking the installed version" in the following installation guides:

• Installation Guide for Unix
• Installation Guide for Windows
• Minor Release Update Guide

Where can I find version information for previous SAP BusinessObjects releases?

Version information for previous software releases can be found in the following articles:

• SAP Note 1287906: How to determine the version number of BusinessObjects XI 3.x in Windows
• Crystal Reports 2008 (and 9.1, XI R1, XI R2) - Version and Download information for Service Packs

Table 1: SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 4.0

Table 2: SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 4.1

I have seen lots of post requesting to get the way to retrieve disable or inactive user search. There is business reason to get the user count but there is no way to get it with direct query through Query Builder.

I came across a situation where we do need inactive and active users’ counts and users details but there was no way.  We do work for all type of Business Object Java SDK 4.0 on business needs.

We write a search engine using Java SDK API’s to get the result. It’s a simple java program which connects to CMS and search for user with give  parameters. Let me take you in deeper way to get the idea:

1)      We retrieve the user list by passing search criteria

       // Sample query

            SELECT SI_NAME, SI_USERFULLNAME FROM CI_SYSTEMOBJECTS WHERE SI_KIND = ‘User’

2)     We add then search criteria like user first name or user last name

       // Sample query

       SI_ENT_CUSTOM_MAPPED_ATRIBUTES.SI_FIRSTNAME like ‘%xxxx%’ and  SI_ENT_CUSTOM_MAPPED_ATRIBUTES.SI_LASTNAME like ‘%xxxx%’

3)     Once the query gets built up, it connect to CMS and get enterpriseSession  to get the list of user through the query run

4)      We process the list of user to retrieve the active  (enable) or Inactive (disable) user.  It’s done through the API call.  We have Interface IUserAliases.           We iterate through the User object  and get the user status on alias basis

            // sample code

            IUserAliases  boAliases = user.getAloases();

            Boolean userStat = boAliases.iterator().next().isDisabled();

               // the above piece of code helps to get the user status 

5)      We put all the active and inactive user in list and send back whenever we need.

Hello Everyone,

Objective: Create dashboard and webi reports on BEx query directly, for this we need to create OLAP Connection(BICs)to SAP BI server.

Introduction: SAP BO 4.0 onwards allows us to connect BEx query via Business Intelligence Consumer Services (BICS) connection which also known as OLAP connection. We can create and save OLAP connection through CMC (Central Management Console) or IDT (Information Design Tool). OLAP connection can be created to connect BI server, Multiprovider, InfoCube and Bex query. If connection is specific for particular Query, Cube or Multiprovider then goes for create it in query or cube base Otherwise create connection on BI server through which we can connect to any BEx query. The benefit of creating Connection on BI server is single OLAP connection for all BO reports.

Create OLAP connection to connect BI server:

1) Login to CMC with Administrator authorization right and goes to OLAP Connection

2) Then select new connection

  3) Put the BI server details as per below given screen shot.         

4) Click on Connect button to check connectivity give BI server credential.

5) Don’t select any cube or query as we are making connection to BI server, click on cancel.

6) Select Authentication Type as ‘Predefined’ and maintain user name and password and save.

Now we have created OLAP Connection to BI server successfully using CMC. Hope this Document will be helpful.

Thanks,

Kashif Ali Khan

Overview:

Working with SAP Consulting I have been involved in a few discussions with customers where it has surfaced that there are some feature differences when using the SAP BusinessObjects BI server on different operating Systems and customers were not aware of some differences. This blog intends to collect and document feature differences between SAP BI BusinessObjects Server OS.

Which Operating Systems are generally supported for the SAP BI Server?

As of today (BI4.1 SP06) following OS are mentioned in the PAM as supported: Windows, Linux, AIX and Solaris.

Are there feature differences for end users depending on the SAP BI Server OS?

Yes, here a summary of differences:

Table 1: Feature differences as of BI 4.1 SP06

Are there any features supported on *nix and not on Windows?

No. To the best of my knowledge there are no disadvantages from a feature perspective.

Can I have a mix deployment?

Yes, this is possible.

Ressources:

https://apps.support.sap.com/sap/support/pam

Complete SSO overview

http://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/1323391

http://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/1636349

Deploying Lumira Server for BI Platform on Non Windows environment

Updates to this document:

If you would like to make any enhancement/amend to this document, feel free to edit the document directly, I have made it open for the SCN community to collaborate.

To create a CR report based on multiple Qaaws connections, you can follow the below steps:

Take a backup of Registry before modifying making any changes in it. Refer the KBA:1323322 - Editing the Windows Registry - Warning

1. Unless and until we add the below parameter in registry, we will not be able to create a CR report based on Qaaws.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SAP BusinessObjects\Suite XI 4.0\Crystal Reports\DatabaseOptions]

"AllowQaaws"="Yes"

2. Create a new report in Crystal Reports 2013.

3. Choose XML and Web Services for the connections.

4. Check the option "Convert Multi-Occurs to Table" and select the option " Use Web Service Data Source". Click Next.

5. Open the Query As A Web Services tool and create a new Qaaws on which you want  to create a CR report.

6. Copy the URL by clicking To clipboard.

7. Paste the URL in the text box HTTP(s) WSDL URL and click next.

8. Enter the user ID and Password of the connection (blank username and password). Click next.

9. Service, Port and method are automatically filled. Click Finish.

10. Enter any Prompts requested. Set null to Session id, Client Type, Audit Object. Click ok.

11. Select the three tables and drag them to the right from the database expert. Click ok.

12. Click OK to accept the default linking.

13. Click Ok to the Database Warning.

14. The fields will appear in the report. Create a CR report based on the fields you want.

15. Save the report to Enterprise and open it using CMC and BI Launchpad.

16. If you are getting the below error while saving the report to CMC, then save the report locally. Then add it in BI Launchpad using the option: New -> Local Document. Try to access it using the CMC and BI Launchpad and it should work.

17. Add an additional Query as a Web service by going to the Database Expert and creating a new connection of XML and Web Services. Click ok.

Hope this will help.

Regards,

Soniya

How to Restore BI4 Properly from FRS & CMS Db Restore from Backup

Step 1: Doing Server Back-Up to TAPES (Same TimeStamp)

Complete Back-Up Process includes:

• STOP
• BOBJ Servers Image back-up by IT
• CMS and Audit database
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\FileStore
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\Polestar
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\TrendingDB
• START

Step 2: Doing Server Restore from Back-Up (TAPES):

Complete Restore Process includes:

• STOP
• Restore CMS Database and Audit Database
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\FileStore
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\Polestar
• D:\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\Data\TrendingDB
• START

NOTE: Previous content MUST be deleted before you restore.

Step 3: Phase 1 - Server Restore Process:

• You will notice that ALL the servers except for CMS are in the STOPPED stage.
• We need to re-initialize ALL the servers

Step 3: Phase 2 - Servers Re-Initialization Process (Step-by-Step):

Hello Everyone,

Objective: Create Tab Menu for reports instead of providing reports in Folders.

Introduction: BI Workspace is customizable interface which allow multiple documents like Dashboard, Webi reports and other documents together into a single viewand the same can be deliver to specific groups or users. We can make own Menu tabs for report and create multiple workspaces for specific group of users like sales users, management users etc as per business requirement.

Create BI Workspace:

Step 1: Login into BI launch pad with administrator rights, click on Application and then BI Workspace.

Step 2: Now add new tab and set the column and put the name as per requirement. (We can add multiple tab or sub tabs) 

Note: in this scenario, two tabs ‘Sales Reports’ and ‘Inventory Reports’ are added, In Sales Reports tab further two sub tabs are added as ‘BO Report-1’ and ‘BO Report-2’

Step 3: Now Navigate to public module in Module Library (Left side)

Step 4: Open the folder in which Dashboard and Webi reports are saved and then drag and drop on the workspace background.

Step 5: Save the BI Workspace in public folder.

Step 6: Change BI Launch pad preferences for specific users or group as per requirement.

Hope this Document helps to create Menu base tabs in SAP BI Launch pad. Suggestion and comments are welcome which help to improve this Documents.

Thanks,

Kashif Ali Khan