Problem Statement
Business User: Generate PDF report as soon as the feed table is updated for a client
Technical: Trigger Business Objects report for scheduling based on provided parameters (prompts, report format, destination to dump reports) once the feed getting updated into control table. Send the processed outputs and update the control table with job status
Business Object 4.0 limitations:
- File based trigger of report schedule
- Cant update feed table once the record processed
The Solutions
Offered the idea to implement a tool which will triggers report based on feed table records and send the required formatted report into preferred destination in automated way. BusinessObjects Scheduling utility facilitates the scheduling of BusinessObjects reports based on parameters retrieved from the database and transfer the report outputs to the required destination in automated way.
How to use the tool
It is java based process implemented using BusinessObjects 4.0 SDK API. The program needs to be invoked from cron job
Key Features
- BusinessObjects SDK custom java code
- It has two components : Scheduler and Monitor
- Interact with Control table and retrieve Report and Schedule parameters details
- Schedule BusinessObjects Report as per the parameters retrieved
- Send report output (PDF/EXCEL) to destination file share/ external location
- Monitor status of schedule reports
- Update control table once Schedule process completes
Reusability
- When there is a need to schedule reports which depends on feed table entry to trigger
- When there is a need to schedule BusinessObjects report in automated way
Flexibility
- It can be run in windows platform , Linux platform
- It can be modified depending on needs
- It can deal not only with Web Intelligence report but it can handle for Crystal reports scheduling too
What it takes to reuse this
- The program needs to invoked from cron job and it need feed data from database
Benefits
- Automate the schedule process which triggers based on feed table data
- Reduce huge effort on manual scheduling report from Administrative jobs
- Configure to run in off business hours and reduce load on server in business hours, increasing other applications performance in business hours
- Update success / failed report instance into control table with root cause
- Offers option to change report format on dynamic way through control table
- Dynamicity on report prompt values, business can update for which parameters they want report data
I'm sharing what has been implmeneted using BusinessObjects 4.0 SDK API. If there is any need, any one reuse the concept and get the benefits.
Please share your thougts if you want to discuss anything.