Xcelsius Gurus: Part 2 - Data Connectivity Series

When NOT to Utilize SAP Business Objects Enterprise for your Dashboard?
Presented by: Mico Yuk & Ryan Goodman Date: June 10th, 2009

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Who are We?

Mico Yuk
Founder http://www.EverythingXcelsius.com (popular weblog) Founder - Xcelsius Guru Network Xcelsius Trainer / Developer / Architect / Blogger/ Fanatic

Ryan Goodman
Founder http://www.CentigonSolutions.com (SAP Software Solution Partner) Xcelsius Evangelist / Blogger (ryangoodman.net/blog) SAP BOBJ Alumni
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Quick Agenda Preview & Links

Mico Introduction
Recap of Part 1: Utilizing BOE Connections for Xcelsius Review Xcelsius 12 Connectivity Options (BOE vs. Non-BOE)

Ryan Discusses
XML Maps vs. XML Data Button vs. SOAP Web Service Connection Soap Web Services

Mico discusses
Excel XML Maps XML Data

Ryan Closes
Application Integration (Flash Vars, Custom Components) Custom Components (New data connectivity Option!) Stay Connected to the Xcelsius Gurus Network
Slide 3 @ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Part 1: Recap Webinar Highlights

Webinar Part 1 (click to view)
Use Live office when connecting to Webi and/or Crystal Reports as a Data Source Use Query as a Web Service when connecting to one or more Universes Live screenshots showing how to use both connections! Dashboard Builder provides new exciting options for Xcelsius Download the Presentation

Slide 4

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Xcelsius Data Manager

Data Manger
Houses Xcelsius 12 live data connectivity options. Users with Engage and Enterprise licenses are allowed to mix connection types in a single dashboard!

Slide 5

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Xcelsius 12 Connectivity Options

Non-BO Enterprise vs. BO Enterprise Non - BO Enterprise
Web Service Connection XML Data Portal Data LCDS Connection (Adobe) External Interface Connections Excel XML Maps (Add-on) Google Spreadsheet Connector

BO Enterprise
Query as a Web Service Live Office Crystal Report Data Consumer Flash Variables FS Commands

Slide 6

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Excel XML Maps vs. XML Data vs. Web Service Connections
Side-by-Side Comparison Architecture Overview Developer Caveats

Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Connectivity - Comparison

Web Service
Invoke SOAP web services Configuration through WSDL

XML Data
Send or Load XML Specific XML schema

Excel XML Maps

Read Only XML Connection Use of Excel XML Maps feature

Slide 8

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Connectivity Design Time

Data Middleware HTTP Client Development Published

SOAP

Web Service Excel XML Maps XML Data

.NET/ J2EE

Any XML structure

Xcelsius

SWF

<row><column> structure

Slide 9

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Connectivity Run Time

Data Middleware HTTP Web Service
SOAP

Published

Excel XML Maps .NET/ J2EE

Any XML Structure

SWF

XML Data
<row><column> Structure

Slide 10

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Connectivity - Caveats

Developer Caveats
Both have the same data volume restrictions for Xcelsius Require additional skill sets to and knowledge of J2EE/.NET and web services SOAP Web services are difficult to write Xcelsius will not support all SOAP web service configurations. XML Data Button has non-flexible, flat <row><column> structure. Excel XML Maps requires lots of steps to set up, though XML structure is extremely flexible Database write back capabilities can only be accomplished with XML Data and Web Service connections Xcelsius Engage only allows 1 data connection Use Fiddler for troubleshooting: http://fiddler2.com
Slide 11 @ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Ryan discusses Web Services

Example Benefits DOs / DONTs (Scenarios)

Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 13

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 14

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 15

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 16

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 17

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 18

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 19

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 20

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 21

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 22

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 23

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Web Service Connector Benefits

4 Reasons to use Web Service Connections.
1. Non-technical Xcelsius designers can easily configure services using WSDL input and output nodes. 2. More structure and control over data output 3. Potential use for data base write-back 4. flynet Viewer eliminates writing web services from scratch
(Included with Xcelsius 2008 Engage Server)

Slide 24

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

flynet Viewer - Architecture

Data Middleware IIS (.NET) HTTP Client Development Published

WSDL

Web Service

Xcelsius

SOAP Web Service Publish

SWF

http://flynetviewer.com
Slide 25 @ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

flynet Viewer - Architecture

Data Middleware IIS (.NET) Published

SOAP Web Service

Web Service
SOAP

SWF

http://flynetviewer.com
Slide 26 @ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

flynet Viewer Data Sources

Connects to 30+ data sources

http://flynetviewer.com
Slide 27 @ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Web Service Connection DOs

5 Scenarios
1. DO use separate tabs for each data source 2. DO use the Microsoft SOAP standard for building web services for Xcelsius 3. DO Use String data types 4. DO Use arrays 5. DO Take advantage of Flynet viewer

Slide 28

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Web Service Connection DONTs

5 Scenarios .
X X X X X DO NOT include data formatting characters ($, %, ,) DO NOT trigger all queries to Refresh on Load DO NOT place formulas in data output cells DO NOT return more than 1,000 rows of data at a time DO NOT use complex data types in SOAP web services

Slide 29

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Mico discusses using Excel XML Maps

Example Benefits DOs / DONTs (Scenarios)

Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 31

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 32

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 33

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 34

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 35

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 36

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 37

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 38

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 39

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 40

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 41

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Excel XML Map Benefits

3 Reasons to use the Excel XML Map.
1. When you need to load an XML or XML stream directly into your dashboard 2. Already familiar with technology 3. Excel based and can be configured in Excel externally before importing spreadsheet into Excel

Slide 42

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Excel XML Map DOs

5 Scenarios
1. DO enable the task pane in Excel 2003 to access XML Maps window 2. DO enable the developer toolbar in Excel 2007 to access XML Maps window 3. DO Use XML Maps for read-only connectivity requirements 4. DO Delete Re-import your Excel XML Maps connection in Xcelsius when your XML structure changes 5. DO reference Xcelsius 2008 Best Practice Book, chapter 15 for more information (includes sample files)

Slide 43

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Excel XML Map DONTs

6 Scenarios ...
X X X X X X DO NOT use the home and student versions of Excel DO NOT include data formatting characters ($, %, ,) DO NOT create an excessive amount of queries DO NOT trigger all queries to Refresh on Load DO NOT place formulas in data output cells DO NOT return more than 1,000 rows of data at a time

Slide 44

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Mico discusses the XML Data Connection

Example Benefits DOs / DONTs (Scenarios)

Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Data Connection DOs

Slide 46

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Data Connection Benefits

3 Reasons to use the XML Data Connection.
1. Utilize the ASP .NET script in guide to connect 2. Simple and provides ability to write back to database 3. Ability to query database based on filters

Slide 47

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Data Connection DOs

5 Scenarios
1. DO specify XML version in header of output XML 2. DO use the Preview button to obtain exact XML structure 3. DO change IE setting to avoid caching of data or us a RAND() variable at the end of the URL 4. DO preview the service in the browser before importing into Xcelsius 5. DO Use Fiddler for troubleshooting

Slide 48

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

XML Data Connection DONTs

7 Scenarios .
X DO NOT include any data in the XML header X DO NOT deviate from the specific <ROW><COLUMN> xml structure X DO NOT include data formatting characters ($, %, ,) X DO NOT create an excessive amount of connections X DO NOT trigger all connections to Refresh on Load X DO NOT place formulas in data output cells X DO NOT return more than 1,000 rows of data at a time

Slide 49

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Ryan discusses Application Integration

Crossdomain.xml Portal Data LCDS Connections (Adobe) Flash Variables External Interface Connection
Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Crossdomain.xml
Data Application/ Web Server Portal or Web Site

Web Service .NET/ J2EE SWF

Cross Domain.XML

<?xml version="1.0"?> <!DOCTYPE cross-domain-policy SYSTEM "http://www.macromedia.com/xml/dtds/crossdomain-policy.dtd"> <cross-domain-policy> <allow-http-request-headers-from domain="*" headers="*" secure="false" /> <allow-access-from domain="*" secure="false" /> </cross-domain-policy>

Slide 51

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

No Crossdomain.xml
Data Application/ Web Server

.NET/ J2EE

No Crossdomain.xml file is required if: 1. If the SWF and service are located on the same application/web server 2. The URL for the web service is relative to the SWF 3. If the SWF is launched from your desktop

SWF

Slide 52

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

External Interface Connection

Additional Features to take advantage of 1. Loading data into an Xcelsius SWF using JavaScript 2. Communicate with Java or active X controls in real-time
HTML <SCRIPT language="Javascript">
Dashboard (SWF) External Interface Connection

Slide 53

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 54

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Flash Variables
Pass parameters to into a SWF on-load

HTML FLASHVARS=abc123
Dashboard (SWF) abc123

Slide 55

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

LCDS Connection (Adobe)

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/livecycle/pdfs/streaming_xcelsius.pdf

Slide 56

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Portal Connections
SWF to SWF communication in WebSphere and Sharepoint Xcelsius Portal Integration Kits are available with the Engage Server and Enterprise products WebSphere or SharePoint Portal Dashboard (SWF) Provider

Dashboard (SWF)

Consumer

Slide 57

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Ryan discusses Custom Connections

Centigon NEW CSV Connector No more XML Add- on: Google Spreadsheet Connector

Sometimes I wish that QaaWs could connect to Reports - Mico Yuk, Found of Xcelsius Gurus
@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

CSV Connector
Connect directly to CSV files from Xcelsius http://wwww.centigonsolutions.com/components/csv_beta.html

Dashboard (SWF)

CSV Connector

Slide 59

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 60

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Google Spreadsheet
Connect directly to Google spreadsheets https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/boc/innovation-center

Dashboard (SWF)

Slide 61

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Slide 62

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009

Stay connected
For more Guru tips, tricks, news, videos, etc. Visit: http://EverythingXcelsius.com

Mico Yuk
Email: mico@everythingxcelsius.com Company: Everything Xcelsius

Ryan Goodman
Email: ryan@centigonsolutions.com Company: Centigon Solutions http://www.centigonsolutions.com

Join our popular Xcelsius Guru social communities

http://www.twitter.com/XcelsiusGurus http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=18 47619&trk=hb_side_g

http://www.youtube.com/XcelsiusGurus

Slide 63

@ Everything Xcelsius.com 2009