Business Objects XI3 and Webi
ABA – May 18, 2011
Data Warehouse Refresh Project Goals
Business Objects XI3 migration is part of the Data
Warehouse refresh project:
 Provide training, support and tools that better address
needs of clients as more and more use is made of the
Data Warehouse (in place approximately 15 years).
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Maximize the utility of past and future investments in the Data
Warehouse
Ensure that the data and information delivery strategy is in
alignment with the ongoing operational and analytic needs of
the client community.
Penn Data Warehouse Introduction for New Users now available in
KnowledgeLink – other modules under development
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About Web Intelligence (Webi)
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SAP/Business Objects' strategic web-based tool for ad
hoc analysis, replacing and augmenting the Desktop
Intelligence software that has been in use at Penn for
many years.
Some new features available with Webi include:
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Additional prompt features including the ability to make
prompts optional
Enhanced variable creating and editing capability
Additional on-report filtering and formatting functions available
directly in InfoView
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Migration Project Activities
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Upgrade Business Objects
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What it entails:
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Upgrade to latest vendor-supported version Business Objects (XI3)
Shift to Web Intelligence (Webi) for query and report creation and modification
Conversion of local Desktop Intelligence reports to Webi
Steps completed
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Address end of life issues for Desktop Intelligence
Simplify environment for end users and LSPs
Webi server available in production and report conversion underway
How-Tos and FAQs developed
In Process (January 2011 – June 2011)
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Compile report inventories and submit for conversion if needed by 6/30/2011
Use Webi for creating and modifying reports
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- no new Deski reports starting July 2011
- no new Deski users starting July 2011
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Report Migration
Users must inventory any reports they have stored locally, to see which
need to be converted to Webi. Only reports which are actually in use, or
needed for use going forward, should be converted.
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Corporate Documents: If the report is from the Business Objects repository, do NOT
submit it for conversion. Data Administration is taking care of converting all of those.
Modified Corporate Documents: Slightly modified Corporate Documents should NOT
be submitted for conversion; make those same modifications to the report already converted
in the repository for general use.
Reports very similar to others: For reports that are virtually identical to others (e.g, with
simple prompt or filter differences), just submit one of these for conversion, and then, if
needed, make your variations using that converted report in Webi.
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Webi has a number of new filtering and prompting features that may help you consolidate the number of
reports you need.
Reports commonly used by your department or workgroup: Please coordinate with
others with whom you work so only one member of the group sends reports used in
common by the group for migration. The converted reports can then be stored on the
Business Objects XI3 server, in a folder for your school or center’s common reports.
Data for historical purposes: If you’re only keeping a report because of the data retrieved
at the point in time you ran it, please save the report in Excel or PDF format and store it in a
secure location.
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Next Steps
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Report inventory and conversion:
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Contact Data Administration if you have reports needing
migration (all must be submitted by 6/30/2011)
Get started using XI3 and Webi:
Synchronize your password (select all boxes):
http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/orapass.html
Log in to InfoView XI3:
https://bobjprod.isc-seo.upenn.edu/InfoViewApp/logon.jsp
Refer to website for documentation, tips, etc:
http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/bo/webi/
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How Tos: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/bo/webi/how_to.html
FAQs: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/bo/webi/faq_tips.html
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