Comments for David Taylor's Business Intelligence Blog

Comment on Deploying BusinessObjects with wdeploy by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:19:08 +0000

Thanks Steve. I have updated the links.

Comment on Deploying BusinessObjects with wdeploy by Steve

Steve — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:52:18 +0000

Hie,

ur page is quite informative but the download link (downloading wdeploy directly) does not function.

regards

Comment on Tip: XI 3.0 Administration Best Practice by Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:36:12 +0000

Windows based silent-sign-on to XI 3.0 Infoview home page http://server:8080/infoviewapp
would be sufficient for me.
PS. we do not have siteminder
An email would be great, cheers

Comment on Set Analysis - The Good Old Days by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:40:54 +0000

Glad to be of service and thanks for letting me know it was useful. Ultimately the team from Ithena became part of the BusinessObjects family. Although Ithena doesn’t exist as a separate entity, you can find some of those folks by searching business networking sites like LinkedIn.

Comment on Set Analysis - The Good Old Days by Sandor

Sandor — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:51:24 +0000

Thanks for writing about Set Analysis. It’s one of those Business Objects products of which you know its existance, in my case through installing BusinessObjects Enterprise with partner keys, but you’re never quite sure how to configure it, let alone use it.

As a BI consultant I think that it could potentially be an application that customers have a definite need for, but up until now I wasn’t sure how to explain the concept(s) to them. Now, with your posts and the e-learning I found on the partner site I’m quite confident I’ll get the hang of it.

I noticed that though that Ithena no longer exists. What’s the story behind that?

Comment on Next Generation Computer Interface by Peter Holloway

Peter Holloway — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:14:28 +0000

I love the lightbox app! Some of this is already in use on the iPhone. You can zoom in and out of web pages using thumb and finger to pinch.

The only problem I can see is fingerprints on your screen!

Comment on Upgrading to Xcelsius 2008 Tips & Tricks by Pexito

Pexito — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:36:27 +0000

Thanks for the helpful Hints with the Upgrade. But i still wonder how you managed to come around the “truly” blank cells. I can’t get rid of those empty cells in the List view. Any hint with that?

Comment on Set Analysis Part 3a: Setting Up Sets Metadata by Set Analysis Part 5b: Custom Groups in WebIntelligence « David Taylor’s Business Intelligence Blog

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:14:19 +0000

[...] is a universe I created that you can download and use with the sample database provided in my earlier blog post. We need to add the set_set and set_set_detail tables to our WebIntelligence Universe so that the [...]

Comment on Now that’s what I call a vacation! by Peter Holloway

Peter Holloway — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:26:49 +0000

I’ll have some of that, where do I sign up??

Comment on Tip: XI 3.0 Administration Best Practice by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:38:47 +0000

I typically refer to that as “silent” sign-on. Single sign-on clearly can have different meanings. For some people it means I have a single password. For others, it means my Windows authentication (against Active Directory) is passed through to my application. We can support silent-sign-on if you are running your BusinessObjects infrastructure on Windows with Windows software. I will add this to my “future postings” list.

Are you running everything on windows and using windows infrastructure components. Do you want to security to be passed down to the database? That adds one additional level of complexity.

Comment on Tip: XI 3.0 Administration Best Practice by Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:18:12 +0000

Hi David, I was hoping that the additional SSO would allow the standard java login page to be bypassed in some way. We want the network user name / password to be used to provide access to Infoview when using Windows AD as the default authentication. Is there a way to achieve this?

Comment on When using Xcelsius 2008 by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:45:35 +0000

Simon,

Where you put the crossdomain file will be dependent on the application server you are using. What web application server are you using? If you are using IIS, you need to put the crossdomain.xml file in C:\Inetpub\wwwroot. Also gave the appropriate user account read permissions to that directory. This should take care of it.

Comment on Tip: XI 3.0 Administration Best Practice by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:31:28 +0000

Thanks Geoff for your comments. In some cases, when it comes to setting up SSO, specifically with SAP and using SAP’s SNC, part of the process includes creating a server-side trust relationship between SAP and BusinessObjects.

Server-side Trust: In order for a party to impersonate an SAP user without providing a password, that party must have identified itself with SAP using a method stronger than a regular username and password. I.e. an SAP user with the SAP_ALL authorization profile cannot impersonate another SAP user without knowing that user’s password. Instead, this party must run under credentials that are authenticated using a registered Secure Network [SNC] provider, and these credentials are explicitly configured inside SAP to be allowed to impersonate without a password. In the case with BOE, relevant servers such as the WebI processing server and the Crystal Reports Job server must run under credentials for which this setup has been made.

In the process of setting up this trust, you will define a number of BOE services to run under a specific set of user credentials. These services include the AdaptiveJobServer, AdaptiveProcessingServer, DestinationJobServer, PublicationJobServer, CRJobServer and WebIJobServer.

For more information about configuring SSO with SAP search for: SAP Server Side Trust with Business Objects XI 3.0. Documentation regarding the configuration of SSO with other authentication systems is also available.

Comment on Tip: XI 3.0 Administration Best Practice by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:26:59 +0000

Geoff Asked Me:

Hi, I found the SIA info very useful and have set up two cms accessed by different ports.
You mentioaned adding the additional SSO service, how do you amend the settings to achieve SSO?

Comment on Row-level Security Trick with WebIntelligence by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:15:13 +0000

If you allow the user to edit the report then there is always a chance that the user would be able to delete the filter and see all the data, therefore when using this technique the report should always be read-only. In this case the priority is avoiding the refresh, so we need to make the report read-only. If the user needs to be able to edit the report, then the only option is to require a refresh on open and guarantee that any restricted records are removed from the data set.

Great point. Thanks Stefano!

Comment on Row-level Security Trick with WebIntelligence by stefano

stefano — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:08:45 +0000

Hi,

what happens if the webI interactive mode is enabled and the end user goes and remove the filter?

thanks,

Stefano.

Comment on When using Xcelsius 2008 by Simon

Simon — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:53:38 +0000

I’ve created an Xcelsius file, exported it as an html file and placed it on a server along with its data source (aspx) file. When I open the dashboard from my machine or from the server I get the #2048 error. I’ve put an open (*) crossdomain file in the root of that server but this doesn’t help.

What should I be doing? I’m accessing this file using http rather than https.

Comment on Xcelsius 2008 Runtime Messages… by Chris

Chris — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:38:21 +0000

Figured it out with the help of Andy on the BusObjs tech support forum (http://technicalsupport.businessobjects.com/cs/forums/thread/22717.aspx):

The latest version of Flash Player (9.0.124) added a new restriction to the security model. You need to add a new header to the crossdomain.xml file on the server your SWF file is trying to connect to.

See the post for an example crossdomain.xml file.

– Chris

Comment on Xcelsius 2008 Runtime Messages… by Chris

Chris — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:31:08 +0000

Figured it out with the help of Andy on the BusObjs tech support forum (http://technicalsupport.businessobjects.com/cs/forums/thread/22717.aspx):

Here’s the full crossdomain.xml file we’re using:

Comment on Xcelsius 2008 Runtime Messages… by Frank

Frank — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:53:03 +0000

I googled 2170 + xcelsius and your page came up. . I’m also having issue with the exact same problem.

Comment on Xcelsius 2008 Runtime Messages… by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:55:25 +0000

To be totally frank this is still an open question. As soon as we are able to determine the root cause of this message I will let you know. Thanks again for your comments!

Comment on Xcelsius 2008 Runtime Messages… by Chris

Chris — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:07:29 +0000

What did you do to fix the error? I’m finding some of my clients are getting this error trying to use web services in an Xcelsius dashboard.

Comment on When using Xcelsius 2008 by Atul

Atul — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:00:33 +0000

Thanks a lot for posting this blog. We are trying to access the data from Webservice (the source of which is SAP query) and want to display it on xcelsisus 2008. We are getting the same problem what you mentioned. Can you please clarify where we need to put the crossdomain file(Business Ojects application server or SAP webapplication server root directory)???

Thanks in adavce

Looking for your reply!!!

Comment on About Me by Lee Doolan

Lee Doolan — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:41:22 +0000

Hi David,

Our company has invested enormously in the Business Object’s Dashboard and Performance Managment software, and I have recently been on the approved courses.

I’ve found the products to be very complicated and awkward to set up, in comparison to getting something up and running and more visual like in Xcelsius.

Can I ask what your thoughts and experiences of these products are? And how they are to be further developed perhaps in the future? I’ve not heard of any significant improvements in XI r3.

What would you say there advantages are over Xcelsius? This is currently shelfware for us!

Also why is the BO hard drive footprint so big!

Lee

Comment on About Me by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:07:09 +0000

Hi Robin,

We do these types of things all the time. We need to get you linked up with the right team. I will contact you directly and link you up with someone from SAP BusinessObjects who can help you.

–david

Comment on About Me by Robin Tanner

Robin Tanner — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:36:15 +0000

Hello David.

I have been working with Xcelsius to try and fulfill the following outlined objectives.

1. Create a ‘website-like’ layout of dashboards beginning at a macro-perspective and working to micro operations for upper management to make effective business decisions.

2. Include in this visual interconnection of charts, indicators, etc a series of options that include the ability to easily print just the chart or other analyses visuals such as gauges, etc.

3. Include the option to jump to the source data being used in the analysis at any given point.

The service that I have experienced working with your company has been a bit below par. I have emailed your company several times trying to get assistance on these issues, and have had no luck thus far.

Below are the primary problems I have had when working with your product.

1. Including an option to easily jump to the source data to view or easily print.

2. Print just the chart, gauge, or other analyses object being viewed. From what I understand, the only option that Xcelsius offers is to print the screen, as is.

3. Also, randomly, when I am viewing my canvas, all of my objects will disappear and I will only be able to view them when I preview my dashboard. This is not related the ‘hide’ function in the objects browser.

4. Dynamically link swf files and navigate between them on the same browser window. So far I have only been able to come close to accomplishing this when I export to a pdf document and then use a URL auto trigger directed at a location on the network (as management across the company will need access to these various swf files).

Also, security is a must with this. I need to be able to make this information secure so that charts, gauges, or other metrics cannot somehow end up in the hands of anyone that is not authorized to view it.

Again, I have sent representatives at Xcelsius several emails about items such as this and received no help. I’m sure you can imagine my frustration and reluctance to look for other alternatives.

Thanks and your prompt response will be greatly appreciated.

Robin Tanner
Operations Analyst

Comment on Why use a Semantic Layer? by Ravi Valiveti

Ravi Valiveti — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:03:05 +0000

I like the BI Cookie

Comment on Embedding Web Controls into Crystal Reports by Will

Will — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:38:25 +0000

Hello,
I know that you can put WebElements functions into reports without a Report Server by copy/pasting functions into your report. But how can you view them without the report server? If I just use the ReportViewer Component in ASP, it just displays the text because there is not a Pass Thru HTML for the DHTML viewer in ASP. Any help would be great. -Will

Comment on What You’ll Notice When Installing XI 3.0 by dtaylor92

dtaylor92 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:29:28 +0000

No I do not know where you can get trial or evaluation keys for BO XI 3.0. I would contact your sales representative and they should be able to help you.

Comment on What You’ll Notice When Installing XI 3.0 by dve

dve — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:20:39 +0000

I would like to install BOXI 3.0. I downloaded install package but I couldn’t find license key. Can You tell me, where can I find a valid trial or eval license key for BOXI 3.0?

Thanks a lot

Comment on Domain Registry of America Renewal Notice - Watch out! by Peter Holloway

Peter Holloway — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:06:22 +0000

Hi David,

I get these regularly for my domains, so it’s not just in America…

Peter

Comment on Treat Your BI Vendors as a Strategic Partner by John Myers

John Myers — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:13:37 +0000

Dave- You are correct. Many in telecommunications view Business Intelligence as simply a technology and not a framework for competitive advantage. How many times has BI been dismissed as simply “reporting” or “exception reporting”? Too often…