Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Developers Guide

Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Developers Guide

by Mark Rittman
Released September 2012
Publisher(s): McGraw Hill Computing
ISBN: 9780071798754

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Book description

Master Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Reports and Dashboards

Deliver meaningful business information to users anytime, anywhere, on any device, using Oracle Business Intelligence 11g. Written by Oracle ACE Director Mark Rittman, Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Developers Guide fully covers the latest BI report design and distribution techniques. Find out how to execute effective queries, build accurate models, use scorecards and KPIs, create dynamic reports, set up dashboards, and publish to smartphones and wireless devices. This Oracle Press guide contains comprehensive details on Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine, the best-in-class, preintegrated BI platform.

  • Install or upgrade to Oracle Business Intelligence 11g
  • Develop and manage custom Oracle Business Intelligence repositories
  • Access relational, file, and multidimensional data sources
  • Design print-quality reports with Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher
  • Create web-enabled analyses, dashboards, and visualizations
  • Integrate with other applications using Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Action Framework
  • Employ authentication, authorization, and row-level security
  • Configure and deploy Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine

Table of contents

  1. Cover 
  2. Copyright
  3. Contents 
  4. Foreword
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. Introduction
  7. 1. Oracle Business Intelligence Overview and Architecture
    1. Introducing Oracle Business Intelligence
      1. The Development Toolkit
      2. Platform Support
    2. How Does Oracle Business Intelligence Work?
      1. So Where Does the Data Come From?
      2. What Does Oracle Business Intelligence “Not Do”?
    3. A History of Oracle Business Intelligence
      1. Oracle Product Release History
    4. Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Release 1 Architecture
      1. Oracle Business Intelligence 11g and Oracle Fusion Middleware
  8. 2. Installation and Upgrading Oracle Business Intelligence
    1. Preparing for the Installation
      1. Microsoft Windows–Specific Preinstallation Tasks
      2. Linux- and Unix-Specific Preinstallation Tasks
      3. Database Server Requirements
    2. Creating the Supporting Database Schemas
      1. What Schemas Are Created During the Installation Process?
      2. Running the Repository Creation Utility to Create Repository Schemas
      3. Additional Repository Creation Utility Considerations for Linux/Unix and Microsoft Windows 64-Bit Platforms
    3. Performing a New Installation of Oracle Business Intelligence 11g
      1. Installation Options
      2. Using the Simple Install Option
      3. Using the Enterprise Install – Create New BI System Option
      4. Using the Software Only Install Option
    4. Post-Installation Configuration Steps
      1. Configuring Data Source Connectivity
      2. Installing Oracle Business Intelligence Client Tools
    5. Upgrading from Oracle Business Intelligence 10g
      1. Overview of the Upgrade Process
      2. Using the Upgrade Assistant
      3. Post-Upgrade Configuration Tasks
  9. 3. Modeling Repositories Using Relational, File, and XML Sources
    1. What Is the Oracle Business Intelligence Repository?
    2. An Oracle Business Intelligence Repository Modeling Primer
      1. The Three-Layer Repository Architecture
      2. Other Information Stored in the Oracle BI Repository
      3. Identifying the Logical Dimensional Model
      4. What Tools Do I Use to Build the Repository?
    3. Creating the Oracle BI Repository
      1. Step 1: Create the New Repository and Importing Source Data
      2. Step 2: Create Aliases for Imported Table Names, and Physical Display Folders to Organize Them
      3. Step 3: Create Primary and Foreign Keys in the Physical Model
      4. Step 4: Create the Business Model, Outline Logical Tables, and Add Logical Columns
      5. Step 5: Create Logical Keys and Logical Joins
      6. Step 6: Define Logical Dimensions and Hierarchies
      7. Step 7: Define Calculations and Other Derived Columns
      8. Step 8: Publish the Business Model as Subject Areas
      9. Step 9: Check the Repository for Consistency Warnings and Errors
      10. Step 10: Publish the Repository as the Default, Online Repository
    4. Calculations and Formulas
      1. How the Oracle BI Server Performs Calculations
      2. A Guide to Repository Functions
      3. The Calculation Wizard
    5. Advanced Repository Modeling Scenarios
      1. Repository Development Tools and Concepts
      2. Advanced Repository Modeling Concepts
    6. Overview of File and XML Source Support
      1. What File, XML, and Oracle ADF Sources Can You Use with Oracle Business Intelligence?
      2. Supported vs. Unsupported Sources
      3. How Does This Differ from Relational and OLAP Sources?
    7. Modeling File Sources, Including Microsoft Excel
      1. Overview
      2. Setting Up Connectivity and Importing File Metadata Using ODBC Drivers
      3. Creating the Physical Model
    8. Modeling XML Sources
      1. Overview
      2. Setting Up Connectivity to XML Sources
  10. 4. Creating Repositories from Oracle Essbase and Other OLAP Data Sources
    1. Overview of Oracle Business Intelligence Support for Multidimensional Data Sources
      1. Supported OLAP Data Sources
      2. How the Oracle BI Server Accesses OLAP Data Sources
      3. Multidimensional-Specific Repository Metadata Objects
      4. Automatic Creation of Business Models
      5. Pass-Through Security for Data and Metadata Filters
      6. Leveraging OLAP Functions and Analytics
      7. Federation of OLAP, Relational, and Other Sources
      8. End-User Analysis Features for OLAP Data
    2. Creating Repositories from Oracle Essbase Data Sources
      1. Connecting to Oracle Essbase
      2. Viewing and Amending the Physical Model
      3. Creating the Business Model
      4. Creating the Subject Area
      5. Leveraging Essbase Security and Filters
      6. Managing Changes to Essbase Metadata
      7. Querying Essbase Data—MDX Considerations
    3. Creating Repositories from Microsoft Analysis Services Data Sources
      1. Connecting to Microsoft Analysis Services
      2. Creating the Physical Model
      3. Creating the Business Model
      4. Creating the Subject Area
      5. Managing Changes to Microsoft Analysis Services Metadata
      6. Querying Microsoft Analysis Services Data—MDX Considerations
    4. Creating Repositories from Oracle OLAP Data Sources
      1. Connecting to Oracle OLAP
      2. Creating the Physical Model
      3. Creating the Business Model
      4. Creating the Subject Area
      5. Managing Changes to Oracle OLAP Metadata
      6. Querying Oracle OLAP Data—OLAP_TABLE and OLAP DML Considerations
    5. Combining OLAP and Relational Data in Business Models
      1. Vertical Federation of OLAP and Relational Data
      2. Horizontal Federation of OLAP and Relational Data
      3. Adding Attributes to OLAP Data Using Lookups
  11. 5. Configuring and Maintaining the Oracle BI Server
    1. Configuring the Oracle BI Server
      1. Configuration Settings Handled by Fusion Middleware Control
      2. Manually Configured Settings
      3. Additional BI Server Functions and Management Tasks
    2. Managing the Oracle BI Server Query Cache
      1. Overview of the BI Server Query Cache
      2. Managing the Query Cache
    3. Usage Tracking
      1. Overview of Usage Tracking
      2. Setting Up Usage Tracking
    4. The Aggregate Persistence Wizard
      1. Overview of Aggregate Handling in the BI Server
      2. Creating Aggregates with the Aggregate Persistence Wizard
    5. Working with Write Back
      1. How Is Write Back Configured and Performed?
      2. Configuring Write Back in the BI Server
  12. 6. Creating Analyses, Dashboards, KPIs and Scorecards
    1. An Introduction to Analyses, Dashboards, and Interactive Reporting
      1. What Are Analyses and Dashboards?
      2. An Initial Look Around the Oracle Business Intelligence Web Site
    2. Creating Analyses
      1. Defining the Analysis Criteria
      2. Creating Analysis Views
      3. Analysis Prompts
    3. Creating Dashboards
      1. Creating a Simple Dashboard
      2. Creating Dashboards with Multiple Pages, Conditional Display, and Section-Level Permissions
    4. Dashboard Prompts, Presentation Variables, Saved Filters, and Other Dashboard Additions
      1. Dashboard Prompts
      2. Saved Filters
      3. Managing Favorites
    5. Presentation Variables and Using Variables in BI Objects
      1. Creating and Populating Presentation Variables
      2. Referencing Presentation Variables and Other Variable Types in Analyses and Other BI Objects
      3. Examples of Variables in Use on a Dashboard
    6. Managing the Catalog and Oracle BI Presentation Services
      1. Managing the Catalog
      2. Administering Oracle BI Presentation Services
    7. Creating KPIs and Scorecards
      1. Overview of KPIs and Scorecards
      2. Creating KPIs
      3. Creating KPI Watchlists
      4. Creating Scorecards
    8. Accessing Dashboards and Reports Using Mobile Devices
      1. Overview of Mobile Access Using the iPad and iPhone
      2. Configuring an Apple iPad for Oracle BI Mobile
      3. Analyzing Data Using the iPad and iPhone
  13. 7. Actionable Intelligence
    1. What Is Actionable Intelligence and the Action Framework?
      1. Actions
      2. Agents and Conditions
    2. Introduction to the Action Framework
      1. Creating Actions, Actions Links, and Action Link Menus
      2. Actions, Configuration, and Security
    3. Action Types
      1. Navigation Actions
      2. Invocation Actions
    4. Agents and Conditions
      1. Overview of Agents and Conditions
      2. Creating an Agent
      3. Creating Conditions
  14. 8. Security
    1. An Overview of Oracle Business Intelligence Security
    2. Configuring Row-Level Security
      1. Row-Level Security Using the BI Server and the Oracle BI Repository
    3. Configuring Subject Area, Catalog, and Functional Area Security
      1. Example: Subject Area Security Through the Oracle BI Repository
      2. Subject Area Security Using Presentation Server Catalog Privileges
    4. Understanding Oracle Business Intelligence Security Infrastructure, Application Roles, and Application Policies
      1. Oracle Platform Security Services
      2. Application Roles and Policies
      3. The Default Security Profile
    5. Working with Users and Groups in the Embedded LDAP Server
      1. Example: Creating New Users and Adding them to Groups
    6. Managing Application Roles and Policies
      1. Example: Creating and Managing Application Roles
      2. Creating and Managing Application Policies
    7. Connecting to External Directories and Other Sources for Authentication and Authorization
      1. Example: Configuring Oracle Business Intelligence to Connect to Microsoft Active Directory
      2. Example: Using Database Tables for User Authorization
  15. 9. Creating Published Reports
    1. Introduction to Oracle BI Publisher
      1. Oracle BI Publisher Data Model Editor
      2. Oracle BI Publisher Online Layout Editor
      3. How Does Oracle BI Publisher Generate Reports?
      4. Oracle BI Publisher Features Covered in This Chapter
    2. Performing Oracle BI Publisher Administration Tasks
      1. Accessing Oracle BI Publisher for the First Time
      2. Setting Up Data Sources
      3. Setting Up Roles and Permissions
      4. Setting Up Printers, E-mail Servers, and Other Delivery Options
    3. Creating the Data Model
      1. Understanding the Data Model and the Data Model Editor
      2. Creating a Data Model Using a Single Data Source
      3. Creating Data Models Using Multiple Data Sets
    4. Creating Report Layouts
      1. Introduction to the Online Layout Editor
      2. Creating a Dashboard-Style BI Report Layout
      3. Creating a Print-Style Report Layout
      4. Adding New Layout Templates
  16. 10. Systems Management
    1. Overview of Oracle Business Intelligence Systems Management
      1. Systems Management Tasks
      2. Systems Management Tools
      3. Oracle Business Intelligence File System Structure
    2. Common Systems Management Tasks
      1. Starting and Stopping the Oracle BI Domain
      2. Starting and Stopping Individual Java and System Components
      3. Monitoring Metrics and Throughput
      4. Viewing and Managing Diagnostic Log Files
      5. Managing Performance Options
      6. Managing Repositories and Presentation Server Catalogs
  17. 11. Managing Change
    1. Overview of Managing Change
      1. Why Should Developers Be Concerned with Managing Change?
      2. Team Development Compared to Single-User Development
      3. Managing Change in the Oracle BI Presentation Catalog
      4. Managing Change for Security and Application Roles
      5. Propagation of Configuration Changes Across a Clustered, Highly Available System
    2. Tools and Utilities to Manage Change Within Oracle Business Intelligence Systems
      1. Oracle Enterprise Manager Fusion Middleware Control and the Oracle BI Systems Management API
      2. The Oracle BI Administration Tool
      3. RPD Command-Line Utilities and APIs
    3. Types of Oracle Business Intelligence Development Environments
      1. The Single-Developer Environment
      2. Shared Online Development
      3. Multiuser Development Environment, Single Semantic Model
      4. Multiuser Development Environment, Multiple Semantic Models
    4. Managing System Configuration Changes
      1. Managing System Configuration Changes Using Fusion Middleware Control
      2. Managing System Configuration Changes Using Manual Configuration File Changes
      3. Managing System Configuration Changes Using WLST and the Oracle BI Systems Management API
    5. Incremental Releases of Repositories Using Merging and Patching
      1. Comparing and Equalizing Repositories
      2. Merging Repositories
      3. Patching Repositories
    6. Incremental Releases of Catalogs Using Merging and Patching
      1. Manually Migrating Catalog Content Using the Catalog Manager
      2. Manually Migrating Catalog Content Using the Catalog Web Page
      3. Patching Catalogs Using the Catalog Manager Command-Line Interface
    7. Source-Controlling Business Intelligence Metadata
      1. What Metadata Objects Should You Source-Control?
      2. Selecting a Third-Party Source Control System
      3. Source Control of Oracle BI Repositories
      4. Example: Using Apache Subversion to Provide Basic Source Control for a Project
    8. Concurrent Online Editing of the Repository
      1. Setting Up Concurrent Online Editing of the Repository
      2. Checking Out and Checking In Repository Objects
      3. Refreshing Oracle BI Server Metadata in Presentation Services
      4. Online Development Considerations
    9. The Multiuser Development Environment
      1. Multiuser Development Concepts
      2. Example: MUDE Use in an Enterprise Development Team
  18. 12. Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine
    1. Overview of Oracle Exalytics Business Intelligence Machine
      1. Oracle Exalytics Product Architecture
      2. How Does Oracle Exalytics Work?
    2. Installing and Initially Configuring Exalytics
      1. Exalytics Post-Installation Tasks
    3. Using the Oracle BI Summary Advisor to Create Aggregates in the Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database
      1. Example: Running the Summary Advisor for the First Time
      2. Verifying the Use of the In-Memory Aggregate Cache
      3. Refreshing and Adapting the In-Memory Aggregates
  19. Index

Product information

  • Title: Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Developers Guide
  • Author(s): Mark Rittman
  • Release date: September 2012
  • Publisher(s): McGraw Hill Computing
  • ISBN: 9780071798754