Update object information 1

[OCM]

We have third party software in place to help us centralize our report request & documentation process. What we try to do is as follows:

Create some kind of script (Http, vba, macro etc.) that goes through the objects definition (description, select, where) and Source Information (technical information, mapping, linage) etc. in universe designer and performs a request.

If it gets the information back, then updates the universe metadata in the third party software so that the object definition, source information will appear when end users hover over that object.

What will be the best way to accomplish the above?

TIA

OCM

 

[hilfy]

You will have to write code using the SDK for this. You don't mention which version of BusinessObjects you're using, but in 3.x and for .unv universes in 4.0, you'll use the Designer SDK. If you're using IDT universes in 4.0, I think the SDK for them is available in SP5.

The Designer SDK is a COM-based SDK. SAP says they only support it when it is used through VBA, but I have successfully used it to create and update universes in .NET. The logic you'll use will be to walk through the class folder tree (recursion is usually the best way to do this) and get the objects - dimensions, measures, and filters - that you need to document. How you'll get it back to the software that needs it depends on what format it's expecting.

If you need it, I can probably provide sample code.

-Dell

DecisionFirst Technologies - Six-time SAP BusinessObjects Solution Partner of the Year

http://www.decisionfirst.com

 

[OCM]

Thank you for your reply. I’m currently using BO XI 3.1 SP 5 and though I did a little bit of VBA, I’m not familiar w/ Designer SDK. Can you please direct to me (link, video etc.) so that I can make my self familiar with SDK.

In regard to what format third party software accepts, the developer mentioned pretty much any format and he was thinking to create a packet using SSIS.


TIA


OCM

 

[hilfy]

You can download the COM API Reference here:

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir31/en/bodessdk.zip

And the Object Model Diagrams here:

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir31/en/xi3-1_UniverseDesignerOMD_en.pdf

-Dell

DecisionFirst Technologies - Six-time SAP BusinessObjects Solution Partner of the Year

http://www.decisionfirst.com

 

[OCM]

Hilfy,

Thanks for the links to the documentation, I’ll save them for future references. I did a search & saw the these over the weekend but didn't know where to start.
You mentioned you can provide sample code:

Would you please share the code so that I can get my hands on it?
And, in order to utilize your method and get it back to the third party software, what format should the software be expecting?


TIA,


OCM

 

[hilfy]

I usually export to CSV file - it's easy to open a file stream and do that, and it can be opened in Excel. It's also a format that most software can understand.

I'll get together my sample code and post it to my website sometime in the next couple of days and then post a link for you to get to it. It will be a Visual Studio 2010 project written in C#. You can use it as a starting point.

-Dell

DecisionFirst Technologies - Six-time SAP BusinessObjects Solution Partner of the Year

http://www.decisionfirst.com

 

[OCM]

Hilfy,

Thank you in advance & I look forward to your message. Couple of questions:

I checked the version of Visual Studio and it is 2008 will this be a problem?
I’m not familiar w/ C# can this be done in VBA?


Regards,


OCM

 

[hilfy]

If you're on BO XI 3.x, you need to use VS 2008 - I'll set the sample up that way instead.

I don't know VBA, but yes, you can do it with that. You can use my code as a sample for the classes and logic - their both the same for VBA, just the syntax is different.

-Dell

DecisionFirst Technologies - Six-time SAP BusinessObjects Solution Partner of the Year

http://www.decisionfirst.com

 

[OCM]

Hilfy,

Thank you. Yes, I’m on BO XI 3..1 SP 5


Regards,


OCM