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).

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
2

About Web Intelligence (Webi)

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:

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
3

Migration Project Activities

Upgrade Business Objects

What it entails:

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

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)

Compile report inventories and submit for conversion if needed by

6/30/2011
Use Webi for creating and modifying reports

- no new Deski reports starting July 2011

- no new Deski users starting July 2011
4

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.

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.

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 centers common reports.
Data for historical purposes: If youre 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.
5

Next Steps

Report inventory and conversion:

Contact Data Administration if you have reports needing

migration (all must be submitted by 6/30/2011)

Get started using XI3 and Webi:

1. Synchronize

your password (select all boxes):

http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/orapass.html
2. Log in to InfoView XI3:
https://bobjprod.isc-seo.upenn.edu/InfoViewApp/logon.jsp
3. Refer to website for documentation, tips, etc:
http://www.upenn.edu/computing/da/bo/webi /

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