Essbase Integration with OBIEE

Essbase Integration with Oracle BI EE Plus
Mark Rittman, Director, Rittman Mead Consulting Oracle Open World 2008, San Francisco. Session #S301081
T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com
Who Am I?
Oracle BI&W Architecture and Development Specialist Co-Founder of Rittman Mead Consulting Oracle BI&W Project Delivery Specialists 10+ years with Discoverer, OWB etc Oracle ACE Director, ACE of the Year 2005 Writer for OTN and Oracle Magazine Longest-running Oracle blog http://www.rittmanmead.com/blog Chair of UKOUG BIRT SIG Co-Chair of ODTUG BI&DW SIG Speaker at IOUG and BIWA events
Rittman Mead Consulting

Oracle BI&DW Project Specialists Consulting, Training, Support Works with you to ensure OBIEE and Oracle BI Applications project success Small, focused team OWB, Oracle BI, DW technical specialists Clients in the UK, Europe, USA
Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
OBIEE 10.1.3.3/4 Architecture

Web Server (IIS, Tomcat, Websphere, iPlanet)
SAW Bridge (J2EE/ISAPI) XML, HTML, XLS, PDF, TXT over HTTP/HTTPS
Web Browser
Javascript for Usability & Interactivity
Oracle BI Publisher
Delivery Server Layout Interfaces XSL Data Logic
Oracle BI Presentation Services

SOAP Web Services, XML and URL Interface Oracle Interactive Dashboards Oracle Answers
TCP/IP (SSL) Web Catalog Service XML Framework
User Profiling, Security and Session Mngmt Cache Services (Web) & Connection Mngmt
HTML, SOAP over HTTP/HTTPS
External Applications and Portals
ODBC over TCP/IP (SSL)
Oracle Delivers Server

Scheduling/Event Services Agent Execution Logic Device Adaptive Content
TCP/IP (SSL)
Oracle BI Server
Logical SQL ODBC/JDBC (Logical Business Model)
Session Management Intelligent Request Generation
Metadata Interchange
Load Balancer
Oracle BI Cluster Controller
Logical Request Generation Cache Services Navigator Multi-Pass / Sub-Request Logic Fragmentation Optimization Aggregate Navigator Optimized Query Rewrites Execution Engine
Oracle BI Administration
Metadata Management Services Multi-User Development Services Metadata Documentation Services Server Management Services
Externalized Authentication LDAP DB Authentication Custom Authenticator
Data Source Adapters

ODBC, CLI, OCI, XML, MDX Analytical and Operational Data Sources
System / Perf Monitoring
Security Services Security Services
Query Govern. Query Govern.
Oracle BI Server
Calculation and Data Integration Engine Virtual Data Warehouse Allows reporting across multiple sources Data accessed though metadata layer Connects to RDBMS and OLAP data Oracle Database (including Oracle OLAP) IBM DB2 Microsoft SQL Server Teradata Microsoft Analysis Services (OLAP) SAP BW 'info cubes' Security, Summary Management Translates incoming logical SQL in to optimized, physical SQL
Data Access
Reporting data may be sourced from multiple databases, applications Oracle Database (including Oracle OLAP) IBM DB2 Microsoft SQL Server Teradata Microsoft Analysis Services (OLAP) SAP BW 'info cubes' SAP, Peoplesoft, Siebel, E-Business Suite Oracle BI Server joins this source data together and presents a logical business model Facts Dimensions
Customer
Common Enterprise Information Model

Enables consistency, security, reuse, flexibility Role-based views of the organization Single metadata model of the business Consistent definition of business measures, metrics, calculations Drill paths, summaries, security Model once, deploy anywhere Across any data source Model First development
Essbase and Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

Essbase is a key part of Oracles Business Intelligence Foundation Layer Essbase and Hyperion EPM can play several roles in this architecture As a data source As a data consumer As a portal for all Oracle BI As a MS Office integration point Essbase can benefit from Oracle BI Enterprise Semantic Model OBIEE can benefit from Essbase calculations and analytics
Essbase and Oracle BI EE Integration Points

1. Essbase can be a data source for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition 2. The OBIEE Semantic Model can be a data source for Essbase cubes 3. SmartSpace can consume both Essbase and OBIEE data sources 4. Hyperion Workspace can host OBIEE Dashboards, Answers, Delivers and Publisher 5. Informatica PowerCenter is the standard ETL tool for Oracle BI Apps and Essbase 6. Oracle Data Integrator is the future ETL tool for both Oracle BI Apps and Essbase
Essbase Integration with OBIEE 10.1.3.3.2+

OBIEE can connect to multidimensional as well as relational sources Microsoft Analysis Services, SAP B/W, now Essbase 9.3.1/11.1 Import process converts the multidimensional view into a relational view Essbase cubes, dimensions, hierarchies converted to a logical relational star schema Essbase data can then be combined with data from sources Typically used to bring in budget, forecast data etc from Essbase into OBIEE logical model
Essbase > OBIEE Integration Features

Connection is via the Essbase Client C API Essbase-specific MDX is generated by the Oracle BI Server EVALUATE function supported for calling Essbase functions Essbase specific aggregate functions i.e. TopN, BottomN Member selection based upon UDAs OBIEE Time-Series functions are function shipped to Essbase Essbase substitution variables supported Ragged and unbalanced hierarchies can be imported (but are then flattened)
Registering an Essbase Cube in OBIEE Step 2

Enter the server hostname, username and password Connects via Essbase C API, requires Essbase Client to be installed on OBIEE Server Compatible with Essbase 9.3.1, 11.1(?) Select cube from available list

Essbase cube metadata then loaded into the OBIEE Semantic Model physical layer OBIEE Physical Database = Essbase Server OBIEE Display Folder = Essbase Application OBIEE Physical Cube = Essbase Cube Essbase multidimensional model turned into a relational model Value-based hierarchy converted to level-based hierarchies Column names determined by outline generation names

OBIEE physical model can then be automatically converted into a logical model OBIEE automatically generates facts, dimensions, hierarchies Alternatively, Essbase model can be incorporated into existing logical model containing other (relational) data

View Essbase data in Oracle BI Dashboards, Oracle BI Answers Data is now turned into a relational star schema, but with MDX being generated to retrieve data from Essbase Essbase data can now participate in dashboards, cross-data source analysis Actuals vs. budget Actuals with forecast Sales data and production data
Converting Value-Based to Level-Based Hierarchies

Essbase value-based hierarchies are converted into level-based ones for OBIEE based on maximum depth of hierarchy at the time of import OBIEE is a relational query tool, requires a column for each drill path level Can import ragged and unbalanced hierarchies, these will be converted into flattened level-based hierarchies Issue comes when the depth of the hierarchy changes Essbase cube has to be re-imported into physical model and then re-created in the logical and presentation layers
Demonstration
Importing an Essbase Cube into OBIEE Semantic Model
Oracle BIEE as an Essbase Studio Data Source

Essbase Studio can connect to Oracle BI Server as a data source Oracle BIEE Presentation Layer Folders appear as databases Connects via HTTP rather than ODBC, JDBC Brings across tables, columns (not hierarchies) Provides access to the data federation & metadata capabilities of OBIEE
OBIEE as a Data Source Considerations

Data is unlikely to transform naturally into an Essbase cube Non-unique keys Presentation layer may not even feature keys Illegal characters Will require key values to be exposed, then transformed and aliases added Currently several manual steps Process likely to be automated in future release of OBIEE
Registering an OBIEE Model in Essbase Studio : Step 1

Create a new data source in Essbase Studio, connect to Oracle BI EE via HTTP Database names are the presentation folders in the OBIEE Semantic Layer

Import table metadata and create Mini Schema model Equivalent to the OLAP Model in Integration Services Define keys, joins

Create hierarchies for the dimension objects Note that OBIEE hierarchies are not imported, need to recreate

Define aliases for the ID columns used for member IDs Avoids problem where descriptions are used as member ID but are too long or contain invalid characters

Generate Cube Schema from selected dimensions Equivalent to Integration Services OLAP Metaoutline Make selection from all dimensions and measure dimensions in the repository

Transform OBIEE column IDs so that they are unique across dimension and cube Uses transform feature, accessible from Essbase Database Properties

Verify Model and run Cube Deployment Wizard

Set deployment options, generate outline and load members

View outline and data within Administration Services Data is now loaded into the Essbase database, will refresh as needed Database can also be redeployed to the OBIEE semantic layer to replace original relational data source for logical model
Demonstration
Using OBIEE as a Data Source for Essbase Studio
Integration of OBIEE Tools into EPM Workspace

From OBIEE 10.1.3.4 and Hyperion EPM 11.1, OBIEE tools can be embedded in Hyperion Workspace Access all tools through a common UI Oracle BI Dashboards Oracle BI Answers Oracle BI Delivers Oracle BI Publisher
Oracle BI Dashboards and BI Answers in EPM Workspace
Oracle Smart View and Smart Space Integration

Smart View and Smart Space 11.1 support OBIEE from releases 10.1.3.3.1 + Works through Provider Services, but Provider Services / Essbase license not required for use OBIEE added as a data source, connects via JDBC OBIEE content can be viewed within Smart Space gadgets Oracle BI Answers Oracle BI Publisher Oracle BI Delivers Oracle BI Dashboards
Oracle Smart Space Integration Example
ETL Tool Integration

Essbase and OBIEE share two common ETL tools Informatica PowerCenter, a.k.a. Essbase Data Integration Management Oracle Data Integrator, uses custom Knowledge Modules for OBIEE / Essbase load ODI likely to be the strategic ETL tool going forward Potential to combine Essbase and OBIEE loading with the main DW ETL process
Essbase and OBEE in an Oracle BI/DW Architecture

Essbase will primarily be a data consumer in the Oracle BI/DW architecture, sourcing data either directly from applications, the Oracle DW or the OBIEE semantic model Essbase can also be used a data source for OBIEE, to boost query performance and provide access to Essbase analytic capabilities
Summary
With recent releases of Essbase and OBIEE, many integration possibilities are available Essbase can be a data source for OBIEE OBIEE can be a data source for Essbase OBIEE reporting tools can be incorporated into the EPM workspace Common ETL tools can be used to load OBIEE, Essbase and the Oracle DW For more information, check out http://www.rittmanmead.com/blog Please remember to complete your speaker evaluation forms Thank you for your time!
Essbase Integration with Oracle BI EE Plus

Mark Rittman, Director, Rittman Mead Consulting Oracle Open World 2008, San Francisco. Session #S301081

Essbase Integration with OBIEE

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Essbase Integration with Oracle BI EE Plus

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

Rittman Mead Consulting

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

OBIEE 10.1.3.3/4 Architecture

Oracle BI Presentation Services

TCP/IP (SSL) Web Catalog Service XML Framework

HTML, SOAP over HTTP/HTTPS

External Applications and Portals

ODBC over TCP/IP (SSL)

Oracle Delivers Server

Session Management Intelligent Request Generation

Oracle BI Cluster Controller

Externalized Authentication LDAP DB Authentication Custom Authenticator

Data Source Adapters

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

System / Perf Monitoring

Security Services Security Services

Query Govern. Query Govern.

Common Enterprise Information Model

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

Essbase and Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com

Essbase and Oracle BI EE Integration Points

T : +44 (0) 8446 697 995 E : enquiries@rittmanmead.com W: www.rittmanmead.com