A leader in providing end-to-end Data Analytics, Business Intelligence reporting, automation, and more, DataTerrain recently assisted a US-based HR and payroll technology solutions provider with a large-scale overhaul in reporting and analytical needs. DataTerrain was approached by the client and asked to perform demonstrations plus proof of concept as an evaluation process.

The key and unique nature of the project is that it is the first time DataTerrain used a new conversion engine to transport the metadata layer and report feature, including security components via automation tool. The proof of concept is a simple process. Select randomly 3 to 5 reports that represent usage in the business units and provide clear goals for acceptance criteria. Once DataTerrain completes the task of converting the reports from Discoverer to OBIEE 11g/12C, business units are invited back for evaluation and feedback against the acceptance criteria. This final step will determine the success or failure of the proof of concept.

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The client was previously using Discoverer for reporting solutions, but as that platform is facing End of Life, the business needed assistance migrating to Oracle, specifically OBIEE. Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE 11g / 12c) is an agile BI tool available as both an on-premise and cloud-based service (OAC). The robust database system allows users to separate the data extraction and reporting components of Business Intelligence, providing versatile options, including dashboards, scorecards, and flexible report layouts.

DataTerrain’s OBIEE migration services, as well as RPD restructuring and reporting quality analysis, provide value for technology-driven businesses facing End of Life for current BI solutions. The metadata layer (RPD) in OBIEE/OAC is a critical layer for the business to build analytics and dynamic reporting. DataTerrain has proven expertise in building many hundreds of RPD layers to enable businesses to have the business-friendly and swift analytics built on demand. These services also apply to companies struggling to create efficient reporting practices, and those looking to get the most out of their existing database.

DataTerrain’s successful migration of the client’s reports and dashboards was but a small portion of the services provided. In typical fashion, the DataTerrain goal was not just to migrate files from Discoverer to OBIEE to meet End of Life deadlines, but also to streamline and improve processes, reporting, and access to valuable information. The DataTerrain team worked on many customizations to adapt OBIEE 11g/12c for the client. This project was executed round the clock follow-the-sun development and support model to fulfill customer’s time constraints. DataTerrain employed developers, QA analysts, and a project manager to facilitate the process.

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Using an automated conversion process, DataTerrain migrated more than a hundred reports from Discoverer to OBIEE over two months. The automation process is a proven, unique tool that is continually developed over the years to accommodate many business conditions in reporting and analytics. The consistency and quality of the tool deliver a massive workload of manual migration efforts eliminated. The internal IT teams who typically do these upgrades are relieved of porting legacy systems to the modern systems. Finding technology experts to understand the legacy world and the new world is challenging and expensive for the customer. The Automation tool with time tested perfection will prove to be the most effective of handling the challenges mentioned above. During this process, modifications were made to database infrastructure, reporting methods, EULs, and more to develop a better functioning final result for the HR and payroll technology provider.

DataTerrain’s primary accomplishments in this case included:

  • Restructured RPD to comply with OBIEE 11g/12c best practices, without impacting existing business logistics and functionalities
  • Used automation to migrate nine Discoverer EULs to OBIEE RPD file
  • Analyzed and rationalized the existing reporting framework to avoid the conversion of similar and duplicate reports. In the typical legacy environment over the years, hundreds of reports are built to suit a specific demand at a given point in time. Over the years, those reports might not be used regularly, and some are entirely obsolete. It helps to understand such outdated or duplicate reports and remove them from the system. There are many advantages to doing the rationalization in the legacy environment, including security checkpoints.
  • Merged multiple business layers to support cross-subject area reporting
  • Created calculated objects within the RPD to reduce complications in building new reports

In addition to these areas of streamlining and database improvement, a shared team of Quality Analysts were able to provide immediate feedback throughout the project life cycle, drastically reducing time spent on development. DataTerrain used a standard bug tracking system that the client is very familiar with to list the problems and track the status/solutions of the issues. This systematic tracking and storage later became a vast knowledge base.

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