Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info Technical Case Study: SBC Corporation Chris...

Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info

Technical Case Study: SBC Corporation

Chris Christian -- CRC Business Solutions, Inc.Karen Gildea -- SBC Corporation

About SBC Communications, Inc.

Southwestern Bell Local telephone for Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas

Ameritech Local telephone for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin

Pacific Bell Local telephone for California

Nevada Bell Local telephone for Nevada

SNET Local telephone for Connecticut

Sterling Commerce e-Business software

Prodigy Internet Service Provider

Cingular Wireless Wireless telephone for all SBC local telephone states and BellSouth

SBC has over 140,000 employees located across the United States served

by a single human resources system.K

SBC has integrated Seagate Info with its SAP HR application in order to:• Securely publish any standard or custom R/3 ABAP report to

the Seagate Info Desktop• Securely publish SAP Business Explorer (BW) query results

to the Seagate Info Desktop• Automate reporting on outbound ERP interface files• Automatically export Seagate Info reports to an external

enterprise report archive system for long term retention• Automate replication of SAP R/3 users and security groups

to the Seagate Info reporting environment• Administer Seagate Info for a large web accessed

implementation with remote administration, usage measures, and group security verification

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Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info

Attendees will learn:• How Seagate Info fits into a distributed

enterprise computing architecture • How Seagate Info can be automated from

external systems or applications• How to “publish” standard reports to Seagate

Info from other systems • How security can be replicated from other

systems to Seagate Info

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Seagate Info Enterprise IntegrationContext Diagram

SeagateCrystal Info

SAP R/3

SAP BW

OtherEnterpriseSystems

Archive Reports(CI Archive Gateway)

PublishSAP Reports

(CI Spooler)

ReplicateSAP Security

(CI Security)

Monitor SAP Security Impact(CI GroupDesktop)

ReportInterface Files(CI Data Gateway)

EnterpriseReport

Archive

InterfaceFile Reports

SAP BWQuery Reports

SAP R/3ABAP Reports

SAP SecurityGroup Data

Security Group Desktop Views

Long TermReports for Archive

InterfaceData Files Interface

DataFiles

ArchivedReports

SAP Reports

CI Spooler

SeagateCrystal Info

SAP R/3

SAP BW


PublishSAP Reports

(CI Spooler)

EnterpriseReport

Archive

SAP BWQuery Reports

SAP R/3ABAP Reports

ArchivedReports

The CI Spooler securely publishes any standard or custom R/3 ABAP report or BW

Query to the Seagate Info Desktop

CI SpoolerCI Spooler - Business Problem

– Report output from the SAP R/3 and BW systems needs to be available for users through the web and users do not require SAP client software to be installed.

CI Spooler - Solution Using Seagate Info– An interface utility identifies report output and

“publishes” the report to the Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.

CI Spooler - Benefits– Output from any report run on the SAP systems can be

viewed within 15 minutes of execution.– “Published” reports provide all the benefits of standard

Crystal Reports such as report versions, folder and report security by group, exports, and printing.

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CI Spooler Solution• View eLink reports via the web as the method of

choice for viewing HR reports.

• Eliminate viewing batch scheduled reports on the SAP R/3 spool– SAP spooled reports are available for only a limited time

– The R/3 Spool is not secured

• Deliver batch scheduled reports from R/3 to eLink Reports (Crystal Info) for viewing– Multiple instances of a report can be retained for an indefinite period of

time

– Provides secured access using SAP user and group security

– The Web interface provides a familiar “Outlook” desktop

Report Recognition by Program ID

The CI Spooler recognizes reports by Program ID.

When the spooler locates the text “Program:” within the beginning of the report file, the Program ID is located. The identified report is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing. The example shows report “RPT#2011”.

Report Recognition by Report Title

The CI Spooler recognizes reports by Report Title.

The spooler scans the beginning of the report file and attempts to locate configured report titles. Once a title is located, the identified report is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing.

The example shows report “RPT#3006”, recognized by the title “25% Transfer Fee”.

Report Recognition by Variant

The CI Spooler recognizes report variants.

Once a report is identified by Program ID or Report Title, the spooler looks up the report’s variants in its configuration tables. The spooler re-scans the beginning of the report file and attempts to locate configured report variants. Once a variant is located, the identified report variant is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing.

CI Spooler Components

SAP SpooledFiles

NT Event Log•Start•Process•Stop•Reschedule•Database Compact

SAP ReportSpooler

CI Spooler

Crystal Info Report

Control Table

ProcessedFiles

Not Processed

Unknown files

/toarchive Files

/cisecurity Files

SBC ArchiveSystem

CI SecurityProcess

ProcessLogs

ReportText Table

InterfaceFile

Interface FileProcessing

Sample NT Event Log

The CI Spooler reports Start, Process, Stop, Schedule, Database, and Error events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “CI Spooler”, and Categories describe the event class. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.

NT Events allow a remote administrator to easily monitor system activities using the Event Viewer application integral to all NT systems. No special client software is required. Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

NT Event: Processing Results

After processing spooled files, the CI Spooler reports a processing summary within the Process event.

The summary includes file counts by processing type.Time details include the start time, stop time, and elapsed time.

CI Spooler Performance

The CI Spooler has processed over 9,500 report files since deployed on 5/28/99.

The largest report was ZPRE3051 on 3/8/00 with 13,711 pages (562,111 report lines).Processing time: 14 minutes and 43 seconds.

Typical processing times:

Report Date Size Processing Time .ZPRE3070 7/30/99 9 pages 17 secondsZPRE3056 7/23/99 20 pages 18 secondsZPRE3051 7/16/99 512 pages 52 secondsZPRE3132 8/31/99 1,276 pages 3 minutes and 22 secondsZPRE3051 1/4/00 2,317 pages 2 minutes and 33 secondsZPRE3055 2/17/00 6,211 pages 10 minutes and 45 seconds

The SAP Business Warehouse (BW) Open Query Dialog

Shows a Catalog of Queries

The Query catalog shows an outline of BW queries.

Select an SAP BW Query Name to Open the Query

The outline of BW queries shows individual queries.

As Delivered by SAP, BW Query Results are Viewed in Excel

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BW Reports on Info Desktop

When processed by the CI Spooler, the BW query appears as a report instance.

The Info Desktopin Internet Explorer

Viewing the Excel Reportin Internet Explorer

Viewing the Excel Reportin Netscape Navigator

The Benefits of Publishing SAP BW Queries to Crystal Info

are Substantial• Extends current developed reports to access by

non-BW users• Users can view reports through web browsers• Users do not require BW client software, software

licenses, or BW training• Provides R/3 group security for report viewing• Generations of reports are retained in the

Info Desktop repository• Potential to integrate with EOS for long term

report retention

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CI Spooler Questions?

CI Data Gateway

SeagateCrystal Info

SAP R/3Other

EnterpriseSystems


InterfaceFile Reports

InterfaceData Files Interface

DataFiles

The CI Data Gateway reformats an interface file as a query result table, then it schedules Crystal Reports using

the table in the Seagate Info Desktop. Data and report processing occur when the file is received.

CI Data GatewayCI Data Gateway - Business Problem

– Reporting on outbound interface files from the SAP R/3 and other systems requires data reformatting for use. Reports on the interface files need to be run as each interface file becomes available.

CI Data Gateway - Solution Using Seagate Info– An interface utility reformats the interface data and

“publishes” the report to the Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.

CI Data Gateway - Benefits– Reports on the interface files are automatically produced

when the file is received.– Interface file reports provide all the benefits of standard

Crystal Reports such as report versions, folder and report security by group, exports, and printing.

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CI Data Gateway Components

NT Event Log• Start• Process• Stop• Reschedule• Database Compact

Crystal InfoAPS

Interface Directory

Report Results for

Viewing

Oracle

• Employee-Current Tables• Reporting Tables• Long Term HR Data Retention

Data Source• Interface File (UNIX text)• ABAP Output List (DOS text)• Crystal Report Text Output

CI Data Gateway• Find files to process• Administer files• Run processes• Schedule self• Report NT Events

CI Data Reporter• Load data set• Transform data set• Run APS reports• Load Oracle• Report status

MS Access

Lookup Tables

Info Server Run Reports

ReportScheduleRequest

ReportData

CommandLine withFile Name

ScheduledReport

ReportData

ReportData Files

CrystalReport

FileNames

CI Data Gateway / CI Data ReporterCI Data Reporter CI Data Reporter

CI Data Gateway Data Set Instance Code Library y Auto schedule repeated runs Autorun when started Shared by all Data SetsTest each configured gateway Check library presence Common modulesDetect files by path / pattern Run load module Single code sourceRun Data Reporter for file Run transform module Dynamic Oracle linksManage files Run reports module• Processed Run Oracle load module• NotProcessed Data Set table definition• OnHold Data Set transform moduleReport NT Events Dynamic ref table unionMonitor Data Reporter runs Configuration forms Test Data Reporter results Set status during run Reschedule Exit when done

CI Data Gateway Processing

CI Data Reporter Processing

CI Data Reporter Results

CI Data Gateway DataSet Results

CI Data Gateway Summary

CI Data Gateway Questions?

Seagate Info Enterprise IntegrationContext Diagram

SeagateCrystal Info


PublishSAP Reports

(CI Spooler)

EnterpriseReport

Archive


ArchivedReports

The CI Archive Gateway exports Crystal Reports to a text format and transmits the files to the enterprise report

archive for long term retention.

CI Archive GatewayCI Archive Gateway - Business Problem

– The enterprise report archiving policy requires specific reports to be retained for more than one year in a central enterprise report repository.

CI Archive Gateway - Solution Using Seagate Info– An interface utility extracts Crystal Report output from the

Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.

CI Archive Gateway - Benefits– Any Crystal Report output can be transmitted to the enterpris

report archive for long term retention and no special report format is required.

– Reports can be identified for archiving after they have been produced.

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SBC Archiving Solution• Report archiving is the on-line retention of

electronic reports for more than one year.

• SBC archives reports using the EOS (Enterprise Output System) implemented on MVS mainframe computers in St. Louis.

• The Report Archiving process transfers reports to the EOS system from NT environments, using plain text format.

• Report archiving supports legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements consistent with SBC’s Archiving Policy.

CI Archive GatewayThe CI Archive Gateway provides an unattended, mechanized application service that transfers report files to EOS.

The service provides:• Assured file transfer• Multiple report source compatibility• Configuration for operating environment• Control tables for report processing• Complete audit trail and summary statistics• Remote visibility for monitoring

CI Archive Gateway

• Long distance large file transfers are assured through the use of CONNECT:Direct as the file transfer communications mechanism.

• CONNECT:Direct provides status, work queues, and activity logs using bi-directional communications with data transfer acknowledgement.

• File transfers automatically use data compression to minimize network traffic.

Assured file transfer

CI Archive Gateway

• The CI Archive Gateway can transmit any text file regardless of source.

• Files from E-Link (SAP HR), E-Link Reports (Seagate Info) and Disbursements (Seagate Info) are currently supported.

• The Gateway is integrated with Seagate Info for mechanized report extracts.

• Non-text files such as Excel worksheets can be transferred as data (non-text) files.

Multiple report source compatibility

CI Archive Gateway

• Server configuration adapts the CI Archive Gateway to its operational environment for directory paths, application locations, interfaces with other applications, and rescheduling.

• Automatic rescheduling uses the NT Schedule service for processing at time intervals or to a time of day schedule.

Configuration for operating environment

CI Archive Gateway

• Each file to be archived is identified by file name.

• The file identification links the file to a control table that describes how the file is to be processed.

• Control table entries for unrecognized files can be created after receipt, and files can be reprocessed.

Control tables for report processing

CI Archive Gateway

• All processing is recorded in a process log table for administrative review and trouble diagnosis.

• CONNECT:Direct file transfer processing is summarized in a perpetual log.

• File processing counts and processing times are recorded for activity monitoring and capacity planning.

Complete audit trail and summary statistics

CI Archive Gateway

• Processing is reported to the NT Event Log and stored in the system’s Application Event database.

• Reported events include: Start, Processing Files Received, Processing Seagate Info Extracts, File Transfers, and Scheduling.

• The NT Event Log can be viewed by system administrators from any location in the enterprise. The Event Viewer application is an integral part of Windows NT, so no additional client software is required.

Remote visibility for monitoring

CI Archive Gateway Processing

• Receive files to archive in the NT file system

• Extract files to archive from Seagate Info

• Recognize report files for processing

• Transfer report files to EOS

• Maintain a system audit trail, processing statistics, and reported events

• Self schedule repeating runs

Processing is achieved through a sequence of report file receipt and transfer steps.

CI Archive Gateway Components

EOS.MDB

CDWINNT .MDB

ExportFiles

/ToArchive Files

Process Logs

Process Logs

SpoolFiles

EOS_TranEOS_Exp

CONNECT:Direct

St. Louis MVS

CONNECT:Direct RIMS

EOS

CI Archive Gateway

Startup

EOS_Load

EOS_Exp

EOS_Tran

CD_Summary

Reschedule

NT Event Log•Start•Process (EOS_Load)•Process (EOS_Exp)•Process (EOS_Tran)•Reschedule•Error

NT Schedule Service

SAP ReportSpooler

CI Spooler

Summary

Seagate InfoReport Portal

ControlFile

Sample NT Event Log

The CI Archive Gateway reports Start, Process, and Schedule events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “SBC Archive”, and Categories include Start, Process, Schedule, and Error. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.

Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

EOS / RIMS Control Tables

The MVS CONNECT:Direct Node and User must be configured to receive file transfers from the NT CONNECT:Direct node.

Files transferred via CONNECT:Direct are retained in EOS according to configuration information maintained using the RIMS utility.

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EOS / RIMS Control Tables

Files transferred via CONNECT:Direct are retained in EOS according to configuration information maintained using the RIMS utility.

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CI Archive Gateway Questions?

CI Security

SeagateCrystal Info

SAP R/3 ReplicateSAP Security

(CI Security)SAP SecurityGroup Data

CI Security selectively replicates SAP security groups and users to

the Seagate Info Desktop

CI SecurityCI Security - Business Problem

– Crystal Info is used to “publish” operational reports for viewing by the same groups and users as the originating ERP system (SAP HR).

– Groups constantly evolve on the ERP system, and user assignments to groups changes daily.

– Users and groups must be identical in both systems.

CI Security - Solution Using Seagate Info– An automated process “replicates” groups and user

assignments to groups through the APS SDK interface.

CI Security - Benefits– Security is updated nightly and is completely in sync with

the operational system.– At least one full time equivalent position is not needed.

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Crystal Info SecuritySecurity Topics

• Processing Goals• Key Concepts• Functional View• Business Rules• Processing Rules• System Components

• Processing Details• APS Backup Details• Security

Administration• System Testing• Production Statistics• Security Benefits

Crystal Info Security Solution Processing Goals

• Automated application server schedules and runs unattended.

• Security processing requires one-time configuration and minimal administration.

• SAP security data extracts are automated.• The APS (Crystal Info Desktop) Oracle database is

automatically backed up using Oracle’s database utilities.• Security updates occur when the required SAP security

data files are present.• Security processing is completely visible from

administrator workstations through the NT Event Log.• Normal processing requires administrator monitoring

only.

Crystal Info Security Solution Processing Goals (cont.)

• Processing results are detailed in complete processing logs, providing a robust audit trail.

• Data generation differences are automatically documented.

• Processing can be undone to immediately restore the security data to its prior state.

• Non-SAP users and groups maintained by Crystal Info Administrators are unaffected by processing.

• Security updates do not interfere with concurrent Crystal Info Desktop access by users and other processes such as the CI Spooler for reports.

Crystal Info SecurityKey Concepts

User An SAP user whose profile contains at least one Security Activity Grouping that is loaded to the Crystal Info APS.

Group A collection of users authorized to view a common set of reports, corresponding to an SAP Security Activity Grouping.

Assignment The association of a user to a group that allows the user to inherit the group’s report access rights.

Crystal Info SecurityFunctional View

A user logs on to the Crystal Info Desktop

The Crystal Info Desktop

(APS) matches the user logon

with a UserID and Password

The APS determines

which groups the user is assigned

The APS determines

which reports can be

accessed by each group assigned to

the user

The APS displays the Crystal Info Desktop for

the user, listing the

collection of all and only reports the user can access

Crystal Info SecuritySystem Objective

The ultimate goal of Crystal Info Security is to link users to groups that have rights to access reports in the Crystal Info Desktop.

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CI Security Solution Business Rules

• SAP data drives the SAP User, SAP Group, and SAP Group Assignment data in the Crystal Info Desktop (APS).

• Crystal Info Administrator actions for Non-SAP Users, Non-SAP Groups, and Non-SAP Group assignments are unaffected by the CI Security Process.

• New APS Groups are created during the CI Security Process.• Unused APS Groups are unaffected during the

CI Security Process.• APS Users with no group assignments are purged from the

APS.• Existing APS Users and Passwords are unaffected during the

CI Security Process.

CI Security Solution Processing Rules

• Security updates occur online during concurrent system access by Crystal Info Desktop users and other processes such as the CI Spooler for reports.

• An APS Database Backup must be successfully performed before CI Security Processing can start.

• Both input data files must be present before CI Security Processing can start.

• The CI Security Process reschedules nightly.• The SAP security data extract files are produced nightly.• Group access to reports is defined by a Crystal Info

Administrator in the Crystal Info Desktop during system report administration.

CI Security System Components

Oracle RDBMSOracle

ExportFiles

SAP Security

Files

Process Logs

SpoolFiles

CI Security Server

Back Up APS Database

Startup

Process SAP Security Data

Summarize Processing

Reschedule

Stop

NT Event Log•Backup APS•Start•Process•Stop•Reschedule•Error NT Schedule Service

SAP R/3System

CI Spooler

Oracle ExportUtility

Crystal Info Administrator

CI Security Tables

Crystal Info InfoServer

Crystal Info Desktop (APS)

CI Security Distributed Processing

Oracle RDBMSOracle

ExportFiles

SAP Security

Files

Process Logs

SpoolFiles

CI Security Server

Back Up APS Database

Startup

Process SAP Security Data

Summarize Processing

Reschedule

Stop

NT Event Log•Backup APS•Start•Process•Stop•Reschedule•Error NT Schedule Service

SAP R/3System

CI Spooler

Oracle ExportUtility

Crystal Info Administrator

CI Security Tables

Crystal Info InfoServer

Crystal Info Desktop (APS)

HRPRSFF01(Windows NT)

Administrator(Windows NT)

Oracle RDBMS(UNIX)

SAP R/3(UNIX)

CI APS (2)(Windows NT)

CI InfoServer(Windows NT)

LEGEND

CI Security Server Processing

• Receive files to process in the NT file system• Load the SAP User and Group information to

work tables for use during processing• Use the Crystal Info Application Program

Interface to mechanically perform the security administration required

• Maintain a system audit trail, processing statistics, and reported events

• Self schedule repeating runs

Processing is achieved through a sequence of security file receipt and processing steps.

CI Security Processing

During processing, the CI Security Server functions can be monitored.

CI Security Processing Finished

When complete, the CI Security Server statistics can be viewed. The statistical summary also is reported to the NT Event Log.

CI Security Server Configuration

The CI Security Server performs its processing according to the Server configuration.

Info Administrator Users View

The CI Security Server automatically creates users through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User” panel.

Info Administrator Group View

The CI Security Server automatically creates groups through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User Groups” panel.

User Group Assignment

The CI Security Server automatically creates user assignments to groups through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User Properties” panel.

Sample NT Event Log

The CI Security Server reports Start, Process, and Schedule events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “CI Security”, and Categories include Start, Process, Schedule, and Error. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.

Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

Sample NT Event Log Details

The CI Security “Process” Event Details contains a summary of the entire security update.

Recent CI Security NT Event

CI Security Questions?

CI Group Desktop

SeagateCrystal Info



CI Group Desktop supports monitoring the impact of CI Security when it

replicates SAP security groups and users to the Seagate Info Desktop

CI Group DesktopCI Group Desktop - Business Problem

– The impact of automatic replication of SAP security groups and users needs to be assessed. Work group managing supervisors are in the best position to determine whether the folders and reports a group can view are consistent with the needs of each work group.

CI Group Desktop - Solution Using Seagate Info– Crystal Info’s security permissions are obtained through the SDK

interface.– A reporting database organizes Crystal Info security permissions

for folders and reports by group.– Reports provide a security cross reference and desktop view by

group.

CI Group Desktop - Benefits– The impact of automated security replication is disclosed to

stakeholders through reports on the Crystal Info Desktop.

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CI Group Desktop Administrator

CI Group Desktop Reports

CI Group Desktop Processing

CI Group Processing Result

CI Group Desktop Query

CI Group Desktop Reports

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CI Group Desktop Sample Report

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CI Group Desktop Questions?

CI Web Access Activity Result

Seagate Info Enterprise Integration

SeagateCrystal Info


PublishSAP Reports

(CI Spooler)

ReplicateSAP Security

(CI Security)



InterfaceFile ReportsSAP Security

Group Data



SAP Reports

Questions?

For further information, contact:

Chris Christian -- CRC Business Solutions, [email protected]

510/569-2721

Karen Gildea -- SBC [email protected]

925/867-8168

Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info Technical Case Study: SBC Corporation Chris...

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