1. Quick Start: ReportCaster
William Poppe
Curriculum Developer

2. Objectives Introduction to ReportCaster Working with Schedules
Distribution Lists
Bursting Reports
Distributing to the Report Library
The ReportCaster Explorer

3. Getting Started

4. Introducing ReportCaster
ReportCaster is a scheduling and distribution application that centralizes the execution and distribution of WebFOCUS reports, the contents of URLs, and files.
ReportCaster supports multiple administrators and provides a single point of control for managing information distribution within an organization.

5. Introducing ReportCaster
Through ReportCaster, you can schedule a report to run at specific times or intervals which can then be distributed to:
FTP servers
Printers
The WebFOCUS Repository
The Report Library (an optional storage and retrieval facility).

6. Accessing ReportCaster
Access to each ReportCaster tool is controlled by the Client security authorization model.
WebFOCUS ReportCaster can be accessed by authorized users from the following environments:
WebFOCUS Content tree in the Business Intelligence Portal (BIP).
WebFOCUS App Studio
As a self-service application through the ReportCaster API, a full ReportCaster API that employs both Java® technology and Web Services.

7. WebFOCUS Architecture
WebFOCUS uses a distributed architecture.
The WebFOCUS Client, the WebFOCUS Reporting Server, and your data, can be located on any platform, anywhere in your network.
There are two requirements:
The WebFOCUS Client must reside on the Application Server.
An instance of the WebFOCUS Reporting Server must be installed on machines with your data or on machines that have access to your data.

8. WebFOCUS Architecture

9. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster adds four components into the WebFOCUS mix:
The ReportCaster interfaces
The ReportCaster Client
The ReportCaster Repository
The ReportCaster Distribution Server

10. ReportCaster Architecture

11. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster Interfaces
The ReportCaster interfaces are the applications used to create schedules, distributions, access and interact with ReportCaster administration tools.

12. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster Client
The ReportCaster Client is part of the WebFOCUS Client on the Application server platform and is fully integrated with the WebFOCUS Client Security Authorization implementation.
The ReportCaster Client communicates with the Distribution Server to:
Schedule jobs
Create and maintain distribution lists
Generate log reports
Manage user security and other information in the content

13. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster Repository
ReportCaster stores distribution, scheduling, Report Library and log information in the WebFOCUS Repository tables.
At installation, an SQL-based repository is created in a selected location.
You must have the WebFOCUS adapter for your database in order to create a Synonym and run the reports.

14. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster Distribution Server
The ReportCaster Distribution Server, the distribution engine for ReportCaster, is a Java® application that:
Can be installed on either the same machine as the WebFOCUS Reporting Server and the WebFOCUS components (which reside on the Web/Application Server), or on an entirely different machine.
Checks in the ReportCaster Repository for scheduled jobs that need to be dispatched, and to log the results of such jobs.

15. ReportCaster Architecture
ReportCaster Distribution Server (cont.)
The ReportCaster Distribution Server, the distribution engine for ReportCaster, is a Java® application that:
Runs independently of the WebFOCUS Reporting Server.
Communicates with the WebFOCUS Reporting Server to dispatch jobs for execution.
Is remotely managed via the ReportCaster Console interface.
Distributes reports to the WebFOCUS Repository using the Managed Reporting and the Report Library distribution options.

16. How ReportCaster Works
The ReportCaster Distribution Server governs the process of submitting and distributing a scheduled job.
The ReportCaster Distribution Server checks for schedules in the ReportCaster Repository that have a next run time less than or equal to the current time.

17. How ReportCaster Works
ReportCaster supports multiple WebFOCUS Reporting Servers and one WebFOCUS Repository.

18. How ReportCaster Works
When the ReportCaster Distribution Server identifies a schedule to run:
The ReportCaster interfaces create schedules and send all schedule information (including date and time, parameters, and alerts) to the ReportCaster Repository.
The Distribution Server becomes active periodically and checks the content for any schedules. When a schedule is ready for execution, it retrieves the schedule information from the Repository.
Sends the name of the WebFOCUS Server Procedure to the WebFOCUS Reporting Server, which runs the procedure, retrieves the data, creates the report, and returns it to the Distribution Server.
The ReportCaster Distribution Server distributes scheduled output as an message; through FTP; or SFTP; to a printer, as a report in the WebFOCUS Repository; or to the Report Library.

19. ReportCaster Tools
The following ReportCaster tools can be accessed by authorized users:
Schedule Tool - The Basic and Advanced Scheduling tools provide the options to define the parameters of a schedule, such as, when a report procedure (FEX) will run, what format the output will take, and where the output will be distributed.
Distribution List - A list stored in the WebFOCUS Content that allows you to specify multiple recipients of the report output of a schedule.
Access List - A list that defines the groups and users that can view the output of specified schedules distributed to the Report Library.
Log Report - Enables you to view information about a distributed job.
ReportCaster Explorer - Enables users to list and review all ReportCaster items of a specific type at once.
ReportCaster Console - Provides access to the ReportCaster administration tools (Server Status, Job Status, Configuration, Global Update) and schedule management tools (Job Logs, Blackout Dates, Execution Ids).

20. ReportCaster User Capabilities
Administrators control the users authorized to access ReportCaster to perform the following operations:
Create and maintain a Distribution List.
Create and maintain a schedule.
Create and maintain Library Access Lists for the Report Library reports. The Report Library enables you to store and manage content distributed by ReportCaster for rapid retrieval and future use.
Track the status of a schedule.
View and delete schedule log information.
Manage the ReportCaster configuration.

21. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which item best describes ReportCaster?
A BI Dashboard for displaying Repository content.
A scheduling and distribution application.
A Windows-based development environment that enables you to build WebFOCUS applications.

22. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which item best describes ReportCaster?
A BI Dashboard for displaying Repository content.
A scheduling and distribution application.
A Windows-based development environment that enables you to build WebFOCUS applications.

23. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which item is not a ReportCaster output destination?
FTP
Printer
Managed Reporting Repository
Reporting Object
Report Library

24. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which item is not a ReportCaster output destination?
FTP
Printer
Managed Reporting Repository
Reporting Object
Report Library

25. Working with ReportCaster

26. Scheduling Content A ReportCaster schedule allows you to specify:
When to run a procedure
What format to use for the output
How it will be distributed

27. Scheduling Content
ReportCaster schedules are created with one of two tools:
Basic - provides the ability from the Resource Tree to create a schedule for a WebFOCUS procedure from the WebFOCUS Resource Tree Content folder.
Advanced - has the same Scheduling options as the Basic tool plus provides the ability to create a schedule for:
WebFOCUS Report Procedures (as in Resource Tree Content folder)
WebFOCUS Reporting Server Procedures
Files accessible to the Distribution Server or from an FTP Server
Fully qualified URLs to submit to a web or application server

28. Scenario: Creating a Basic Schedule
Brian Welcker, the VP of Sales, needs to send to a list of US Store Customers to Chuck Dickens, Director of Sales, through .

29. Creating a Basic Schedule
From the Content folder, schedule the Store Customers By Territory procedure.

30. Creating a Basic Schedule
The Basic Scheduling tool opens.

31. Creating a Basic Schedule
Add Distribution Information.

32. Creating a Basic Schedule
Save and Close the schedule.
Change the title to Monthly US Store Territory List and Run.

33. Creating a Basic Schedule
What is the status of the job? View the Log.

34. Creating a Basic Schedule
Chuck Dickens checks his …

35. Scenario: Creating an Advanced Schedule
Brian Welcker, the VP of Sales, needs to send to a list of Top Ten Products to Chuck Dickens, Director of Sales, through .

36. Creating an Advanced Schedule
From the Content – Marketing folder, create a new schedule.

37. Creating an Advanced Schedule
Create a new task – a WebFOCUS Report.

38. Creating an Advanced Schedule
Add a WebFOCUS Report – Top Ten Products - Dollars.

39. Creating an Advanced Schedule
Add Distribution target Information.

40. Creating an Advanced Schedule
For Recurrences, add Run Once.
Save, Close and Run the schedule.

41. Creating an Advanced Schedule
Chuck Dickens checks his …

42. Schedule an Alert

43. Schedule an Alert
Alert reporting is an integrated feature of WebFOCUS Managed Reporting and ReportCaster.
An Alert report is a type of Standard Report within Managed Reporting that can be distributed by ReportCaster.
A data driven alert is an event that is prompted by a guideline you define.
For example, alerting a department head when cumulative expenses exceed budget for any category.

44. Schedule an Alert
The process of creating a ReportCaster Alert involves the following steps:
Create an alert test procedure using the Alert Assist in the BI Portal, or the Alert Wizard in the App Studio. The alert test procedure checks to see if a set of defined test conditions (WHERE statements) is met (true or false).
Create the report to be distributed if the Alert test is true.
Schedule the alert test procedure in ReportCaster.

45. Scenario: Schedule an Alert
Brian Welcker, the VP of Sales, is concerned with keeping too much inventory in the warehouse.
He wants to alert Chuck Dickens, Director of Sales, if the current inventory of HL Mountain Bikes is higher than 500.

46. Schedule an Alert
The Alert procedure, which has already been created by a developer, consists of two parts: Test report and Result report.

47. Schedule an Alert
The Test Report of the Alert procedure checks if the quantity of the HL Mountain Frame product is greater than 500.

48. Schedule an Alert
The Result Report of the Alert procedure displays the detail information if the condition is true.

49. Schedule an Alert
Schedule the Alert.

50. Schedule an Alert The Alert options are the following:
Automatically Reset — After the alert has been triggered, reactivate the alert when the condition is no longer true.
Continue After Alert — After the alert has been triggered, reactivate immediately.
Deactivate Schedule After Alert – After the alert has been triggered, the schedule is deactivated.
Delay — Restart the alert after a specified period.

51. Schedule an Alert
Add Distribution target Information.

52. Schedule an Alert For Recurrences, add Run Once to test.
Save, Close and Run the schedule.

53. Schedule an Alert
View the Log: No report to distribute. Inventory is adequate.

54. Schedule an Alert
Like Reports, Alerts can be shared with groups or users.

55. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which item is not a step for creating a ReportCaster Alert?
Create an alert test procedure in WebFOCUS BI Portal or App Studio.
Designate or create an alert event procedure to be distributed if the alert test is false.
Designate or create an alert event procedure to be distributed if the alert test is true.
Schedule the alert test procedure.

56. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which item is not a step for creating a ReportCaster Alert?
Create an alert test procedure in WebFOCUS BI Portal or App Studio.
Designate or create an alert event procedure to be distributed if the alert test is false.
Designate or create an alert event procedure to be distributed if the alert test is true.
Schedule the alert test procedure.

57. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which item is not a Notification option?
Never
Always
On Error
On Condition

58. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which item is not a Notification option?
Never
Always
On Error
On Condition

59. Distribution Lists

60. Distribution Lists
Distribution List
A Distribution List is an easy way to distribute content to multiple recipients by specifying the name of a list stored in the Repository that contains the individual recipients rather than entering each recipient separately into a schedule.
Allows you to distribute content to multiple recipients
Allows you to cite a list rather than entering individual recipients
Can be used with multiple schedules
Can be made available to other users

61. Distribution Lists
Distribution List
A Distribution List can be one of the following types:
Distribution List — Created in the Content (WebFOCUS Repository)
Distribution File — Created in a text file accessible to the Distribution Server (external file)
Dynamic Distribution List — Created by executing a WebFOCUS procedure against a data source where recipient information is stored

62. Distribution Lists Content may be distributed in three ways:
– content delivered to a list of addresses and optionally, burst values associated with an address.
FTP – content delivered to a list of FTP file names that will hold the report (including the extension) and, optionally, burst values associated with the FTP file.
Print – content sent to a list of printers specified by the syntax where queue is the name of the printer queue and printserver is the host name or IP address of the printer.

63. Distribution Lists Content may be distributed by Email.
You can also burst values associated with an address.

64. Distribution Lists Once created, you can reuse the Distribution List.

65. Distribution Lists
External Distribution File
If you are creating a schedule to be distributed to several recipients, you may want to create an external distribution file consisting of multiple recipients.
The external distribution file:
Can be assigned to any schedule
Is functionally similar to a Distribution List
Is created outside of ReportCaster
Can include a password to protect Zip files under certain changes in configuration

66. Distribution Lists
External Distribution File
The fully qualified path name for an external distribution file must point to a location that is accessible by the ReportCaster Distribution Server.

67. Distribution Lists
External Distribution File
Be sure to verify the validity of the information in the external file.

68. Distribution Lists
Dynamic Distribution List
A Dynamic Distribution list enables you to pull addresses (and/or burst values) from a data source when the schedule is run.
To create a dynamic distribution list:
The procedure must be coded in a WebFOCUS procedure, which returns the information in a specific format using the PCHOLD command.
The procedure must be available to the path of the server; it is defined in either the report server profile (edasprof.prf) or the user profile.
The layout must contain specific values and destinations so that ReportCaster can identify and process the information returned.
As an option, a password can be included in a Dynamic Distribution List.

69. Distribution Lists
Dynamic Distribution List
Locate the procedure that will generate the distribution list.

70. Distribution Lists
Dynamic Distribution List
The Get s procedure prepares a list that ReportCaster will accept:
The COMPUTE creates the address, based on first and last name in the database
Since ReportCaster requires that the addresses be returned with a column name of DEST, we issue a SET ASNAMES=ON and specify DEST as the column name.
ON TABLE PCHOLD is required syntax to provide the data in the form that ReportCaster expects.

71. Bursting Reports

72. Bursting Reports
Instead of sending an entire report, you can use ReportCaster’s burst feature to break a report into sections to be distributed separately.
Bursting enables you to target relevant sections of a report to individual users.
Each report section is saved as a separate file.
Burst values are automatically determined by:
The first BY field in a tabular report
The second BY field in a chart
You can send several report sections to one recipient by specifying that recipient’s location for each section you want to send.
You can also send several sections to one destination.

73. Scenario: Bursting Reports
Brian Welcker, the VP of Sales, wants to send a sales report to each manager responsible for his/her region.
For example, David Bradley should receive a sales report for Australia.

74. Bursting Reports
Add bursting information to the Distribution list target Information.

75. Bursting Reports
Add Australia to the David Bradley.

76. Bursting Reports
Burst values are case-sensitive and can contain the following Pattern keywords:
Plain text - exact bursting value (case sensitive).
Wildcard - Use an asterisk (*) and a question mark (?) as wildcards to represent characters at the beginning, end, or middle of the burst values.
The asterisk represents one or more characters, while the question mark represents any single character.
For example, a?c* returns all values that start with 'a' and have 'c' as the third character.
Regular expression - identifies a string of text using a Java regular expression keyword. For example, [bcr]at returns values for bat, cat, or rat.
Else send - a default destination for burst values that are not specified in the Distribution List.

77. Bursting Reports
Burst the scheduled procedure through the distribution list.

78. Bursting Reports
Run the scheduled procedure.

79. Bursting Reports
Check David Bradley’s .

80. Scenario: Bursting Reports
Brian Welcker wants to send detailed sales reports to each manager responsible for his/her region.
Since this report may get large, he will be sending it as an attached zip file, with their product line in the subject line of the .

81. Bursting Reports
Burst the report.

82. Bursting Reports
Add a reference to an the external distribution file.

83. Bursting Reports Add a Subject to the distribution information.
'%BURST' is a ReportCaster variable that contains the value associated with the burst value specified in the Distribution List or File (Wildcard, Regular Expression, and Else send).
Note that the single quotes around the variable are required.

84. Bursting Reports
Send the attachment as a zip file.

85. Bursting Reports
Check Amy Albert’s .

86. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which item is not used by ReportCaster for bursting?
In a tabular report, the value of the first BY field.
In a chart, the value of the second BY field.
In a tabular report or a chart, the value of the first ACROSS field.

87. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which item is not used by ReportCaster for bursting?
In a tabular report, the value of the first BY field.
In a chart, the value of the second BY field.
In a tabular report or a chart, the value of the first ACROSS field.

88. The Report Library

89. The Report Library
The Report Library is a secure report storage and retrieval facility to which reports can be distributed with ReportCaster.
The Report Library has the ability to:
Save multiple versions of the same output.
Request notifications of new report versions (watch list).
Set an expiration time.
Keep a specified number of versions.
Compress the files stored in the Library.

90. The Report Library
The Report Library is available only to ReportCaster users who have been granted Library privileges.
Library Access List – Define the users and groups who are allowed to view the output of schedules distributed to the Report Library.
Library Content – Allows you to view the contents of the reports in the Library from:
The resource tree accessible from the BI Portal, Dashboard or App Studio
The ReportCaster Explorer interface with:
Library Report
Watch List
The with URL link to the content in the Report Library

91. The Report Library
The Report Library reports you are authorized to view are:
Library reports you own.
Published in a folder you are authorized to access and view content from.
Shared in a folder you are authorized to access and view content from.

92. Scenario: Report Library
Brian Welcker wants a 10 highest sales product report available only to designated Regional Sales Analysts.
A maximum of four versions of the report will be retained.

93. The Report Library
Create a new Library Access List.

94. The Report Library
Enter Regional Sales Analysts as the Title and click the Add New icon.

95. The Report Library
Add new members for the burst values.

96. The Report Library
Save your new Library Access List.

97. The Report Library
Schedule your report for distribution.

98. The Report Library
Select the Top10 products procedure and burst the report.

99. The Report Library
Select Report Library for Distributions.

100. The Report Library
Select the new Regional Sales Analysts library list.
Limit the distribution to expire after 4 versions.

101. The Report Library
Run the Top Sales Reports schedule.

102. The Report Library
Check Amy Albert’s .

103. The Report Library
If authorized, you can view the versions of the report.

104. The Report Library
Library Watch List
The Library Watch List provides a quick and easy way to focus on information that is of interest to you.
You can add any Library report you are authorized to access to the Watch List, whether or not you own it.
You can add or remove a Library report to the Watch List using the Subscribe and Unsubscribe options available when a Library report is selected.
In the Resource tree, the small sign inside the Library report icon is telling us that we have a report attached to the Watch List. All versions from the Resource tree are available.
When you use Watch List from the ReportCaster Explorer interface, only the most current version of the report is available.

105. The Report Library
Library Watch List
Add the Top Quantity Sales Library report to your watch list.

106. The Report Library The report is now added to the Watch List.
Library Watch List
The report is now added to the Watch List.
A very small square in the bottom left corner of the Library report icon as notification that the report is part of the watch list.

107. Challenge Your Understanding - Question
Which statement is not true regarding a Watch List?
You can add or remove a Library report to your Watch List at will.
When a report is bursted, separate Library reports for each burst value appear in the Repository tree.
You cannot specify an output format that is different from the one specified in the original report.

108. Challenge Your Understanding - Answer
Which statement is not true regarding a Watch List?
You can add or remove a Library report to your Watch List at will.
When a report is bursted, separate Library reports for each burst value appear in the Repository tree.
You cannot specify an output format that is different from the one specified in the original report.

109. The ReportCaster Explorer

110. The ReportCaster Explorer
The ReportCaster Explorer interface provides users with the ability to obtain a list of ReportCaster items, by type, displayed with detail column information specific to the item type selected.
The ReportCaster Explorer allows users to access and maintain ReportCaster items from one, unified, interface, even if each ReportCaster item can be also accessed from the Content (Repository) of the BI Portal, or App Studio.
Access to the ReportCaster Explorer is controlled by the WebFOCUS Client Security Authorization Model.

111. The ReportCaster Explorer
Three options are available in the ReportCaster Explorer:
Organize — displays the options the user is authorized to use for the ReportCaster item.
Item Filters — allows the user to specify whether to list:
Schedules
Distribution Lists
Access Lists
Library Reports
Watch Lists
List Files — lists items based on the selected filter, in the current folder or in the current folder and subfolders.

112. The ReportCaster Explorer
Authorized users can access the ReportCaster Explorer option from the:
Folder context menu (right-click the folder) - the selected folder location is passed to ReportCaster Explorer so that the same folder is the selected folder in the ReportCaster Explorer tree. Schedules the user can access are listed in the right panel.
Tools option located on the BI Portal and Portal Menu Bar - the Content folder is the default folder location and is expanded to list the folders the user is authorized to access.

113. The ReportCaster Explorer
Right-click the Marketing folder and select ReportCaster Explorer.

114. The ReportCaster Explorer
From the Item Filter drop-down list in the ReportCaster Explorer toolbar, select Schedule.

115. The ReportCaster Explorer
Organize displays the options the user is authorized to use for the ReportCaster item.

116. The ReportCaster Explorer
From the Item Filter drop-down list, select Distribution List.

117. The ReportCaster Explorer
Select Access List.

118. The ReportCaster Explorer
Select Library Report.

119. The ReportCaster Explorer
When a Library Report is selected the available versions are displayed in a pane below the library report listing.

120. The ReportCaster Explorer
You can also select a Watch List.
A Watch List report is a Library Report the user has requested to be on their Watch List.

121. The ReportCaster Explorer
List Files allows the user to change the depth of the folder.

122. What’s Next? If You Are Going to Be: Then You Should Take:
A developer who needs to automate the scheduling, distribution and storage of information to multiple groups of users.
ReportCaster, the WebFOCUS report delivery engine, allows you to schedule WebFOCUS reports, any file (including legacy reports or third- party files), or the contents of a URL, and send the output in a variety of formats via FTP, printer, , fax, mobile device or to the optional Report Library.
Working with ReportCaster
A developer who needs to improve your application functionality and user experience by taking advantage of the powerful features and abilities available for metadata.
Metadata Essentials – Part 2

123. Contact Us – Customer Education
Our Curriculum includes:
Instructor-Led Online Training
Online Movie Library
Instructor-Led Seminar
eGuide Subscription
Self-Paced Training

124. Please Contact Us Call 1-800-969-INFO
Visit us on the Web at \education

125. Presentation: Review Introduction to ReportCaster
Working with Schedules
Distribution Lists
Bursting Reports
Distributing to the Report Library
The ReportCaster Explorer

126. Socialize to Win! Daily Prizes Awarded!
Tweet and
tag #IBSummit during the event!
in your #IBSummit pics!
Check our Summit Facebook & LinkedIn pages
for updates, photos, and announcements