Wednesday, 30 March 2016

HFM 11.1.2.4.200 Copy Application in a new way

In 11.1.2.3 HFM  we have the great copy application which always saved us from the HFM migrations . but in 11.1.2.4 to remove the dependency of the Windows O.S , Oracle has removed the utility for copying the applications .

but in the 11.1.2.4.200 patch oracle has provided a DB with GUI utility which will do the copy application very easily .

Let see how can we do this .

For this demo purpose we will have two VM's HFM1 and HFM2 running on same OS verion and same Database/EPM version .

Windows 2008 R2 OS
Oracle DB 11.2.0.4
EPM verison 11.1.2.4
Patchset 21225611

Just for the reference below are the screenshots for the EPM 11.1.2.4 HFM module.



















After the installation go ahead and apply the 21225611 patch as well . Please check the README document which has additional ADF patches , these are mandatory and need to be applied before this patch .


Start the services after all the configuration and patching is successful . Verify the version in the workspace .



Let utilize the sample apps that we get when we install the HFM client . go to the below directory 

for this exercise we will use the application COMM4DIM and COMM7DIM . copy the LCM files of these applications and place them in the import_export folder and unzip them .

Import the applications now suing shared services console through LCM 






So at this point our HFM1 server is ready with the application . 

Following all the steps to create the HFM2 server but don't create the application

Our goal is to migrate the HFM application from HFM1 to HFM2 server . 

Lets use the Import application utility in the Consolidation Administration provided in this version.



To activate the above feature we need to utilize a Package which we get as part of patch .


This DB package will be used to create DBLINK in the Destination DB pointing to the Source DB . 

Also this package needs to be executed in the HFM2 Database using the DB user used for HFM configuration.

HFM db user need to have the create database link grant to do the following.



Lets create the package in the destination database using the hfm user.


Once the package is created . Lets run the procedure to create the DBLINK.



Format:
begin
hfmutil_pkg.CreateDBLink('SRC_IP','SRC_PORT','SRC_USR','SRC_PWD','SRC_SID','DBLINKNAME');
end;

Example:
begin
hfmutil_pkg.CreateDBLink('10.0.2.15','1522','hyp','hyp','ORCL','HFM1_HFM2');
end;



As the DB Link is created , we are good to go with the import application.

launch the Consolidation Administration in the HFM2 server . If the DBlink is created properly then the  below screen should appear .


Click on import application after giving all the necessary parameters and check the status . 



Look for the status , it should be COMPLETED . Check the log (blue ribbon)

Go back to applications screens where you should see the COMM4DIM . Register the application to the cluster 



Open the application in the destination server . 


Some things to note:

  • If you are using filters in the import application phase , Make sure you dont give everything at once . If you have a lot of scenarios and years , all will not fit in and the import will fail . So choose the filters properly.
  • If the source application is a EPMA application , still the same process will apply but the application should be upgraded to EPMA after the process.
  • The import process fails if there is no free disk space or proper permissions . The log file will be giving all the required errors and warnings.
  • The HFMUTIL package is used for the import application process . So don't delete the Package after creating the DBLINK.



Please comment if you are having any issues while following the above process.






Thursday, 10 March 2016

Get Smart: Know about Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT)
 It’s 2016 and with the advancement of technology and growth in products offering improvement in our daily lives we see development of new smart devices each day, with tons of design ideas coming up for more innovative tools. These devices in turn have potential to provide us with real time data. Internet of Things (IoT) is interconnected devices providing real time data which enables businesses/customers to process this data in order to improve their existing services and providing an insight on how to further expand to newer service lines.
IoT definition simplified:
“Data is taken from devices and transferred to backend applications (using cloud service) and this data will in-turn help businesses to determine ways to enable reduction in costs, provide more meaningful services.”
To help understand what type of data can be generated, let’s look at some scenario.
IoT Scenario 1:
At present we have approximately close to 1.5-2 billion smartphone users in 2016. Imagine the data that can be generated by a smartphone user, let’s say Ryan. Now user Ryan can provide a smartphone company with tons of information based on how he utilizes his device. Data can be generated on basis of (sample e.g.)
- Time spent on apps
- Phone charging cycle
- Duration on web
- Even basic accelerometer app
IoT Scenario 2:
Let’s assume a smart-watch/band/ring/key-chain device. Now our user Ryan has a device, let’s say a smart band on him for most of the time. Ryan wears this device when he is awake or asleep, at home or workplace, while exercising and also at social events.
There is real time data which is available for the device manufacturer and also for the fitness/sports companies. The data is also available for medical companies.
(Perfect case e.g.: Use of mobile devices by doctors in healthcare industry, to monitor the status of patient’s health).
IoT Scenario 3:
Ryan travels daily 2-3 towns across to reach his workplace. For commuting he frequently uses his car. Data can be generated on the basis of his driving style or a car’s current condition can be monitored, along with useful data like the next schedule for car repair. In short features like predicting the next maintenance of machines, better energy consumption utilization is possible.

Here Ryan being an end user is generating several 'kilobytes' of data daily. At the end of the year it will automatically cross 'megabytes' of data. Imagine just like Ryan imagine billions of users/devices just generating terabyte’s of data which can be further put to use by firms offering their services.

Companies are aware offering a product/service might achieve profits, but providing continuous betterment in services is also highly essential. IoT can be used to provide smarter solutions and help maintain better relations with customers directly helping in growth of operators.

Some big IoT solution providers are Oracle and SAP
Oracle Internet of Things – Cloud Service:
With Oracle IoT cloud service, business users can use IoT data into existing applications. The data generated can help operators to provide more relevant and improved services to end users. This cloud service environment can be accessed using Oracle IoT Cloud Service Management Console (web browser enabled) and REST API calls (to administer cloud service)
Data from different types of devices is used and pushed to Oracle IoT Cloud Service (it has capabilities like device endpoint management, cache, Oracle BICS, Oracle Integration cloud services).
Oracle IoT cloud service allows remotely procuring data from generic devices (by allowing users to connect devices via cloud) and combining this IoT data into applications for providing data analysis using Oracle BICS and also integrate data with enterprise applications, web services
For more information about the features overview scroll on to the following Oracle IoT cloud service – main features overview, and to understand on how to get started check Oracle IoT cloud service subscriptions.

SAP HANA Cloud Platform – Internet of Things (IoT):
SAP provides by a platform to build and run applications that uses IoT. The in-memory platform helps to manage devices while collecting real time information. It provides for ease of use and access of devices along with the flexibility to control them remotely.
It also gives secure transmission of data into the SAP HANA Cloud Platform.  
Overview of SAP HANA Cloud Platform IoT
 Check out the architecture overview to read more.
This platform uses algorithms to predict business outcomes. It also provides additional features like text analysis, geospatial processing and operational intelligence, telematics and more. There is a direct device connection option possible or via third party device cloud.
SAP promises users with immediate transformation in their existing business processes and improvement in customer experience.

Summary:
There are several IoT tools available for implementation, but its acceptance has fairly been low due to concerns revolving the security but more primarily the main factor is the there is no clear application in case of IoT. Another key issue is the cost factor which the end users have to bear for these products.
 Some recent newly launched products that exist in the market namely Cisco CIVS-IPC-7070 (IP camera), or the ARM Cortex-M processors used in motor control or house hold applications, or health monitors. A classic example of an IoT device would be the Amazon’s Echo device.


- Aniket Handoo
(These opinions are my own and not the views of my company)