5.1 SR-2 Release Overview

Transcription

1 Release Date: July 15, 2005 Contents Introduction...2 Compatibility with Previous Versions...2 Data Engine Users (XP3 Data Workshop, XP3 Data Integrator, and XP3 Dimensional Data Loader)...2 New Features and Enhancements...3 Include only fact-members option when extracting a local cube file...3 Support for MS Analysis Services Named Sets...4 Empty dictionary before import in XP3 Automation...5 Performance Enhancements...6 System Requirements...7 Client Requirements...7 Automation Server Requirements...8 Database Server Requirements...8 Microsoft Component Versions SR-2 Release Overview Abstract: This document provides a detailed overview of XP3 Suite Version 5.1 SR-2 released July 15, Sections within the document detail each new enhancement, describe compatibility issues related to updating, and list all updated requirements. This document is intended for all current and prospective users and IT personnel who aid in the implementation and deployment of Interactive Edge s XP3 Suite. Interactive Edge, LLC 23 West 18th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY Phone: Fax:

2 Introduction Interactive Edge has enhanced its XP3 product offering based on user feedback. XP3 Suite Version 5.1 SR- 2 includes enhancements to the XP3 Presentation Builder, data engine and automation components for improved scalability, performance and usability. Interactive Edge believes these latest enhancements continue to strengthen XP3 Suite s position as the premier data analysis and presentation building tool on the market today. Compatibility with Previous Versions Interactive Edge makes every attempt to minimize the impact of updating to new versions. Backwards compatibility is always maintained, meaning that all users can use older versions of their presentations and databases. Even though backwards compatibility is maintained, forwards compatibility cannot always be maintained with database schemas, meaning that users cannot use newer versions of the database with older versions of the software. Therefore, it is recommended that all users update to the latest version at the same time to avoid compatibility issues. Interactive Edge strongly recommends that all users upgrade to the latest version in order to take advantage of the new enhancements. However, this section details the considerations to take when updating individual or groups of users to the current version. Data Engine Users (XP3 Data Workshop, XP3 Data Integrator, and XP3 Dimensional Data Loader) No changes have been made to database schema for this version. Therefore, if you are currently on XP3 version 5.1 (or any if its SRs), there are no specific considerations for Data Engine Users. However, if you are upgrading from a version prior to 5.1, it is highly recommended that you upgrade the entire user base concurrently to avoid compatibility issues. 2

3 New Features and Enhancements This section outlines the specific enhancements and features contained in this release. Each feature or enhancement includes a detailed description, affected components, implications, and technical notes. Screenshots are provided where applicable for the particular feature being described. Include only fact-members option when extracting a local cube file. This feature gives users of Presentation Builder and Viewer the option to extract only elements that contains facts when slicing from a Microsoft Analysis Services database to a local OLAP cube. Components Affected. XP3 Presentation Builder Enterprise, XP3 Presentation Viewer Enterprise Specifics and Implications By default, XP3 will include only members containing fact information, which is the faster option. However, if the cube selection contains any members without facts (for example MDX calculated members), this check box must be deselected. For more information about the presence of members without facts in the server cube, please contact the designer of the cube. Technical Notes None 3

4 Support for MS Analysis Services Named Sets This feature gives users of Presentation Builder and Viewer the option to utilize powerful analysis defined in the cube design via the new set selection filter. Components Affected XP3 Presentation Builder Enterprise, XP3 Presentation Viewer Enterprise, XP3 Automation Specifics and Implications The new feature is represented by a new filter in the XP3 Selector tool. When the user is connected to MS Analysis Services cube, which contains named sets, the new filter is enabled. When selected, this filter displays all the named sets stored in the cube related to the appropriate dimension. The user can then select the named set when creating or refreshing charts, tables or when applying global and template selection. The end result is the ability to bind end-user presentation reports to robust KPI type of analysis defined in the cube design and the ability to refresh these reports without having to change the selections in the presentation. When a local cube is sliced off of a MS Analysis Server cube while packing\off-lining a presentation or as part of an XP3 Automation routine, if the sub-cube definition contains set selections, the local cube will be created with equivalent named sets reflecting the contents of the corresponding server-cube named sets. Technical Notes None 4

5 Empty dictionary before import in XP3 Automation This feature allows users of XP3 Automation the option to clear the existing dictionary items list of the destination library prior to import.. Components Affected XP3 Automation XP3 Data Integrator Import Task Specifics and Implications In the XP3 Data Integrator Import DTS Task there is now an additional option in the Destination area. The checkbox, Empty dictionary before import gives the user the option clear out any existing dictionary items in the destination library. If the user unchecks this option, then the import will append to the existing dictionary items list. Technical Notes This option is only available for Dictionary Items 5

6 Performance Enhancements Performance of XP3 s user interface, data querying, automation components and data management modules has been enhanced. Components Affected All Specifics and Implications For information on particular performance enhancements, please contact your Interactive Edge representative or contact our helpdesk at (212) x411. Technical Notes None 6

7 System Requirements Client Requirements General Hardware and Software Requirements General Requirements Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements Processor Pentium II 400 MHz Pentium III 667 MHz Operating System Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 Microsoft Office Office 2000, Office XP, Office 2003 Office 2000, Office XP, Office 2003 Memory 128 MB RAM 256 MB RAM Hard Disk 1 80 MB 100 MB Browser Internet Explorer 4.01 SP2 Internet Explorer 4.01 SP2 or higher Operating System Requirements Service Packs Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements Windows 98 2 SE SE Windows NT Workstation 2 SP6a SP6a Windows 2000 Professional SP2 SP2 Windows XP Home Edition or Professional None SP1 Microsoft Office Requirements Service Packs Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1 SR-2 Microsoft Office XP SP1 SP3 Microsoft Office 2003 None Latest available updates Database Client Requirements Versions Tested Oracle Client SQL Server ODBC Drivers Microsoft Access ODBC Driver Pivot Table Service* Decision Support Objects** 1 Additional hard disk space required for presentation and data files 2 XP3 Presentation Generation Column Provider not supported with this operation system. 3 Oracle 9i ( ) is required when storing XP3 Data Workshop databases within Oracle. Oracle 8 or greater can be used if the Oracle database is used only as a source for reading. * Components are supplied by Interactive Edge in the Redist folder on the installation CD. ** Microsoft Hot fix included on the CD 7

8 Automation Server Requirements General Hardware and Software Requirements General Requirements Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements Processor Dependent on database size Dependent on database size Operating System Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 Memory Dependent on database size Dependent on database size Hard Disk Dependent on database size Dependent on database size MDAC Operating System Requirements Required Service Packs Windows NT Workstation 6 Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP Windows Server 2003 SP6a SP2 SP1 None Database Server Requirements Software and Hardware Requirements RDBMS Oracle SQL Server Microsoft Access 4.0 MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Edition)* Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services Enterprise XML for Analysis 7* 1.1 Hardware Requirements Dependent on database size and database vendor. Consult vendor for more details on hardware configuration of database server. 4 Included in the installation - if the machine is installed with MDAC 2.6 or higher, MS Jet 4.0 must be installed. Windows 2000 SP1 includes MDAC 2.5 SP2. Windows XP SP1 includes MDAC 2.7 SP1. 5 Oracle 9i ( ) is required when storing XP3 Data Workshop databases within Oracle. Oracle 8 or greater can be used if the Oracle database is used only as a source for reading. 6 XP3 Presentation Generation Column Provider not supported. 7 Required when using the OLEDB2XMLA provider. * Components are supplied by Interactive Edge in the Redist folder on the installation CD. 8

9 Microsoft Component Versions Component Version.NET Framework * 1.1 MDAC 8* 2.7 Windows Scripting Host* 5.6 Microsoft XML* ATL MFC Microsoft C Runtime Library Microsoft C++ Runtime Library Microsoft Common Dialog Control Microsoft Component Category Manager Library Microsoft Data Formatting Object Library Microsoft FlexGrid Control Microsoft Jet Database Engine 4.0 SP5 Microsoft OLE for Windows NT and Windows Microsoft Tabbed Dialog Control Microsoft Visual Basic Virtual Machine Microsoft Windows Common Controls Microsoft Windows Common Controls MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Edition) 9 * Pivot Table Service 9* Decision Support Objects 9* ADOMD.NET MDAC Version Notes: MDAC 2.5 SP-2 is included in the installation. The.NET Framework requires MDAC 2.7. If the machine is installed with MDAC 2.6 or higher, MS Jet 4.0 must be installed. Windows 2000 SP1 includes MDAC 2.5 SP2. Windows XP SP1 includes MDAC 2.7 SP1. 9 Optional components can be deselected from XP3 Suite installation. * Components are supplied by Interactive Edge in the Redist folder on the installation CD. 9