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    • Important ibi product info

      Angela Hildack posted an article in Articles,

      On July 25, 2024, ibi announced the launch of the new ibi Platform and associated offerings: ibi Analytics, ibi Mainframe, and ibi Data Intelligence. As part of this announcement, ibi products–including WebFOCUS and FOCUS–continue to be offered to our customers through these new platform offerings.
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      Paul Thompson

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      Paul Thompson,
    • Unlocking the Power of Predictive Analytics with ibi WebFOCUS

      Karishma Khadge posted an article in Articles,

      How WebFOCUS Integrates Predictive Analytics

      Data Integration and Preparation
      WebFOCUS excels in integrating and preparing data from diverse sources. Before predictive modeling can be performed, data must be cleaned, transformed, and aggregated. WebFOCUS provides powerful ETL (extract, transform, load) tools that ensure your data is accurate and ready for analysis. The platform supports integration with various data sources, including databases, cloud services, and big data environments.
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      Paul Thompson

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      Paul Thompson,
    • Big news: ibi platform launch

      Hannah Knox posted a topic in ibi Community FAQ / Feedback,

      BIG announcement! We are thrilled to announce the release of the new ibi™ platform offerings–simplified to reduce complexity and optimized to deliver maximum value for ibi customers: ibi™ Mainframe, ibi™  Analytics, and ibi™ Data Intelligence. These new offerings bring ibi’s industry-leading products into an unlimited model–unlimited users, usage, and environments. This shift to unlimited ibi platform offerings is a landmark event for ibi users everywhere, as with it, the possibilities for our customers’ success also become
      unlimited. Read more in this blog from ibi VP, Vijay Raman: https://www.ibi.com/blog/announcing-the-ibi-platform
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      Paul Thompson

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      Paul Thompson,
    • Introduction to Data Flows in Designer

      Alexander Homer posted a topic in WebFOCUS,

      Before you can create your charts and reports in Designer, you need data to report against.  Often, you can use a single Master File to provide data for your content, but at other times, this data may be broken up into multiple data sources that could be used together for further insights.  This is where the data tab comes in.  In this video, I'll show an example of how to create a union and a join, select and calculate fields to facilitate the flow, and generate a HOLD file.  Whether you've used the join and HOLD file options in InfoAssist or App Studio and want to see how it's done in Designer, or you're new to the Data tab, this video provides a high-level example of the data prep process.If you want to skip ahead to a particular step, you can use the timestamps below:

      Reviewing Data - 1:50


      Opening Designer - 4:10


      Creating a Union - 4:47


      Creating a Join - 7:25


      Generating a HOLD File from a data flow - 10:02


      Checking the data flow results by creating a chart - 12:11




      Check out the video below, and feel free to ask any questions in the comment section!

       

       
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      Dave Pfeiffer

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      Dave Pfeiffer,

Welcome to the ibi Community

See recent community activity

  • [Important] Information Regarding ibi Products
    On July 25, 2024, ibi announced the launch of the new ibi Platform and associated offerings: ibi Analytics, ibi Mainframe, and ibi Data Intelligence. As part of this announcement, ibi products–including WebFOCUS and FOCUS–continue to be offered to our customers through these new platform offerings.
    In conjunction with the release of the new ibi platform offerings, our customers received product retirement and end of sale notices for specific stand-alone product SKUs. Rest assured, our key offerings are available in the ibi platform offerings designed to maximize value for our customers through unlimited users, usage, and environments.
    The new platform offerings are as follows:
    ibi Analytics contains products from the following previous SKUs:
    ibi WebFOCUS - Basic/Standard/Enterprise Editions ibi WebFOCUS - Container Edition ibi Data Migrator ibi WebFOCUS Omni Application Premium Adapter ibi Mainframe contains products from the following previous SKUs:
    ibi FOCUS ibi Open Data Hub for Mainframe ibi iWay Service Manager ibi iWay Service Manager EDI Add-on (Trading Partner Manager) ibi WebFOCUS - Basic/Standard/Enterprise Editions ibi Data Migrator ibi WebFOCUS Omni Premium Mainframe Adapter ibi Data Intelligence contains products from the following previous SKUs:
    ibi Data Intelligence - Basic/Standard/Enterprise Editions ibi Data Quality ibi iWay Service Manager ibi iWay Service Manager EDI Add-on (Trading Partner Manager) ibi Data Migrator ibi WebFOCUS Omni Application Premium Adapter Additionally, ibi Address Service is available as an add-on to ibi Data Intelligence for address verification within Data Quality. More information about the new offerings can be found in this ibi Platform announcement blog by Vijay Raman.
    As of September 1, 2024, all renewals and new subscriptions will align to the new offerings above. Certain public sector customers may be subject to an exception to this change. 
    Additional information about the earlier product retirement and end of sale notices may be found in the articles 000053903 and 000053904, at http://support.tibco.com. 
    If you have additional questions, please contact your account manager or reach out via Contact Us page.
     
    Angela Hildack

    By Angela Hildack

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    Unlocking the Power of Predictive Analytics with ibi WebFOCUS
    How WebFOCUS Integrates Predictive Analytics
    Data Integration and Preparation
    WebFOCUS excels in integrating and preparing data from diverse sources. Before predictive modeling can be performed, data must be cleaned, transformed, and aggregated. WebFOCUS provides powerful ETL (extract, transform, load) tools that ensure your data is accurate and ready for analysis. The platform supports integration with various data sources, including databases, cloud services, and big data environments.
    Predictive Modeling - Machine Learning
    WebFOCUS includes built-in predictive modeling capabilities that allow users to build and deploy machine learning models directly within the platform. The integration of predictive analytics features simplifies the process of creating algorithms to forecast trends and outcomes. Users can choose from a range of machine learning techniques, including regression analysis, binary classification, anomaly detection, clustering, and time-series forecasting.
    User-Friendly Visualization and Reporting
    Visualization is a crucial aspect of predictive analytics. WebFOCUS provides a rich set of visualizations that help users interpret complex data and predictive models easily. From interactive dashboards to detailed reports, WebFOCUS ensures that predictions are presented in a clear and actionable format. This allows stakeholders to make informed decisions based on the insights generated by predictive models.
    Practical Applications of Predictive Analytics with WebFOCUS
    Customer Behavior Analysis
    By analyzing historical customer data, WebFOCUS predictive analytics can help businesses understand purchasing patterns, segment customers, and forecast future buying behaviors. This insight can drive targeted marketing campaigns, improve customer retention, and enhance overall customer experience.
    Operational Efficiency
    Predictive analytics can be applied to optimize operational processes. For example, businesses can forecast inventory levels, predict equipment maintenance needs, and streamline supply chain operations. WebFOCUS helps organizations anticipate potential disruptions and make proactive adjustments.
    Financial Forecasting
    Financial planning and analysis benefit greatly from predictive analytics. WebFOCUS enables accurate forecasting of revenue, expenses, and cash flow. By analyzing financial trends and market conditions, businesses can make strategic investment decisions and manage financial risks effectively.
    Risk Management
    Identifying and mitigating risks is crucial for any organization. WebFOCUS predictive analytics can assess potential risks and vulnerabilities by analyzing historical data and external factors. This proactive approach helps businesses develop strategies to minimize risks and protect their assets.
    Getting Started with Predictive Analytics in WebFOCUS
    To leverage predictive analytics in WebFOCUS, follow these steps:
    Define Your Objectives
    Clearly outline the goals of your predictive analytics project. What questions are you trying to answer? What outcomes are you looking to achieve?
    Prepare Your Data
    Use WebFOCUS’s data integration tools to gather and clean your data. Ensure that your dataset is comprehensive and relevant to your predictive modeling needs.
    Train Machine Learning Models
    Utilize WebFOCUS’s predictive modeling capabilities to create and test your models. Choose the appropriate algorithms and techniques based on your objectives and data characteristics.
    Visualize and Interpret Results
    Create visualizations and reports to present your predictive insights. Make sure the results are understandable and actionable for your stakeholders.
    Run Machine Learning Models
    Embed predictive models into your business processes. Adjust and refine models as needed based on new data and changing conditions.
    Conclusion
    Predictive analytics is a game-changer for businesses seeking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. With WebFOCUS, organizations can seamlessly integrate predictive analytics into their data strategy, unlocking valuable insights and making more informed decisions. By leveraging WebFOCUS’s advanced capabilities, businesses can transform data into a strategic asset, driving growth and innovation.
     
    Karishma Khadge

    By Karishma Khadge

    0
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    Enhancing User Experience with SET Commands in Designer in v9.3.0
    Taking Control of Your Data with Ease
    In the dynamic world of data manipulation and report generation, having the ability to fine-tune settings is essential for achieving desired results. Traditionally, managing SET commands in WebFOCUS has been a complex process requiring manual adjustments outside the Designer interface. To address this, we're excited to introduce a new feature in v9.3.0: the SET Command can now be accessed from the Designer UI via a dialog box while authoring content.

    Introducing the SET Command Dialog Box
    The new SET Command feature can be accessed through a dedicated icon on the top toolbar. Clicking this icon opens the "Manage SET Command" dialog box, which offers a comprehensive list of SET commands and their corresponding options. This update aims to provide users with more control and flexibility without needing to resort to text editors, thus maintaining the integrity and re-openability of procedures in Designer.


    Key Features and Benefits
    Comprehensive Command List: The dialog box presents a comprehensive list of commonly used SET commands, allowing you to easily identify and modify the ones that impact your data. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and additional SET commands can be added upon request. Intuitive Interface: With clear explanations and default values, the dialog box simplifies the configuration process, even for users new to SET commands. Enhanced Flexibility: Gain greater control over your reports by customizing settings like data formatting, display options, and more. Improved Efficiency: Save time and effort by managing SET commands directly within Designer, eliminating the need for external adjustments. Maintainable Procedures: Ensure the integrity and re-usability of your Designer procedures by keeping all settings within the interface.
    Understanding Key SET Commands
    To provide a better understanding of the SET commands available, here's a brief overview of some commonly used options:
    ASNAMES: Controls the display of aliases in reports. BASEURL: Specifies the base URL for relative links in HTML output. CDN: Defines the character used to separate column values in CSV output. COLLATION: Sets the character collation for data sorting and comparison. CSSURL: Specifies the URL for an external CSS stylesheet. DEFCENT: Determines the default decimal place for numeric values. DRILLMETHOD: Specifies the method used for drill-through actions. EMBEDHEADING: Controls whether to embed the report heading in the HTML output. EMPTYREPORT: Defines the content of an empty report. HIDENULLACRS: Determines whether to hide null values in cross-tab reports. HOLDLIST: Controls the behavior of the hold list in interactive reports. HTMLEMBEDIMG: Specifies how images are embedded in HTML output. HTMLENCODE: Controls HTML encoding of characters. JPEGQUALITY: Sets the JPEG image quality for output. JSURLS: Specifies URLs for external JavaScript files. LANG: Sets the language for report output. MESSAGE: Controls the display of error messages. MISSING: Determines how missing values are handled. NODATA: Specifies the content to display when there is no data. PRINTPLUS: Controls additional printing options. RANK: Defines the method used for ranking data. SHOWBLANKS: Determines whether to display blank rows or columns. TITLES: Controls the display of report titles. UNITS: Specifies the measurement units for report output. YRTHRESH: Sets the threshold for year-based calculations. User Interaction and Reset Functionality
    The SET Command feature is available in Author mode and Document mode but not in Assemble only mode. SET commands apply at the page level for authored pages, ensuring consistency across items. The same applies to Document mode. Users have the ability to view and modify previously set commands. A "Reset" button is available to revert all commands to their default state. An info icon is integrated into the UI, providing descriptions of SET commands similar to the functionality seen in App Studio. This help feature remains visible while interacting with each command. Empowering Users
    By placing SET command management directly within the Designer interface that can be accessed while authoring content, we aim to empower users to create more effective and tailored reports and charts. This new feature is a significant step towards enhancing user experience and productivity within Designer.
     
    Aniket Awchare

    By Aniket Awchare

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    User-Centric Data Visualization Best Practices with WebFOCUS- ibi UX Talks
    In today's data-driven world, businesses need effective data visualizations to make informed decisions and ibi™ WebFOCUS® stands out by offering user-centric design solutions that transform complex data into intuitive visual insights. Here are some best practices to enhance your data visualizations using WebFOCUS.
    Know Your Audience
    Before designing any visualization, it's essential to understand your audience or persona. Who will be consuming this visualization? Are they executives needing high-level overviews or analysts requiring detailed data? Tailoring your visuals to the audience's needs ensures better comprehension and engagement with the visualization.
    Make it Simple
    WebFOCUS allows for sophisticated data integrations, but simplicity is key. Use Progressive disclosure technique to build clear, concise charts and provide a clear interaction to access more details. In short, avoid overloading users with too much information at once. Interactive features can help users drill down into details without cluttering the main view.
    Choose the Right Visuals
    Selecting appropriate visualization types is very Important. For instance, use bar charts for comparisons, line charts for trends over time, and pie charts for part-to-whole relationships. WebFOCUS provides a variety of visualization options to match your data’s story. Knowing effective data visualization is crucial, and the Data Visualisation Catalog is a comprehensive resource for enhancing your data storytelling skills. It offers an extensive array of visualization types, each described in detail with examples and best use cases. Whether you're a seasoned data analyst or a beginner, this catalog can help you find the perfect visual representation for your data, ensuring clarity and impact in your presentations and reports.
    Consistency is Key
    Maintain consistency in colors, fonts, and styles across your visualizations. This not only makes your dashboards look professional but also helps users quickly recognise patterns and insights. Collaborate with your administrators to create custom themes that align with your organization's needs and ensure every visualization is consistent.
    Leverage Interactivity
    Interactive dashboards are more engaging and informative. WebFOCUS enables features like tooltips, drill-downs, and filtering, allowing users to interact with the data and explore it in depth. This interactivity leads to more meaningful insights.
    Test and Iterate your Data Visuals
    Talk to your users, gather feedback and continually refine your visualizations.
    Conclusion
    By focusing on user-centric design principles, you can create powerful, effective data visualizations with WebFOCUS. These best practices will help ensure that your visualizations are not only visually appealing but also highly functional and user-friendly. While these principles provide a solid foundation, don't be afraid to experiment and innovate. Sometimes, stepping outside the conventional boundaries can lead to groundbreaking output. Trust your instincts and use your best judgment to create visuals that truly resonate with your users.
    Sagar Kamde

    By Sagar Kamde

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    Enhancing the UX of WebFOCUS ReportCaster: A Path to Improved Efficiency and User Satisfaction
    Introduction
    User experience (UX) is paramount in today's fast-paced digital world. A refined UX can significantly boost efficiency and user satisfaction for tools like WebFOCUS ReportCaster, which play a pivotal role in business intelligence and reporting, enabling users to schedule, manage, and distribute reports. However, as user expectations evolve, it's crucial to enhance the UI/UX of ReportCaster to ensure it remains intuitive, efficient, and engaging. This article delves into key UX enhancements that have transformed WebFOCUS ReportCaster into an even more powerful and intuitive tool.
     
     
    Understanding the Current UX
    We tried to solve the problem with the old UI, the Bindows UI, which needed to be updated, and consistent with our new branding. It was slightly harder to use. It didn’t have a modern look and feel like any modern UI. Once we applied the design principles and contemporary UI, which we’ve applied with the rest of the Hub, we would achieve a better User Experience for ReportCaster.
    Also, ReportCaster was a separate tool. We tried to integrate it into the Hub. We made an effort to streamline the workflow where we have unified the visual design and made sure it looks like it’s part of the larger tool.
     
     
    Identified Key Areas for Improvement
    Users have highlighted several areas where the UX could be improved, including 
    Streamlined Navigation: Simplifying navigation to reduce clutter and improve ease of use.
    Modernized Interface Design: Making the UI consistent with the rest of the Hub, which has the new product branding, which is more intuitive and engaging.
    The above two UX improvements are achieved in the ReportCaster Scheduler, Distribution List and Access List, released in the 9.3 version. We’ve followed the same UX enhancements for ReportCaster Explorer which will be available in the coming release. Let’s talk in more detail about how these specific enhancements were achieved.
     
    Implemented UX Enhancements
    1. Streamlined Navigation
    Implement a cleaner, more intuitive, minimalist design that reduces clutter and makes navigation straightforward. Group related functionalities logically and ensure that key features are easily accessible from the Hub.
     
    2. Modernized Interface Design
    Modernizing the interface design of WebFOCUS ReportCaster is a critical step towards enhancing the overall user experience. A well-designed interface looks aesthetically pleasing and improves usability, accessibility, and efficiency. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
     
    Adopting a Minimalist Design Approach
    Less Clutter, More Focus: Simplify the interface by removing unnecessary elements. Focus on the essential functions and information, ensuring users can easily find what they need without distractions.
    Whitespace Utilization: Use whitespace effectively to create a clean and balanced layout. Whitespace helps differentiate elements, making the interface less overwhelming and easier to navigate.
     
    Implementing a Consistent Design Language
    Uniform Style: Use a consistent design language throughout the interface. This includes uniform fonts, colors, buttons, and icons. Consistency helps users familiarize themselves with the interface quickly and reduces cognitive load.
    Design System: Use the existing design system or style guide that outlines the visual and interaction patterns to be used across the platform. This ensures that all UI components are cohesive and aligned.
     
    Enhancing Visual Hierarchy
    Prioritizing Content: Arrange interface elements in a way that reflects their importance. Use size, color, and placement to guide users’ attention to the most critical elements first.
    Clear Call-to-Actions: Design buttons and links that stand out. Ensure that primary actions are prominently displayed and secondary actions are easily accessible but less visually dominant.
     
    Accessibility Considerations
    Color Contrast and Readability: Ensure that the color contrast between the text and background is sufficient for readability. Use accessible fonts and font sizes to cater to users with visual impairments.
    Keyboard Navigation: Design the interface to be fully navigable using a keyboard. Include focus indicators and shortcuts to assist users who rely on keyboard navigation.
    In short, eliminate the old Bindows UI and adopt a minimalist design approach with a focus on Usability. Use modern UI elements, which are present in our Design System to provide a seamless experience. 
     
     
    Illustrating the Benefits
    WebFOCUS ReportCaster offers a more user-friendly and efficient experience by implementing these UX enhancements. Users will benefit from:
    Increased Efficiency with Streamlined navigation.
    Higher Satisfaction with a modern interface. 
    Better Adoption Rates with an intuitive design.
     
    Conclusion
    Enhancing the UX of WebFOCUS ReportCaster is not just about meeting current user expectations but also about paving the way for future growth and innovation. By focusing on key areas like navigation and design, we have transformed ReportCaster into a tool that meets and exceeds user needs. Continuous investment in UX is essential for staying ahead in the competitive business intelligence landscape.
    What are your thoughts on these implemented UX enhancements? Share your feedback and ideas to help us create an even better user experience. Let's work together to make WebFOCUS ReportCaster the best it can be!
     
    Manali Ratnaparkhi

    By Manali Ratnaparkhi

    0
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    From Data to Insights: ibi WebFOCUS Data Science - Best Feature - “Instant insights"
    In today's fast-paced business landscape, the ability to derive actionable insights from data quickly is paramount. Data scientists and analysts are tasked with the challenge of turning vast amounts of information into valuable insights that drive strategic decision-making. In this article, we'll explore how WebFOCUS, a leading business intelligence and analytics platform, empowers users to gain insights through its robust feature name “Instant Insights”

    Instant Insights with WebFOCUS:
    WebFOCUS is designed to streamline the data-to-insights journey, enabling users to uncover valuable information in real-time. Here's how WebFOCUS facilitates instant insights:

    Interactive Data Exploration:
    WebFOCUS offers interactive data exploration capabilities that allow users to visually analyze data and uncover insights on-the-fly. With intuitive and interactive visualizations, users can drill down into data, apply filters, and explore trends dynamically. This enables rapid discovery of patterns, anomalies, and correlations without the need for extensive coding or manual analysis.

    Self-Service Analytics:
    Empowering users with self-service analytics capabilities is a key feature of WebFOCUS Instant Insights. With self-service tools, business users can access and analyze data independently, reducing reliance on IT or data science teams. WebFOCUS provides a user-friendly interface that enables non-technical users to create ad-hoc reports, build customized dashboards, and perform self-guided analysis, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making across the organization.


     
    WebFOCUS is not limited to just Instant Insights. WebFOCUS also  integrates predictive analytics capabilities, allowing users to not only explore current data but also forecast future trends and outcomes. By utilizing machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling techniques, users can generate insights that reveal potential future scenarios based on historical data. This seamless integration of predictive analytics within the Instant Insights feature enables users to quickly identify emerging trends, anticipate customer behavior, and make informed decisions with a forward-looking perspective. 
     
    Whether it's predicting customer churn, forecasting sales volumes, or optimizing supply chain operations, WebFOCUS ensures that users have the foresight to stay ahead in a dynamic business environment. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more about how WebFOCUS provides predictive analytics capabilities.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion, WebFOCUS offers a comprehensive suite of features and best practices that enable users to gain instant insights from data. From interactive data exploration and self-service analytics to real-time data integration, predictive analytics, and natural language processing, WebFOCUS empowers users to uncover valuable insights quickly and efficiently. By leveraging these capabilities, organizations can accelerate decision-making, drive innovation, and gain a competitive edge in today's data-driven world.
    Karishma Khadge

    By Karishma Khadge

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    Migrate WebFOCUS from Oracle Java to OpenJDK
    After Oracle announced that their Java release wouldn’t be free anymore for production environments, several customers wanted to get rid of it and started using OpenJDK packages instead. ibi already moved on the same path and we started using OpenJDK in our products a few releases ago (even we went back to Oracle in the latest versions).
    This documentation will try to help you moving from Oracle to OpenJDK.
    In my case, I’m going to use Adoptium as my Java OpenSource JDK. So, to use the 11 release, I had to install Temurin: https://adoptium.net/temurin/archive/?version=11
    Once installed, there are a few steps that need to be performed to make WebFOCUS work with this new JDK.
    As WebFOCUS installs by default its own Java (depending on the platform), the easiest way (in my opinion) is, with the services stopped, no matter if Linux/UNIX or Windows, to rename the folders where they are located, for example C:\ibi\tomcat\jdk and C:\ibi\WebFOCUS93\jdk
    That way the product won’t be able to find this Oracle Java release, but it’ll also fail to start services or make calls. 
    To fix that, I recommend to create soft links to point to the desired Java release and keeping the files for the product untouched, for example, if I have my Adoptium Java installed on 
    C:\Java\Adoptium → Inside I’ve the C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11
     
    On Linux it’s as follows:
    /usr/etc/adoptium → And inside the jdk11: /usr/etc/adoptium/jdk11
     
    So for Windows, I use the mklink command:
    mklink /D C:\ibi\tomcat\jdk C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11
    mklink /D C:\ibi\WebFOCUS93\jdk C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11
     
    On Linux/UNIX:
    ln -s /usr/etc/adoptium/jdk11 /opt/ibi/tomcat/jdk
    ln -s /usr/etc/adoptium/jdk11 /opt/ibi/WebFOCUS93/jdk
     
    That’ll fix some part of the issues you can find when migrating to OpenJDK, most of them if you already have the product installed and based on the Oracle Java release, so let’s go for the next ones…
    In case that you use Derby as Repository, it also has it’s own jdk inside, so you’ll need to repeat the process for the softlinks there as well: C:\ibi\derby\jdk.
     
    ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
    You’ll need to replace the JAVA_HOME, JDK_HOME and JRE_HOME (if needed) to point to hte new ones
    I created an ADOPTIUM_HOME environment variable on my Windows box, so I just have to replace the rest of them pointing to that one.
    This is what I had before:
    JAVA_HOME=C:\Java\Oracle\jdk11
    JDK_HOME=%JAVA_HOME%
    JRE_HOME=%JAVA_HOME%\jre 
    And now I have it as follows:
    ADOPTIUM_HOME=C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11
    JAVA_HOME=%ADOPTIUM_HOME%
    JDK_HOME=%JAVA_HOME%
    JRE_HOME=%JAVA_HOME%\jre
    If using command lines Windows uses ‘set’:
    set ADOPTIUM_HOME=C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11
    set JAVA_HOME=%ADOPTIUM_HOME%
    After that, you can just type ‘set’ on a command prompt and you’ll see if your changes are in place.
    This way, I just need to switch the JAVA_HOME back to the Oracle one in case I want to revert my changes.
    On Linux it’s quite similar, you must replace the old values for the new ones 
    set ADOPTIUM_HOME=/usr/etc/adoptium/jdk11
    set JAVA_HOME=$ADOPTIUM_HOME
    (notice that in Linux, instead of use %variablevalue% it is just $variablevalue)
    Type ‘env’ on a command prompt to see if the changes have been made.
    WebFOCUS
    For the Reporting Server side, there’s not too much to do, as it picks the values from the environment variables, so just check that your JAVA service (JSCOM) is using the OpenJDK one and that should be all. 
    For the WebFOCUS Client, as it picks Java from Tomcat, there’s nothing much to do there either. In Windows, you can change the default JVM being used on Tomcat’s Configuration Utility, but if you’ve correctly created the soft links, you don’t need to change it:
     

     
    The same happens with WebFOCUS ReportCaster, WebFOCUS Search (Solr) and Derby. If the soft links are correctly configured, nothing else needs to be done.

    We’ll have a separate chapter for AppStudio in a few.
    Just in case you want to keep (in Windows) one service to be used with Oracle Java (or different OpenJDK releases), and another with your new OpenJDK, you can follow these steps… 
    For ReportCaster, copy and rename the ‘service.bat’ file under C:\ibi\WebFOCUS93\ReportCaster\bin, with a different name, like ‘service_openjdk.bat’ and edit it.
    Modify some entries there to point to your desired OpenJDK environment variables:

     
    Notice that I’ve replaced the JAVA_HOME that already pointed to the soft link I created just for this documentation, that C:\ibi\WebFOCUS93\jdk can be the Oracle Java one and ReportCaster can use the Adoptium one doing these changes.
    I’ve also modified the name which the service will use to be created:

     
    And with these changes, you can now run it passing as parameters the ‘install’ option and some extra text that will be added to differentiate:
    service_openjdk.bat install RCAdoptium 
    Now you have a new service that will use the OpenJDK to start ReportCaster:

     
    If you have issues starting this service, check the properties of the service and make sure that at the Log On tab you have the Local System Account checked:
     

     
    You can do the same for Solr by editing the file ibi_solr_service_cfg.ps1 under C:\ibi\WebFOCUS93\Solr
     

     
    Remember that you just can have one of each service up and running, as both will use the same configuration files, hence they’ll be using the same ports.
     
    WebFOCUS AppStudio 
    For the WebFOCUS AppStudio, things are a little bit different, if you already have it installed, you just need to follow the ‘rename and create soft link’ tasks as we did for the WebFOCUS93 folder but under C:\ibi\AppStudio93\jdk, and that should be all.
     
    But… if you don’t have it installed and you don’t want to use Oracle Java at all you have two options. The AppStudio installer first uncompresses the installation, which contains Oracle Java, and uses that one for the installation. If you don’t want to use it at all (even if you don’t have it installed on your server, the installer will use the one that comes with it), here are the options:
    Option 1: Through the command line export this variable:
    set JAVA_TOOL_OPTIONS=”-Dos.name=Windows 7” 
    This will enable the compatibility mode for the CMD installer
    o    Execute the installation with the following command: IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64.exe LAX_VM “C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11\bin\java.exe”
    o    Once installed, repeat the process for creating the soft link under C:\ibi\AppStudio93\jdk pointing to your OpenJDK Option 2: Uncompress the IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64.exe for example under C:\Temp\IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64 Replace the C:\Temp\IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64Windows_Pure_64_Bit\resource\jre with the one that comes with your OpenJDK (C:\Java\Adoptium\jdk11\jre) Install the product using the following commands:
    SET JAVA_TOOL_OPTIONS="-Dos.name=Windows 7"
    C:\Temp\IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64\Windows_Pure_64_Bit\installWebFOCUS930.exe LAX_VM "C:\Temp\IBI_wf-as_9.3.0_win_x86_64\Windows_Pure_64_Bit\resource\jre\bin\java.exe  
    Wait for the product to finish the installation and that’ll be all.
    Happy OpenSource executions!
    Pablo Alvarez

    By Pablo Alvarez

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    How to use MFA within WebFOCUS
    We’ve recently seen an increase in cyberattacks on enterprises around the world. And as everybody knows, the weakest point in our companies is… US. Humans are the weakest entry point and the one that most hackers will use to access our company assessments.
    Because of that, several of our customers have recently asked how they can enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) on their WebFOCUS installations.
    Adding this extra layer of security will require our users to interact with a device, so even if they don’t have a strong password, this method won’t allow them to provide or ‘write it on a post-it attached to the monitor’. That way, even if the hacker can get our password and account, they’ll need to have physical access to our device.
     
    OAuth MFA
    For this sample I’ll be using Google as the OAuth provider, you can start configuring it following the instructions on: https://developers.google.com/identity/openid-connect/openid-connect, but you can use your own OAuth IdP.
    I’ve used the FQDN of my computer on the information there: 
     

    The Authorized redirect URIs must match the one that you use to access WebFOCUS from your browser, but you’ll also need to add the jsp that will validate the token that will be returned from your Identity Provider:
                https://fqdn:port/ibi_apps/service/wf_openidconnect_security_check.jsp
    Replace fqdn with the fully qualified domain name of your box and port for your application server port number where WebFOCUS is deployed.
    This part is the important one, as there’s not too much to configure on the WebFOCUS side apart from that. 
    In my case, my OAuth consent screen doesn’t have any additional scopes configured apart from the email one, so I’m not limiting the scopes that I receive from Google:
     

     
    My WebFOCUS Security configuration just has the default content for Google (you can change those URLs for the ones of your IdP), and you’ll need to add the ClientID and ClientSecret there. I also changed the Attribute Name for User ID to match Google’s scope, and left the Optional one as ‘email’ as well:
     

     
    Saving changes and restarting the Application Server is the last thing you need to do, once restarted, you should be able to use SSO against OAuth.
     

     
     
    Once done, you should be able to connect to WebFOCUS using your Google account, and if you have configured the 2nd MFA method there, you are already done, but if not, just access your Google account to manage your profile and enable it (https://myaccount.google.com/u/1/security): 
     


     
    Here you can see it in action:
     
     
    Another method for MFA you can use is SAML instead of OAuth.
    At this case, I’ve been requested twice for the MFA, because the account that I use to login into SAML is my Google one, so I’m being prompted first to access my google account, and secondly in SAML.
    Your IdP should have an option under the security configuration to enable MFA, I’m using OKTA, and there I’ve enabled the Okta Verify (Application for your Mobile devices) and also the Google Authenticator one:
     


     

     
    Here’s a short screen-recording of how it works:
    Happy & Secure connections!
    Pablo Alvarez
     
    Pablo Alvarez

    By Pablo Alvarez

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    WebFOCUS Container Edition deployment on Openshift
    This article will help you to deploy the WebFOCUS Container Edition using shipped images onto the single node cluster created using Openshift on Linux or Mac.
    Please note that WFCE deployment on Openshift cluster on Mac is NOT certified and recommended for production usage.
    Pre-requisite: To deploy the WebFOCUS Container Edition onto the cluster you will need software/tools - Helm, Helmfile, and Docker.
    Let's get started...
     
    Deployment Steps
              1. Download Openshift local installer from:
                  https://console.redhat.com/openshift/create/local

              2. Install openshift local installer -  crc-linux-amd64.tar.xz (linux) / crc-macos-installer.pkg (mac)
              3. Setup openshift cluster using terminal
    crc setup  
              4.  Update openshift cluster configuration to allocate more cpu, memory and diskspace
    crc config set memory 16000 crc config set cpus 6 crc config set disk-size 80  
              5. Once completed start cluster instance (this might take 10-15 mins)
    crc start Provide pull secret (one time activity copy from https://console.redhat.com/openshift/create/local)
    Once created user should get below details:

     
             6. Update docker configuration to allow push images to insecure openshift local registry
    For Linux:
    vi ~/etc/docker/daemon.json Add below entry
    {     "insecure-registries" : [ "default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443" ] } And then restart docker (for linux)
    sudo systemctl daemon-reload sudo systemctl restart docker  
    For Mac:
    Update settings using docker desktop and restart

     
             7. Login to Openshift cluster as a developer user
    eval $(crc oc-env) oc login -u developer https://api.crc.testing:6443  
             8. Create new openshift project
    oc new-project webfocus  
             9. Download IBI_wfce_images_1.3.0.tar and IBI_wfce_1.3.0.tar from eDelivery
    Load docker images
    docker load -i IBI_wfce_images_1.3.0.tar Once completed verify using
    docker images Should show below list

     
             10. Tag and Push images to crc registry 
    docker login -u `oc whoami` -p `oc whoami --show-token` default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443 docker image tag ibi2020/webfocus:wfs-9.3-1.3.0 default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfs-9.3-1.3.0 docker image push default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfs-9.3-1.3.0 docker image tag ibi2020/webfocus:wfs-etc-9.3-1.3.0  default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfs-etc-9.3-1.3.0 docker image push default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfs-etc-9.3-1.3.0 docker image tag ibi2020/webfocus:wfc-9.3-1.3.0  default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfc-9.3-1.3.0 docker image push default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:wfc-9.3-1.3.0 docker image tag ibi2020/webfocus:cm-9.3-1.3.0   default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:cm-9.3-1.3.0   docker image push default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing:443/webfocus/repo:cm-9.3-1.3.0  
    Verify once completed using below command:
    oc get imagestreams repo -n webfocus  -o jsonpath='{range .status.tags[*]}{.tag}{"\n"}' Expected output is

     
             11. Untar IBI_wfce_1.3.0.tar
    tar -xvf IBI_wfce_1.3.0.tar Above command will extract the IBI_wfce_1.3.0 directory for all the scripts, Helmfile, env, etc files required by WebFOCUS CE.
     
             12. Deploy infra
    cd IBI_wfce_1.3.0/scripts/helmfile/infra source ../export-defaults.sh helmfile --state-values-file=../environments/oc-default.yaml.gotmpl sync Verify infra pods are up and running using command
    oc get pods -n webfocus Expected output as follows:

     
             13. Remove imagePullSecret (optional step - only needed if internal registry is used)
                   edit scripts/helmfile/environments/dev-wf.integ.yaml.gotmpl and remove all instances of
    imageInfo: imagePullSecrets: - name: ibi-docker-hub Once removed file would look like:
    appserver: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub autoscaling: enabled: true #edaetc: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub edaserver: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub service: type: NodePort #sessionAffinity: ClientIP autoscaling: enabled: true clm: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub service: annotations: {} type: NodePort autoscaling: enabled: false cachemanager: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub service: type: NodePort autoscaling: enabled: true #etcd: # image: # pullSecrets: # name: ibi-docker-hub swego: enabled: true storage: accessMode: ReadWriteOnce global: # imageInfo: # imagePullSecrets: # - name: ibi-docker-hub prometheusAdapter: metricsServer: false prometheus: server: service: type: NodePort  
             14. Update Customer id and EUA in below file
                   IBI_wfce_1.3.0/scripts/helmfile/environments/wf.integ.yaml.gotmpl

    Also, update license key in IBI_wfce_1.3.0/scripts/license/license.txt
    Note: For customer id and license key contact Admin or ibi Support team.
             15. Deploy WebFOCUS
    Execute below command from directory: IBI_wfce_1.3.0/scripts/helmfile
    helmfile -e dev --state-values-file=environments/oc-default.yaml.gotmpl --state-values-set global.imageInfo.image.repository=default-route-openshift-image-registry.apps-crc.testing/webfocus/repo sync  
    Verify using pod status
    oc get pods -n webfocus You can expect output like one below

     
             16. Create Route to access apperver
    oc expose svc appserver View route:
    oc get route -n webfocus
     
    Now, access WebFOCUS
    http://appserver-webfocus.apps-crc.testing/webfocus/
    Credentials: secret/terces
     
    Troubleshooting
             1. Appserver goes in CrashLoopBackOff ?
    Appserver might not have enough resources so assign more resources. Also, try increasing initialDelaySeconds for livenessProbe and readinessProbe.
    oc edit sts appserver -n webfocus Example:

             
             2. 500 Gateway Timeout error
    Increase the timeout on the Openshift route to 2 minutes
    https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/install_config/configuring_routing.html
    oc annotate route appserver --overwrite haproxy.router.openshift.io/timeout=120s  
    Thank you for your interest in WebFOCUS CE and we hope this documentation proves useful to you! 
    For any further assistance feel free to contact ibi Support team.
    Sachin Sancheti

    By Sachin Sancheti

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    Harnessing the Power of Global Names for Filter Control Synchronization in WebFOCUS
    The aim of this article is to explain what Global Name property is and how to configure it. 
    In the context of WebFOCUS, where maximizing efficiency and maintaining consistency are top priorities, the Global Name property shines as a vital tool for synchronization. This feature fundamentally alters the way filter control values are handled across multiple pages. 
    Understanding the Global Name Property
    At its core, the Global Name property serves as the linchpin in the synchronization process, nestled within the Settings tab of the Properties panel for a filter control. When activated, this property facilitates the synchronization of filter selections across multiple pages within the same browsing session, offering a significant advantage for Portal creation.
    Use Cases for Global Name Property
    Executive Dashboards: In a professional setting, executives often rely on comprehensive dashboards to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs). By utilizing the Global Name property, content consumers can seamlessly switch between different views of the dashboard while maintaining consistency in filter selections, enabling quicker decision-making and analysis.
    Sales Performance Analysis: Sales teams benefit greatly from analyzing performance data across various dimensions such as region, product, and time period. With the Global Name property, the Leadership team can configure interactive reports that allow sales representatives to drill down into specific data subsets without losing sight of the broader context, enhancing their ability to identify trends and opportunities.
    Customer Segmentation: Marketing professionals leverage customer segmentation to tailor campaigns and promotions to specific demographics or purchasing behaviors. By employing the Global Name property, marketers can create dynamic reports/charts that adapt to changing segmentation criteria, ensuring that insights remain relevant

    Configuring the Global Name Filter Control Property: A Step-by-Step Guide
    Prepare Your Content: Begin by creating the charts or reports you desire using WebFOCUS Designer, ensuring consistency by using the same master file across all content.
    Launch WebFOCUS Designer in Assemble mode: Access the Hub and click on the “+” icon, selecting “Assemble Visualizations” to launch WebFOCUS Designer in assemble mode.
    Add Content to First Page: From the left navigation panel, navigate to the desired workspace within the “Content” tab and select the content you wish to add to the first page.
    Add Filters: From the left navigation panel, move to the “Filters” tab to add desired filters. You can either add all filters at once or selectively add them by right-clicking on each filter.
    Set Global Name Property: Choose the filter for which you wish to set the Global Name property. Within the Properties panel, under General Settings, locate the Global Name field and enter your desired name. This name will serve as the identifier for synchronization across pages. Save and Repeat: Save the page and repeat the process to create additional pages as needed, ensuring consistency in content and filter selection. Test Synchronization: Run the first page and update the filter value. Then, navigate to the second page, run it and observe how the filter control displays the updated value automatically. This bidirectional synchronization ensures that changes made on one page reflect instantaneously across all linked pages.

    The Global Name property in WebFOCUS is not merely a feature; it's a catalyst for efficiency and cohesion in your analytics endeavors. By following this step-by-step guide and exploring various use cases, you can harness its power to seamlessly synchronize filter selections across multiple pages, empowering you to navigate your analytics portal with unparalleled ease and precision.
     
    video1152876214.mp4
    Aniket Awchare

    By Aniket Awchare

    0
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