Turning ClearPath MCP Data into Information with Business Information Server. White Paper

Transcription

1 Turning ClearPath MCP Data into Information with Business Information Server White Paper 1

2 Many Unisys ClearPath MCP Series customers have Enterprise Database Server (DMSII) databases to support a variety of transaction processing and other business data processing applications. The applications are written in Agile Business Suite, COBOL or other programming languages. These Enterprise Database Server databases contain operational data from the respective business enterprises and are characterized by transactional details that contain valuable information. With the Unisys Business Information Server (BIS) and its Internet Commerce Enabler (ICE) module, you can transform this operational data into business information. BIS provides a powerful scripting capability and intermediate storage facility that bridge the gap between the operational data and the end-user. Because of these capabilities, end-users can easily query and access the data, and application programmers can easily create business-specific logic to draw information from the operational data and transform it to various states. This paper explores the structure and capabilities of BIS in relation to accessing data in DMSII databases and transforming it to valuable business information. 2

3 Table of Contents Introduction... 4 Business Information Server Access to Enterprise Database Server Databases... 4 Composition of the Windows Server... 5 Business Information Server Engine and Repository... 5 Data Access Methodology... 6 Summary

4 Introduction Many Unisys ClearPath MCP Series customers have Enterprise Database Server (DMSII) databases to support a variety of transaction processing and other business data processing applications. These applications are written in Agile Business Suite, COBOL or other programming languages. These DMSII databases contain operational data from the respective business enterprises and are characterized by transactional details that contain valuable information. With the Unisys Business Information Server (BIS) and its Internet Commerce Enabler (ICE) module, which are paired and tightly integrated technologies, you can transform this operational data into business information. Over time, these tools have proven their ability to turn operational data into business information. The users of this information (who interpret, use, update, and take action based on it) are often entirely different from the users whose activities originally created the operational data. The second group of users requires data transformation technology that goes well beyond conventional ad hoc query tools or online analytical processing (OLAP) methodologies. BIS is proven to operate in this manner on a variety of databases including Oracle, MYSQL, Postgres, IBM DB/2, Microsoft SQL Server, and the OS 2200 Relational Data Management System (RDMS). In comparison to conventional query and OLAP tools, BIS provides a powerful scripting capability and intermediate storage facility that bridge the gap between the operational data and the end-user. Because of these capabilities, end-users can easily query and access the data without learning complicated data-query and report-generation algorithms. Likewise, application programmers can easily create business-specific logic to draw information from the operational data and transform it to various states. Other users can then save, view, update, graph, report, interrogate, and make use of the resulting information. Business Information Server Access to DMSII Although proven with numerous other databases, only recently has BIS and ICE been used to access data in DMSII databases. In this context, BIS is a complementary technology that helps you build on whatever concept or technology is already prevalent and successful in your business. That is, BIS is not intended to replace some capability that you are already using, but rather to offer you an additional alternative that can augment your existing capabilities. To deploy BIS and ICE to access DMSII databases, Unisys recommends this framework. A Windows server with Business Information Server installed A TCP/IP connection to the ClearPath MCP Series system A copy of INFOAccess that executes in the MCP operating environment and that receives database queries and updates Figure 1 illustrates this basic framework. Figure 1. Business Information Server/ICE Access to DMSII Databases INFOAccess provides an ODBC interface by which one or more DMSII databases can function as a data source compliant with ODBC to outside agents. In this case, the outside agent is the Windows server on which you can configure one or more ODBC data source names (DSNs). No knowledge of, or awareness of, any Unisys proprietary constructs on the ClearPath MCP Series system is needed for use on the Windows system. 4

5 Composition of the Windows Server The composition of the Windows server is as follows: A copy of the ODBC driver supplied with INFOAccess which connects to the ClearPath MCP server through TCP/IP The BIS engine with its underlying BIS repository and with its embedded accessibility to ODBC data sources The optional presence of the ICE module (if support of web browser workstations is desired either in the public Internet or in a private intranet setting) BIS application scripts provided by application programmers One or more networked Windows workstations in a site-controlled Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) Figure 2 illustrates the composition of the Windows Server and display forms) and that enact BIS system functions or functions scripted by application programmers for BIS. You can also augment the information displays with GIF images, JPEG images, graphs, charts, and other constructs. Similar flexibility exists on web browser workstations on which HTML pages are rendered. In an Internet or intranet setting, ICE directs the execution of Active Server Pages (ASPs) under the control of a Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS). You can create ASPs that contain embedded HTML, dynamically-generated HTML, Visual Basic (VB) Script or JavaScript client-side logic as well as VB Script or JavaScript server-side procedures. These procedures can invoke BIS scripts provided by application programmers. Business Information Server Engine and Repository The BIS scripts execute under the direction and control of the BIS engine. Application programmers create scripts for data mining and data transformation processing. These scripts direct: The flow of DMSII database access or update The use of the underlying BIS repository All resulting data transformation and display activities Figure 2. Composition of the Windows Server One of the networked Windows workstations functions as a desktop agent for the BIS system administration. The others enable end-users of the application itself to complete actions. A Unisys Graphical Interface presentation client resides on each of the networked Windows workstations. This software interacts with the BIS engine through GUIs that conform to Windows conventions (such as buttons, icons, screen images, The BIS scripting language is a high level, powerful, macro language that is interpretively executed by the BIS engine. Thus, simple macro commands in the scripting language might translate into a cascading stream of processing activity in the underlying BIS system. For example, Log in to the ClearPath MCP Series system Execute an SQL query against the DMSII database Capture and retain retrieved data in a simple tabular format in the BIS repository Log off the ClearPath MCP Series system 5

6 Subsequent logic in the same or a different BIS/ICE script might retrieve additional DMSII data and/or engage in filtering, sorting, or assimilating that data and then perform computations on, and manipulation of, congregated data. With the powerful macro commands in the scripting language, you avoid writing low-level operations through lengthy procedures. The BIS repository serves as a permanent or temporary storage facility for assimilating and aggregating the collected data and for performing further operations on, and updates to, that data. You can perform the operations and updates to the data in the current execution stream or at a later time as a functional, interpretive, or operational adjunct to the associated ClearPath MCP Series application and DMSII database. The assembled data ultimately takes shape in the form of tables, reports, action lists, graphs, charts, etc., that are defined and relevant to end-user needs and interests rather than reflecting the tables, records, and structure of the database itself, which was originally created to serve the operational needs of the transaction processing system. Data Access Methodology As BIS application scripts execute, the BIS engine interfaces with the ClearPath MCP Series system through its relational database interface module (MRI). Figure 3 provides an overview of the data access methodology. Figure 3. Data Access Methodology The embedded ODBC handler of the MRI interprets, forms, and forwards statements in the Structured Query Language (SQL) for which recognized IT industry standards exist. To facilitate throughput and reduce system overhead, the MRI interface can prestart and reuse a pool of processes that can connect with, superimpose, and reuse a set of ODBC connections. This combination of events constrains the overhead associated with starting and ending MRI processes and with establishing login/logoff sessions through ODBC and INFOAccess into the DMSII database. The ODBC handler embedded in the MRI supports the use of multiple, interrelated SQL statements. That is, transactional semantics of the SQL language are recognized and honored so that database locking is consistent and pending updates for a given thread of execution are committed or rolled back as an atomic unit. BIS scripts can request database updates; however, the primary thrust of such scripts is to extract data from the DMSII database. 6

7 Summary Transforming DMSII database data into useful information for various end-users who are outside the traditional operational aspect of the database is a major advantage of the BIS. Providing access to the information to these users enables them to make informed decisions on behalf of their respective enterprises. Additionally, this use of BIS deploying data mining, data transformation, and information processing applications on a Windows server complements and extends the value of the operational data in the DMSII databases that exist on your ClearPath MCP systems. Note: This paper does not describe the capabilities, features, and enhancements in current release levels of Business Information Server, and it does not explore research and development plans for Business Information Server. 7

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