Business Intelligence Tool Migration Title: Domain: Client: Location: Business Objects to MicroStrategy Conversion Payment Services Major Payments Processing Services Provider Northville, MI
Project Description The overall objective or scope of this project is conversion of existing reports from Business Objects 6.5 to MicroStrategy 9.0 Platform. A total of number of 145 reports has been converted from Business Objects to MicroStrategy. Environment Oracle 10i, SQL Server 2008, MicroStrategy 9.0, Business Objects 6.5 Tools Case Studio, BIDS Other Tools/ Languages SQL, PL/SQL, TOAD Subject Area Business Objects to MicroStrategy Conversion CLIENT: Major Payments Processing Services Provider PROJECT DETAILS: The overall objective or scope of this project is conversion of existing reports from Business Objects 6.5 to MicroStrategy 9.0. As a part of this conversion, several universes & reports in Business Objects 6.5 platform will be converted to MicroStrategy 9.0 platform and an existing data warehouse on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 platform will be leveraged for MicroStrategy reporting. A total of number of 145 reports has been converted from Business Objects to MicroStrategy. Reliable Software has begun this project by performing GAP analysis for each universe that needs to be converted and identify any potential differences or risks that may arise during the development phase of the project. The process of Gap analysis identified the following list below Source and destination tables, no of columns Identified every Class, Dimension, Dimension detail, measures, filters etc. Identified reports, report objects, measures, etc. Identified any custom database functions that are embedded into universe or reporting objects. Alternatively the same method was implemented to identify reports; report objects and identify the list of tables that are being used in the SQL for a specific report. This process of identifying the no of tables involved in the SQL has expedited the MicroStrategy schema development when designing the Attributes and the attribute parent child relationships. Attribute parent child relationships is very crucial in a MicroStrategy Project as the SQL engine generates the desired SQL for the reports based on the relationships. Further this gap analysis document was used as bench mark and working document in progress to track the progress, issues of the project and mark completion of various objects and reports that are converted successfully. At this point Reliable Software has identified and recommended the necessary data model changes that are required as per the current reporting needs for this conversion project. The following sections will outline the standard Reliable Software project implementation methodology that was leveraged for this conversion project as shown below. Confidential & Proprietary Page 2 of 5
Fig: Reliable Software BI Project life cycle methodology Planning & Analysis: During this phase Reliable Software has performed a Gap Analysis to produce a document to identify the reports and universes need to be converted into MicroStrategy. A Reliable Software project manager has worked with our client to refine the project plan with more accurate estimates, milestones and deliverables. This has completed the analysis or evaluation stage of the project and the key objectives of the planning phase that were achieved as follows. Gap Analysis on requirements. Report specifications document. Conduct Infrastructure review. Prepare a concise project plan that outlines the MicroStrategy BI implementation. Design: During this phase Reliable Software has begun to work on the MicroStrategy Schema design and also analyzed the tables, objects needed to be architected in MicroStrategy Projects. This phase has produced MicroStrategy Schema development document for each project as the deliverable. Build & Deploy: During this phase with the finalized MicroStrategy Schema design document and the data model, Reliable Software has started the development effort right from importing the target tables from the data warehouse into the MicroStrategy warehouse catalog and started building the MicroStrategy Project which included creation of Schema objects as shown below. Attributes Facts Hierarchies Building the Schema objects plays a major role in designing a MicroStrategy Project and dictates on how the MicroStrategy SQL engine will generate SQL for the reports. After establishing the Schema objects Reliable Software has started the development efforts of the Public Objects in MicroStrategy as shown below Metrics Confidential & Proprietary Page 3 of 5
Filters Prompts Drill maps Standard or ad-hoc Reports Report Service Documents Dynamic Dashboards UAT & Deploy: During this phase Reliable Software followed a typical practice to the test the system and utilize below steps to perform a complete testing cycle. Unit testing to test each object in MicroStrategy Data Validation between both Business Objects and MicroStrategy Reports Integration testing Performance & Stress Testing User acceptance testing During this phase Reliable Software has produced the Testing and UAT documents as deliverables. Finally Reliable Software has worked with the Subject Matter Experts at the client during the UAT phase seeking sign off after successful deployment of each universe and reports. During this phase Reliable Software has also prepared detailed documentation outlining the MicroStrategy related objects with detailed descriptions for the users to understand the system and how it relates to the business PROJECT TIMELINES & MILESTONES Sr. No Project Phase Phase Period (Working Days) 1 Requirements gathering 10 2 Analysis for Technical Specifications 15 3 Development 60 4 User Training 5 5 User Documentation 6 6 Acceptance Testing 24 7 Warranty Support 30 Total (excluding warranty Support) 120 PROJECT METRICS Total team strength - 2 End User base 1500 This project was completely executed at our off-site facility in Northville, MI from start to finish and our client was able to leverage our cost effective model for this conversion project. Our off-site model is an attractive alternative for our clients looking for more cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. Our off-site delivery program is unique with below highlights. Offsite Delivery Model Highlights: Confidential & Proprietary Page 4 of 5
Priced at approximately 50% of equivalent onsite services. Highly qualified certified consultants. Excellent communication and project control - Same country and same time zone. Flexible scalable model - the capability of scaling projects on demand for any duration. Flexing to your methodology - adapting to clients way of doing business and managing projects, instead of making you fit a standard methodology or process. About Reliable Software Resources, Inc. Reliable Software Resources Inc. is a leading provider of information technology consulting and provides high-value, industry-specific IT solutions and is a pure-play IT project implementation and system Integration Company with cost effective delivery model for its clients. Our project delivery solution emphasizes local accountability and a flexible mix of global resources. The result is more-practical and actionable recommendations and the rightsized services that tightly align to your needs. Reliable Software s services are offered on a project- or strategic-staffing basis, across all technology platforms, operating systems and infrastructures. Reliable Software Resources Inc., Consulting practice has national foot print in United States and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies by Inc. Visit us online at www.rsrit.com or follow us on Linked In, Facebook & Twitter. Copyright 2011, Reliable Software Resources Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission from Reliable Software Resources Inc. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Confidential & Proprietary Page 5 of 5