Tuesday 14 June 2016
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Unicode characters in Business Objects
I came across an issue today when trying to run a Web Intelligence report that used prompts and the prompt value contained a unicode character.
When the propmt value that contained the unicode character was selected the report did not return any results even though I know that there is data in the underlying database for that value.
The problem was that my universe was not configured to recognise unicode characters.
The SQL that was generated to be run on my SQL Server database did not contain the syntax to tell SQL Server look for unicode characters. ANSI92 SQL syntax denotes that the constant that you are searching for in your string must be preceeded by a capital N.
For example:
SELECT *
FROM Table1
WHERE Col1 = ('á')
will not return any data if Table1.Col1 does contain value 'á'
However:
SELECT *
FROM Table1
WHERE Col1 = (N'á')will return data if Table1.Col1 does contain value 'á'
To ensure that Business Objects reports that use a Universe will correctly return data that contains unicode values in the prompts you must change the universe parameter called UNICODE_STRINGS to value 'Yes' from 'No'. Remember to click on 'Replace' when changing universe parameter values for them to take affect.
When the propmt value that contained the unicode character was selected the report did not return any results even though I know that there is data in the underlying database for that value.
The problem was that my universe was not configured to recognise unicode characters.
The SQL that was generated to be run on my SQL Server database did not contain the syntax to tell SQL Server look for unicode characters. ANSI92 SQL syntax denotes that the constant that you are searching for in your string must be preceeded by a capital N.
For example:
SELECT *
FROM Table1
WHERE Col1 = ('á')
will not return any data if Table1.Col1 does contain value 'á'
However:
SELECT *
FROM Table1
WHERE Col1 = (N'á')will return data if Table1.Col1 does contain value 'á'
To ensure that Business Objects reports that use a Universe will correctly return data that contains unicode values in the prompts you must change the universe parameter called UNICODE_STRINGS to value 'Yes' from 'No'. Remember to click on 'Replace' when changing universe parameter values for them to take affect.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Business Objects Certification is Changing in April 2010
Here's the post from the SAP website regardnig the changes that are happening to SAP Business Objects Certification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding SAP BusinessObjects Certification Exam Realignment
Posted on Feb. 16, 2010 05:55 AM in Business Intelligence (BI), Business Objects, Integration and Certification, SAP Education Subscribe
Important Message regarding SAP BusinessObjects Certification Exams
In today's highly competitive market, individuals who demonstrate that they possess essential business and technological skills enjoy a significant advantage over their peers. This is particularly true if your expertise includes SAP and SAP BusinessObjects software. Your proven knowledge of SAP applications and technology is your passport to a wide range of opportunities. Whether you are a consultant or an employee, your skills are in great demand, and validation of those skills is critical.
Today's businesses are taking a hard look at their investments and the returns they generate. Part of that scrutiny focuses on the proficiency and proven capabilities of the people they choose to implement and operate their SAP applications. To accelerate your career, you need to demonstrate that you are part of an elite group that has the talent and experience required to optimize SAP software.
The SAP certification program provides that competitive edge. Those who hold SAP certification have obtained their skills through rigorous study and direct experience and have proven themselves by passing demanding, process-oriented examinations.
Effective April, 2010, there will be new SAP BusinessObjects certification exams available after realignment with the SAP certification program. All existing SAP BusinessObjects exams will be retired at the end of April and will be replaced by the following three exams:
• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.x
• SAP Certified Application Associate - Crystal Reports 2008
• SAP Certified Application Associate - BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
In addition to the test delivery via applicable Pearson VUE test centers (http://www.pearsonvue.com/busobjects/), the new exams will also be available from April onwards at SAP Education Centers around the world.
The exam codes which should be bookable from mid-March onwards will be:
• C_BOCR_08 - SAP Certified Application Associate - Crystal Reports 2008
• C_BOE_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.x
• C_BOWI_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate - BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. What changes are upcoming for the SAP BusinessObjects certification program?
Effective April 30, 2010, there will be new SAP BusinessObjects certification exams available after realignment with the SAP certification program. All existing SAP BusinessObjects exams will be retired at the end of April and will be replaced by the following three exams:
C_BOCR_08 - SAP Certified Application Associate Crystal Reports 2008
C_BOE_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.1
C_BOWI_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
2. Do current certificates keep their value?
Absolutely; individuals holding a current valid Business Objects certification will not need to recertify.
3. If a test taker has already passed 3 out of 4 papers for BusinessObjects Certified Professional - Business Objects Enterprise and is only left with the XI 3-1 upgrade exam (SABE 501) what should he/she do?
To avoid taking the full certification exam after the retirement of the XI 3-1 upgrade exam the final exam should be taken prior to its retirement at the end of April.
4. What has changed in the new exams?
There are some minor content updates and the scoring model has been changed to dichotomous scoring. The dichotomous scoring model scores multiple response questions as either correct or incorrect and does not give partial grades for responses. This better reflects the need for SAP customers and partners to know whether a certified individual can perform a task to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. Leaving a question blank is equivalent to a false response. In addition there is now only one exam required to gain the full certification.
5. Will the current certification holders automatically be considered at SAP Associate level?
Yes, those holding the existing certification BusinessObjects certification are entitled to use the SAP Associate certification logo and title. The former BusinessObjects Certification branding and logo will no longer be used by SAP or provided to test takers.
6. For those who already possess the BOCP-CR XI, there is currently a delta BOCP-CR 2008 update exam to update to CR2008. Will a CR delta exam exist after this realignment?
No, after the realignment there will no longer be a delta exam to update to CR2008. This will be retired in April and not replaced.
7. Will the exam duration change?
The exam duration will be aligned with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program. There will be 80 questions in 3 hours.
8. Why is the series of exams for each BusinessObjects product line being compressed into single exams?
This is a step to align the BusinessObjects exam format with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program.
9. How many times can the test taker take the certification exam?
He/she can sit for an SAP certification exam a maximum of three times. If he/she is unsuccessful in passing your certification exam after two attempts, and has not previously taken SAP training classes, we highly recommend that they complete the training. The fee for certification retakes is the same as the initial exam. No candidate may sit for the same examination for the same release more than three times. A candidate who has failed an examination three times for a release may not attempt that examination again until the next release. There are no rules on waiting periods prior to a retake.
10. A test taker just missed reaching a passing grade and would like SAP to review my exam for possible rescoring. What is the appeals process?
Unless there were technical system difficulties experienced while taking the exam, exams will not generally be reviewed for rescore. If however a test taker feels that there are grounds for appeal it is necessary to submit that appeal to the local SAP Education team as soon as possible - but at the latest up to 3 months - after the testing event.
11. Where can SAP BusinessObjects tests be taken?
From April 30, 2010 SAP BusinessObjects certification exams will no longer be available via Pearson VUE test centers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. However the exams will continue to be available via Pearson VUE test centers in the rest of the world. From April onwards the registration for an SAP BusinessObjects exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center will no longer be possible at http://www.vue.com/busobjects. All future registrations must be made via http://www.vue.com/sap. In addition to this, the SAP BusinessObjects exams will also be available in SAP Education Centers around the world from April 2010 onwards. Registration for this can be arranged via http://www.sap.com/certification/ or by contacting your local SAP Education representative.
12. Is there any difference in the certification exam at an SAP Education center or through SAP's delivery partner, Pearson VUE?
No. Certification exams are the same no matter where the test is taken.
13. Does the test taker need to enter a SAP user ID when registering for a certification exam and does he/she need to be affiliated with an SAP customer or partner in order to take an exam?
The test taker does not need to be affiliated with an SAP customer or partner in order to take an exam, but does have to apply for a so-called S-User ID (or in the case of internal employees an I, D or C-user ID) from SAP prior to registering. Instructions on how to apply for that ID and register for the exam can be found at http://www.vue.com/sap.
14. How does a test taker obtain the actual certificate?
On successfully passing the exam, the certificate will be sent to the test taker within 4-6 weeks. For queries please contact kps.businessobjects.kt@sap.com.
15. Are professional and master exams planned for SAP BusinessObjects certifications?
There are not currently plans for professional and master exams.
16. Can SAP BusinessObjects vouchers be ordered for taking tests at VUE?
Yes. Vouchers can be ordered online here http://www.vue.com/vouchers/pricelist/
17. Will the pricing change?
The pricing will be aligned with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program to reflect the increased exam duration and the single exam per certification scenario. Pricing will not differ between an exam taken at a VUE test center or an SAP Education Center.
18. How can a test taker get information about recommended training offerings to prepare for the tests?
The recommended training alternatives are listed in the test section on http://www.sap.com/services/education/certification
19. Are Academies or eAcademies planned as part of the SAP BusinessObjects curriculum?
Academies are planned for launch in 2011.
Kenneth Schieffer is an Education Principal for the North American SAP Education Delivery group and the owner/moderator of the Education@SAP LinkedIn group (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1856570).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding SAP BusinessObjects Certification Exam Realignment
Posted on Feb. 16, 2010 05:55 AM in Business Intelligence (BI), Business Objects, Integration and Certification, SAP Education Subscribe
Important Message regarding SAP BusinessObjects Certification Exams
In today's highly competitive market, individuals who demonstrate that they possess essential business and technological skills enjoy a significant advantage over their peers. This is particularly true if your expertise includes SAP and SAP BusinessObjects software. Your proven knowledge of SAP applications and technology is your passport to a wide range of opportunities. Whether you are a consultant or an employee, your skills are in great demand, and validation of those skills is critical.
Today's businesses are taking a hard look at their investments and the returns they generate. Part of that scrutiny focuses on the proficiency and proven capabilities of the people they choose to implement and operate their SAP applications. To accelerate your career, you need to demonstrate that you are part of an elite group that has the talent and experience required to optimize SAP software.
The SAP certification program provides that competitive edge. Those who hold SAP certification have obtained their skills through rigorous study and direct experience and have proven themselves by passing demanding, process-oriented examinations.
Effective April, 2010, there will be new SAP BusinessObjects certification exams available after realignment with the SAP certification program. All existing SAP BusinessObjects exams will be retired at the end of April and will be replaced by the following three exams:
• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.x
• SAP Certified Application Associate - Crystal Reports 2008
• SAP Certified Application Associate - BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
In addition to the test delivery via applicable Pearson VUE test centers (http://www.pearsonvue.com/busobjects/), the new exams will also be available from April onwards at SAP Education Centers around the world.
The exam codes which should be bookable from mid-March onwards will be:
• C_BOCR_08 - SAP Certified Application Associate - Crystal Reports 2008
• C_BOE_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.x
• C_BOWI_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate - BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. What changes are upcoming for the SAP BusinessObjects certification program?
Effective April 30, 2010, there will be new SAP BusinessObjects certification exams available after realignment with the SAP certification program. All existing SAP BusinessObjects exams will be retired at the end of April and will be replaced by the following three exams:
C_BOCR_08 - SAP Certified Application Associate Crystal Reports 2008
C_BOE_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.1
C_BOWI_30 - SAP Certified Application Associate BusinessObjects Web Intelligence XI 3.x
2. Do current certificates keep their value?
Absolutely; individuals holding a current valid Business Objects certification will not need to recertify.
3. If a test taker has already passed 3 out of 4 papers for BusinessObjects Certified Professional - Business Objects Enterprise and is only left with the XI 3-1 upgrade exam (SABE 501) what should he/she do?
To avoid taking the full certification exam after the retirement of the XI 3-1 upgrade exam the final exam should be taken prior to its retirement at the end of April.
4. What has changed in the new exams?
There are some minor content updates and the scoring model has been changed to dichotomous scoring. The dichotomous scoring model scores multiple response questions as either correct or incorrect and does not give partial grades for responses. This better reflects the need for SAP customers and partners to know whether a certified individual can perform a task to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. Leaving a question blank is equivalent to a false response. In addition there is now only one exam required to gain the full certification.
5. Will the current certification holders automatically be considered at SAP Associate level?
Yes, those holding the existing certification BusinessObjects certification are entitled to use the SAP Associate certification logo and title. The former BusinessObjects Certification branding and logo will no longer be used by SAP or provided to test takers.
6. For those who already possess the BOCP-CR XI, there is currently a delta BOCP-CR 2008 update exam to update to CR2008. Will a CR delta exam exist after this realignment?
No, after the realignment there will no longer be a delta exam to update to CR2008. This will be retired in April and not replaced.
7. Will the exam duration change?
The exam duration will be aligned with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program. There will be 80 questions in 3 hours.
8. Why is the series of exams for each BusinessObjects product line being compressed into single exams?
This is a step to align the BusinessObjects exam format with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program.
9. How many times can the test taker take the certification exam?
He/she can sit for an SAP certification exam a maximum of three times. If he/she is unsuccessful in passing your certification exam after two attempts, and has not previously taken SAP training classes, we highly recommend that they complete the training. The fee for certification retakes is the same as the initial exam. No candidate may sit for the same examination for the same release more than three times. A candidate who has failed an examination three times for a release may not attempt that examination again until the next release. There are no rules on waiting periods prior to a retake.
10. A test taker just missed reaching a passing grade and would like SAP to review my exam for possible rescoring. What is the appeals process?
Unless there were technical system difficulties experienced while taking the exam, exams will not generally be reviewed for rescore. If however a test taker feels that there are grounds for appeal it is necessary to submit that appeal to the local SAP Education team as soon as possible - but at the latest up to 3 months - after the testing event.
11. Where can SAP BusinessObjects tests be taken?
From April 30, 2010 SAP BusinessObjects certification exams will no longer be available via Pearson VUE test centers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. However the exams will continue to be available via Pearson VUE test centers in the rest of the world. From April onwards the registration for an SAP BusinessObjects exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center will no longer be possible at http://www.vue.com/busobjects. All future registrations must be made via http://www.vue.com/sap. In addition to this, the SAP BusinessObjects exams will also be available in SAP Education Centers around the world from April 2010 onwards. Registration for this can be arranged via http://www.sap.com/certification/ or by contacting your local SAP Education representative.
12. Is there any difference in the certification exam at an SAP Education center or through SAP's delivery partner, Pearson VUE?
No. Certification exams are the same no matter where the test is taken.
13. Does the test taker need to enter a SAP user ID when registering for a certification exam and does he/she need to be affiliated with an SAP customer or partner in order to take an exam?
The test taker does not need to be affiliated with an SAP customer or partner in order to take an exam, but does have to apply for a so-called S-User ID (or in the case of internal employees an I, D or C-user ID) from SAP prior to registering. Instructions on how to apply for that ID and register for the exam can be found at http://www.vue.com/sap.
14. How does a test taker obtain the actual certificate?
On successfully passing the exam, the certificate will be sent to the test taker within 4-6 weeks. For queries please contact kps.businessobjects.kt@sap.com.
15. Are professional and master exams planned for SAP BusinessObjects certifications?
There are not currently plans for professional and master exams.
16. Can SAP BusinessObjects vouchers be ordered for taking tests at VUE?
Yes. Vouchers can be ordered online here http://www.vue.com/vouchers/pricelist/
17. Will the pricing change?
The pricing will be aligned with the rest of the SAP Global Certification program to reflect the increased exam duration and the single exam per certification scenario. Pricing will not differ between an exam taken at a VUE test center or an SAP Education Center.
18. How can a test taker get information about recommended training offerings to prepare for the tests?
The recommended training alternatives are listed in the test section on http://www.sap.com/services/education/certification
19. Are Academies or eAcademies planned as part of the SAP BusinessObjects curriculum?
Academies are planned for launch in 2011.
Kenneth Schieffer is an Education Principal for the North American SAP Education Delivery group and the owner/moderator of the Education@SAP LinkedIn group (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1856570).
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Convert Seconds to Hours, Minutes and Seconds
Sometimes you just have to adjust date formats of objects on the report and not in the Universe. One example I encountered recently was a report where I had to convert the time in seconds into hours, minutes and days on the report as one of the date columns was calculated on the report. I used the following code to achieve the correct conversion:
= If ((IsNull([Total Course Duration (seconds)])) Or([Total Course Duration (seconds)] = 0 )) Then ("00:00:00") Else FormatNumber(Floor([Total Course Duration (seconds)] /3600) ;"00") + ":" + FormatNumber(Floor(Mod([Total Course Duration (seconds)] ;3600)/60) ;"00") + ":" + FormatNumber(Mod(Mod([Total Course Duration (seconds)] ;3600) ;60) ;"00")
This code correctly displayed the object in HH:MM:SS format onstead of seconds.
= If ((IsNull([Total Course Duration (seconds)])) Or([Total Course Duration (seconds)] = 0 )) Then ("00:00:00") Else FormatNumber(Floor([Total Course Duration (seconds)] /3600) ;"00") + ":" + FormatNumber(Floor(Mod([Total Course Duration (seconds)] ;3600)/60) ;"00") + ":" + FormatNumber(Mod(Mod([Total Course Duration (seconds)] ;3600) ;60) ;"00")
This code correctly displayed the object in HH:MM:SS format onstead of seconds.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Business Objects Certification Practice Exams
If you're thinking about taking the Business Objects Certification exams then I've come across a really useful which will give you practice questions for free. You can find it at http://www.actualtests.name/category/Business-Objects/
I'm planning on taking my Webi and Enterprise exams this year to become a BOCP so if you have any other useful links or advice then I'd love to hear from you.
Chris
I'm planning on taking my Webi and Enterprise exams this year to become a BOCP so if you have any other useful links or advice then I'd love to hear from you.
Chris
First Post!
Well here goes. This is my first post on my new Business Object blog. I'm learning more and more about Business Objects XI 3.1 each day and I would like to share my findings online so that others may find something useful from them. It's also a great place for me to write down my findings to help me understand them and also refer back to them when I need them.
Currently I'm looking into the following:
Currently I'm looking into the following:
- Switching our Tomcat deployment to a .NET only deployment
- Applying a fix pack to our existing installation to fix bugs found in the .NET version
- Managing sessions created by DefaultToken from OpenDocument correctly using WCAToken
- Universe Overloads for connections and objects
- Delivering WebI training to customers
- Arranging a dedicated test environment for BO deployments so we can test FPs and SPs thoroughly before rolling out to customers and our hosted servers
That should be enough to keep me busy!
Cheers,
Chris
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