1. Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info
Technical Case Study: SBC Corporation
Chris Christian -- CRC Business Solutions, Inc.
Karen Gildea -- SBC Corporation

2. About SBC Communications, Inc.
Southwestern Bell Local telephone for Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas
Ameritech Local telephone for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
Pacific Bell Local telephone for California
Nevada Bell Local telephone for Nevada
SNET Local telephone for Connecticut
Sterling Commerce e-Business software
Prodigy Internet Service Provider
Cingular Wireless Wireless telephone for all SBC local telephone states and BellSouth
SBC has over 140,000 employees located across the United States served by a single human resources system. K

3. SBC has integrated Seagate Info with its SAP HR application in order to:
Securely publish any standard or custom R/3 ABAP report to the Seagate Info Desktop
Securely publish SAP Business Explorer (BW) query results to the Seagate Info Desktop
Automate reporting on outbound ERP interface files
Automatically export Seagate Info reports to an external enterprise report archive system for long term retention
Automate replication of SAP R/3 users and security groups to the Seagate Info reporting environment
Administer Seagate Info for a large web accessed implementation with remote administration, usage measures, and group security verification K

4. Enterprise System Support Using Seagate Crystal Info
Attendees will learn:
How Seagate Info fits into a distributed enterprise computing architecture
How Seagate Info can be automated from external systems or applications
How to “publish” standard reports to Seagate Info from other systems
How security can be replicated from other systems to Seagate Info K

5. Seagate Info Enterprise Integration Context Diagram
SAP R/3
Other
Enterprise
Systems
Interface
Data Files
Interface
Data
Files
Report
Interface Files
(CI Data Gateway)
Replicate
SAP Security
(CI Security)
SAP R/3
ABAP Reports
Interface
File Reports
SAP Security
Group Data
Seagate
Crystal Info
Publish
SAP Reports
(CI Spooler)
SAP
Reports
Long Term
Reports for Archive
Archive Reports
(CI Archive Gateway)
SAP BW
Query Reports
SAP BW
Security Group Desktop Views
Archived
Reports
Monitor SAP Security Impact
(CI GroupDesktop)
Enterprise
Report
Archive

6. CI Spooler Seagate Crystal Info
The CI Spooler securely publishes any standard or custom R/3 ABAP report or BW Query to the Seagate Info Desktop
SAP R/3
SAP R/3
ABAP Reports
Seagate
Crystal Info
Publish
SAP Reports
(CI Spooler)
Archive Reports
(CI Archive Gateway)
SAP BW
Query Reports
SAP BW
Archived
Reports
Enterprise
Report
Archive

7. CI Spooler CI Spooler - Business Problem
Report output from the SAP R/3 and BW systems needs to be available for users through the web and users do not require SAP client software to be installed.
CI Spooler - Solution Using Seagate Info
An interface utility identifies report output and “publishes” the report to the Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.
CI Spooler - Benefits
Output from any report run on the SAP systems can be viewed within 15 minutes of execution.
“Published” reports provide all the benefits of standard Crystal Reports such as report versions, folder and report security by group, exports, and printing. K

8. CI Spooler Solution
View eLink reports via the web as the method of choice for viewing HR reports.
Eliminate viewing batch scheduled reports on the SAP R/3 spool
SAP spooled reports are available for only a limited time
The R/3 Spool is not secured
Deliver batch scheduled reports from R/3 to eLink Reports (Crystal Info) for viewing
Multiple instances of a report can be retained for an indefinite period of time
Provides secured access using SAP user and group security
The Web interface provides a familiar “Outlook” desktop

9. Report Recognition by Program ID
The CI Spooler recognizes reports by Program ID. When the spooler locates the text “Program:” within the beginning of the report file, the Program ID is located. The identified report is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing. The example shows report “RPT#2011”.

10. Report Recognition by Report Title
The CI Spooler recognizes reports by Report Title. The spooler scans the beginning of the report file and attempts to locate configured report titles. Once a title is located, the identified report is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing.
The example shows report “RPT#3006”, recognized by the title “25% Transfer Fee”.

11. Report Recognition by Variant
The CI Spooler recognizes report variants. Once a report is identified by Program ID or Report Title, the spooler looks up the report’s variants in its configuration tables. The spooler re-scans the beginning of the report file and attempts to locate configured report variants. Once a variant is located, the identified report variant is looked up in the Control Table to determine processing.

12. Interface File Processing
CI Spooler Components
SAP Report Spooler
Process Logs
Control Table
CI Spooler
Crystal Info Report
Report Text Table
SAP Spooled Files
Processed Files
/toarchive Files
SBC Archive System
Not Processed
NT Event Log
/cisecurity Files
CI Security Process
Start
Process
Stop
Reschedule
Database Compact
Unknown files
Interface File
Interface File Processing

13. Sample NT Event Log
The CI Spooler reports Start, Process, Stop, Schedule, Database, and Error events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “CI Spooler”, and Categories describe the event class. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.
NT Events allow a remote administrator to easily monitor system activities using the Event Viewer application integral to all NT systems. No special client software is required. Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

14. NT Event: Processing Results
After processing spooled files, the CI Spooler reports a processing summary within the Process event.
The summary includes file counts by processing type. Time details include the start time, stop time, and elapsed time.

15. CI Spooler Performance
The CI Spooler has processed over 9,500 report files since deployed on 5/28/99.
The largest report was ZPRE3051 on 3/8/00 with 13,711 pages (562,111 report lines).
Processing time: 14 minutes and 43 seconds.
Typical processing times:
Report Date Size Processing Time
ZPRE3070 7/30/99 9 pages 17 seconds
ZPRE3056 7/23/99 20 pages 18 seconds
ZPRE3051 7/16/ pages 52 seconds
ZPRE3132 8/31/99 1,276 pages 3 minutes and 22 seconds
ZPRE3051 1/4/00 2,317 pages 2 minutes and 33 seconds
ZPRE3055 2/17/00 6,211 pages 10 minutes and 45 seconds

16. The Query catalog shows an outline of BW queries.
The SAP Business Warehouse (BW) Open Query Dialog Shows a Catalog of Queries
The Query catalog shows an outline of BW queries.

17. Select an SAP BW Query Name to Open the Query
The outline of BW queries shows individual queries.

18. As Delivered by SAP, BW Query Results are Viewed in ExcelK

19. BW Reports on Info Desktop
When processed by the CI Spooler, the BW query appears as a report instance.

20. The Info Desktop in Internet Explorer

21. Viewing the Excel Report in Internet Explorer

22. Viewing the Excel Report in Netscape Navigator

23. The Benefits of Publishing SAP BW Queries to Crystal Info are Substantial
Extends current developed reports to access by non-BW users
Users can view reports through web browsers
Users do not require BW client software, software licenses, or BW training
Provides R/3 group security for report viewing
Generations of reports are retained in the Info Desktop repository
Potential to integrate with EOS for long term report retention K

24. CI Spooler Questions?

25. CI Data Gateway Seagate Crystal Info SAP R/3 Other Enterprise Systems
Interface
Data Files
Interface
Data
Files
Report
Interface Files
(CI Data Gateway)
Interface
File Reports
Seagate
Crystal Info
The CI Data Gateway reformats an interface file as a query result table, then it schedules Crystal Reports using the table in the Seagate Info Desktop. Data and report processing occur when the file is received.

26. CI Data Gateway CI Data Gateway - Business Problem
Reporting on outbound interface files from the SAP R/3 and other systems requires data reformatting for use. Reports on the interface files need to be run as each interface file becomes available.
CI Data Gateway - Solution Using Seagate Info
An interface utility reformats the interface data and “publishes” the report to the Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.
CI Data Gateway - Benefits
Reports on the interface files are automatically produced when the file is received.
Interface file reports provide all the benefits of standard Crystal Reports such as report versions, folder and report security by group, exports, and printing. K

27. CI Data Gateway Components
Data Source
Interface File (UNIX text)
ABAP Output List (DOS text)
Crystal Report Text Output
CI Data Gateway
NT Event Log
Start
Process
Stop
Reschedule
Database Compact
Report
Data Files
Find files to process
Administer files
Run processes
Schedule self
Report NT Events
Command
Line with
File Name
Interface Directory
File
Names
Report
Data
CI Data Reporter
Oracle
Load data set
Transform data set
Run APS reports
Load Oracle
Report status
MS Access
Lookup Tables
Employee-Current Tables
Reporting Tables
Long Term HR Data Retention
Report
Schedule
Request
Report
Data
Report Results for Viewing
Crystal Info APS
Info Server Run Reports
Crystal
Report
Scheduled
Report

28. CI Data Gateway / CI Data Reporter
CI Data Reporter CI Data Reporter
CI Data Gateway Data Set Instance Code Library
Auto schedule repeated runs Autorun when started Shared by all Data Sets
Test each configured gateway Check library presence Common modules
Detect files by path / pattern Run load module Single code source
Run Data Reporter for file Run transform module Dynamic Oracle links
Manage files Run reports module
Processed Run Oracle load module
NotProcessed Data Set table definition
OnHold Data Set transform module
Report NT Events Dynamic ref table union
Monitor Data Reporter runs Configuration forms
Test Data Reporter results Set status during run
Reschedule Exit when done

29. CI Data Gateway Processing

30. CI Data Reporter Processing

31. CI Data Reporter Results

32. CI Data Gateway DataSet Results

33. CI Data Gateway Summary

34. CI Data Gateway Questions?

35. Seagate Info Enterprise Integration Context Diagram
The CI Archive Gateway exports Crystal Reports to a text format and transmits the files to the enterprise report archive for long term retention.
Seagate
Crystal Info
Publish
SAP Reports
(CI Spooler)
Long Term
Reports for Archive
Archive Reports
(CI Archive Gateway)
Archived
Reports
Enterprise
Report
Archive

36. CI Archive Gateway CI Archive Gateway - Business Problem
The enterprise report archiving policy requires specific reports to be retained for more than one year in a central enterprise report repository.
CI Archive Gateway - Solution Using Seagate Info
An interface utility extracts Crystal Report output from the Crystal Info Desktop through its SDK interface.
CI Archive Gateway - Benefits
Any Crystal Report output can be transmitted to the enterpris report archive for long term retention and no special report format is required.
Reports can be identified for archiving after they have been produced. K

37. SBC Archiving Solution
Report archiving is the on-line retention of electronic reports for more than one year.
SBC archives reports using the EOS (Enterprise Output System) implemented on MVS mainframe computers in St. Louis.
The Report Archiving process transfers reports to the EOS system from NT environments, using plain text format.
Report archiving supports legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements consistent with SBC’s Archiving Policy.

38. CI Archive Gateway
The CI Archive Gateway provides an unattended, mechanized application service that transfers report files to EOS.
The service provides:
Assured file transfer
Multiple report source compatibility
Configuration for operating environment
Control tables for report processing
Complete audit trail and summary statistics
Remote visibility for monitoring

39. CI Archive Gateway Assured file transfer
Long distance large file transfers are assured through the use of CONNECT:Direct as the file transfer communications mechanism.
CONNECT:Direct provides status, work queues, and activity logs using bi-directional communications with data transfer acknowledgement.
File transfers automatically use data compression to minimize network traffic.

40. CI Archive Gateway Multiple report source compatibility
The CI Archive Gateway can transmit any text file regardless of source.
Files from E-Link (SAP HR), E-Link Reports (Seagate Info) and Disbursements (Seagate Info) are currently supported.
The Gateway is integrated with Seagate Info for mechanized report extracts.
Non-text files such as Excel worksheets can be transferred as data (non-text) files.

41. CI Archive Gateway Configuration for operating environment
Server configuration adapts the CI Archive Gateway to its operational environment for directory paths, application locations, interfaces with other applications, and rescheduling.
Automatic rescheduling uses the NT Schedule service for processing at time intervals or to a time of day schedule.

42. CI Archive Gateway Control tables for report processing
Each file to be archived is identified by file name.
The file identification links the file to a control table that describes how the file is to be processed.
Control table entries for unrecognized files can be created after receipt, and files can be reprocessed.

43. CI Archive Gateway Complete audit trail and summary statistics
All processing is recorded in a process log table for administrative review and trouble diagnosis.
CONNECT:Direct file transfer processing is summarized in a perpetual log.
File processing counts and processing times are recorded for activity monitoring and capacity planning.

44. CI Archive Gateway Remote visibility for monitoring
Processing is reported to the NT Event Log and stored in the system’s Application Event database.
Reported events include: Start, Processing Files Received, Processing Seagate Info Extracts, File Transfers, and Scheduling.
The NT Event Log can be viewed by system administrators from any location in the enterprise. The Event Viewer application is an integral part of Windows NT, so no additional client software is required.

45. CI Archive Gateway Processing
Processing is achieved through a sequence of report file receipt and transfer steps.
Receive files to archive in the NT file system
Extract files to archive from Seagate Info
Recognize report files for processing
Transfer report files to EOS
Maintain a system audit trail, processing statistics, and reported events
Self schedule repeating runs

46. CI Archive Gateway Components
SAP Report Spooler
Seagate Info Report Portal
St. Louis MVS
Export Files
EOS
CI Spooler
EOS_Exp
EOS_Tran
CONNECT: Direct
RIMS
Spool Files
/ToArchive Files
Control File
Process Logs
Process Logs
EOS.MDB
CONNECT: Direct
CI Archive Gateway
Startup
CDWINNT .MDB
NT Event Log
EOS_Load
Start
Process (EOS_Load)
Process (EOS_Exp)
Process (EOS_Tran)
Reschedule
Error
EOS_Exp
EOS_Tran
CD_Summary
Summary
Reschedule
NT Schedule Service

47. Sample NT Event Log
The CI Archive Gateway reports Start, Process, and Schedule events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “SBC Archive”, and Categories include Start, Process, Schedule, and Error. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.
Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

48. EOS / RIMS Control Tables
Files transferred via CONNECT:Direct are retained in EOS according to configuration information maintained using the RIMS utility.
The MVS CONNECT:Direct Node and User must be configured to receive file transfers from the NT CONNECT:Direct node. K

49. EOS / RIMS Control Tables
Files transferred via CONNECT:Direct are retained in EOS according to configuration information maintained using the RIMS utility. K

50. CI Archive Gateway Questions?

51. CI Security Seagate Crystal Info
SAP R/3
CI Security selectively replicates SAP security groups and users to the Seagate Info Desktop
Replicate
SAP Security
(CI Security)
SAP Security
Group Data
Seagate
Crystal Info

52. CI Security CI Security - Business Problem
Crystal Info is used to “publish” operational reports for viewing by the same groups and users as the originating ERP system (SAP HR).
Groups constantly evolve on the ERP system, and user assignments to groups changes daily.
Users and groups must be identical in both systems.
CI Security - Solution Using Seagate Info
An automated process “replicates” groups and user assignments to groups through the APS SDK interface.
CI Security - Benefits
Security is updated nightly and is completely in sync with the operational system.
At least one full time equivalent position is not needed. K

53. Crystal Info Security Security Topics
Processing Goals
Key Concepts
Functional View
Business Rules
Processing Rules
System Components
Processing Details
APS Backup Details
Security Administration
System Testing
Production Statistics
Security Benefits

54. Crystal Info Security Solution Processing Goals
Automated application server schedules and runs unattended.
Security processing requires one-time configuration and minimal administration.
SAP security data extracts are automated.
The APS (Crystal Info Desktop) Oracle database is automatically backed up using Oracle’s database utilities.
Security updates occur when the required SAP security data files are present.
Security processing is completely visible from administrator workstations through the NT Event Log.
Normal processing requires administrator monitoring only.

55. Crystal Info Security Solution Processing Goals (cont.)
Processing results are detailed in complete processing logs, providing a robust audit trail.
Data generation differences are automatically documented.
Processing can be undone to immediately restore the security data to its prior state.
Non-SAP users and groups maintained by Crystal Info Administrators are unaffected by processing.
Security updates do not interfere with concurrent Crystal Info Desktop access by users and other processes such as the CI Spooler for reports.

56. Crystal Info Security Key Concepts
User An SAP user whose profile contains at least one Security Activity Grouping that is loaded to the Crystal Info APS.
Group A collection of users authorized to view a common set of reports, corresponding to an SAP Security Activity Grouping.
Assignment The association of a user to a group that allows the user to inherit the group’s report access rights.

57. Crystal Info Security Functional View
The APS determines which groups the user is assigned
The APS displays the Crystal Info Desktop for the user, listing the collection of all and only reports the user can access
A user logs on to the Crystal Info Desktop
The Crystal Info Desktop (APS) matches the user logon with a UserID and Password
The APS determines which reports can be accessed by each group assigned to the user

58. Crystal Info Security System Objective
The ultimate goal of Crystal Info Security is to link users to groups that have rights to access reports in the Crystal Info Desktop. K

59. CI Security Solution Business Rules
SAP data drives the SAP User, SAP Group, and SAP Group Assignment data in the Crystal Info Desktop (APS).
Crystal Info Administrator actions for Non-SAP Users, Non-SAP Groups, and Non-SAP Group assignments are unaffected by the CI Security Process.
New APS Groups are created during the CI Security Process.
Unused APS Groups are unaffected during the CI Security Process.
APS Users with no group assignments are purged from the APS.
Existing APS Users and Passwords are unaffected during the CI Security Process.

60. CI Security Solution Processing Rules
Security updates occur online during concurrent system access by Crystal Info Desktop users and other processes such as the CI Spooler for reports.
An APS Database Backup must be successfully performed before CI Security Processing can start.
Both input data files must be present before CI Security Processing can start.
The CI Security Process reschedules nightly.
The SAP security data extract files are produced nightly.
Group access to reports is defined by a Crystal Info Administrator in the Crystal Info Desktop during system report administration.

61. CI Security System Components
Oracle Export Utility
SAP R/3 System
Oracle RDBMS
Oracle Export Files
CI Spooler
Crystal Info InfoServer
Spool Files
SAP Security Files
Crystal Info Desktop (APS)
Crystal Info Administrator
CI Security Server
Back Up APS Database
Process Logs
NT Event Log
Startup
Backup APS
Start
Process
Stop
Reschedule
Error
CI Security Tables
Process SAP Security Data
Summarize Processing
Reschedule
NT Schedule Service
Stop

62. CI Security Distributed Processing
Oracle Export Utility
SAP R/3 System
Oracle RDBMS
LEGEND
Oracle Export Files
CI Spooler
SAP R/3 (UNIX)
Crystal Info InfoServer
Crystal Info Desktop (APS)
HRPRSFF01 (Windows NT)
Spool Files
SAP Security Files
Administrator (Windows NT)
CI InfoServer
(Windows NT)
Crystal Info Administrator
CI APS (2) (Windows NT)
CI Security Server
Oracle RDBMS (UNIX)
Back Up APS Database
Process Logs
NT Event Log
Startup
Backup APS
Start
Process
Stop
Reschedule
Error
Process SAP Security Data
CI Security Tables
Summarize Processing
Reschedule
NT Schedule Service
Stop

63. CI Security Server Processing
Processing is achieved through a sequence of security file receipt and processing steps.
Receive files to process in the NT file system
Load the SAP User and Group information to work tables for use during processing
Use the Crystal Info Application Program Interface to mechanically perform the security administration required
Maintain a system audit trail, processing statistics, and reported events
Self schedule repeating runs

64. CI Security Processing
During processing, the CI Security Server functions can be monitored.

65. CI Security Processing Finished
When complete, the CI Security Server statistics can be viewed. The statistical summary also is reported to the NT Event Log.

66. CI Security Server Configuration
The CI Security Server performs its processing according to the Server configuration.

67. Info Administrator Users View
The CI Security Server automatically creates users through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User” panel.

68. Info Administrator Group View
The CI Security Server automatically creates groups through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User Groups” panel.

69. User Group Assignment
The CI Security Server automatically creates user assignments to groups through the APS using the same functions performed by the Info Administrator’s “User Properties” panel.

70. Sample NT Event Log
The CI Security Server reports Start, Process, and Schedule events to the NT Application Event Log. The Event Source is “CI Security”, and Categories include Start, Process, Schedule, and Error. Event Details contain specific information about each reported event.
Events can be filtered, and events on remote systems can be easily viewed.

71. Sample NT Event Log Details
The CI Security “Process” Event Details contains a summary of the entire security update.

72. Recent CI Security NT Event

73. CI Security Questions?

74. Monitor SAP Security Impact
CI Group Desktop
CI Group Desktop supports monitoring the impact of CI Security when it replicates SAP security groups and users to the Seagate Info Desktop
Seagate
Crystal Info
Security Group Desktop Views
Monitor SAP Security Impact
(CI GroupDesktop)

75. CI Group Desktop CI Group Desktop - Business Problem
The impact of automatic replication of SAP security groups and users needs to be assessed. Work group managing supervisors are in the best position to determine whether the folders and reports a group can view are consistent with the needs of each work group.
CI Group Desktop - Solution Using Seagate Info
Crystal Info’s security permissions are obtained through the SDK interface.
A reporting database organizes Crystal Info security permissions for folders and reports by group.
Reports provide a security cross reference and desktop view by group.
CI Group Desktop - Benefits
The impact of automated security replication is disclosed to stakeholders through reports on the Crystal Info Desktop. K

76. CI Group Desktop Administrator

77. CI Group Desktop Reports

78. CI Group Desktop Processing

79. CI Group Processing Result

80. CI Group Desktop Query

81. CI Group Desktop Query

82. CI Group Desktop Reports

83. CI Group Desktop Sample Report

84. CI Group Desktop Questions?

85. CI Web Access Activity Result

86. Seagate Info Enterprise Integration
Report
Interface Files
(CI Data Gateway)
Replicate
SAP Security
(CI Security)
Interface
File Reports
SAP Security
Group Data
Seagate
Crystal Info
Publish
SAP Reports
(CI Spooler)
SAP
Reports
Long Term
Reports for Archive
Archive Reports
(CI Archive Gateway)
Security Group Desktop Views
Monitor SAP Security Impact
(CI GroupDesktop)

87. Questions? For further information, contact:
Chris Christian -- CRC Business Solutions, Inc.
510/
Karen Gildea -- SBC Corporation
925/