1. 7 Best Practices: Implementing BI Publisher with EBSBrent Lowe, Manager of Product Development STR Software

2. Ive been working with BIP in EBS since 2004 and have picked up a few things along the way.Here are seven ways to improve your BIP implementation experience: I lovees! Practic Best 3. Best Implementation Practice #1Get to the Latest Version of BIP for EBSSo shiny! 4. Which version is right for EBS users? 10.1.3.4.1 5.6.3 BI Publisher11gXML Publisher 5. Though there are many versions of BI Publisher what you want isBIP for EBS : 5.6.3 Running 11i ? See My Oracle Support Note 422508.1 for info about Oracle XMLP Release 5.6.3 Running R12 ? Congrats, you already have 5.6.3! 6. Good to know!BI Publisher = XML Publisher XML Publisher wasnt sexy enough for Oracle, so they renamed it except in the application and documentationbut we dont mind.Publisherr L ublis he XM BI P 7. Best Implementation Practice #2Know Oracles Published Best Practicesh But wbeg re to ein? 8. Start here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/bi-publisher/overview/index.htm Covers : 1. Lar ge dat a set st r at egi es 2. XM st r uct ur es L 3. Lot s of gr eat t em at e t i ps f or pl per f or m ance, consi st ency, f or m t i ng. at 9. Best Implementation Practice #3Utilize the Correct Tools for your version of BIPCall m eJack Hand y! 10. Tools include: BI Publisher Desktop Latest version is 11.1.1.5.0 Use the version built with the same libraries as 5.6.3 -> 10.1.3.2 Patch 5887917BI Publisher Toolbox http://bipublisher.blogspot.com/ Bursting Designer Delivery Designer Report Conversion 11. Best Implementation Practice #4Know what BIP is Capable of Within Different Modulesrma, rma, ka ka Karma, rma ka karma, 12. go Iwn yo m. ay wNot all modules follow ATGs lead (i.e. their implementation is not standard). Will you be using any of these modules? Advanced Collections Payables Purchasing Order ManagementYoull need to do some digging.(ATG = Application Technology Group, the folks responsible for BI Publisher in EBS) 13. Best Implementation Practice #5Understand Your Delivery Options 14. Now that youre generating BI Publisher documents, how do they get where they need to go?**Disclosure statement: document delivery from EBS is an issue close to our hearts. STR Softwares products overcome the limitations of native delivery from Oracle. This stuff affects the bottom line, so we think its pretty important. 15. Well, if you want to deliver documents internally, Oracles native functionality is probably fine. You can generate documents using BI Publisher and deliver them, no problem.It gets the job done 16. But There are some deficiencies with native Oracle functionality when it comes to external delivery. It doesnt handle bursting and delivering high volumes of reports well; cant support attachments to documents; and doesnt provide a quick way to check on delivery status without ITs help. If these features are critical to your business, a specialized thirdparty application like AventX is your best option. 17. AventX: Makes delivery simpler with email, fax, and printing all in one solution Keeps IT support to a minimum with easy installation and troubleshooting Gives you peace of mind with email and fax delivery confirmation and status checks Increases flexibility by allowing you to attach supporting documents to reportsCheck out our Quick Reference Guide for more information about advanced document delivery from Oracle EBS. 18. Best Implementation Practice #6Understand How To Troubleshoot(Its a brain) 19. Two places to look when troubleshooting: 1) Output Post Processor Log Files 2) Turn on debugging: xdodebug.cfg -> $AF_JRE_TOP/lib LogLevel=STATEMENT LogDir=Which will create log files as shown below. xdo.log (main log file) xdo_...xml (Especially helpful when bursting) xdo_...out (output file) xdo_...xsl (XSL-FO version of RTF) xdo_...fo (temp file created when converting RTF to XSL-FO){gross} 20. Best Implementation Practice #7Know When, How and Where to Ask for Help 21. 1) Get a cup of coffee and go to the documentationhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/bi-publisher/documentation/index.html 22. 2) Ask a blogger theyre helpful folks Tim Dexter/BIP Official Blog: http://blogs.oracle.com/xmlpublisherA BI Publisher developers diary: http://blogs.oracle.com/BIDeveloper/Oracle BI Publisher Consulting: http://bipconsulting.blogspot.com/BI Publisher Blog - Ike Wiggins: http://bipublisher.blogspot.com/In Depth Apps - eBusiness Suite - Gareth Roberts: http://garethroberts.blogspot.com/ STR Software Blog (Oracle Apps and BIP blog) http://www.strsoftware.com/blogful info! full of use My blog, 23. 3) Use the Oracle Forums http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=245Tips for getting help on forums: Search First, Ask Second Be someone (not user8840234) Be Specific version, OS, patch #, etc Reward others for their assistance Contribute! It is better to give than receive 24. 4) Utilize the Oracle CommunityIts like Facebook, but for Oracle geeks!Search within Oracle E-Business Suite -> BI Publisher 25. 5) Use My Oracle Support After exhausting all other forms of help, open an official SRolks pport f cle su ly, Ora g by! Friend standin 26. Conclusion With these seven best practices considered, you will ensure that your implementation of BI Publisher in EBS R12 will run more smoothie. smoothly.oothie Mmmsm 27. More questions, suggestions or feedback?Contact me via email, blog or twitter! Email: brent.lowe@strsoftware.com Blog: www.strsoftware.com/blog Twitter: @brent_strThe end.|Exper t s i n Docum ent Del i ver y f r om Or acl e EBS11505 Al l eci ngi e Par kway | Ri chm ond, VA 23235 ( 804) 897 1600 | www. st r sof t war e. com