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Epicor ERP

Epicor EPM Server and Cube

Connect10.0.700



Disclaimer

This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. This document and itscontents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are believed to be accurate as of itsdate of publication. However, Epicor Software Corporation makes no guarantee, representations or warranties with

regard to the enclosed information and specifically disclaims any applicable implied warranties, such as fitness for aparticular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care. As each user of Epicor software islikely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business processes, users of this documentare always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor account manager. All information containedherein is subject to change without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important informationabout the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current releasenotes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/ormake improvements or changes to the products or programs described in this publication at any time, without notice.The usage of any Epicor software shall be pursuant to an Epicor end user license agreement and the performance ofany consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's standard services terms and conditions. Usageof the solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchaseof licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with local laws or requirementsin this document, such compliance is not a warranty and is based solely on Epicor's current understanding of such laws

and requirements. All laws and requirements are subject to varying interpretations as well as to change and accordinglyEpicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such changes. All statements ofplatform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in relation to the products referredto in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible with one product and alsostated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor software is compatiblewith both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment. Additionally platform orproduct compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches and/or service packs andEpicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches and/or service packsreleased by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor® is a registered trademark and/ortrademark of Epicor Software Corporation in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. All othertrademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Epicor Software Corporation 2014.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of

Epicor Software Corporation.

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Contents

Epicor EPM Server and Cube Connect Course......................................................................6

Before You Begin....................................................................................................................7

Audience.........................................................................................................................................................7

Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................7

Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................8

Workshop Constraints..............................................................................................................................9

Application Overview...........................................................................................................10

Epicor EPM Server Management Console...........................................................................13Workshop - View the EPM Server Management Console Window..................................................................13

Epicor EPM Server..........................................................................................................................................14

Security..................................................................................................................................................16

Workshop - Add a New User Account.............................................................................................18

Licensing................................................................................................................................................19

Workshop - Import a Content Pack License File................................................................................19

ERP System Node...........................................................................................................................................20

User Cube Management.........................................................................................................................20

Workshop - View Cube Status.........................................................................................................23

Workshop - Deploy a Cube in EPM Server Management Console.....................................................24

Deploy the Cube......................................................................................................................24

Define Deployment Parameters.................................................................................................25

Workshop - Re-deploy a Cube in EPM Server Management Console................................................25

Download the Cube to File.......................................................................................................25

Open a Cube for Re-deployment..............................................................................................26Re-deploy a Cube.....................................................................................................................26

Process the Cube......................................................................................................................27

Workshop - View Cube Properties...................................................................................................28

Content Pack Management...........................................................................................................................29

Workshop - Deploy a Content Pack........................................................................................................29

Workshop - Create a Deployment Context..............................................................................................31

Workshop - Specify Deployment Options................................................................................................32

Epicor EPM Platform Architecture.......................................................................................34Basic Concepts and Terminology....................................................................................................................35

OLAP Technology Overview....................................................................................................................35Multidimensional Data Representation Overview.....................................................................................36

Epicor EPM Terms and Definitions...........................................................................................................38

Star Schema...........................................................................................................................................40

EPM Glossary Designer Overview.......................................................................................42Business Definitions and Attributes................................................................................................................45

Workshop - Launch the EPM Glossary Designer.......................................................................................46

Glossary Designer Start Screen.........................................................................................................46

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Creating New Glossary....................................................................................................................47

Glossary Designer User Interface......................................................................................................48

Glossary Definition Parameters.........................................................................................................49

Workshop - Work with the Glossary Tab.................................................................................................53

Import Glossary Entries....................................................................................................................53

Add Glossary Entry..........................................................................................................................53

Copy Glossary Entry.........................................................................................................................54Edit Glossary Entry...........................................................................................................................54

View Cube Fields.............................................................................................................................54

View a Glossary Calculated Field......................................................................................................55

View Glossary Templates.................................................................................................................55

Cube Connect........................................................................................................................57EPM Cube Editor............................................................................................................................................57

Workshop - Edit a Cube from the Content Pack......................................................................................58

Download the Cube Using the Console...........................................................................................58

Open Cube in Cube Editor...............................................................................................................59

Measures.........................................................................................................................................60Workshop - Add Measures In Cube Editor................................................................................60

Business Definitions..................................................................................................................62

Workshop - Set and Adjust Formulas........................................................................................64

Dimensions......................................................................................................................................71

Workshop - Add Dimensions in Cube Editor.............................................................................72

Add a New Dimension..............................................................................................................73

Workshop - Test Compile the User Cube.........................................................................................75

User Cube Compilation...........................................................................................................................76

Workshop - Compile the User Cube................................................................................................77

Workshop - Save the User Cube.............................................................................................................79EPM Cube Manager.......................................................................................................................................80

EPM Cube Manager Interface.................................................................................................................81

Workshop - Open a Cube for Deployment.......................................................................................83

Cube Deployment...................................................................................................................................84

User Cube Deployment Status.........................................................................................................86

Workshop - Deploy a Cube..............................................................................................................88

EPM Content Pack Editor...............................................................................................................................89

Workshop - Create a Content Pack.........................................................................................................89

Create a New Empty Content Pack and Populate It..........................................................................89

Add a Cross User Cube Canvas........................................................................................................90

Save the Content Pack.....................................................................................................................91

EPM Content Pack Deployer...........................................................................................................................92

Workshop - Deploy and Process a Content Pack.....................................................................................92

Workshop - Create Deployment Context................................................................................................95

Process a Content Pack...........................................................................................................................96

Workshop - Manage Content Pack Deployments....................................................................................97

View EPM Cubes in EPM Performance Canvas...................................................................99

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Viewing EPM Cubes in External Systems..........................................................................100Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services®.......................................................................................................100

Workshop - View a Cube in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.................................................100

Microsoft Office Excel®................................................................................................................................101

Workshop - Establish SQL Analysis Connection in Excel.........................................................................101

Workshop - View a Cube in Excel.........................................................................................................102

Conclusion...........................................................................................................................103


ContentsEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Epicor EPM Server and Cube Connect Course

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server and Cube Connect course is designed to providethe system administrator with the tools to manage and deploy online analytical processing (OLAP) user cubes for

use with the EPM suite of business intelligence tools. The EPM suite is considered a Cross Brand product in thatit can use several of the Epicor applications, such as iScala, Enterprise, Clientele, and Epicor ERP as its datasource.This course has been written generically to provide steps that can be used with any of the Epicor applications.The course begins with a discussion of basic OLAP and multi-dimensional concepts and finishes with a cubemodification and deployment project.

Hands-on workshops guide you through the steps introducing the components of the EPM Suite as well as thegeneric steps to manage cube and content deployment including:

• Epicor EPM Server - The EPM Server is a Windows® NT service responsible for cube deployment. This coursedemonstrates how to administer data sources using the EPM Server, as well as how to schedule and deployuser cubes. The EPM Server Management Console is the system administration interface for Epicor EPM Server.

• EPM Cube Editor - This tool is the cube design tool and the client component of the system. This course

provides instructions for modifying user cubes by adding dimensions and measures to the existing cubetemplate.

• EPM Cube Manager - Use this tool to monitor, manage and deploy cubes created by the Cube Editor tool.During this course, you use Cube Manager to deploy user cubes.

• EPM Content Pack Editor - A Content Pack is a collection of cubes and visualizations called Dashboards orCanvases made for the Epicor EPM Performance Canvas tool. This course introduces the EPM Content PackEditor and demonstrates how to add selected content to create a customized Content Pack.

• EPM Content Pack Deployer - Content Packs are created and then deployed for easy access. This coursedemonstrates a basic deployment of a simple Content Pack.

• EPM Glossary Designer - An EPM Glossary is a collection of business definitions that guide the pre-definedanalytics for the Epicor applications. With EPM Glossary Designer, you can modify an EPM Glossary to customizebusiness definitions, shared dimensions, and cube templates which are then available for use in the Cube

Editor or can be directly deployed to EPM Server. This course discusses the basic functionality of the EPMGlossary Designer and demonstrates how to create or modify dimensions and measures for use with ContentPacks.

The four tools you use to create and deploy OLAP cubes and content packs are referred to as Epicor Cube Connecttools. These include EPM Cube Editor, EPM Cube Manager, EPM Content Pack Editor, EPM Content Pack Deployer.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand basic Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) concepts.

• Comprehend the Epicor EPM Platform structure and data flow behind the cube.

• Name the four components of Cube Connect and understand their interaction.

• Use the EPM Glossary Designer to create your own business definitions.

• Using the EPM Server Management Console to manage EPM cubes.

• Use the EPM Cube Editor application to create user cubes from a cube template.

• Deploy a customized user cube in EPM Cube Manager.

• Gain an understanding of the EPM Content Pack Editor and EPM Content Pack Deployer.

• Work with an EPM Cube within SQL Server Analysis (SSAS).


Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect Course



Before You Begin

Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.

Audience

Specific audiences will benefit from this course.

• CFO/Controller

• COO/Operations Manager

• Sales Manager

• Customer Service Representative

• Sales Engineer/Pre-Sales

• Account Manager

• Sales Representative

• System Administrator

• IT/Technical Staff

Prerequisites

To complete the workshops in this course, the necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your training

environment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account Managerat [email protected]. It is also important you understand the prerequisite knowledge contained in othervaluable courses.

• Database Concepts Course - This course reviews the table and field name identification process using FieldHelp, Customization Tools, and the Data Dictionary Viewer functionality. It also describes table linkingprocedures and requirements as well as join type definitions and specifications.

• Epicor Portal - This course explores the creation of business views against the application data of majorproduct lines. These views can be exposed through Microsoft® SharePoint web sites. Epicor Portal usesapplication schemas that predefine the links between application tables and present the view builder withsimple documents that describe business entities, such as customers or sales orders. Epicor Portal allows youto make field selections for portal views without having to know the physical structure of the database. Theviews can also expose common business processes such as update addresses, submit sales orders, or log in

support calls based on data provided in the views through Epicor Service Connect workflows.

• Recommended Industry Knowledge: Microsoft® SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) - A goodunderstanding of SSAS is important to understand many of the concepts presented in this course.

• Recommended Industry Knowledge: Online Analytical Process (OLAP) - Although the course providesa basic overview of the OLAP process, an understanding of the OLAP functionality and its multi-dimensionalcube methodology is recommended.


Before You BeginEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Environment Setup

The environment setup steps and potential workshop constraints must be reviewed in order to successfullycomplete the workshops in this course.

Your Epicor training environment, in which the Epicor demonstration database is found, enables you to experienceEpicor functionality in action but does not affect data in your live, production environment.

The following steps must be taken to successfully complete the workshops in this course.

1. Verify the following or ask your system administrator to verify for you:

• Your Epicor training icon (or web address if you are using Epicor Web Access) points to yourEpicor training environment with the Epicor demonstration database installed. Do not completethe course workshops in your live, production environment.

Note It is recommended that multiple Epicor demonstration databases are installed. ContactSupport or Systems Consulting for billable assistance.

• The Epicor demonstration database is at the same service pack and patch as the Epicorapplication. Epicor's education team updates the Epicor demonstration database for each service packand patch. If your system administrator upgrades your Epicor application to a new service pack or patch,he or she must also download the corresponding Epicor demonstration database from EPICweb > Support> Epicor > Downloads and install it. If this is not performed, unexpected results can occur when completingthe course workshops.

• Your system administrator restored (refreshed) the Epicor demonstration database prior tostarting this course. The Epicor demonstration database comes standard with parts, customers, salesorders, and so on, already defined. If the Epicor demonstration database is shared with multiple users(that is, the database is located on a server and users access the same data, much like your live, productionenvironment) and is not periodically refreshed, unexpected results can occur. For example, if a courseworkshop requires you to ship a sales order that came standard in the Epicor demonstration database,

but a different user already completed this workshop and the Epicor demonstration database was notrestored (refreshed), then you will not be able to ship the sales order. Epicor's education team has writtenthe course workshops to minimize situations like this from occurring, but Epicor cannot prevent usersfrom manipulating the data in your installation of the Epicor demonstration database.

2. Log in to the training environment using the credentials manager/manager. If you are logged in to yourtraining environment as a different user, from the Options menu, select Change User.

3. From the Main menu, select the company Epicor Education (EPIC06).

4. From the Main menu, select the Main site.

5. A fully licensed version of Epicor Enterprise Performance Management must be installed and configured.

6. Many workshop require a Designer or Developer user security level. Contact your system administrator forinformation on user accounts.


Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectBefore You Begin



Workshop Constraints

Below is a list of workshops in this course that can be performed only once in each instance of a restored (refreshed)database. Where applicable, a detailed explanation of the workshop constraints is documented in the workshopitself.

All workshops in the course use a connected Epicor application, for example Epicor ERP, datasource and a deployed

Content Pack. Contact your system administrator to inquire about the datasource and deployed Content Pack.

• Workshop - Deploy a Content Pack - This workshop can only be performed one time on a non-refreshedenvironment and by a member of the Administrator or Designer user profile.

• Workshop - Create a Cube Context - This workshop can only be performed one time on a non-refreshedenvironment and by a member of the Administrator or Designer user profile.

• Workshop - Add a New User Account - This workshop can only be completed by a member of theAdministrator, Designer or Developer user profile.

• Workshop - Import a License - This workshop is informational only and can not be performed as the productmust be licensed before you can use it.

• Workshop - Deploy a Cube with EPM Server - This workshop can only be performed one time on anon-refreshed environment by a member of the Administrator or Designer user profile.

• Workshop - Set and Adjust Formulas - This workshop requires an Epicor application database be createdand listed in the EPM Server window. The workshops that follow display information only available using auser-defined value. Use the new measure, XXX_NewMeasure (where XXX are your initials) added in theWorkshop - Add a New Measure to view the details that follow.


Before You BeginEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Application Overview

Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) is a decision support system. It is a powerful Online AnalyticalProcessing (OLAP)-based tool for online analysis of large data volumes. EPM facilitates information provisioning,

while assisting analysts and managers and enabling comprehensive analysis on different aspects of the companyoperation.

The EPM tools exist in the distributed computational environment with LAN and WAN capabilities and spandifferent working platforms. EPM targets modern Microsoft Windows® platforms for the server and workstationfamilies and therefore has no single target specification.

EPM Component Explanation

Following is an explanation of the EPM Components.

What is it?Component

The Server product used for data source administration, cube scheduling and deployment,

content pack creation and deployment, and integration with Microsoft's SQL ServerAnalysis Services (SSAS).

The EPM Server Management Console, also known as Manage Epicor EPM Servers,is the system administration interface for Epicor EPM Server. With the EPM Server

Epicor EPM Server

Management Console, you can monitor, manage, and deploy cubes as well as viewdeployed content packs.

The set of client tools you use to create and deploy cubes and content packages. CubeConnect is comprised of the following four tools which install together and interfacewith Epicor EPM Server.

EPM Cube Editor used to customize cubes.

EPM Cube Connect

EPM Cube Manager used to monitor, manage, and deploy cubes created by the CubeEditor.

EPM Content Pack Editor used to create and package collections of custom cubes anddashboards.

EPM Content Pack Deployer used to manage the deployment of Content Packs createdin the EPM Content Pack Editor.

An EPM Glossary is a collection of business definitions that guide the table relationships.

With EPM Glossary Designer, you can modify an EPM Glossary to customize businessdefinitions, shared dimensions, and cube templates which are then available for use inthe Cube Editor or can be directly deployed to EPM Server.

EPM Glossary Designer

The web-based analysis platform used to create visualizations for OLAP-relatedinformation.

An integral part of Epicor Performance Canvas is Epicor Performance Canvas Mobile- the interface to use a Canvas on a mobile phone device such as an iPhone® orBlackberry®

Epicor PerformanceCanvas

Separately installed, the Epicor Performance Canvas SharePoint ™ component givesyou the ability to use a Canvas within Microsoft SharePoint.

Refer to the EPM Performance Canvas course for more information.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectApplication Overview



What is it?Component

The platform for advanced analytics such as budgeting and planning, and advancedforecasting.

Epicor PerformanceCanvas Planning

Replication

Another tool often used with EPM and Epicor ERP is Replication Configuration. Use it to set up replication ofa datasource (Epicor ERP database) to another database. When you use replication, analysis and other read-onlyactivities, such as reporting, execute from the offloaded datasource.

During replication, a static copy of data from the source ERP system database is extracted and a Microsoft® SQLServer database called Operational Data Store (ODS) is built. The replicated database can contain data frommultiple companies. The ODS can then be used by the EPM suite for reporting.

The main replication purpose is to facilitate the offloading of reporting, tracking and query functions from themain transactional server. Another advantage replication provides is that the ODS database schema is optimizedfor specific reporting tasks.

Replication Configuration uses the Microsoft® SQL Server Replication. For more details refer to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151198(v=sql.105).aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151176.aspx. No additional setup on the source ERP side is required. To monitor, customize settings, and configure

advanced options on the replicated database, use the Microsoft tools. SQL Server Management Studio providesUI to manage replication (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms152751.aspx).

EPM Content

Following is an explanation of the items EPM tools operate.

What is it?Item

EPM formatted cube and ETL definition. It encapsulates how to get the data,how to flatten it for use in cubes, and how to organize the structure of anSSAS cube for browsing.

Epicor EPM User Cubes

One or more industry-specific individually licensed and prepackaged OLAP

cubes and visualizations (Performance Canvases).

Epicor EPM Content Pack

Software Installation Requirement

The full installation instructions and the latest software requirements are available from the Epicor EPM ServerInstallation Guide and EPM Content Pack Installation Guide. Following are the software requirements forthe EPM Server and EPM Client components:

Requirements for the Epicor EPM Server, Epicor EPM Performance Canvas

Requirements for Applications and Web Server:

• MS Windows Server® 2008 R2

• MS Internet Information Services® (IIS) version 7.0 or greater

• MS Internet Information Services® (IIS) 6.0 Compatibility Mode (required for the XMLA Web Service)

• MS SQL Server Standard 2008 R2 or greater (x64 Recommended)

• SQL Server Database Engine

• SQL Server Analysis Services (Multidimensional Mode in SQL Server 2012)

• SQL Server Agent

Note MS SQL Enterprise is recommended, but Standard edition is compatible.

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http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151198(v=sql.105).aspx


http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151176.aspx










• MS .NET® Framework version 2.0 (required for XMLA web service)

• MS .NET® Framework version 4.0 (required for EPM applications)

• MS Visual C++ 2012 Update 1 Redistributables

For x32 systems install this redistributable:

vcredist_x86.exe

For x64 systems install this redistributable:vcredist_x64.exe

You can download the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679.

Requirements for Database and Replication:

• MS Windows Server® 2008 R2

• MS .NET® Framework version 3.5, or higher

• MS replication and RMO/SMO

Requirements for EPM Client components, both Epicor Cube Connect and Epicor EPM Server Management

Console:• MS Windows XP SP2, MS Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista SP1, or Windows 7

• MS .NET Framework version 4.0 or higher

Requirements for Epicor EPM Performance Canvas

Epicor EPM Performance Canvas supports the following internet browsers:

• Chrome 10

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, 8 and 9

• FireFox 3 and 4

• Safari 3, 4 and 5

Installation Overview

With the exception of the EPM Glossary Designer and Content Packs, all major components of the suite areinstalled using the EpicorEpmServer-x.exe file in the default location of: c:\Program Files\EpicorSoftware\EPM\EAS\. This location can be changed during installation. A base license is imported to supportthe suite.

The EPM Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas) installation is done separately using theEpicorEpmPerformanceCanvas-x.exe file.

Content Packs are purchased based on your Epicor application to provide the pre-defined analysis tools as wellas the data cubes for use with the Performance Canvas. A separate license is required by the Content Pack. Abase glossary also installs with the Content Pack(s). All Content Packs must be deployed before they can beaccessed.

The EPM Glossary Designer is an optional installation for advanced technical users who need to make majorcustomizations to the Epicor EPM application. Use the EpicorEpmGlossaryDesigner-x.exe file and a separatelicense code. Each Content Pack has a separate license and updates the EPM Glossary Designer. The defaultlocation for the Content Pack and EPM Glossary details is c:\_EPM_Client_Install.

The EPM product family integrates with Windows® and with Microsoft SQL Management Studio®. A base SQLdatabase, named EAS, is generated and added to the database node of SQL Management Studio.

See the Epicor EPM Server Installation Guide and EPM Content Pack Installation Guide for more specific details.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectApplication Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679






Epicor EPM Server Management Console

Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server Management Console (Console) is the interface forthe EPM Server where you can set up and maintain the EPM suite of products. The Console is a Microsoft

Management Console® (MMC) snap-in that displays all connected servers and databases. It also displays contentpacks as they are added.

Use the Console to perform the following activities:

• Deploy and process user cubes and deploy user cube content packs

• Monitor the status of each deployed user cube

• Manage pre-packaged user cubes and EPM content packs

• Manage communication with SQL Server Analysis Services ® (SSAS)

• Manage user security groups for one or more server connections

• Maintain licensing at the content level or at the user cube level

Navigation path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management> Manage Epicor EPM Servers

Workshop - View the EPM Server Management Console Window

You can launch the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server Management Console (Console)from the Microsoft Windows® Start menu.

Launch Epicor EPM Server Management Console

Use the following path to navigate to the Console:

Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > Manage EPMServers.

Important The datasource references in this workshop rely on a connected Epicor ERP datasource anddeployed Content Packs. This workshop can only be performed by a user account that is a member of theAdministrators group.

The Console window consists of three panes:

• The left pane, or Console tree, displays the available EPM servers (connected datasources) and databases.Deployed user cubes and EPM Content Packs also display in the Console tree.

• The middle pane, or results pane, shows the information about, and functions pertaining to the item currentlyselected in the Console tree.

• The right pane, or Action pane, lists the actions that are currently available based on the item selected inthe Console tree and the results pane. These actions are also available from the Action menu (or right clickingthe item on which you want to perform an action).

The Console toolbar provides the following buttons to navigate within the window and to show various MMCelements:

• Back and Forward arrows - Use the arrows to move forward and back between selections.

• Up One Level - Use this button to move up one level on the Console tree.

• Show/Hide Console Tree - Use this button to either display or hide the left pane, or Console tree.

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Epicor EPM Server Management ConsoleEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



• Show/Hide Action Pane - Use this button to either display or hide the right pane, or Action pane.

• Export List - Use this button to export the contents of the columns in the results pane.

• Question Mark - Use this button to open Microsoft Management Console® (MMC) 3.0 Application Help.

1. Expand the path: Epicor EPM Servers > localhost > Epicor EPM Server.

The datasources are listed under the server name. A datasource displays in the Console if a connection has

been established. Deployed User Cubes and EPM Content Packs display only when deployed.

2. From the Toolbar, toggle the Show/Hide Action Pane button to see the view differences.

3. Expand Epicor 10 > ERP10.

This is the location on the Ready Tech image. ERP10 is a sample database designed for Epicor 10. Other ERPsystems, including Clientele and iScala, display in the tree view if they are installed and EPM can detect theirdatabases. Check with your system administrator for the name of your datasource.

4. In the Console tree, expand the Deployed User Cubes node.

All the available cubes are listed. The cubes populate from the Content Packs listed under the License -Features node. In this example, the cube listing is specific to the Epicor ERP. The cubes on the listing are not

available for use until you deploy them in the EPM Server Management Console or EPM Cube Manager.

5. In the Console tree, expand the EPM Content Packs node.

As Content Packs are added, they display in the Console.

Epicor EPM Server

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server, a Windows® service, performs all deploymentand management functions and is the administrative piece of the Epicor EPM suite. The EPM Server also distributes

content packs and deploys OLAP user cubes dependent on the server version.

You access EPM Server through the Epicor EPM Server Management Console and the Cube Connect tools.

EPM Server tasks include the following:

• Deployment and management of user cubes on Microsoft SQL Server Analysis® server

• Deployment and management of user cube content packages

• Extract, transform, and load (ETL) processing for all user cubes

Complex Multidimensional eXpression® (MDX) programming and Epicor ERP's database logic combine to providean easy to use environment.

Epicor EPM Server in EPM Analysis Infrastructure

A Windows® NT service, Epicor EPM Server is the server product used for data source administration, cubescheduling and deployment, content pack creation and deployment, and integration with Microsoft SQL ServerAnalysis Services (SSAS).

The complete EPM suite infrastructure is represented by the following image.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectEpicor EPM Server Management Console



EPM Server Management Console

The EPM Server Management Console (Console) is the system administration interface for Epicor EPM Server.

The Console is powered by the Microsoft Management Console™ (MMC) snap-in that provides simple userinterface to monitor, manage, and deploy OLAP cubes as well as view deployed content packs. Use the Consoleto monitor the status of each deployed user cube, as well as manage pre-packaged user cubes and EPM ContentPackages.

The system administrator uses the Console to manage user security groups for one or more server connections.The Console maintains licensing which can be at the content level or the cube level.

Cube Connect Tools

The tools you use to create and deploy OLAP cubes and content packages are under the Epicor Cube Connectumbrella.

Cube Connect, which was developed by Epicor to leverage Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, is comprisedof the following four products that install together and interface with the EPM Server:

• EPM Cube Editor - Use EPM Cube Editor to customize, edit, and tailor OLAP cubes to include your ownmeasures and dimensions. The wizard-type interface guides you through selecting measures and dimensionattributes from a pre-defined list of available fields. EPM Cube Connect ships with over 500 pre-definedmeasures. You can use a calculation designer interface to add custom measures and dimensions to each usercube as necessary.

• EPM Cube Manager - Use EPM Cube Manager to monitor, manage and deploy OLAP cubes. EPM CubeManager requires little knowledge of data warehousing and OLAP-design techniques but is limited to datadefined in the EPM Glossary.

• EPM Content Pack Editor - Use EPM Content Pack Editor to create and package collections of custom cubesand dashboards.

• EPM Content Deployer - Use EPM Content Deployer to manage deployment of the content packs createdin the EPM Content Pack Editor.

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EPM Glossary Designer and EPM Glossary

An EPM Glossary is a collection of business definitions (measures or dimension attributes) for a source systemsuch as Epicor ERP or iScala, and is a definition of the overall dimensional schema for your data warehouse.Building a set of shared dimensions helps ensure that OLAP data is presented in a common way throughout thedata warehouse. With EPM Glossary Designer, you can modify an EPM Glossary to customize business definitions,shared dimensions, and cube templates which are then available for use in the Cube Editor or can be directlydeployed to EPM Server.

Epicor EPM Performance Canvas

Epicor EPM Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas) is the visualization piece of Epicor EPM suite. PerformanceCanvas is the web-based analysis platform used to create canvases, or dashboards, for OLAP-related information.In the Performance Canvas you can create gems and slicers as performance indicators that display on the canvasto provide performance analysis. The canvases can be viewed on several mobile devises for wireless access onthe go, as well as deployed to a SharePoint® site.

A powerful platform for advanced analytics such as budgeting and planning, and advanced forecasting is EpicorPerformance Canvas Planning. A Microsoft Excel add-in, it is flexible and scalable and can handle very largeimplementations across multiple installations, as well as manage mixed content from multiple sources.

Security

For setting up and maintaining security in Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), the Epicor EPMServer Management Console (Console) supports two types of entities: user accounts and user groups. Eachuser account and user group has one or more roles.

User Accounts

In the Epicor EPM Server Management Console Security node, you can add and delete user accounts, view andedit account properties, and export the user account list to a text file.

Note

To be able to add user accounts, you must import the product license.

Each user account has one or more roles. The following roles are available:

• User

A user account assigned this role can deploy user cubes and manage the cubes deployed by this user account.

New user accounts are assigned this role by default.

• Power User

A user account assigned this role can perform all the actions a User can. Power Users can also execute EPMspecial operations not directly related to OLAP cubes such as handling objects in the target ERP database.Such operations only exist for iScala; there are no such operations for Epicor ERP at the moment. For iScala,the EPM Power User can create additional tables in the iScala database and manage them. The data from

those tables are used in iScala cubes. This option is required when you want to add additional informationto the target ERP database. This information is stored in the target ERP database as extra tables and is referredto as a database extension in the context of EPM in general and Epicor EPM Server Management Console inparticular.

• Administrator

A user account assigned this role can manage application security. Only user accounts with the Administratorrole can add other user accounts.

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User Groups

User Groups in Epicor Enterprise Performance Management are Windows NT users groups and are used forconvenience - to group users by their application role.

Note

• Epicor Enterprise Performance Management does not have its own user groups; only Windows NT usersgroups can be used.

• You cannot create new user groups or edit existing user groups in EPM; however, you can map WindowsNT user groups as EPM user groups.

Working with User Groups is similar to working with user accounts. All actions on user groups supported by EPMare available in Epicor EPM Server Management Console under the Security > Groups node.

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Workshop - Add a New User Account

Before a user can work with EPM, their user account must be added in the EPM Server Management Console.

Important Workshop Constraint - This workshop can only be completed by an Administrator useraccount. The product license must be imported before users can be added.

All actions on user accounts supported by EPM are available in Epicor EPM Administration Console under theUsers sub-node of the Security node.

If necessary, navigate to the following path and start the EPM Server Management Console: Start > All Programs> Epicor Software > Enterprise Performance Management > Manage EPM Servers.

1. In the Console tree, expand the Epicor EPM Server node.

2. Expand the Security node.

3. Click the Users node.

4. From the Action menu, select New User or, right-click the Users node and select New User.

The Users and Groups management dialog displays.

5. In the top pane of the Users and Groups management dialog, specify the domain and the user namein the corresponding fields.

You can also expand a domain in the tree view located at the bottom of the window and then select theuser name in this domain.

6. Click OK to add the user, or click Cancel to cancel the operation.

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Licensing

Epicor Enterprise Performance Management is a licensed software product. The ability to use the EPM tools isregulated by the license availability..

A separate Epicor license is required for the following Epicor EPM tools:

•Epicor EPM Server and Epicor Cube Connect - This includes the Console, Cube Manager, Cube Editor, ContentPack Editor, and Content Pack Deployer.

• EPM Performance Canvas

• EPM Performance Canvas Planning

• Epicor EPM Glossary Designer

• Each Epicor EPM content pack - This includes cube templates and visualizations.

At least two licenses codes require importing:

• Epicor Enterprise Performance Management - This is the license for Epicor EPM Server and Epicor CubeConnect.

• Individual Content Pack - Each purchased content pack includes a new license code that you must import

to make the Content Pack available for deployment.

The imported license file controls the display of features under the Features node.

Workshop - Import a Content Pack License File

License codes are issued for each Content Pack. Before you install a new Content Pack, use the EPM ServerManagement Console to import the corresponding license file.

1. In the Console tree, expand the localhost > Epicor EPM Server node.

2. Select the License node.

3. From the Action menu, select All tasks > Import License.Alternatively, right-click the License node, and select All tasks > Import License.

4. In the Supply License File dialog, browse to and select the license file.

The license file has the .lic extension and is provided with each Content Pack.

5. Click Open.

All features become available once the license file is imported and display under the License > Features node.

Note You can also use EPM Content Pack Deployer to import a license.

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ERP System Node

The <ERP System> node in the EPM Server Management Console is intended for company databases and cubesadministration.

ImportantMicrosoft Management Console® version 3.0 is required to enable the Epicor EPM Server ManagementConsole <ERP System> node.

If you have Microsoft Management Console version 2.0, update it to version 3.0 by installing MicrosoftKB907265 hotfix for Windows 2003 Server or Windows XP. This hotfix is included in the Epicor EnterprisePerformance Management delivery package.

Note EPM Server Management Console displays the top level tree nodes for the available ERP systemsonly.

For example, if you have an iScala database installed, and a Clientele database installed on your EPM server,EPM detects them, and the EPM Server Management Console displays two top level tree nodes: Scala and

Clientele.The nodes for the ERP systems that are not available in the installation are hidden.

When you expand the <ERP System> node, you are prompted to enter the user name and password to accessthe selected ERP system. After you enter ERP system logon credentials, the list of companies for this ERP systemdisplays.

The tree structure under the <ERP System> - <database name> node differs for different ERP systems. When youselect the database name under the <ERP System> node in the left pane, for ERP systems other than iScala, theDeployed User Cubes node displays in the right pane. When you select the company database name underthe Scala node in the left pane, the company name and company code for this company display in the right pane.For each Scala company, the following three nodes display: Deployed User Cubes, Database Extensions, andYears.

User Cube Management

In the Epicor EPM Server Management Console, you can view the properties of a user cube, check the user cubestatus, deploy and re-deploy a user cube, run (process) a user cube on demand, reconfigure a user cube, ordownload a user cube from the server.

User cubes are not available until they are deployed and processed. The cube deployment process creates aphysical OLAP cube from the glossary definition of the user cube being deployed. The cube processing processstores a static picture of the data in the new cube.

You can deploy a cube from the following applications:

• Epicor EPM Server Management Console

• EPM Cube Editor

• EPM Cube Manager

You can deploy and process a user cube on demand or set a schedule to update the cube on a regular basis.You can deploy and process cubes with different parameters. You have several ways to control how data refreshesduring processing which directly determines the length of the deployment or processing. If you want to changethe specifications of the cube, you must re-configure or re-deploy it.

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Cube's life cycle

A cube is a replication of data in the database at the time of deployment. A cube passes through several stages:

1. Cube Compilation - This stage creates the data structure and brings back data as a test without writing itto the server.

2. Cube Deployment - Cube deployment compiles the data into a multidimensional structure based on the

EPM Glossary business definition. Deployment includes the structure, but does not include the data.

3. Cube Processing - Cube processing is the process that publishes the cube for user consumption. Duringprocessing, data is written to the cube's structure and saved. The processing command saves the cube withthe data, making it available to all users.

Cube Deployment Parameters

Cubes can be deployed multiple times. For each cube deployment, you define parameters to tell EPM how torebuild the cube's structure, data, or both. The deployment parameters are as follows:

• Data Source Rebuild Type - The selection made for this parameter provides details on how to re-build thedata in the cube. Options include:

DescriptionRebuild Type

Use this option to consider the data for all financial years when processing theuser cube. In this case, during each subsequent user cube processing, EPM collects

No Optimization

information for all the financial years specified for deployment configuration tofeed the user cube.

Use this option to consider only the data for the last financial year when processingthe user cube. In this case, during each subsequent cube processing, EPM recollects

Only Last Fiscal Year

information only for the last financial year, among those specified for deploymentconfiguration, to feed the user cube. This occurs only between two subsequentcube processings for which the operational year configuration (the number ofyears and their values) is the same.

Use this option to re-process starting from the current fiscal year and also processany years defined in the future.

Only since CurrentFiscal Year

• Scheduling - You can set a schedule for cube deployment, that is define how often you want to deploy thecube: once a month, once or several times a week, every day, or every hour. For example, you can set thedeployment at a time when resource usage is at a minimum. There is also an option to deploy the cube onlymanually.

• OLAP Isolation - You can select if you want to deploy your cube as a single isolated fact and set of dimensions,or so that it interacts with other deployed cubes. This second option implies that dimensions are sharedbetween multiple cubes that are deployed separately within EPM Server. The following options are available:

Use this option to deploy your cube separately from other cubes.Standalone

Use this option to enable dimension sharing.Shared Database

• OLAP Naming - When a cube is deployed, a unique deployment ID is generated and appended to the nameof the cube to ensure that multiple deployments of the same cube can coexist on the same server. Thefollowing options are available:

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DescriptionNaming

The globally unique deployment ID is the identification of the deployment registrationrecord in the EPM cube tracking database. This deployment ID is used by the server.

Globally Unique

The cube unique deployment ID is the cube ID, which uniquely identifies the specificuser cube. When a new user cube is created with EPM Cube Editor and saved to file,a unique ID is generated and is stored for that cube.

Cube Unique

When you select this option, a field displays where you must specify your own cubedeployment ID for the cube. The user-defined deployment ID is not appended to theend of the cube name, rather, is used as a cube deployment name.

The user-defined deployment ID should be unique within the server and should notcontain the following characters: . , ; ' ` : / \ * | ? " & % $ + = ( ) [ ] { } < >

User Defined

View Cube Properties

You can view properties of any user cube in the Epicor EPM Server Management Console, or by invoking theProperties dialog directly from Windows.

Information that displays in the Properties dialog invoked from Epicor EPM Server Management Console iscube-specific and deployment-specific; the information that displays on the General tab of the Properties dialoginvoked from Windows is file-specific.

Reconfigure a Cube

Reconfiguring a cube means changing cube deployment parameters without deploying and processing the cube.For example, if you want to change the processing schedule to a new time for a cube that is already running,you should reconfigure the cube.

Note Reconfiguring does not alter the cube's structure.

Delete a CubeCubes remain in the Deployed User Cube listing in the EPM Server Management Console whether they deployedsuccessfully or not. Deleting a cube from the Console does not remove the .cbn cube file from the main storagefolder, which is the My Analysis folder by default. When you delete a user cube from the EPM Server ManagementConsole, all extract transform and load (ETL) processing schedules, database contents, and other linked propertiesof the cube are also deleted from the application.

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Workshop - View Cube Status

Complete the following to view the cube status:

1. In the EPM Server Management Console tree, expand the <ERP System> node.

2. Expand the <database> node.

3. Click the Deployed User Cubes node.

4. Notice, in the results pane, the user cube deployment status displays for each user cube deployment in theStatus column.

5. In the list of user cube deployments, right-click the user cube deployment of which you want to check thestatus, and select All Tasks > Check status.

6. In the Poll cube status dialog, click Refresh to view the latest cube status.

The Poll cube status dialog displays the following data on the cube status:

• Status Server Time - This field displays the server time when the cube's status has changed to the statusdisplayed in the Status field.

• Status - This field contains detailed information on the cube's status.

• Problem Detail - This field displays the fault details in case the cube has one of the following statuses:Failed Deployment or Failed Processing.

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Workshop - Deploy a Cube in EPM Server Management Console

You can use the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server Management Console (Console) todeploy user cubes. The cube deployment process executes the multidimensional data structure against the livedatabase and permanently writes the data to the server.

Workshop Constraint - This workshop can only be performed one time on a non-refreshed environment by a

member of the Administrator user profile. If your System Administration deploys the cube for you, begin thecourse with the Work with Business Definitions section.

Deploy the Cube

The steps below describe cube deployment in the EPM Server Management Console. If necessary, navigate tothe Console: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management >Manage Epicor EPM Servers.

1. In the Console tree, expand the <ERP System> node, for example, Epicor 10.

2. Expand the database node, for example, ERP10 (this is the database on the Ready Tech image; the databasemay differ based on your Epicor application).

3. Expand the Deployed User Cubes node.

4. Notice, the list of deployed user cubes displays in the Console tree and in the Console middle pane.

5. Right-click the Deployed User Cubes node and select All Tasks > Deploy User Cube.

The Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Open User Cube File window displays opening to the My Analysisfolder. The My Analysis folder points to the repository for the education database. Check with your systemadministrator for the exact location of your Content Pack repository.

6. Select a cube from the list of .cbn files.

Only the cube files with extensions .cbn or .cbx can be selected.

7. Click Open.

8. In the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Deploy for <ERP System> dialog, select the database from theApplication Database list.

9. Click the Get fiscal companies from the selected database button to load the list of companies fromthe selected database.

As a result, the list of companies for this database displays in the Application Context pane.

10. In the Application Context pane, verify the Deploy against all companies check box is selected.

This check box is selected by default. You may clear the check box and deploy the cube against a specific

company or companies. To do this, first clear the check box for the all companies and then select the checkbox for the desired Company ID. In this case, only data for the selected company or companies is collectedand used in user cube processing.

11. Select the Report Currency.

12. Above the Year list, verify the Deploy against all fiscal years check box is selected.

This check box is selected by default. Clear this to select specific financial years to be included in the cubeprocessing.

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Although the fiscal years can be individually selected, you are limiting the initial pull of data to the selectedyears in the cube. It is best to select all fiscal years for the initial deployment then adjust the data with eachsubsequent deployment; this way you have access to all the fiscal years in your Epicor application.

13. Remain in the Manage EPM Servers - Deploy for <ERP System> window.

Define Deployment ParametersOnce the cube is selected for deployment, define the rules, referred to as parameters, for the deployment. Multipleversions of the cube can be produced and uniquely named during the process. You can use different parameterswith each cube deployment.

1. In the Processing pane, accept the default deployment parameters.

2. In the Scheduling pane, no selections are required at this time.

3. In the OLAP Isolation pane, accept the default Standalone setting.

4. In the OLAP Naming pane, accept the default Globally Unique setting.

5. In the toolbar, click the Deploy Cube button.

6. The message displays stating the deployment request is accepted. Click OK.

7. Notice, the cube status displays as Ready for deployment but then changes to Deployed.

You can check if the cube is already deployed by polling the cube status. From the Administration Console tree,select the Deployed User Cubes node and then in the Console menu, select the Actions - Refresh. As a result,the list of the cubes displays with refreshed statuses.

Workshop - Re-deploy a Cube in EPM Server Management Console

When you deploy a cube, EPM creates a physical OLAP cube out of the user cube being deployed. The cubestructure is filled with the live data. If you modify your user cube after it was deployed, you should re-deploy thecube. In this case, the cube is processed on the server once again. Re-deploying keeps the same properties, sousually you won't change the name of the cube.

Re-deploying a cube means that the cube should be recompiled. Generally it may occur in one of the followingcases:

• you updated the cube, and so need to re-deploy it

• you updated the configuration of the target ERP system (such as installing database extensions) and want torecompile the cube on that new configuration

• the cube failed compilation, but you want to try again

You can use the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server Management Console (Console) tore-deploy user cubes.

Download the Cube to File

Use the EPM Server Management Console to download the cube from the Content Pack.

1. In the Console tree, expand the Epicor 10 > ERP10 > Deployed User Cubes nodes.

2. Right-click the MM1_Inv.OnHand cube.

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3. Select All Tasks > Download into file.

4. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Save Downloaded User Cube As screen, name the cube fileInvOnHand and place it on the Desktop.

5. Click Save.

Open a Cube for Re-deployment

1. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers screen, in the tree pane, expand the Epicor 10 > ERP10> DeployedUser Cubes nodes.

2. Right-click the MM1_Inv.OnHand cube.

3. Select All Tasks > Re-deploy.

Re-deployment will replace the existing cube with a new version.

4. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Open User Cube File screen, select the InvOnHand.cbn user cubefile you downloaded in the previous workshop.

5. Click Open.

The Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Re-deploy for Epicor 10 window displays.

Remain on the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Re-deploy for Epicor 10 screen.

Re-deploy a Cube

The configuration choices tell EPM how to pull the data to build the structure of the cube and fill it with data.The Deployment can be redefined or scheduled to save processing time.

1. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Re-deploy for Epicor 10 screen, in the Application Contextsection, verify the Deploy against all companies check box is cleared.

2. Select EPIC03 Company.

Verify no other company is selected.

3. In the Report Currency field, verify a currency name displays.

4. Verify the Deploy against all fiscal years check box is selected.

5. In the EPM Context section, in the Scheduling section, make sure to do the following changes:

• Frequency: Weekly

• Week Days: Saturday• Time of Day: 21:00:00

6. From the Toolbar, click the Re-deploy cube button to begin the re-deployment process.

7. To the The re-deployment request has been sent and accepted by the Epicor EPM server... message,click OK.

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8. On the Console screen, in the Deployed User Cubes section, track the cube deployment status. Right clickover Deployed User Cubes and select Refresh.

The status changes from Registered to Deploying, then to Deployed at the successful completion of theprocess.

If the status Failed Deployment displays, right-click the cube and select All Tasks > Check status. The errormessage is helpful in troubleshooting the failed deployment.

Process the Cube

1. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers screen, right-click the recently deployed cube and select All Tasks> Run Now.

The cube status changes from Processing to Processed at the successful completion.

2. Right-click the Deployed User Cubes node, and select Refresh.

Perform this step until the Console displays the Processed cube status. Your updated cube is now readyfor use.

3. Close the Console window.

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Workshop - View Cube Properties

Complete the following to view the cube properties:

1. In the EPM Server Management Console tree, expand the <ERP System> node.

2. Expand the <Database> node, for example ERP10.

3. Click the Deployed User Cubes node.

4. In the list of cubes, select the cube.

5. From the Action menu, select the Properties item, or right click the cube name and select Properties.

The <Cube name> Properties screen displays.

The following information about the cube displays:

• Name

The name of the cube specified in the Cube Editor - Name dialog when the cube was created.

• Cube ID

Cube ID uniquely identifies specific user cube. When a new user cube is generated with EPM Cube Editor,and is saved to file, a unique ID is generated and is stored in that cube. Because cube names and cube filenames can be not unique, the ID is the only way to establish the origin of a specific cube.

Note

When cube is deployed this ID is not used. In the physical cube name on the server the user cube nameis used.

• Deployment ID

Deployment ID is a unique identification of the deployment registration record in the Epicor EPM cube tracking

database. The deployment ID is used by the server.

• Description

The description of the cube specified in the Cube Editor - Name dialog box when the cube was created.

• Status

The current cube status.

• Status time

The server time when the cube's status has changed to the status that displays in the Status field.

• Scheduled for deleting

This field can display one of the following values:Yes - The cube is scheduled for deletion. This value displays when you executed the Delete cube command.

No - The cube is not scheduled for deletion.

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Content Pack Management

The EPM Content Packs node of Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server Management Consoleis one of two ways to deploy predefined EPM Content Packs or packs created in the EPM Content Pack Editorapplication. You can also view the list of the deployed EPM Content Packs, deployment details and status detailsunder this node.

Pre-defined collections of cubes and canvases, called Content Packs, are available for the following applications:

• Epicor ERP

• iScala

• Avante

• Clientele

Each content pack includes many cubes and visualizations for your immediate analytical needs. The EpicorEnterprise Performance Management (EPM) Server can be used to deploy a content pack.

You must deploy a Content Pack to be able to view the canvases in the EPM Performance Canvas. You can deploy

Content Packs against a single company or against multiple companies for cross company analysis of trends andperformance.

There are similarities between the EPM Content Packs node and the EPM Content Pack Deployer application.The difference is that the EPM Content Packs Console node allows the managing and deploying of the contentpacks (both local and stored on the server), while the EPM Content Pack Deployer allows managing and deployinglocal Content Packs. Local Content Packs are those for which you have the content pack files physically available.

Workshop - Deploy a Content Pack

Important Workshop Constraint - This workshop can only be performed one time on a non-refreshedenvironment. The product license must be installed before you can deploy Content Packs.

Navigate to the EPM Server Management Console using the following path: Start Menu > All Programs >Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > Manage EPM Servers.

1. In the Console tree, select the EPM Content Packs node.

2. From the Action menu, select All Tasks > Deploy Pack.

The Manage EPM Servers - Open EPM Content Pack File window displays.

3. Browse to and select the <Content Pack>.bpk file from your Epicor application Content Pack listing (forexample, MaterialManagement.bpk for Epicor ERP).

The .bpk is the file extension for a content pack.

4. Click Open.The Target Epicor EPM Server screen displays.

5. In the Specify the Target EPM Server where the pack will be deployed field, specify the physical nameof the host - Epicor EPM server.

EPM Content Pack Deployer uses this host name to access the server.

For example, accept the default value or enter localhost.

6. Click Next.

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The Target Performance Canvas Server screen displays.

7. Clear the Deploy EPM Performance Canvas Dashboards check box.

8. Click Next.

The Select Content Pack screen displays.

The Select the content pack to be deployed field displays the content pack you selected before.

9. Review the content pack properties, structure and contents.

10. Review the message at the bottom of the Select Content Pack screen.

This content pack was never deployed on this machine before, so the No already deployed versions ofthe pack found. message displays.

11. Click Next.

The Application Context screen displays.

Remain in the Application Context window.

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Workshop - Create a Deployment Context

When you deploy an EPM content pack, you first specify basic content pack deployment information. After thatyou define the application context for all the cubes in the Content Pack on the Application Context screen.

Note

You can create specific contexts for some cubes in the content pack later on the Review Deployment

Options screen.

Context options are based on the ERP system datasource. The following example creates a context based on theEpicor ERP.

Important Workshop Constraint - This workshop can only be performed one time on a non-refreshedenvironment.

1. On the Application Context screen, in the Application Database field, select the source database wherethe pack will retrieve data.

For example, select ERP10.

2. Click the Get fiscal companies from the selected database

button to load the list of companies from the selected database.

3. Clear the Deploy against all companies check box.

If this check box is selected, all the companies are selected, and you are not able to deselect any of them;in this case the cubes from the content pack are deployed for all the companies in the current database.

4. Select one of the companies.

For example, select EPIC05.

5. In the Report Currency field, select the report currency for the content pack deployment, for exampleEURO.

For each company, three report currencies and one base currency are defined in the Epicor ERP system. Fordetails on the report currency, refer to Epicor ERP on-line documentation.

The Report Currency field displays the list of currencies, which are defined in all the companies, selected fordeployment. If the Report Currency field is empty, and no options are available for selection in this field,then the selected companies do not have common currencies. In this case, reduce the number of companiesfor deployment.

For example, if USD and EUR are defined for Company A, USD and RUR are defined for Company B, andCAD is defined for Company C, then the Report Currency field is empty, when all three companies areselected for deployment. If you select Company A and Company B, only USD is available in the ReportCurrency field.

6. Clear the Deploy against all fiscal years check box.

If this check box is selected, all the financial years in the years list are selected, and you are not able todeselect any of them; in this case the cubes from the content pack are deployed for all financial years ofthe current fiscal calendar.

7. Select the required financial years.

For example, select 2012 and 2013.

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8. Click Next.

The OLAP Isolation screen displays.

You should now specify deployment options such as Processing Schedule, Data Source Rebuild Type andso on.

Remain on the OLAP Isolation screen.

Workshop - Specify Deployment Options

After you specify basic content pack deployment Information, and create EPM content pack application context,you are taken to the OLAP Isolation screen.

1. On the OLAP Isolation screen, select Standalone.

This option means that each cube in the content pack will be deployed separately from other cubes.

Another available option is Shared Database. Use this option if you want to enable dimension sharing.

2. Click Next.

3. On the Processing Schedule screen, in the Process cubes field, select Weekly.

4. Click in the Day of Week field, and select Sunday and Wednesday.

5. Click in the Day of Week field again to close the days list.

6. In the Starting at field, specify the time when you want to process your cubes.

For example, 01:00:00.

7. In the Start cubes .. minutes apart field, select the interval between cube processings.

Other available cubes processing frequency options are:

Additional scheduling settingsOption

Daily • Starting at - Specify the time when you want to process your cubes.

• Start cubes ... minutes apart - Specify the interval between cube processing.

Monthly • Day of Month - Select the day of month when you want to process your cubes.

• Starting at - Specify the time when you want to process your cubes.

• Start cubes ... minutes apart - Specify the interval between cube processing.

Use this option to deploy content pack cubes with no processing schedule. When the OnStandby option is selected, the cubes can only be processed manually.

OnStandby

8. On the Processing Schedule screen, click Next.

9. On the Processing Options screen, select Rebuild only for the current fiscal year and on .

This means that the content pack cubes will be re-processed for the current fiscal year and also for any yearsdefined in the future.

Other available Data Source Rebuild Types are:

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Use this option to consider only the data for the last financial year, whenprocessing the content pack cubes.

Rebuild only for the last fiscalyear

In this case, during each subsequent cube processing Epicor EPM recollectsinformation only for the last financial year, among those which arespecified for deployment configuration, to feed the cubes. This occursonly between two subsequent cube processings, operational year

configuration of which (the number of years and their values) is the same.This option saves processing time.

Use this option to consider the data for all financial years when processingthe cubes.

Rebuild for all fiscal years

In this case, during each subsequent cube processing Epicor EPM recollectsinformation for all the financial years specified for deploymentconfiguration to feed the cubes.

10. Click Next.

11. On the Date Format screen, click Next.

12. On the Link to Enterprise Search screen, click Next.

The Review Deployment Options screen displays. You are now ready to deploy the EPM content pack.

13. Review the information you provided for each cube from your content pack.

You can adjust application context, scheduling, OLAP naming and isolation for each cube individually.

14. Click Next.

15. On the Deploy screen, clear the Process pack cubes after deployment check box to deploy the cubes

in the content pack without further processing.In this case, you can process the cubes later using EPM Cube Manager or EPM Server Management Console.

16. Click Deploy to start deployment.

The wizard screen displays the deployment progress. You can select each of the steps to view detailed actiondescription.

After deployment, the The cubes from the EPM content pack have been successfully deployed messagedisplays at the top of the Content Pack Deployer screen.

17. When the EPM content pack deployment is complete, click Exit to leave the EPM Content Pack Deployerapplication.

You can alternatively click the Deploy Another Pack button to deploy more content packs.

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Epicor EPM Platform Architecture

Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) is a set of tools that collectively provide management,deployment, and customization services to manage EPM Content.

The EPM tools use the architecture explained below to manage the data. For this example, the Epicor ERPapplication is the datasource.

(1) EPM Overview Key

This section identifies the components of the graphic overview.

(2) OLTP and ReplicationOnline transaction processing (OLTP) is real-time processing of SQL transactions in a datasource. In this example,the datasource is Epicor ERP which requires replication to extract and build a SQL Operational Data Store (ODS).Other datasources may not require replication, however Epicor recommends to create a replicated ODS to increaseperformance.

The EPM management tools are available across many OLTP sources and can be used to extract data in two ways:

• Directly - Data can be extracted directly and made available for use in reporting tools such as the ManagementReporter and Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR). Data extracted directly is real-time and subject to theresources available to the OLTP.

• Replicated - Some datasources, such as Epicor ERP, use replication to extract a static copy of the OLTP systemdata which is offloaded to another location using Sonic MQ. The replicated data can be extracted on a

scheduled basis and becomes a static datasource referred to as the ODS.

The ODS serves as a data warehouse for staging, consolidation, and data cleansing. Consolidation includesmerging of data from multiple sources. Data cleansing is the process of removing or correcting invalid data. Thisis often called conforming the data.

(3) User Cubes to Content Packs

The Extract, transform, and load (ETL) box represents the logic that moves the data from the ODS into the relationaldatabase structure that holds multi-dimensional data for one or more business processes. The data is transformedinto the schema patterns which define the multi-dimensional properties of the data in the cube.

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The analysis services user cube contains complete online analytical processing (OLAP) metadata. The EPM Glossaryprovides the metadata structure which guides the exploration of multi-dimensional data. The analysis servicescube acts as an optimized index, however, the user cube stores the data structure, not the data itself.

Each datasource has an EPM Glossary which contains the table relationship information as well as pre-defineddimension attributes and measures. The EPM Glossary uses this information to build the structure of a user cube.

Once the user cube is populated based on the OLAP structure, it becomes available as a unique datasource forseveral analytical tools. Cubes are the data foundation and are packaged in Content Packs for many of the Epicorlines of business.

The EPM Performance Canvas is the analysis platform you can use to create visual presentations from the cubes.Use SharePoint™ to display the canvases for remote users. EPM Performance Canvas also has the interface touse a Canvas on mobile devices.

Basic Concepts and Terminology

This section provides a description of the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) basic concepts andterminology. It includes an overview of the online analytical processing (OLAP) technology and multidimensionaldata representation, as well as basic EPM terms and definitions.

The EPM tools use OLAP to extract the data and then populate the data into a multidimensional cube structure.The multidimensional structure provides a more organized analytical approach.

It is important that you understand the concept behind the cube.

OLAP Technology Overview

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system databases often store millions of business transactions. Online AnalyticalProcessing (OLAP) is the preferred way of extracting meaningful information from large datasets because itprovides intuitive analysis and investigation of trends, patterns, ratios, and quantities in transaction data. Whiletraditional row-and-column reports present a single, fixed view of business data, OLAP allows to interact with

data, add and remove dimensions, apply filters, and change the perspective on the data.

OLAP is built on multi-dimensional data structures, called cubes, that must be custom designed for each set oftransactional data. EPM Cube Editor (refer to the EPM Cube Editor section for more information) is designedto solve the issues of cube design and deployment.

OLAP differs from traditional reporting because of six defining characteristics:

• OLAP systems are designed to look at data over time, rather than at a single time element.

• OLAP reports are not based on the operational data store (ODS) directly, but on a separate, replicated analysisdatabase. This additional layer is also known as data warehouse which is the collection of all the OLAP contentincluding cubes, data marts and such. All Epicor applications are based on SQL Analysis Services.

• The analysis database stores business data in cubes. Each cube is based on a fact table, which is usually a

transaction table (for example, GL transactions, order lines, stock transactions).• A cube contains measures, which are aggregated transaction values from the fact table (for example, actuals,

delivered quantity, turnover, average price).

• Measures are calculated by dimensions, which are retrieved from master data tables related to the fact table(for example Chart of Accounts, Cost Center, Product Group, Country).

• OLAP cubes require separate products for viewing the data. The analysis server does not provide a suitableinterface for viewing and analyzing the data.

Note OLAP analysis reports are intended for online analysis, therefore OLAP tools do not offer printformatting.

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Multidimensional Data Representation Overview

Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) is a online analytical processing (OLAP) solution that providestools for the analysis of multidimensional data. It is based on techniques distinct from that used in a usual relationalmodel.

Benefits of Multidimensional Data Representation

Relational databases are organized around a list of records. A relational table is based on a simple row (record)and column (field) data format. These structures allow quick retrieval of a limited amount of records using simplequeries. The relational database does not allow aggregation across large amounts of data based on data patterns.

Built on top of relational database technique, OLAP technology enables optimal retrieval capabilities across largeamounts of data aggregated across records. OLAP applications are used by analysts and managers who frequentlyrequire higher-level aggregated data. OLAP solutions empower them to explore and exploit corporate data forstrategic business advantage, predict new business opportunities (all in a single environment), handle time seriesand analyze any aspect of stored information.

From Tabular to Multidimensional Data Representation

A typical example of two-dimensional data representation is a relational table. Data values in such tables can bedefined as measures each with two arguments (dimensions): rows and columns. If you take one record goingdown and one record going across, you see that there is a one-for-one correspondence, for example, one valuemeeting pre-defined requirements.

Another example of a relational table is the table having more than a one-for-one correspondence between thefields. As an example, we have sales data (sales volume in packages) for each source (where the packages arefrom), route (how the packages are delivered), and time.

The table represents Sales (measure) dimensioned by Source, Route, and Time. The measure can be analyzed indifferent ways. You may fix some source and build a table with sales volume distributed across routes and time(dates). Alternatively, select a time point (date) and analyze sales by different routes for that time point.

Cube ConceptAn object containing a set of concurrently analyzed multidimensional measures is called a cube. The term cubeconnotates a multidimensional view of data. Most cubes have at least three data dimensions and a suite ofconsolidated measures.

The following cube image illustrates the example above. It shows how many packages are delivered to particularplace (Route dimension) by using a particular type of transport (Source dimension) for a particular time interval(Time dimension).

Cube Example

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Hierarchical Dimensions

In contrast to two-dimensional structures, multidimensional structures are represented as hierarchies. Thehierarchical relationship is used to create parent-child links where each child has only one parent. Hierarchies arealso referred to as trees. In explaining hierarchies, the following terms are used:

• Root – This is an upper-level element that has no parents.

• Node – This is any tree element that has children and a parent.

• Leaf – This is an end element that has no children.

In this example, notice the following hierarchical dimensions:

Source:

Route:

Time:

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The Source and Time tree has one root element, two nodes and four leaves each. The Route tree has one rootelement, two nodes and six leaves.

Aggregation of Data

The value of a measure with a hierarchical dimension is calculated in each node of the hierarchy using a functionthat summarizes data values in all sub-nodes and leaves. This function is called an aggregation function. Forexample, the Sales measure is aggregated by the Source dimension (and others as well) using the additivefunction.

Another widely spread aggregation function is the averaging function. In some cases, the aggregation functionis not used at all.

A measure can have different aggregation functions by each dimension. For instance, the Sales measure hasthree dimensions: Source, Route and Time. The total of Sales is calculated with additive function applied to alldimensions: Source, Route, and Time. The described aggregation by dimension hierarchy is called built-in.

Another aggregation type, called external, is applied to non-hierarchical dimensions. It implies that itemizeddimensions are replaced with more general ones, for example, Months are replaced with Quarters, Quarters arereplaced with Years. This aggregation type is applied to Time dimension in Epicor EPM.

Epicor EPM Terms and Definitions

The following Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) terms and definitions are referenced throughoutthis course and are important to understand.

• Business Intelligence (BI) - A generic term that describes leveraging the organization's internal and externalinformation assets to make better business decisions.

• Cube - A set of data that is organized and summarized into a multidimensional structure defined by a set ofdimensions and measures. The cube is the data foundation for the content packs as well as graphs and reports.Cubes often include defined data hierarchies such as Fiscal Year > Fiscal Quarter > Fiscal Period which enableanalysis to roll up to any hierarchy level. In Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, a "cube" refers to a singleSSAS solution which enables analysis of a particular set of data using OLAP techniques. User cube is thedefinition for certain specific analytical processing. This is not an OLAP cube exactly. The difference betweena user cube and an OLAP cube is that a user cube is the universal specification of an OLAP cube in terms offield names (or specified dimensions and levels in terms of OLAP).

• Dashboard/Canvas - A dashboard is a visual display of the information required to achieve one or moreobjectives that is monitored on a single computer screen. The EPM dashboards also referred to as canvases

are a created in the EPM Performance Canvas tool.• Data Mart - The relational database representation of a single cube, also known as a single star schema. A

star schema data mart contains the data necessary to perform an analysis of a particular business process ata particular granularity.

• Data Mining - Data Mining is an advanced business intelligence technique in which statistical and machinelearning techniques are used to discover new information from an existing set of data such as a relationaldatabase. Data Mining techniques are often used to make predictions and forecasts.

• Data Warehouse - A database, or set of databases, specifically structured for query and analysis. A datawarehouse typically contains data representing the business history of an organization. In SQL software

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engineering terms, a data warehouse is what an OLAP cube is querying for retrieving data. A data warehousecan be viewed as a collection of data marts which share standard conformed dimensions, adhere to the samedata standards, and are stored at the finest grain possible. Often, the data warehouse is a set of data martsimplemented within a single database. The key to the data warehouse is that the data is consistently representedbetween data marts even though each data mart contains a different multidimensional view of the data. TheEpicor EPM Data Warehouse consists of an ODS database where data is collected and consolidated, a DataMart database where the data is restructured for specific analytic views, a set of Microsoft SQL Server AnalysisServices cubes which provide OLAP access to the data marts, and an EPM Glossary, a set of data definitionswhich defines what data is available within the warehouse and how it can and should be structured foranalysis.

• Decision Support - Systems designed to support the complex analysis required to discover business trends.The information retrieved from these systems allows making business decisions based on timely and accurateanalysis of business trends.

• Dimension - A structural attribute of a cube which is used to sort, filter, and group measurable data. Thesecategories typically describe a similar set of members upon which you want to base an analysis. Dimensionsfrequently contain hierarchies used to provide logical drill-down views within a cube. For example, a geographydimension might include levels, or attributes, for Country, Region, State or Province, and City which wouldallow a user to see measures aggregated at the Country level and then drill down into Region, State, and soforth.

• Dimension Table - A table in a data warehouse whose entries describe how data in a fact table may begrouped, filtered, and sorted. Dimension tables contain the data from which dimensions are created.

• ETL - Extract, Transform, Load process (and the logic behind it) that pulls data from the operational database,transforms it to fit the analysis needs, and puts it to the Data Warehouse.

• Fact Table - A central table in a star schema (or more broadly Dimensional Modeling) that contains numericalmeasures and keys relating facts to dimension tables. Fact tables contain data that describes specific eventswithin a business, such as bank transactions or product sales. During analysis, the data in a fact table isdesigned to be quickly aggregated along one or more dimensions.

• Glossary (EPM Glossary) - A data warehouse uses a relational schema definition to store data. The EPMapplication refers to this schema as the Glossary. It is a set of .XML files that contain all business expertise ona specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) application and can be referred to as a data dictionary. An EPM

Glossary is a definition of how data can be retrieved from a source ERP system and how that data can beused within EPM user cubes. The Glossary contains enough information for EPM to create a customizable setof cubes and all of the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) logic required to move data into those cubes from thesource system.

• Granularity - The level of detail of numeric data in a fact table. For example, a fact table that stores data forsales measures could be calculated at various granularities. For Sales Line Item, metrics are calculated separatelyfor every single sales line item. This would let you sort and filter by properties of a line item like product. ForSale, metrics are calculated separately for each sale. You could sort and filter by customer but not by product.For Day, sales totals are calculated separately for each calendar day. You can see aggregated sales statisticsby time but cannot filter by customer or product.

• Hierarchy - A logical tree structure that organizes the members of a dimension such that each member hasone parent member and zero or more child members. In explaining hierarchies, specific terms are used. Rootis an upper-level element having no parents. Node is any tree element having children and a parent. Leaf isan end element having no children.

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) - A KPI is a measurement for gauging business success. KPIs measure agoal value versus a current actual value for a set of dimensions. The data result provides a status for achievingthat goal.

• Level - A name of a set of members in a dimension hierarchy such that all members in the set are at the samedistance from the root of the hierarchy. For example, a time hierarchy can contain the levels Year, Month,and Day.

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• Measure - In a cube, a set of values that are based on a column in the cube's fact table. Measures are usuallynumeric. Measures are the central values that are aggregated and analyzed. For example, a "Sales Total"measure might be split across a time dimension to show sales total summarized by month. Each measure isa numeric value and an aggregation operation that the cube can use to summarize it. All measures areaggregated, normally summed. Available aggregates in EPM are Sum, Min, Max, Count, and Average (Mean).

• Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) - The technology that uses multidimensional structures to providerapid access to data for analysis. The source data for OLAP is commonly stored in a relational database within

data warehouses.

• Online Transaction Processing System (OLTP) - In the context of EPM, OLTP systems are the transactionalsystems that provide data for OLAP multidimensional cube.

• Operational Data Stores (ODS) - Often confused with Data Warehouses, an ODS collects data for a datawarehouse and may provide a location for data consolidation and cleansing, a key data warehousing function.

• Star Schema - This refers to how tables are joined to build a centralized fact table that pulls information frommeasures. Star schema is a specialized type of database schema design which is separated into Fact tablesand Dimension tables. It is used to provide simple, high performance database storage for OLAP systems.

• Star Weight - A level of importance expressed numerically. EPM Server uses star weight to determine whatorder should be used when joining glossary definitions together to construct a cube. The table with the higherstar weight is considered first in the join..

• User Cube - The definition for specific analytical processing is called a user cube. This is not an OLAP cubeexactly. The difference between a user cube and an OLAP cube is that a user cube is the universal specificationof an OLAP cube in terms of field names (or specified dimensions and levels in terms of OLAP).

User cubes are created by the EPM Cube Editor application and are sent to the server for deployment.

Star Schema

Each Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) user cube includes one fact table and many dimensiontables representing a conceptual star schema. The selected measures determine the contents of the fact tableand its granularity. The selected facts determine the contents of each dimension. Online transaction processing(OLTP) must exist so that EPM can join together all required data.

Refer to the image below as reference for the following star schema examples. The examples are based on orderanalysis data at the order line level. Quantitative data, such as quantity, cost, and price, are stored within theOrder Line item fact table. Each line item from an order is stored and linked by customer, sales region, date, andproduct.

The example data mart enables analysis of orders at theline item level. Quantitative data such as quantity, cost,and price are stored within the Order Line Item Fact table.Each line item from each order is stored and linked bycustomer, sales region, date, and product.

Order data may be analyzed by summarizing and filteringorder line items by any of the attributes within the related

dimensions.

Date: Fiscal Period, Quarter, Year

Product: By product class, attribute, cost

Customer: By customer demographics

Sales Region: By city, state, region, country, and so on

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Fact Table

A fact table contains aggregated data that becomes the basis for reporting and calculating. All fact tables havea numeric data level of detail called granularity. An EPM user cube determines the granularity by the measurewith the highest star weight. Using the glossary definitions OrderTotal (from the OrderHed table) andLineItemPrice (from the OrderDtl table) as measures for a cube, the granularity is defined by theOrderDtl.LineItemPrice. It is given a higher star weight as it provides more details on the line level (such as productand ship date).

The star weight ensures the fact tables are constructed appropriately. If OrderHed.OrderTotal has the higher starweight, line item drill down becomes unavailable in the user cube. The schema has one record in the fact tablefor each available Line Item Price record. Assuming that Line Item Price has no filter expression to exclude datafrom the cube, one record exists in the fact table for each record in the OrderDtl table.

Dimension Table

Each dimension is a group of closely related EPM Glossary definitions that can be used for grouping, filtering,and sorting data in a deployed cube. The dimensions can have many fields if they have a low record count. Forvery large dimensions, such as customer, it is wise to limit the amount of fields available. Dimension fields areused for filtering, grouping, and sorting.

Date DimensionThe Date dimension is the most important dimension as it allows data to be analyzed over time. Most cubes haveat least one Date dimension.

The Date dimension allows to separate the dimensional data, for example Customer data, into multiple dateaggregations. In this example, the various buckets for the aggregation include FiscalYear, FiscalPeriod, FiscalQuarter,and so on.

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EPM Glossary Designer Overview

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Glossary contains predefined dimension attributes,measures, and table join information that defines how data is retrieved from a source system such as Epicor ERP,

Clientele, or iScala. The glossary contains enough information for EPM to create a customizable set of cubes andall the required extract, transform, load (ETL) logic required to move data into those cubes from the source system.

Building an EPM Glossary (Glossary) is similar to designing a SQL Server Analysis Services® Cube and ETL withinBusiness Intelligence (BI) Development Studio® and SQL Server Integration Services®. The result is a structurefrom which Epicor Cube Connect tools can selectively pull predefined cube members (measures and dimensionattributes) to create custom cubes containing specific data.

Each Epicor source system has one EPM Glossary that generates many predefined Content Packs. You can addcustom definitions and calculated measures to the Glossary for specific analytical requirements. Custom glossarycreation is available but requires a thorough understanding of the data structure. The EPM Glossary includedwith the Content Packs for each Epicor data source guides the selection of dimension attributes or measures anddoes not require thorough understanding of the data structure.

The EPM Glossary Designer scans the database schema of the selected online transactional processing (OLTP)datasource to generate a new Glossary. This schema scan reads the table relationships and builds the foundationfor the new Glossary.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectEPM Glossary Designer Overview



Key Components

The following graphic shows the components of the EPM glossary.

• Preprocessor – Custom Preprocessors, sometimes referred to as initializers, are custom TSQL procedures thatprovide additional intelligence for cubes. For example, use a preprocessor to perform data cleansing operationsand create a custom table to track changes in data that is not stored in the source database.

• Glossary Definitions – A glossary definition, sometimes referred to as a business definition, is used to buildan individual data element. Each definition defines a potential cube member (dimension attribute or measure)and defines the joining and linking relationships with other definitions to create custom cubes. The definitionsare available to EPM Cube Editor users to include in custom cubes.

• Cube Templates – Predefined user cube templates available in EPM Cube Editor after a BDD pack installation.BDD pack is installed as the first step of an EPM content pack installation. Use cube templates as the foundationto create new custom user cubes and assign a new identification to the new cube.

• Physical Schema Definitions – Data taken from the physical schema (tables) and detailed information thatdefines valid ways to joining tables together to use in a cube is referred to as a physical schema definition.This definition is a description of the way EPM joins data for retrieval and may not match the description oftable relationships in the source database.

EPM includes physical schema definitions for most Epicor applications.

Glossary Definitions

Glossary definitions are business terms that describe dimension attributes, dimensional hierarchies, measures,aggregations, and calculated measures used to populate user cubes. Many predefined definitions are includedwith the Content Pack and cubes. You can import Glossary definitions across cubes if the structure of the definitionis similar.

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OLTP Table Relationships

Behind each Glossary definition are the retrieval details, aggregation rules, and table relationships required topopulate the definition (dimension attribute or measure) selected to be a member of a user cube. The joinsappropriate for a cube may differ from the standard foreign key relationships used in a database definition. TheGlossary requires the link definition between two tables as well as the direction of the join.

Join direction is defined using the following terms:

• Strong - This term is given to the starting table.• Hook - This term refers to the destination table.

• Star Weight - This term refers to a numeric importance level used by EPM Server to determine the order inwhich a cube's glossary definitions are added to the cube. The glossary definitions determine the joins to useduring the cube ETL.

OLTP Join Example

To create a functional Glossary, it is important to understand the interaction between star weight and joins. Thesimplest rule for defining a transaction set is to assign the highest star weights to the tables which containmeasures at the most detailed level referred to as granularity. In the following example, the two glossary definitions,Order Total and Line Item Price, are measures for a cube. The join is laid out as follows:

Star WeightOLTP TableDefinition

100OrderHedOrder Total

101OrderDtlLine Item Price

The granularity of data included in the cube is defined by the Line Item Price because it has the highest starweight. One record for each available Line Item Price record is present in the fact table. Assuming that Line ItemPrice has no filter expression to exclude data from the cube, there is one record in the fact table for each recordin the OrderDtl table. The join provides details in the cube such as line item, sales price, part numbers, and shipdates which become part of the cube for analysis.

If the Order Total (OrdeHed) definition carries the higher star weight, the cube builds the details at the OrderTotal (OrderHed) level thereby blocking any line details (OrderDtl). OrderHed details, such as Order Date, Purchase

Order, Ship Via, are available, however the join doesn't allow line item details due to the star weight.

Combining measures from multiple granularities is not always advisable. The simplest way to ensure that granularityis always correct is to make a separate cube for each granularity. For example, the Order Head and Order Detailcubes.

OLTP Processing

Data is directly extracted from an OLTP data source by pulling in source columns or calculating data values usingStructured Query Language (SQL) value statements. Any number of custom data table definitions and customTransact-Structured Query Language (TSQL) initialization scripts can be used to populate the tables. A customTSQL script, called an initializer, creates and populates one or more Extension Tables with data. These tables canbe used as an OLTP source for a Glossary definition. The script executes during the cube processing before anyother data processing begins.

Initializers provide a flexible way to extend the basic join and calculation capabilities of the EPM Glossary allowingtransient or permanent custom database tables to become part of the cube processing. Once you create theExtension table and columns, select and add them to the glossary definition.

For example, in Epicor ERP, a user defined table can be created to hold custom details. That table can be joinedto a standard table through the use of an initializer and brought into the cube. Initializer scripts execute duringthe cube processing before any other data processing begins if they are required by a cube. The script brings inthe user defined table and its join, which then becomes a glossary definition as part of the cube being processed.If OLTP Processing is not used for the join, the table is not included in the cube, as it is not a standard piece ofthe schema.

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Business Definitions and Attributes

The term business definition is used as a common name for a dimension attribute (also referred to as dimensionlevel) or a measure. Quite a few actions are common for dimension attributes and measures.

You can perform different actions on business definitions. These actions are available from the following menus:• The first menu is available directly form EPM Cube Editor.

• The second menu is available from the Glossary (for details refer to the Business Glossary section).

Dimensions

Use the EPM Glossary Designer to quickly create a dimension from a set of glossary definitions. Each dimensionis a collection of dimension attributes, which are in their turn related glossary definitions available for grouping,filtering, and sorting data in a deployed cube.

Each dimension is self contained. This means online transaction processing (OLTP) joins are required to enableflattening of the dimension attributes together. If no direct join is available between the tables in a dimension,

EPM attempts to find a way to join the tables individually with other tables in the cube. This may cause thedimension to fail.

Hierarchies

Hierarchies provide drill-down style navigation within the cubes and help SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS)understand how to optimize for better query performance. A hierarchy consists of a set of glossary definitions.If the cube uses any of the glossary definitions listed in the hierarchy in one of its dimensions, the hierarchy isautomatically added to the cube.

A dimension can have multiple hierarchies. A dimension can have attributes that are not contained in any hierarchy.

The Edit Menu

When you add a new measure or dimension attribute, you use or edit an existing business definition. The EditBusiness Definition screen displays the following business definition details:

• Attributes - A business definition can have one of the following attributes:

• Day Ageing - This applies ageing, in days, for the date type business definition.

• Sign Reversal - This attribute allows dimensional business definitions to reverse the sign of numericalvalues of the other business definitions, defined as measures in user cube.

• Heritage - Heritage specifies inherited behavior of the business definition. The business definition inheritsthe behavior of the business definition that is selected as the value of the Heritage parameter.

You can select more than one business definition under Heritage. In this case, the business definitions areinherited hierarchically.

If a business definition formula is empty, it is inherited. If a business definition has its own formula, this formulais used, instead of the inherited formula. For more information, refer to the Setting and Adjusting Formulasection.

• OLAP - Use this routine to set or edit the business definition Format String that informs SSAS of the formattingthat should be applied to a measure's result.

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• Formula - Formula specifies additional rules on how to construct the value of the business definition. Aformula consists of two parts: Calculation and Filter.

• Calculation - This defines the rules on obtaining the value for the business definition. Formula has priorityover Heritage (for details see the Setting and Adjusting Heritage section).

• Filter - Selecting this defines the additional logical rules for filtering data supplied for the formula calculation.

Workshop - Launch the EPM Glossary Designer

Launch the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Glossary Designer directly from the Windows®

Start menu.

To connect, the designer must point to the server and database you are using.

1. From the Windows® Start menu, navigate to All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor EnterprisePerformance Management > Epicor EPM Glossary Designer

2. In the Glossary Designer Database field, select your Server and the Database.

3. In the EPM Glossary field, select your glossary name.

4. In the OLTP Source Database field, click the down arrow to select the server and the database forconnection.

5. In the OLTP Source Database field, select your Server and the Database.

For example select localhost and ERP10.

6. Click the Test Connection button.

This is not required, however Epicor recommends that you always check the server/database connectionbefore you proceed.

7. Verify the Connection Successful message is displayed.

8. Return to the EPM Glossary Designer start window and click Start.

The Epicor EPM Glossary Designer - <database name> window displays. It systematically scans the connecteddatasource to locate cube details and present them in the window. This is the initial build process of the EPMGlossary.

Glossary Designer Start Screen

The start screen of Epicor EPM Glossary Designer is shown below:

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Specify the following data in the fields of the start screen:

• Glossary Designer Database

In this field, select your local Glossary Designer repository database. This database stores the glossaries thatare currently under development. This database should be backed up frequently.

• EPM Glossary

To create a new glossary, click

in the EPM Glossary field. As a result, the New Glossary dialog box is displayed. For description of thisdialog box refer to the Creating New Glossary section.

• OLTP Source Database

In this field, select the OLTP source system you want to work with while designing the glossary. This databaseshould be available so that the Glossary Designer can view its schema, and so on.

• Start

Click this button to start the Glossary Designer. At this point the Glossary Designer starts and begins scanningthe database schema of the source system.

• Cancel

Click this button to cancel launching the Glossary Designer.

Creating New Glossary

You create a new glossary in the New Glossary dialog box:

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Specify the following data in the New Glossary dialog box:

• Glossary Name

Type a unique name for the new EPM Glossary.

• Source System

Select the Epicor source system for which you want to define this glossary, or select a generic SQL Server towork with any SQL Server 2005 or 2008 database.

• Default Database

Enter the name of the default database which this glossary uses. This name can be changed later by the users,as they use the glossary.

• Glossary Version

The version number of the glossary. Epicor recommends that this number corresponds to the version numberof the source system. A generation build number is automatically appended by the Glossary Designer touniquely identify the generation version of this glossary.

• Description

If required, provide a brief description of the newly created glossary.

• OK

Click this button to confirm creation of the new Glossary and return to the Glossary Designer start screen.

• Cancel

Click this button to cancel the creation of a new glossary.

Glossary Designer User Interface

This section describes the user interface of the Glossary Designer.

The Glossary Designer window has seven tabs. The following sections describe these tabs and the actions youcan perform on each tab in detail.

1. File – General options for the Glossary Designer are available on the File menu. In previous versions thismenu was represented in the circular “pearl” menu.

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2. Glossary – The main entities of the EPM Glossary are glossary definitions that can be edited on the Glossarytab. Each glossary definition defines a potential user cube member (dimension attribute or measure), as wellas the calculation method and the way of retrieval from the source system for this cube member. A glossarydefinition also defines how a user cube member can be joined with other glossary definitions to createcustom user cubes. The Glossary tab displays data details in a column and row spreadsheet view. In the firstrow each column acts as a filter for the Glossary data. You can add new fields in the Glossary tab; theydisplay at the bottom of the screen.

3. OLTP Joins – Glossary definitions describe how to create a measure or dimension and how to retrieve itsdata, but without a well defined set of joins between source tables, it is impossible to combine them together.To make user cubes construction available to Epicor EPM users, it is necessary to define the key ways to jointables in the source system. You create basic table joins on the OLTP Joins tab.

4. OLTP Processing – In addition to getting data directly from OLTP source columns or calculating data valuesusing SQL value statements, EPM glossary can contain any number of custom data table definitions andcustom TSQL initialization scripts used to populate these tables. A custom TSQL script that creates andpopulates one or more extension tables with data is referred to as an initializer. Any extension table canthen be used as an OLTP source table for a glossary definition. Initializer scripts run during cube processingbefore any other data processing begins, if a cube requires them.

5. Cube Templates – On the Cube Templates tab, you can create new user cube templates and edit theirparameters. Each user cube template contains a single user cube definition. It is similar to the user cubedefinition created in the Epicor Cube Connect - Cube Editor. User cube template construction is also a goodway to ensure the core glossary will function well when constructing user cubes.

Epicor strongly recommends to include user cube templates in all glossaries in order to ensure glossarydefinitions and joins are well tested for common usage. If you do not intend to let users make simplecustomizations to cubes, you can forego use of the Cube Editor entirely and build all of your cubes directlywith the Glossary Designer.

6. Dimensions – On the Dimensions tab, you can add dimensions and dimension attributes, as well as edittheir parameters.

Each dimension is a group of closely related glossary definitions that can be used for grouping, filtering,and sorting data in a deployed cube. You can quickly and easily create a dimension from a set of glossarydefinitions in the Glossary Designer.

7. Hierarchies – On the Hierarchies tab, you can add hierarchies and hierarchy levels, as well as edit theirparameters. Hierarchies provide drill-down style navigation within cubes. They also help SSAS optimize queryperformance. In the Glossary Designer, you can easily define a hierarchy that consists of a set of glossarydefinitions. If a user cube uses each of the glossary definitions listed in the hierarchy in one of its dimensions,this hierarchy is automatically added to the user cube during glossary generation.

8. Generate – On the Generate tab, you can generate user cubes, generate and deploy glossaries, and configuretheir options. All other tabs in the Glossary Designer application are intended for creating all required glossary

components. The Generate tab is intended to actually generate and output a glossary file that EPM Serverand EPM Cube Connect use. Glossary generation is the process of translating the glossary design into thefinal glossary format. Generation may optionally also output .cbn files for each user cube template whichcan be directly deployed to EPM Server.

Glossary Definition Parameters

You can edit each glossary entry directly in the grid and in the right panel of the Glossary tab. After you edityour glossary entry, you can check it for errors. For this purpose, click the Validate or Validate All button onthe toolbar.

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The Glossary tab is shown below:

You can edit the following parameters of a glossary definition:

• Lock

When selected, this option indicates that this glossary definition was previously locked for release. If an itemis locked for release it may have been previously available for customers. When you edit it or remove a lockedglossary definition, be particularly careful.

• Gen

Select this check box to force the current glossary definition to always be included in generation, even if it isnot used by any cube template. If this check box is cleared and the current glossary definition is included ina cube template, this glossary definition is automatically included in generation.

• Display Group

In this field, specify the name of the display folder under which this glossary definition is grouped in theBusiness Glossary in the EPM Cube Editor application. Epicor recommends that you specify the display groupfor all glossary definitions to make locating of the glossary definitions in the EPM Cube Editor applicationeasier.

Example

If you specify Sales\Quota Performance in the Display Group field, the current glossary definition willbe added to a folder called Quota Performance under a top-level folder called Sales.

For details see the Business Glossary section.

• Name

Specify a unique name to identify the glossary definition. In SQL Server Analysis Services, this is the name thatis assigned to a dimension, measure or hierarchy level built from this glossary definition.

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This name should be human readable, less than 100 characters, and may contain spaces, but should notcontain the following characters:

.,, ; ' ` : / \ * | ? " & % $ ! + = () [] {} <,>.

• Caption

In this field, specify the short name for this glossary definition. This value is optional.

For example, in a cube which contains the Non Nettable WhB dimension attribute, you can set up the NonNettable caption for this dimension attribute, and the user will see Non Nettable as the name. The underlyingcube will still use the full name for queries so names will be unique, but the user can see easy-to-understanddescriptions instead of the glossary names.

• OLTP Table

In this field, specify the name of source system database table, from which this glossary definition fetches itsvalue. Table membership determines how an individual glossary definition is calculated and joined into a cube.It is required for all glossary definitions, even for calculated ones.

• OLTP Field

In this field, specify either an OLTP field or a value calculation. It is used to inform the Cube Connect applicationshow the value for this glossary definition is determined. Simple glossary definitions are often referenced to

as Table.Column in the source database. In this case simply specify the name of the source database columnin this field.

• Cube Usage

In this field, select how this glossary definition can be used in a cube: as a measure, as a dimension attributeor as both. Measures (like a currency value) are numeric values, calculations like SUM can be performed uponthem. Dimension attributes (like a customer or a product) are values that are used to sort, group, filter, anddrill down data within cubes.

• Aggregation

If a glossary definition is used as a measure in a cube, select the default aggregation method for this measure.

The following values are available for this field:

• Sum

• Count

• Min

• Max

• Average

• Star Weight

In this field, specify the star weight for this glossary definition. Star weight is an importance level expressednumerically, which helps EPM Server to determine, what order should be used when joining together glossarydefinitions to construct a cube. Higher starweighted items are considered first.

• Multi Currency

Select this check box to treat the current glossary definition as Epicor ERP multi-currency column. During thecube deployment the users can specify the currency, in which they would like the cube to output. As a result,all the multi currency columns will retrieve the base, report 1, report 2, or report 3 currency value that matchesthe requested currency as specified within your Epicor application.

Note This option is ignored in all source systems, except Epicor ERP, for which EPM has specificmulti-currency support.

• Year Limiter

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Select this check box to limit the data processed into a given cube deployment by year. This option designatesa DateTime column as a source for performing this filter. Each limiter will only limit data from its OLTP Table.

Note

Use the year limiters carefully or they may filter out data that you want to include in your cube. Anyrecords containing null values for a year limiter column are excluded from all cubes.

•SQL TypeThe TSQL data type that is used to store this glossary definitions data during processing and in the SSASCubes. This value is only required if the glossary definition has a calculated value. Otherwise the type of thesource database column is used.

• Glossary Description

In this field, specify a readable description that is included in the glossary. Describe what this glossary definitiondoes and what for it can be used. Epicor recommends that you specify descriptions for all glossary definitions.

• Filter Expression

Type an expression in SQL or XML, that determines, whether and when this glossary definition will excludeitself from a cube. Expressions are evaluated to a true or false (Boolean) value and are run during cube

processing. If the expression value is True , the glossary definition is included in the cube, if the expressionvalue is False , the glossary definition is excluded from the cube.

When the glossary definition is excluded, it is null in the resulting cube.

• Value Expression

Type an expression in SQL or XML, that is used to determine the value of this glossary definition in the cubes.This expression is run during cube processing in SQL.

Since this calculation is run only once while data is being processed into a cube, it should be used with cautionas measures will aggregate the resulting values. If, for example, an average is calculated using a value expressionand then summed by the cube, this value will not be correct.

• OLAP Expression

In this field, enter the MDX expression, which is used as a calculated measure in a cube. OLAP expressionsare run on-demand within the cube, so this is an appropriate place to do ratios and averages that remaincorrect regardless of summary level in the cube.

• Note

In this field, enter any development specific notes for this glossary definition. This information is not outputanywhere in the final glossary and is only provided as a convenient place to store development notes.

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Workshop - Work with the Glossary Tab

Use the Glossary tab to edit glossary definitions. Each glossary definition defines a potential cube member -dimension attribute or measure - as well as the calculation method and the way of retrieval from the sourcesystem for this cube member. A glossary definition also defines how a cube member can be joined with otherglossary definitions to create custom cubes.

Import Glossary Entries

To quickly add glossary entries from your source system schema use the import procedure.

1. On the toolbar, click the Import

( )button.

2. In the dialog box that displays, select the database fields you want to import.

The Glossary Designer imposes some restrictions on source data, for example blob/text data types are not

allowed in the cubes.

3. Click OK to import the selected fields to the Glossary Designer.

The selected fields from the source database are imported to the Glossary Designer. The Glossary Designer createsnew glossary definitions based on each selected column.

Add Glossary Entry

To add a new glossary entry use the following procedure.

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1. Click the Add

( )button on the toolbar.

The new line is added to the list of glossary definitions.

2. In the newly added line, specify the glossary definition parameters.

The descriptions of the glossary definition parameters are listed in the Glossary Definition Parameterssection.

The new glossary definition is added.

Copy Glossary Entry

To create a copy of an existing glossary entry use the following procedure.

1. In the list of glossary entries, select a line with the glossary entry you want to copy.

To select the line, click to the left of the leftmost column. Make sure you select the complete line.

2. Click the Copy button on the toolbar.The new line is added at the bottom of the list of glossary definitions.

The glossary entry is named <Old glossary entry name> Copy 1 by default.

3. In the newly added line, adjust the new glossary definition parameters.


The copy of an existing glossary definition is added.

Edit Glossary Entry

To edit an existing glossary entry use the following procedure.

1. Select the required line in the list of glossary definitions.

2. In the selected line, edit the values of the glossary definition parameters.


The glossary definition is modified.

View Cube Fields

The Glossary listing is grouped by Display Group, which is similar to a data cube. This workshop introduces waysto navigate to specific data.

1. Click the Display Groups heading to sort the listings in descending order.

2. Navigate to the Display Group Part\Properties.

3. In the Name field, locate Part Number.

4. From the Display Group heading, click the Filter Row (the solid border below the heading).

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This activates a quick search pane which is available under each heading.

5. In the search field, enter Inventory.

The cursor moves to the first entry with Inventory in it.

6. Navigate to the Display Group Inventory/Quantities and Name Allocated Qty.

This field is a measure field.

View a Glossary Calculated Field

Calculated fields are created using code or formulas and are not always numeric calculations. Most fields arecreated using pure XML, SQL, or MDX language. You can use calculated fields as measures or dimensions. Somecalculated fields have no table listed while others are tied to a table but have no field specific details.

1. Navigate to the Display Group Inventory\Costs.

2. In the Name field, select Burden Value OnHand.

This field is a calculated field created with XML script.

3. In the Value Expression pane on the right, view the actual XML script.

4. Navigate to Display Group Inventory\Costs.

5. In the Name field, select SubC Unit Cost BIN.

6. Review the Value Expression field to view the SQL code that creates this field.

7. To view an MDX field, right-click the grid and select Customize Columns.

All the fields available for the grid view display in the Field Chooser.

8. From the Field Chooser, drag the Olap Value Expression item onto the grid.The OLAP Value Expression column displays on the far end of the Glossary grid view.

9. Navigate to the OLAP Value Expression column.

10. From the Filter Row, select (Non Blanks) to display all MDX fields.

11. Select the first entry in the OLAP Value Expression.

12. In the OLAP Expression pane on the right, view the formula behind the field.

13. In the Description pane on the right, view a field description.

View Glossary Templates

Use formula templates to display patterns with variables. When the formula executes, a field name replaces thevariable.

Many templates are included in the Glossary.

1. From the Glossary Designer toolbar, select Calculation Templates (the sigma icon).

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2. From the Template listing, select Calendar Date (Alpha Month).

3. From the Filter Row in the Template column, select Yes/No (1=True).

Use this template when you work with logical fields that are on or off.

4. From the Filter Row in the Template column, select Blank (Use Not Specified).

Use this formula to define the group level when a table is not selected in a hierarchy.

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Cube Connect

Epicor Cube Connect is a family of tools available to create, customize and deploy Epicor Enterprise PerformanceManagement (EPM) cubes and content packs.

Epicor Cube Connect was developed by Epicor to leverage Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services and is comprisedof the following four tools:

• EPM Cube Editor

• EPM Cube Manager

• EPM Content Pack Editor

• EPM Content Pack Deployer

EPM Cube Editor

EPM Cube Editor is a wizard-style cross-platform OLAP system you can use to design cubes based on the databasesof a range of ERP systems. Cube design is simple and does not require vast knowledge of the source ERP database.

Once created, cubes can be deployed immediately in the EPM Cube Editor or they can be saved to file for laterdeployment.

The EPM Cube Editor accesses the EPM Server to manipulate data and perform context-specific actions on it.

EPM Cube Manager

EPM Cube Manager is intended to deploy user cubes created in the EPM Cube Editor.

EPM Content Pack Editor

EPM Content Pack Editor is intended to create content packs. A content pack is a set of user cubes with one ormore canvases for each cube. These content packs are then deployed by means of EPM Content Pack Deployer.

EPM Content Pack Deployer

EPM Content Pack Deployer is a wizard-style application intended to deploy EPM content packs created by meansof EPM Content Pack Editor.

Cube Connect tools install together and interface with Epicor EPM Server.

Cube Connect tools are applications for workstation users and can be installed outside the EPM Server.

EPM Cube Editor

Use EPM Cube Editor to solve the common issues of cube design and deployment for a range of Epicor products,including iScala and Epicor ERP. In the EPM Cube Editor, you can create custom user cubes from predefined usercube templates as well as customize, edit, and tailor Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) cubes to include yourown measures and dimensions.

You can design user cubes with the EPM Cube Editor even if you do not have thorough knowledge of the sourceEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) database. You can immediately deploy the cubes you created, or save thecubes to file for later deployment.

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Cube ConnectEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Cube Types

There are three cube types:

• User Cubes - The system administrator or an individual with the appropriate license creates user cubes. Youcreate user cubes based on an existing template.

• Predefined Cube Templates - Each ERP-specific Epicor EPM BDD pack provides a collection of cube patternsthat can be used as templates. BDD pack is installed as the first step of the EPM content pack installation.

• Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Cube - All Content Pack cubes are available for data manipulation usingMicrosoft SQL Server Analysis. User cubes are not available for use with Microsoft SQL Server Analysis.

In the EPM Cube Editor, you create user cubes based on existing predefined cube templates. You can adjust thetemplates to create new user cubes or use the templates without adjustments.

EPM Cube Editor Interface

The EPM Cube Editor is a wizard-stile application that uses the following six screens to create a user cube:

• Select Template

• Cube Name

• Measures

• Dimensions

• Design Complete

• Deployment

On each screen, you can change the user cube parameters or use the predefined ones.

EPM Cube Editor screen is a dual panel interface that provides selections for the various wizard steps and additionalinformation throughout the wizard process.

Workshop - Edit a Cube from the Content Pack

Edit one of the existing cubes that have been deployed on the Sales Management content pack.

Download the Cube Using the Console

Use the EPM Server Management Console to download the cube from the Content Pack.

1. Use the following path to navigate to the EPM Server Management Console from the Microsoft Windows®

Start menu: All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > ManageEpicor EPM Servers.

2. In the Console tree, expand the Epicor 10 > <Database> > Deployed User Cubes nodes.

For example, use the ERP10 database.

3. Right-click the SM1.EXC.SalesQuota cube.

4. Select All Tasks > Download into file.

5. On the Manage Epicor EPM Servers - Save Downloaded User Cube As screen, name the cube fileSalesQuota and place it on the Desktop.

6. Click Save.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectCube Connect



Open Cube in Cube Editor

You can customize cubes that are included in content packs. You can add or remove dimensions and measuresto meet the specific needs of the new user cube.

1. On the Desktop, right-click your SalesQuota cube file and select Open with Epicor EPM Cube Editor.

2. On the Epicor Cube Connect - Cube Editor - Cube Name screen, in the Name field, adjust the defaultuser cube name. For example, enter SalesQuota.

3. In the Description field, enter the new user cube description.

The description defaults from the template.

4. Click Next.

The Epicor EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen displays. The screen displays the organized measures includedin the template.

Remain on the Epicor EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen.

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Measures

Measures are the values from the cube’s fact table that are aggregated and analyzed. For example, actuals,delivered quantity, and turnover can be measures. Measures are usually numeric. Measures are calculated by thedimensions, which are retrieved from master data tables related to the fact table; for example, Chart of Accounts,Cost Center, Product Group, and Country.

Measures Screen Overview

The EPM Cube Editor – Measures screen displays three panes. The main pane displays the measures included inthe selected cube. You can remove the measures that do not apply from your new cube. The EPM Glossary makesa structure check when the cube is compiled and can identify any relationships that may result from removingMeasures.

The middle pane of the screen provides an area to add new or existing measures. You can customize and addnew measures to the Glossary as long as they meet the Glossary restrictions.

The bottom pane of the window displays the SQL selection criteria text details. The details, including the database,server, and operating system display in the Design against <Your ERP system> ERP system section. Thiscriteria can also be changed during the compile process.

Workshop - Add Measures In Cube Editor

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Glossary contains existing measures. When you create acube, you can select an existing measure or use existing measures to create a calculated measure without beingconcerned about the data relationships rules.

The measures that display on the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen in the top pane are already members ofthe cube template. The measures listed are aggregated or they are calculations contained in the template anddefined in the Glossary.

Add an Existing Measure

Many predefined measures are supplied with each ERP system Content Pack. You can add measures to any

template as needed. Add a new or existing measure to your cube on the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen, in the top pane, right-click anywhere in the empty space andselect Add Measure > Use existing business definition.

The EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary window displays. Here you can select a business definition anduse it as a measure in your new cube.

2. To find a particular business definition, in the left pane, switch to the Alphabet tab to see the businessdefinitions list ordered alphabetically, or to the Groups tab to see the list ordered logically.

• On the Alphabet tab, expand the node of the starting letter of the business definition you look for.

• On the Groups tab, expand the node of the logical group to which the business definition you look for

belongs. Expand the sub-group if necessary.

3. Click the business definition.

4. Review the business definition properties in the right pane.

The right pane displays the following information:

• Whether the business definition is Standard or User Defined

• Business definition Name and Description

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• Allowed OLAP roles - This field tells you whether you can use this business definition only as a measure,only as a dimension level, or in either role in your cube.

5. Right-click the required business definition, and select Select.

You return to the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen.

As a result, the selected business definition is added as a measure to your cube.

Note Only Standard and User Defined business definitions can be selected.

Add a New Measure

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen, right-click anywhere in the upper pane, and select AddMeasure - Define new business definition.

The EPM Cube Editor - Create New Business Definition screen displays.

2. On the EPM Cube Editor - Create New Business Definition screen, enter the name and description of

the new measure. For example, enter Sales Quota Bad.

3. Click OK.

The EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen displays.

The new business definition is added as a measure to your cube. This business definition is stored in the EPMGlossary as User Defined and is linked to the cube for which you created it. To define a new measure for useacross multiple cubes, use the EPM Glossary Designer.

Remain on the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen.

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Business Definitions

The term business definition is used as a common name for dimension attributes (also referred to as dimensionlevels) and measures. All business definitions are stored in the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)Glossary.

A data warehouse uses a relational schema definition to store data. Epicor EPM refers to this schema as the

Glossary. The Glossary contains all business expertise on a specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.A Glossary includes all business definitions for a source ERP system.

From the Cube Connect point of view, a Glossary is a structure from which Epicor Cube Connect tools canselectively pull business definitions to use them as measures or dimension attributes. These predefined cubemembers are used to create custom cubes that contain specific data a customer needs.

Add a Business Definition

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, right-click the Calculation Wizard thatresembles a calculator.

2. Select Define Calculation as > Just a value of something > Database Field.It might take some time to load the next screen.

3. In the left pane, select the Erp.SRepQDtl table.

4. In the right pane, select Number02.

5. Click Select.

You can now see Number02 has been added under Calculation.

6. Click Test.

Make sure to test your Business Definition before you move forward.

7. On the EPM Cube Editor - Create Epicor 10 Company Configuration screen, clear the Deploy againstall companies check box.

8. Select EPIC03.

9. Select the Create company configuration icon.

10. To the Company configuration has been created successfully message, click OK.

You can now see the Compiling user cube screen.

11. On the User cube has been compiled successfully screen, click OK.

12. On the Edit Business Definition screen, click Close.

13. Click Next.

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Business Definition Parameters

To add a new measure or dimension attribute in the Cube Editor, you use an existing business definition or editit. To edit a business definition, change its parameters.

Each business definition has the following parameters:

•Attributes

• Heritage

• OLAP

• Formula

Attributes

A business definition can have the following attributes:

• Day Ageing

This applies ageing, in days, for the date type business definition. It also modifies the business definition intoa category identification similar to ABC analysis so it is tested against certain pre-set categories by one or

more day ranges.• Sign Reversal

This attribute allows the dimensional business definition to reverse the sign of numerical values of the otherbusiness definitions, defined as measures in the user cube. If this attribute is applied to a logical comparisonor filtering statement, it reverses the sign for the filtered result of that comparison or entire logical statement.

Note

Not all attributes are available for all source ERP systems.

Heritage

Heritage specifies inherited behavior of a business definition. Business definitions inherit the behavior of thebusiness definition selected as the Heritage parameter.

You can select more than one business definition. In this case, the business definitions are inherited hierarchically.

Use the Heritage parameter to copy a part of a Standard business definition to create a User Defined businessdefinition. Only User Defined business definitions are editable. All custom User Defined business definitions haveto be inherited from one of the Standard business definitions.

Note

A business definition cannot be inherited more than once on the same level of the inheritance hierarchy.A business definition cannot inherit itself explicitly or implicitly, as the Cube Editor does not allow deadloops in the Heritage.

OLAP

A business definition can have the following OLAP parameters:

Format String.

Use the Format String to inform SSAS of the formatting that should be applied to a measure's result. The FormatString value can contain [currency] and it will be replaced with the corresponding standard currency symbol inthe currency-aware ERP systems such as Epicor ERP. When the currency type is known, Format Strings for currencymeasures are filled in automatically with values appropriate for that currency.

Caption

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Formula

Formula specifies additional rules on how to construct the business definition. A formula consists of two parts:

• Calculation defines the rules to obtain the business definition value.

• Filter defines the additional logical rules to filter the data supplied for the formula calculation.

Formula has priority over Heritage. If a business definition formula is empty, it is inherited. If a business definitionhas its own formula, this formula is used, instead of the inherited formula.

Cube Editor provides a set of wizards that build formula parts and setup heritage for you. They are easily invokedfrom the main menu (or toolbar) of the business definition edit dialog. The Heritage Wizard, Calculation Wizard,and Filter Wizard are available. Invoke each of the wizards and pass through all its steps to define the desiredformula for your business definition.

Note You can only edit the business definitions of User Defined type including the business definitionyou have just created. The business definitions of Standard or Technical type cannot be edited; you canonly view the internal structure of Standard and Technical business definitions.

Workshop - Set and Adjust Formulas

You can edit existing User Defined business definitions in the Glossary Designer or in the Cube Editor by addingand adjusting business definition parameters.

Adjustable parameters include Attribute, Heritage, OLAP and Formula. The Formula parameter consists ofCalculation and Filter and specifies additional rules on how to construct the business definition value.

Important Workshop Constraint: This workshop requires an Epicor application database to be createdand listed in the EPM Server Management Console. Information in the following workshops are onlyavailable on a User Defined business definition. Use the new measure, XXX_Sales Quota Bad (where XXXare your initials) added in the Workshop - Add a New Measure to view the details that follow.

Compose a Calculation

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, expand the Formula node.The Calculation and Filter nodes display.

2. Right-click Calculation and select Define calculation as.

The list of calculation types displays. The following image displays the context menu.

You can select among the following calculation types:

• A binary operator

Every binary operator can have as many operands as you specify. The following table describes binaryoperators and their ways of handling the operands.

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DescriptionSymbol

The Addition operator provides the sum of all child operand nodes.+

The Multiplication operator provides the multiplication of all child operand nodes.×

The Subtraction operator subtracts all child operand nodes from the first child operandnode.

-

The Division operator uses the first child operand node as a dividend and all thefollowing child operand nodes as divisors.

÷

• A function

Every function can have as many operands as you specify. The following table describes the functionsand their ways of handling the operands.

DescriptionAbbreviation

The Square Root function calculates the square root of the first child operand. Allthe following child operands are ignored.

sqrt

The Power function raises the first child operand in the power of the second childoperand. All the following child operands are ignored.

pow

The Logarithm function calculates the logarithm of the first child operand with thelogarithmic base represented by the second child operand. All the following childoperands are ignored.

log

The Common Logarithm function calculates the common logarithm (the base is 10)of the first child operand. All the following child operands are ignored.

lg

The Natural Logarithm function calculates the natural logarithm (the base is theEuler number) of the first child operand. All the following child operands are ignored.

ln

The Summation function calculates the summation of all child operands.sum

The Size function calculates the size of the first child operand. All the followingchild operands are ignored.

length

The Substring function extracts a substring of the first child operand. The secondchild operand denotes the start position of extraction. The third child operand

Substring

denotes the length of the string being extracted. All the following child operandsare ignored.

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This function converts the first child operand into uppercase. All the following childoperands are ignored.

Uppercase

This function converts the first child operand into lowercase. All the following childoperands are ignored.

Lowercase

The Maximal function selects the maximal child operand of all child operandsavailable.

Max

The Minimal function selects the minimal child operand of all child operandsavailable.

Min

• Just a value of something

The following table describes the values from which you can select.

DescriptionName

When you select this value, the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screendisplays where you can select the required business definition.

Only Standard and User Defined business definitions can be selected.

BusinessDefinition

When you select this value, the EPM Cube Editor - <ERP system> DatabaseStructure Browser dialog displays where you navigate to and select the required

database table, and then database field.

Database tables and fields that you can add to the current cube calculation display.Those that cannot be added to the calculation do not display and so are unavailable

Database Field

for selection. For example, all the TEXT type columns, which cannot be used in cubecalculations, are hidden.

Note

SQL tables pertaining to the SQL schema different than dbo also display inthe Database Structure Browser. EPM Server can talk to multiple schemas inthe same SQL server source database at once to build a single cube.

When you select this value, the EPM Cube Editor - Supply Literal dialog displays.Specify the literal value and click OK.

Literal

Selecting Context prompts for further selection. The available values are:Context

• Company Code

• Financial Year

• Accounting Dimension Number

• Current Year

• Current Date

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DescriptionName

Selecting constant prompts for further selection. You can select one of the followingconstants:

Constant

• Null Value (0)

• Euler Number (e)

•

Pi Number

3. Select the calculation type in the context menu.

Notice, the item you select displays as a new node under the Calculation node on the EPM Cube Editor- Edit Business Definition screen.

4. If you selected a binary operator or a function as the calculation type, select the calculation operands.

For this purpose, right-click the name of the calculation type and select Add Operand. The following menusimilar to the menu for selecting calculation type displays.

An operand can be a binary operator, a function, or a value.

You can add as many operands as you want for any binary operator or function. However, not all thespecified operands may be processed. Review the information in step 2 for details on processing operandsby binary operators and functions.

Notice, the operands you select display as a new nodes under the Calculation - <Operator or Function>node on the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen.

5. You can perform the following actions on the operands:

• Replace one operand with another

For this purpose select the Change to command. The menu similar to the menu for selecting a value(see the description of the Just a value of something option) displays. In this menu, select the valuewith which the operand must be changed.

• Reorder operands

For this purpose, use the Move Up and Move Down commands. These commands are available if thereis more than one operand. If you move down the last operand, it becomes the first; similarly, if you movethe first operand up, it becomes the last.

• Remove operands

For this purpose select the Remove command.

Right-click the operand and select one of these options.

You can compose calculations at any level of difficulty. In addition, any nesting level is supported for the calculation.

Repeat steps 2-5, in any order, as many times as required to compose the calculation you need.

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Create a Calculated Measure

The term calculated applies to any field or fields used to create another field. Many measures in the Glossary arecreated by combining one or more field values. These values can be mathematical summaries of an existing valuefield, a calculation between one or more fields, or defined SQL calculations.

In our example, the Sales Manager wants to know if actual sales value approaches the sales quota. The calculations

use existing business definition and literal value.Calculated fields in the cube are considered pre-processing calculations in that they take place when the cubedeploys. The value becomes a field for drilling and can be summarized in the replicated data.

Other values, such as ratios, can be created after the cube compiles. Anything that needs to be recreated frequentlycan be done within the dashboard as well.

Define the Quota 80% measure


2. On the EPM Cube Editor - Create New Business Definition screen, in the Supply name for newbusiness definition field, enter XXXQuota80% (where XXX are your initials).

3. In the Supply description for new business definition field, enter This field shows if the actual salesvalue approaches the sales quota.

4. Click OK.

The field is added to the list of measures and can now be defined.

5. To the info message, click Close.

6. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, right-click the Heritage node and select AddBase Business Definition.

7. On the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screen, on the Alphabet tab, expand the S node to browsefor Sales Quota.

8. Right-click Sales Quota and select Select.

View the Sales Quota node now displays under the Heritage node.

9. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, under the Formula node, right-click theCalculation node and select Define calculation > A binary operator (+,-, etc,) > - Multiplication (x).

10. Right-click the Multiplication node, and select Add Operand > Value of > Business Definition.

11. On the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screen, on the Alphabet tab, expand the S node to browse

for Sales Quota.

12. Right-click Sales Quota and select Select.

Notice the Sales Quota node under the Calculation > Multiplication node.

13. Right-click the Multiplication node, and select Add Operand > Value of > Literal.

14. On the EPM Cube Editor - Supply Literal screen, type 0.8 and click OK.

Notice the 0.8 node under the Calculation > Multiplication node.

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15. From the Toolbar, click Save.

16. On the EPM Cube Editor - Save User Cube As screen, type the cube file name and click Save.

New calculated measure is added to the cube.

Test the new Quota 80% measure

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, click the Test button to test the cube withyour new measure against the live data.

2. On the EPM Cube Editor - Create Epicor 10 Company Configuration screen, click Create companyconfiguration button.

3. To the Company configuration has been created successfully message, click OK.

4. On the EPM Cube Editor - Compiling User Cube screen, wait for the User Cube Compilation Successmessage to appear.

5. To the The user cube has been compiled successfully message, click OK.

6. Close the EPM Cube Editor - Compiling User Cube screen.

7. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, click Close.

Compose a Filter


2. On the EPM Cube Editor - Create New Business Definition screen, in the Supply name of businessdefinition field, enter XXX Actual Sales Margin (where XXX are your initials).

3. Click OK.

4. To the info message, click Close.

5. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, right-click the Heritage node and select AddBase Business Definition.

6. On the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screen, on the Alphabet tab, expand the A node to browsefor Actual Sales.

7. Right-click Actual Sales and select Select.

View the Actual Sales node now displays under the Heritage node.

8. In the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition dialog, under the Formula node, right-click the Filternode and select Define filter as.

9. Select the filter type.

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The following Filter types are available:

• A linkage of logical statements

A linkage of logical statements can have as many operands as you specify. The NOT statement handlesonly the first operand.


Logical multiplication returns true if all the child conditions are true.AND

Logical addition returns true if at least one of the child conditions is true.OR

Logical inversion returns the logical inversion of the first child operand. All thefollowing child operands are ignored.

NOT

• A logical statement

All logical statements handle only two operands. If you specify more operands, the first two operandsare handled, and all other operands are ignored.

DescriptionSymbol

Returns true when the first child operand is equal to the second child operand.=

Returns true when the first child operand is not equal to the second child operand.<>

Returns true when the first child operand is greater than the second child operand.>

Returns true when the first child operand is less than the second child operand.<

Returns true when the first child operand is greater than or equal to the second childoperand.

>=

Returns true when the first child operand is less than or equal to the second childoperand.

<=

Returns true when the first child operand is equal to the second child operand bywildcard.

*=

All logical statements compare only the first two child operands.

For example, select Define filter as > A logical statement, and then select Less.

10. If you select a logical statement as the filter type, select its operands.

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When you add a new dimension, you should add at least one dimension level to it. Dimensions cannot existwithout at least one dimension level in Cube Editor.

All business definitions are stored in the Glossary. You cannot assign a business definition to a dimension; abusiness definition can be assigned only to a dimension attribute, or to a measure.

Every cube has a timing dimension. This dimension shows how the corresponding measure evolves with time.

Workshop - Add Dimensions in Cube EditorIn the EPM Cube Editor you can create new dimensions. For this purpose you use new dimension attributes orpre-defined dimension attributes included in the EPM Glossary as part of the purchased Content Packs. You canalso create dimensions in the EPM Glossary Designer.

The dimensions you create in the Cube Editor can only be used within one cube. A dimension can be madeavailable across multiple cubes if desired.

Dimension attributes (also referred to as levels) added to the Glossary become members of the glossary and thecube during the compile process. Dimensions added using Cube Editor become part of the cube file when itdeploys.

Dimension levels define drill down hierarchy for the dimension. You can change dimension level definitions inthe Cube Editor.

Add an Existing Dimension Level

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimensions screen, in the Dimensions of the cube pane, click the name ofthe dimension to which you want to add a new level.

Click the Period Start Date SQ dimension.

2. On the toolbar, click the Edit the selected dimension button.

3. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Period Start Date SQ screen, in the left pane, right-click theAttributes node, and select Add Attribute > Existing Business Definition.

4. On the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screen, open the Groups tab.

5. In the left pane, expand the Sales Quota > Dates folder.

6. Right-click the Period SQ business definition.

7. Select Select.

Note

You can only select Standard and User Defined business definitions.

8. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Period Start Date SQ screen, click OK.

As a result, the selected business definition Period SQ is added as a dimension level to the Period Start Date SQdimension in your use cube.

Remove an Existing Dimension Level

Each Epicor ERP Content Pack contains hundreds of predefined dimensions available for use in custom user cubes.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimensions screen, in the Dimensions of the cube pane, right-click thePeriod Start Date SQ dimension.

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2. Select Edit.

3. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Period Start Date SQ screen, in the left pane, under the Attributesnode, right-click the Period SQ dimension attribute.

4. Select Remove.

5. Click OK.

6. Click Next.

Add a New Dimension

After you created all the measures for your cube on the EPM Cube Editor - Measures screen, click Next. TheEPM Cube Editor - Dimensions screen displays.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimensions screen, in the Dimensions of the cube pane, on the toolbar,click the +1 (Add a new dimension) button.

2. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Dimension 1 screen, on the Basic tab, in the Name field, entera unique name for the new dimension.

For example, enter Sales Territory.

3. In the Type field, select one of the following options:

• Regular

• DateTime

Use this option to add a date and time dimension that will shows how the corresponding measure evolveswith time.

• The Date

Use this option to add a primary date for each cube. For more information on the DateTime and TheDate dimensions refer to the Date and Time Dimensions section.

In this example, select Regular.

4. In the Caption field, enter a short name for the new dimension.

For example, for the Sales Territory dimension, enter Territory. The user will see only Territory as the dimensionname. The underlying cube will still use the full name for queries so names will be unique, but the user willsee easy-to-understand descriptions instead of the glossary names.

Add a Dimension Level

Now add an existing business definition as a dimension level to your new dimension.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Sales Territory screen, in the left pane, right-click the Attributesnode, and select Add Attribute > Existing Business Definition.

2. In the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary dialog, select the business definition.

For example, on the Alphabet tab, expand the S node and select Sales Territory.

3. In the right pane, view the business definition properties.

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4. To view the business definition parameters, right-click it and select View.

On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, view the business definition parameters, andclose the screen.

5. Right-click the business definition and select Select.

6. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Sales Territory screen, notice the new Sales Territory node

under the Attributes node.

Your new dimension now has one dimension level.

You can as well create new business definitions and add them as dimension levels to your new dimension.

To add a new business definition as a dimension level to your new dimension:

1. In the left pane, right-click the Attributes node, and select Add Attribute > New Business Definition.

2. In the EPM Cube Editor - Create New Business Definition dialog, specify the name and description ofthe business definition you create.

3. Click OK.

The EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen displays.

Edit the business definition parameters. For details refer to the Business Definition Parameters section earlierin this course.

4. Right-click Heritage, and select Add Base Business Definition.

5. On the EPM Cube Editor - Business Glossary screen, locate the business definition that should be usedas the base for your new business definition.

6. Right-click it and select Select.

7. On the EPM Cube Editor - Edit Business Definition screen, click Close.

Add as many new and existing attributes (dimension levels) to your new dimension as you wish. The new businessdefinitions are stored in the Business Glossary as User Defined. You can use these business definition only withinthe cube for which you created them.

Add a Hierarchy

After you added new and existing attributes to your new dimension, add a hierarchy to it.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - Sales Territory screen, in the left pane, right-click the Hierarchiesnode, and select Add Hierarchy.

A Hierarchy 1 node is added under the Hierarchies node.

2. In the right pane, enter the name and caption for the new hierarchy. In this example, leave the defaultvalues.

3. In the left pane, right-click the new hierarchy node, and select Reload All Attributes.

All the attributes you have added to the dimension, are added as members to the hierarchy.

In this example, Sales Territory node is added.

4. To remove an attribute from the hierarchy, right-click it and select Remove.

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5. Add as many hierarchies as you wish.

You can add dimension attributes that are not included in any hierarchy.

Validate the Dimension

When the dimension parameters setup is complete, validate your new dimension.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Dimension - <Dimension name> screen, on the toolbar, click Validate thedimension.

2. To the The dimension has passed validation successfully message, click OK.

3. Click OK.

You are back to the EPM Cube Editor - Dimensions screen.

4. In the Dimensions of the cube pane, select the new dimension.

The dimension attributes are displayed in the Attributes of the dimension pane. The dimension hierarchiesare displayed in the Hierarchies of the dimension pane.

As a result, the new dimension is added to your cube.

Workshop - Test Compile the User Cube

Use the Compile functionality of the Epicor EPM Cube Editor to test your user cube structure without addingdata to the cube. An error screen returns any issues that emerge during the compilation.

If the compilation is unsuccessful, use the Back button tore-trace the user cube design steps.

1. On the Epicor EPM Cube Editor - Design Complete screen, in the lower pane, verify the database linkpoints to the ERP system you are using to build the user cube.

For example, ERP10.

2. In the top pane, click the Compile link.

Alternatively, in the toolbar, click the Compile Locally button.

The Epicor EPM Cube Editor - Create <ERP system> Company Configuration window displays. The screendesign may be different based on the selected data source.

3. Click Yes on the Use the latest supplied deployment context screen.

4. Click OK once the user cube compile has been completed.

5. Click Save.

6. Form the File menu, select Exit to exit the Cube Editor.

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User Cube Compilation

Use the compile process for a user cube to test construction of the user cube structure without adding data toit. User cube compilation is intended to check whether you built the user cube correctly.

After you click the Compile Locally button on the EPM Cube Editor - Design Complete screen, the cubecompilation dialog displays and you can set the following cube compilation parameters:

• Report Currency

• Companies against which your cube is compiled

• Fiscal Years against which your cube is compiled

Report Currency

Note You must select a Report Currency when you compile a cube for the Epicor ERP. Clientele and iScalado not require a report currency selection.

For each company, three report currencies and one base currency are defined in the Epicor ERP. For moreinformation on the report currency, refer to Epicor ERP on-line help.

Company

The list of companies in the selected database displays in the Application Context pane. In this list you can selectthe companies for which to compile your cube, as well as the fiscal calendar for each company.

The companies list displays as a table that includes the following columns:

• All - Select this check box if you want to include the company into the cube compilation. Otherwise, clearthis check box. By default, this check box is selected for all the companies.

• Code - This field displays the company code defined in the database.

• Name - This field displays the company name defined in the database.

• Calendar - This field displays the fiscal calendar for the company. A fiscal calendar is a set of fiscal years. Bydefault, you can define several fiscal calendars for a company.

In this field, you can select a fiscal calendar for the cube compilation.

Note To activate your selection, click somewhere outside the Calendar cell.

When you select a fiscal calendar, the fiscal years included in this calendar display in the bottom pane, in theYear section. After you select a fiscal calendar, you can include all or some fiscal years of this calendar intothe cube compilation.

• RCN - RCN is the report currency number. When you select a currency in the Report Currency field, the RCNfield displays the number of this currency for each company.

Note Not all Epicor applications support multi-currency.

Select the Deploy against all companies check box to compile your cube for all companies. To select only somecompanies, first clear the Deploy against all companies check box.

Fiscal Years

Select the Deploy against all fiscal years check box to compile your cube for all financial years of the currentfiscal calendar. As a result, all the financial years in the Year list are selected, and you are not able to deselectany of them.

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To compile a cube only for the selected financial years, clear the Deploy against all fiscal years check box andselect the required financial years.

Workshop - Compile the User Cube

Use the Compile screen of the EPM Cube Editor to test the changes to your user cube structure without addingdata to the cube. An error screen returns any issues that emerge during the compilation.

If the compilation is unsuccessful, use the Back button to re-trace the user cube design steps.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Design Complete screen, in the lower pane, verify the database link pointsto the ERP system database you are using to build the user cube.

For example ERP10.

2. In the top pane, click the Compile link.

Alternatively, in the toolbar, click the Compile Locally button.

The EPM Cube Editor - Create <ERP system> Company Configuration window displays.

The screen design may be different based on the selected datasource.

3. In the EPM Cube Editor - Create <ERP system> Company Configuration window, clear the Deployagainst all companies check box.

By default, the Cube Editor compiles against all the companies in the database. Clear this check box to beable to select specific companies.

4. Select the EPIC03 company check box.

Verify all other companies check boxes are cleared.

5. In the Report Currency field, verify a currency name displays by default. For example, USD.

The Report Currency field is a required field in the Epicor ERP.

This field displays the list of currencies that are defined in all the companies selected for compilation. All

companies selected for compilation must share the same Report Currency; if they do not, you will not beable to deploy the cube.

If the Report Currency field is empty and no options are available for selection in this field, the selectedcompanies do not have common currencies. In this case, reduce the number of companies selected for theuser cube compilation.

For example, if United States Dollar (USD) and Euros (EUR) are defined for Company A, USD and EUR aredefined for Company B, and CAD is defined for Company C, the Report Currency field is empty when allthree companies are selected for the cube compilation. If you select Company A and Company B, both USDand EUR are available in the Report Currency field.


7. In the list of fiscal years, select 2007, 2008, and 2009 check boxes.

Verify all other fiscal years check boxes are cleared.

8. In the EPM Cube Editor - Create <ERP system> Company Configuration window toolbar, click thecube icon with the green arrow to begin the compilation.

9. Click OK to the Company configuration has been created successfully message.

10. Click OK to the The user cube has been compiled successfully message.

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11. On the EPM Cube Editor - Compiling User Cube screen, read the info and press ESC.

12. Remain in the Cube Editor.

The Compiling executes the queries behind the cube.

You can use the EPM Cube Manager or the EPM Cube Editor to deploy the cube.

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Workshop - Save the User Cube

You can save a user cube to file. When you save your cube, a .cbn or .cbx file is created; but the cube is neithercompiled nor deployed or processed.

1. On the EPM Cube Editor - Design Complete screen, in the top pane, click the Save link.

Alternatively, click the Save button on the toolbar.

2. In the Save User Cube As window, in the File name field, enter cube file name. For example, enterSalesQuota.

3. In the Save as type field, select user cube native or XML format.

4. Click Save.

5. Exit the Cube Editor.

The new user cube appears to be ready for deployment based on the successful compile. Remember the compileis simply a test execution with no regard to the database execution rules. Once the .cbn or .cbx file is created, it

is ready to be deployed in the EPM Cube Manager application. Deploy a cube to make it available for others touse.

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EPM Cube Manager

Use the EPM Cube Manager to deploy user cubes created by the EPM Cube Editor.

With EPM Cube Manager you can perform the following tasks:

• Configure a wide range of cube deployment parameters.

• View and edit cube properties.

• Deploy a selected cube on different EPM servers as the Cube Manager provides the capability to select thedeployment server.

• Perform different actions on cube deployments, such as processing and re-deploying cubes, re-configuringcube deployment, viewing the cube deployment status, and so on.

• Deploy and process cubes with different parameters and according to different schedules.

The Cube Manager functionality mirrors that of the Epicor EPM Server Management Console, except the CubeManager deploys one cube at a time. Security restrictions limit cube deployment to cubes for the user ID thatcreated them.

Launch Cube Manager

You can launch the Cube Manager from the Microsoft Windows® Start menu using the following path: AllPrograms > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > EPM Cube Manager.

Alternatively, launch the Cube Manager application from the My Documents\My Analysis folder. Right-clickthe cube file (.cbn file) and select Open with EPM Cube Manager.

The workshops that follow deploy an Epicor ERP cube file.

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EPM Cube Manager Interface

The EPM Cube Manager is the Windows® application used to manage and deploy user cubes. This sectiondescribes the main elements of the Cube Manager interface.

The main interface components include the following:

1. Menu Bar - The Cube Manager menu bar is similar in appearance to a menu bar of any Windows styleapplication. The available menus are:

• File

• Tools

• Help

Many of the commands found under the menus correspond to the buttons on the toolbar.

2. Toolbar - The Cube Manager toolbar includes buttons that correspond to the menu commands. Thesebuttons are intended for server management.

• Use the Server field to select the EPM server to which you want to connect to deploy the cube.

• Use the Port field to select the port via which you want to connect to the EPM server you selected inthe Server field.

• Click the Query Server button to query the server via the selected port. As a result, the server nameand the port number display in the EPM Servers section located at the bottom left of the window.

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3. Cube Properties - The Cube Properties section displays basic cube information. You can edit in the CubeManager the cube properties that display with the pencil icon next to them.

The following cube properties display:

• Name – This field displays the cube name. The name is specified in EPM Cube Editor on the Cube Namescreen. This is the cube name, but not the cube file name. You can edit the cube name in the CubeManager.

•ERP

– This field displays the name of the ERP system for which the cube was designed. When you select

the cube template in EPM Cube Editor, on the Template screen, you automatically select the ERP system,as cube templates are designed for a specific ERP system. This field is read-only.

• Version – This field displays the version of the cube template. This field is read-only.

• Description – This field displays the description of the cube. The description is provided by default inEPM Cube Editor on the Template and Cube Name screens. You can edit the cube description in theCube Manager.

• UUID – This field contains the unique identifier of the cube. This field is read-only.

To edit the cube name and cube description, double-click the line where the property you want to editdisplays. When you do this, the screen for editing the property displays. Enter the new property value. ClickOK to keep the changes you made or click Cancel to discard the changes and return to Cube Properties.

4. Deployments - This section displays the list of cubes available for deployment for the selected EPM Server.It displays the cube deployment identification number (UUID), cube deployment OLAP name, status of thecurrent deployment, and time of the current status.

• Reload deployments from the selected server - Use this button to refresh the deployment list. Forinstance, click this button when you add a new deployment.

• Deploy a user cube on the EPM server, which deployments are listed - Use this button to add anew deployment; that is, deploy the current cube.

5. Epicor EPM Servers - This section displays the Epicor EPM server, the server name and connection portnumber, on which you want to deploy and/or manage this cube.

To populate this section with the EPM server for deploying the cube, select the Server name and Port numberfrom the lists on the toolbar. Then, when you click the Query Server button, the following occurs:

• EPM connects to the listed server.

• EPM looks for any existing cube deployments for the user cube file you opened and displays them toyou in the Deployments section.

6. Deployment Configuration - When you select the cube deployment in the Deployments section, the cubedeployment configuration displays in this section.

The deployment configuration displays as a tree. The tree root corresponds to the deployment ID. It has twochild nodes: Operational Context and <Database>.

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Workshop - Open a Cube for Deployment

1. On the EPM Cube Manager screen, from the File menu, select Open.

Alternatively, click the Open button on the toolbar.

The EPM Cube Manager - Open User Cube File window displays.

2. Browse to and select the SalesQuota.cbn user cube file you created in the Cube Editor.

3. Click Open.

The EPM Cube Manager - SalesQuota.cbn window displays.

4. On the Toolbar, in the Server field, verify localhost displays.

5. Accept the Port number of 33000.

6. From the Toolbar, click the Query server button (arrow in a green circle) to connect to the server.

The application verifies the EPM server and creates the connection. If the connection is successful, the name

of the server displays in the Epicor EPM Servers section.

7. In the Deployments section, click the Deploy a user cube on the Epicor EPM server, which deploymentsare listed button (the cube icon with an arrow).

As a result, the cube deployment window displays. The cube deployment window design differs for variousERP systems.

You can now set the processing parameters.

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Cube Deployment

Cube compilation creates the data structure and brings back data as a test, without writing it to the server. Thecube deployment executes the structure against the live database and permanently writes the data to the server.You must deploy the data cubes before you can share them.

The Cube Manager application is intended for deploying and processing user cubes one cube at a time. When

a cube is processed, a static picture of the data is stored in the new cube. Cube processing prepares the cubefor loading and use in the Performance Canvas. If you anticipate building canvases on top of a cube, the cubemust have the Processed status.

The EPM Cube Manager - Deploy for <ERP system> window determines the parameters to use when writingdata to the structure of the user cube. Following is a review of each section of the Deploy for Epicor 10 window.

EPM Context - Processing Options

A cube is a replication of data in the database at the time of deployment. There are several ways to control howdata refreshes during processing which directly determines the length of the deployment process.

Data Source Rebuild Type - The selection you make in this field tells the data source (database, Excel®

spreadsheet, and so on) how to re-build the data itself. Options include:

• No Optimization - Use this option to consider the data for all financial years when processing the user cube.In this case, during each subsequent user cube processing, EPM collects information for all the financial yearsspecified for deployment configuration to populate the user cube.

• Optimize by last fiscal year - Use this option to consider only the data for the last financial year whenprocessing the user cube. Use this option to save on processing time. In this case, during each subsequentcube processing, EPM collects information only for the last financial year, among those specified for deploymentconfiguration, to populate the user cube.

• Only since Current Fiscal Year - Use this option to re-process data starting from the current fiscal year andalso process any years defined in the future.

OLAP Processing Type - You have just one default option on how to reconstruct the complexity of themulti-dimensional cube data when the cube data refreshes:

• Data and Structure - The entire cube, both the data and the structure, refreshes. The SQL Server AnalysisServices cube structure is re-created every time you process the user cube instead of just loading data intothe existing structure. The cube structure, even if changed in the Business Intelligence Development Studio,is reset to the structure from the user cube. The cube becomes a completely new cube.

EPM Context - Scheduling

You can deploy a user cube in the Cube Manager on demand or use a schedule to update the cube data on aregular basis. Define how often you want to process the cube.

The first schedule option is cube processing frequency. The following values are available:

DescriptionValue

In this case, the following two scheduling options are available:Monthly

• Day of Month. In this field, select the day of the month, when you want to processyour cube.

• Time of Day. In this field, specify the time of the day, when you want to process yourcube.

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DescriptionValue

In this case, the following two scheduling options are available:Weekly

• Week Days. Click the week day name, select one or more days of the week whenyou want to process your cube, and click Close.

• Time of Day. In this field, specify the time of the day when you want to process yourcube.

In the Time of Day field, specify the time of the day, when you want to process yourcube.

Daily

Use this option for small cubes that can be quickly reprocessed (processing time shouldbe less than one hour).

Hourly

Use this option to deploy a cube with no processing schedule. When the On Standbyoption is selected, the cube can only be processed manually.

On Standby

EPM Context - OLAP Isolation

You can deploy your cube separated into a single isolated fact and set of dimensions. Another option is to deploy

a cube so that it interacts with other deployed cubes. This second approach implies that dimensions are sharedbetween multiple cubes that are deployed separately within EPM Server.

• Standalone - Use this option to deploy your cube separately from other cubes.

• Shared Database - Use this option to enable dimension sharing.

EPM Context - OLAP Naming

Define how the deployment GUID for the cube is generated. When a cube is deployed, a unique deployment IDis generated and appended to the name of the cube to ensure that multiple deployments of the same cube cancoexist on the same server. The following options are available:

• Globally Unique - Use this option to create the globally unique deployment ID. The globally unique deploymentID is the identification of the deployment registration record in the Epicor EPM cube tracking database. This

deployment ID is used by the server.

• Cube Unique - Use this option to create the cube unique deployment ID. The cube unique deployment ID isthe cube ID, which uniquely identifies the specific user cube. When a new user cube is created with CubeEditor and saved to file, a unique ID is generated and is stored for that cube.

• User Defined - Use this option to specify your own deployment ID for the cube. When you select this option,a field displays where you must specify the cube deployment ID. The user-defined deployment ID is notappended to the end of the cube name, rather, it is used as a cube deployment name.

Application Context - Report Currency

This field displays the list of currencies that are defined in all the companies selected for compilation.

All companies selected for compilation must share the same Report Currency; if they do not, you will not be ableto deploy the cube.

Application Context - Companies

By default, the Deploy against all companies check box is selected and the Cube Manager deploys the cubeagainst all the companies in the database. Clear this check box to be able to select specific companies.

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Application Context - Year

By default, the Deploy against all fiscal years check box is selected and the Cube Manager deploys the cubeagainst all the fiscal years. To pull data for specific fiscal years, clear the check box and select the specific year(s)of choice.

User Cube Deployment Status

A user cube deployment passes through different statuses during its lifecycle. In the Epicor EPM Server ManagementConsole, when you select the Deployed User Cubes node, status information displays in the list of cubes asthe user cube is processing.

User Cube Deployment Status Definitions

The list of statuses in order of a user cube deployment lifecycle is listed in the following table.

DescriptionStatus

The user cube is put into the server’s memory queue for deployment registration. Thisstatus is very brief and will not be seen except on very heavily loaded servers.

In RegistrationQueue

The user cube is still in the registration queue but now being written to the EPM tracking

database. This status is very brief and will not be seen except on very heavily loadedservers.

Transient

There was an unrecoverable fault in the registration process that prevents furthermovement along the deployment’s lifecycle.

Rejected

The user cube file has been sent to the server. The server is validating the file now.Registered

The user cube file is being translated into an SSAS cube and that cube is being deployedto SQL server analysis services. Also a processing schedule task is being created as a SQLagent task.

Deploying

There was an unrecoverable fault during deployment; that is, during the transition fromDeploying to Deployed status. For example, the user cube was designed incorrectly andthe user cube compiler could not compile the user cube.

Failed Deployment

The SSAS cube is online and the processing schedule is in place; however, the cubecontains no data.

Deployed

The data mart is populating with data and the SSAS cube is being refreshed. First an ETLprocess pulls data from the source system, then the SQL server cube processing actionsare called to actually update the cube.

Processing

The ETL or OLAP Processing (transition from Processing to Processed status) wasinterrupted in such a way that it could not signal with an error status (which can be

Interrupted

Failed Processing). For example, an unexpected server shutdown (power down) happenedor the Windows process hosting this operation is killed. This status can be as well assignedif the server was restarted while the cube was processing, or the process was manuallystopped, or SQL became unavailable in case you are processing a lot of data which leads

to SSAS to become overwhelmed, and so on.

This status does not, however, indicate that anything went wrong with processing. Ifprocessing failed the cube deployment would be in the Failed status instead.

There was an unrecoverable fault during ETL or OLAP Processing (transition fromProcessing to Processed status). For example, if the user cube tries to access a non-existingsource database object (database incompatibility) and the SQL script fails.

Failed Processing

The user cube was processed at least once and the last processing was a success. SSAScube data is up-to-date and can be used for analysis.

Processed

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DescriptionStatus

The deployment was marked for deletion but the server could not delete it. This isuncommon. It may be caused by corruption on the server, human intervention, or by

Failed Removal

other reasons. The Epicor EPM server will continuously try to remove the cube untilsuccess.

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Workshop - Deploy a Cube

The configuration choices tell EPM how to pull the data to build the structure of the cube and fill it with data.The Deployment can be refined or scheduled to save processing time.

1. On the EPM Cube Manager - Deploy for Epicor 10 screen, in the Application Context section, verifythe Deploy against all companies check box is selected.

2. Verify the Deploy against all fiscal years check box is selected.

3. In the Report Currency field, verify a currency name displays.

4. From the Toolbar, click the Deploy Cube button to begin the deployment process.

5. To the Deployment request has been submitted message, click OK.

6. In the Deployments section, track the cube deployment status. Click the Reload deployments from theselected server button to refresh the deployment status.

The status changes from registered to deploying, then to deployed at the successful completion of the process.A Deployment was successful message displays when the entire deployment process is complete.

If the error Failed Deployment displays, right-click the cube and select Status. The error message is helpful introubleshooting the failed deployment.

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EPM Content Pack Editor

Use the EPM Content Pack Editor to create content packs. A content pack is a set of user cubes with one or morecanvases for each cube. These content packs are then deployed by means of the EPM Content Pack Deployerapplication.

Use EPM Content Pack Editor to perform the following tasks:

• Create a new EPM content pack or edit an existing one.

• View and modify the structure of the EPM content pack.

• View and edit the EPM content pack properties.

• Save the EPM content pack with another name.

Workshop - Create a Content Pack

A Content Pack consists of a collection of user cubes and one or more canvases lined to each cube. You can

create your own content pack for deployment based on your corporate requirements.To build a content pack, perform the following steps:

1. Create a new empty content pack.

2. Add a user cube or cubes to the content pack.

3. Add one or more canvases to each of the user cubes, in order to view the user cube deployment.

Create a New Empty Content Pack and Populate It

Content Pack files are a collection of cubes and canvases ready for use by your team. When a new content packis created off a cube, a default performance Canvas is assumed. You will not create a default canvas in thefollowing example; rather, you will add an existing canvas to the new SalesQuota content pack.

1. Use the following path to navigate to the Content Pack Editor.

Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > EPMContent Pack Editor

2. From the File menu, select New or click the Create New EPM Content Pack button on the toolbar.

3. To the warning message, click Yes.

4. In the EPM Content Pack pane, click My EPM Content Pack.

5. On the EPM Content Pack Editor - My EPM Content Pack - Content Pack Properties screen, in theName field, specify the content pack name. For example, SalesQuota.

6. In the Description field, specify the content pack description.

7. In the EPM Content Pack pane, right-click the User Cube Deployments node and select Add - From Fileto add a cube to the EPM content pack.

8. Browse to Documents \ My Analysis and select the SalesQuota.cbn user cube file.

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9. Click Open.

When the cube opens, the cube node in the EPM Content Pack pane expands automatically. Notice, aDefault Canvas for SalesQuota node displays under the cube node. You can also create your own canvasesto add to the Content Package.

10. Right-click the EPM Performance Canvas node underneath the user cube for which you want to add acanvas and select +1 Add Canvas.

11. On the EPM Content Pack Editor - Select Canvas screen, in the Server URL field, specify the URL of thePerformance Canvas server where the canvases are stored and the port number.

For example, enter http://localhost:89.

12. Click the Refresh button to refresh the list of canvases on this server.

13. Select a canvas and click Select.

For example, browse for and select the Ordered Quote View (Quote Analysis) Performance Canvas.

Add a Cross User Cube Canvas

The Epicor EPM Performance Canvas dashboards can present data across cubes. This means gems and slicers canbe built from more than one cube within a Content Pack. Although the canvas is created and built using theEpicor EPM Performance Canvas, perform the following steps to add a cross user cube canvas to a Content Packpackage structure using the EPM Content Pack Editor.

Note

You must define the mapping for all the user cubes in the cross user cube canvas; otherwise, you will notbe able to save and deploy the content pack.

1. In the EPM Content Pack section, right-click the Cross User Cube Canvas node and select Add Canvas.

2. In the EPM Content Pack Editor - Select Canvas dialog box, in the Server URL field, specify the URL ofthe Performance Canvas server, where the canvases are stored.

For example, enter http://localhost:89.

3. Click the Refresh

button to refresh the list of canvases on this server.

4. Select a canvas for the cube.

If you work with Epicor ERP, you can select the MM1.POM.01.POBuyers cross user cube canvas includedin the Material Management content pack.

5. Click the Select button

to select the canvas.

The canvas displays in the EPM Content Pack section under the Cross User Cube Canvas node.

6. Click the canvas.

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Notice, the following cross user cube canvas properties display in the right pane.

• Data Source - This field displays the GUID of the live cube on the server, which is a cube within a crossuser cube canvas. A user cube from the content pack is mapped to this cube.

• User Cube - This drop-down list is used to map the cube in the cross user cube canvas and the cube inthe content pack.

• Cube UUID - This field displays the GUID of the cube selected in the User Cube field.

• Cube Container - This field displays the cube container GUID. It is a technical information.

Now you need to map the user cube in the cross user cube canvas to a user cube in the content pack.

7. In the right pane, in the User Cube field, select the user cube in the content pack you want to map to theuser cube in the cross user cube canvas, the name of which displays in the Data Source field.

After you add the cross user cube canvas you can proceed with content pack creation.

Save the Content Pack

1. After you add all the user cubes and canvases to your content pack, on the toolbar, click either the SaveEPM Content Pack File button.

You can alternatively click the Save EPM Content Pack File As button.

2. Browse to the Documents \ My Analysis folder.

The My Analysis folder is the default repository for all content packs and cubes.

3. In the File name field, enter the content pack file name.

For example, enter SalesQuota.

4. Click Save.

The Content Pack is saved with the .bpk file extension.

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The new Content Pack is now defined and saved to file. Use the EPM Content Pack Deployer application to deploythe new content pack for your team.

EPM Content Pack Deployer

Use the EPM Content Pack Deployer to deploy EPM content packs created by means of the EPM Content PackEditor application.

The Content Pack Deployer is a wizard that walks you through the content pack deployment process. Use thisapplication to perform the following tasks:

• Deploy EPM content packs.

During EPM content pack deployment, you can:

• View the structure of the content pack being deployed.

• Specify the EPM server parameters for the content pack deployment.

• Create the deployment context for the cubes in the content pack.

• Optionally process the deployed content pack.

• Track deployment and processing progress.

• Re-deploy EPM content packs

You can deploy an additional copy of a content pack that was already deployed on the same server before.

• Upgrade the deployed EPM content packs

During upgrade of the existing deployed content pack you can:

• Replace the existing deployment with a completely new one.

• Merge the new content pack deployment into the existing deployment.

Deployment is required to share a customized or pre-defined content pack among team members. At deployment,the contents of the new pack are passed over to the EPM server, canvases are connected to the PerformanceCanvas server and all the details are made available to the EPM Server in live data mode.

Workshop - Deploy and Process a Content Pack

Cubes within a Content Pack must be deployed and then processed in order to become available in the PerformanceCanvas application.

The Content Pack Deployer provides the option to process cubes as part of the Content Pack deployment process.Select the Process pack cubes after deployment option to start processing the cubes in the content packimmediately after deployment.

The cube processing may take several minutes or even several hours, depending on the cube complexity anddata source size.

If you do not select to process the cubes after deployment, you can use EPM Cube Manager or EPM ServerManagement Console to process the cubes later. The cube deployment process is described in the Workshop -Deploy a Cube.

This section describes the steps required to deploy an EPM Content Pack.

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1. Navigate to the Content Pack Deployer using the following path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software> Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > EPM Content Pack Deployer.

2. In the Specify the Target EPM Server where the pack will be deployed field, specify the physical nameof the host - Epicor EPM server. EPM Content Pack Deployer uses this host name to access the server.

For example, accept the default value or enter localhost.

3. Click Next.EPM Content Pack Deployer pings the Epicor EPM Server. If it does not respond, the error message displays.If the EPM server responds, the Target Performance Canvas Server screen displays.

4. Select the Deploy EPM Performance Canvas Dashboards check box to create the Performance Canvasvisualizations for the EPM content pack.

If this check box is cleared, no Performance Canvas visualizations will be created for the EPM content packduring deployment. In this case, deployment of the cubes included in the EPM content pack is done as ifthe cubes are deployed by means of the EPM Cube Manager or EPM Server Management Console.

The Deploy EPM Performance Canvas Dashboards option is enabled by default.

5. In the Specify the Performance Canvas Server URL where Dashboards will be deployed field, enterthe URL of the web server where Performance Canvas is installed and the port number.

Use the <server name>:<port number> format.

For example, accept the default value or enter http://localhost:89/.

6. In the Specify the XMLA Web Service URL to which Performance Canvas will connect to retrievecube data field, type the URL of the XMLA web service which is installed on IIS and to which PerformanceCanvas connects to retrieve the cube data.

Use the <server name>:<port number> format. The default XMLA web service port number is 8064. Bydefault, this field displays the last used URL.

For example, accept the default value or enter http://localhost:8064/.

7. Click Next.

EPM Content Pack Deployer pings the Performance Canvas server and XMLA web service. If both of theseobjects respond, the Select Content Pack screen displays.

8. Click the Browse button.

9. In the Select EPM Content Pack dialog, navigate to Documents > MyAnalysis.

10. Select the content pack to deploy.

For example, select SalesQuota.bpk.

11. Click Open.EPM Content Pack Deployer loads the content pack file and checks if this content pack was deployed onthis server before. The Select the content pack to be deployed field displays the content pack you selected.

12. Review the content pack properties, structure and contents.

This information is taken from the EPM content pack Properties and Structure sections and is read-only. Fordetails refer to the description of the corresponding sections in EPM Content Pack Editor help.

13. Review the message at the bottom of the Select Content Pack screen.

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The No already deployed versions of the pack found. message displays, because this content pack wasnever deployed on this machine before.

If a content pack was already deployed on the same server, the Found already deployed versions of thepack. message displays at the bottom of the Select Content Pack screen.

14. Click Next.

The Application Context screen displays. Remain on this screen. The next workshop helps define the requiredsettings.

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Workshop - Create Deployment Context

Creating a Deployment Context is similar to creating deployment parameters specific to the cube, or cubes, inthe content pac. You can then assign deployment contexts to the user cubes in EPM content pack. Contextdefinition is required for each cube in the new content pack.

1. On the EPM Content Pack Deployer - Deployment Context - <Content pack filename> screen, in the

Sandbox for Deployment Contexts pane, right-click Epicor 10.

This is the name of the ERP system for which to add a deployment context.

The Sandbox for Deployment Contexts pane lists the deployment contexts created thus far for eachavailable ERP system.

2. Select +1 Add Context.

3. On the Create Epicor 10 Context screen, specify the deployment parameters.

The Create <ERP system> Context screen design differs for various ERP systems.

The screen is similar to the Cube Manager’s cube deployment window.

4. Clear the Deploy against all companies check box.

To deploy against selected companies, clear this check box and select specific companies.

5. Select the Epic03 check box.

Verify the check boxes for all other companies are cleared.


To deploy against specific years, clear this check box and select the specific years.

7. Select the 2007 and 2008 check boxes.

Verify the check boxes for all other fiscal years are cleared.

8. Accept the default name of Context 1.

9. On the toolbar, click the Create context button (blue cube with a green arrow) to create the deploymentcontext.

10. To the Context has been created successfully message, click OK.

11. Notice the created deployment context displays under the corresponding ERP system in the Sandbox forDeployment Contexts pane.

Now, assign the context to a cube.

Note

• You can assign the same context to several user cube deployments.

• Each user cube deployment can have only one context. Each cube must have context attachedbefore deployment.

• A context can be assigned only to a user cube created for the same ERP system as the context.

12. In the User Cube Deployments pane, in the first row, click in the Context column.

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13. Notice, default deployment context is available in the list of contexts for each of the Standard cubes fromContent Packs. You can modify these contexts or use them as they are.

14. In the list, select Epicor 10 Context 1.

Epicor 10 Context 1 displays in the Context column in the User Cube Deployments pane.

When you have several cubes in your content pack, assign contexts to all the user cubes in the User CubeDeployments pane.

15. Click Next.

The status bar displays Processing and returns Processed when the context definition is created.

Process a Content Pack

As with cube deployment, a content pack must be processed in order to become available in the PerformanceCanvas application. Select one of the following options in the Deployment screen to deploy and process thepack:

• Yes. Process the cubes now. Select this option to start the cube processing. Cube processing can takeseveral minutes or even several hours, depending on the cube complexity and data source size.

• No. Do not process the cubes now. Select this option to finish work of the deployment wizard. In this case,you can use Epicor EPM Cube Manager or the EPM Server Management Console to process the cubes at alater time. The cubes will automatically be processed using the schedule set up in the context assigned toeach deployment.

If you select this option, you must flush the Performance Canvas cache manually after the cubes are processed.

1. In the Action screen, select Yes. Process the cubes now.

2. Click Next.

3. In the Deployment screen, click Deploy and process to start processing the cubes.

In the bottom pane, the completion status for each cube displays. During processing, the processing progressalso displays in the bottom of the wizard screen.

4. To the All cube deployments have been processed successfully message, click OK.

The Finish screen displays when deployment is complete.

5. Exit EPM Content Pack Deployer when the processing is complete.

Note

After successful completion of the wizard, wait several minutes before starting Performance Canvas;otherwise, Performance Canvas malfunction may occur.

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Workshop - Manage Content Pack Deployments

In the EPM Content Pack Deployer you can configure a content pack that is already deployed.

1. Navigate to the Content Pack Deployer using the following path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software> Epicor Enterprise Performance Management > EPM Content Pack Deployer.

2. On the Select Working Option screen, select the Manage EPM content packs already deployed option.

3. Click Next.

4. In the Select EPM Content Packs window, select the content pack or packs to manage.

5. Click Open.

6. On the Target Epicor EPM Server screen, specify the required parameters.

• In the Specify the target Epicor EPM server where to deploy the pack field, specify the physicalname of the host (Epicor EPM server) on which the EPM content packs you want to manage weredeployed. The EPM Content Pack Deployer application uses this host name together with the port number

to access the server.

• Select the I also know the TCP port number of the above specified Epicor EPM server check boxif you know the number of the port the target Epicor EPM server uses. A field displays below this checkbox where you can specify the port number. Clear this check box if you do not know the number of theport the target Epicor EPM server uses. In this case, EPM Content Pack Deployer polls all the ports to findthe required port.

7. Click Next.

8. On the Manage Pack Deployments screen, view all the deployments of the selected EPM content packon the selected EPM server.

In this screen, you can view the EPM Content Pack deployment details and status details, as well as removethe selected EPM Content Pack deployment.

The Manage Pack Deployments screen looks as follows:

• The Deployment ID column displays the unique EPM content pack deployment identifier which theapplication assigns.

• The Pack Name column displays the EPM content pack name. This value is assigned in the EPM ContentPack Editor application in the Name field of the EPM Content Pack Properties section.

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• The Pack ID column displays the EPM content pack unique identifier. The application assigns this valuewhen the content pack is created. The Pack ID value is the same as the value that displays in the UUIDfield of the EPM Content Pack Properties section in the EPM Content Pack Editor.

• The Status field displays the current status of the EPM content pack deployment.

• The Status Time field displays the date and time when the current status was assigned to the selectedcontent pack deployment.

9. Right-click an EPM content pack deployment and select Status Details to view the status details.

10. On the Poll Pack Status screen, review the following information:

• The Status Server Time field displays the date and time when the current status was assigned to theselected content pack deployment.

• The Status field displays the current status of the EPM content pack together with the status description.

• The Problem Details field displays detailed information if any errors occurred during the content packdeployment.

11. After you view the status details, either click Close on the Poll Pack Status screen toolbar or close the screen.

12. On the Manage Pack Deployments screen, right-click an EPM content pack deployment and selectProperties to view the content pack deployment details.

13. On the EPM Content Pack Properties screen, review the EPM content pack properties and structure.Information on the EPM Content Pack properties is taken from the EPM content pack’s Properties andStructure sections.

14. After you view the content pack details, either click Close on the EPM Content Pack Properties screen toolbaror close the screen.

15. On the Manage Pack Deployments screen, click Exit or close the screen.

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View EPM Cubes in EPM Performance Canvas

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas) is web-based visualmedium for Content Packs. Each Content Pack includes pre-defined canvases, gems, and slicers specific to the

Epicor product line of business. Gems and slicers are performance analysis objects that rely on the OLAP cubes.A canvas is an informational dashboard that visually displays metrics to analyze the state of your business. Thedata source behind the cube displays on the canvas as charts or tables that use dimensions to strategically filterinformation.

Use the Performance Canvas to perform a wide range of analytical tasks without in-depth knowledge of OnlineAnalytical Processing (OLAP), Cubes, Measures, Dimensions, and other business intelligence concepts. In thePerformance Canvas Designer, you can create, visualize, and display information maintained in pre-defined orcustomized packaged OLAP cubes in the EPM suite of products.

After you design a canvas, you can publish it to a SharePoint® site or a mobile device such as an iPhone™ or

BlackBerry™ .

The Performance Canvas is available as a standalone, web-based dashboard tool that uses datasources such as

SQL Server Analysis Server cubes and similar OLAP compliant datasources. The Canvas client is a web-basedapplication accessible by any web browser.

The Performance Canvas can become an integrated Web Part type available for use directly on a SharePoint pageor site through the use of a Microsoft SharePoint

® connector.

Epicor Mobile EPM allows all canvases to be deployed to mobile devices for wireless access on the go.

For more information on how to view cubes in Performance Canvas, refer to the Performance Canvas applicationhelp and EPM Performance Canvas course.

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View EPM Cubes in EPM Performance CanvasEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Viewing EPM Cubes in External Systems

The Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) suite of business intelligence products is fully integratedwith Microsoft Windows. The cubes built in the EPM Cube Editor product can be viewed in several external

systems.You can use Microsoft® SQL Server® Management Studio (Studio) to establish a SQL Server Analysis connectionto an Epicor EPM data cube. Once connected, you can view the entire contents of the cube in a pivot style format.

Processed user cubes and off-line cubes can also be viewed in Microsoft® Excel.

Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services ®

You can use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio® to view and edit the cubes deployed on the EPM server.

Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services® (SSAS) is a middle-tier server for online analytical processing and datamining. The Analysis Services system includes a server that manages multi-dimensional cubes of data for analysisand provides rapid client access to cube information. Analysis Services organizes data from a data warehouseinto cubes with pre-calculated aggregation data to provide rapid answers to complex analytical queries.

Workshop - View a Cube in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

To view a user cube in SSAS, first connect to an SQL Server. Then, browse the cube.

1. Run SQL Server Management Studio. From the Start menu, select Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2012> SQL Server Management Studio.

The following example uses Microsoft SQL Server 2012 as a reference for the path definitions. Check withyour system administrator for the specific details at your location.

2. In the Connect to Server window, in the Server Type field, select Analysis Services.

3. In the Sever name field, accept the default value.

If no default value is shown, enter the name of the local SQL Server 2012 instance. That could be justlocalhost or it could be something like localhost/SQL2012 for a named instance.

4. Click Connect.

5. In the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, in the Object Explorer pane, expand the Databasesnode.

The list of available databases displays.

6. Expand the Sales Quota > Cubes node.

7. Right-click the cube name, select Browse.

The Microsoft SQL Management Studio Analysis window displays the Measure Group and Dimensionpanes.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectViewing EPM Cubes in External Systems



After you open a cube, you can view Measures and Dimensions of the cube. You view hierarchies to determinethe values to display in custom cubes. Drag and drop measures into the pivot table style layout of the SQL ServerManagement Studio analysis window.

For information on how to use SQL Server Management Studio refer to the Application Help for Microsoft SQLServer.

Microsoft Office Excel ®

You can use most versions of Microsoft Excel to view processed user cubes and off-line cubes.

Multidimensional cubes display as pivot tables inside Microsoft's popular Excel spreadsheet program. Each versionof Excel handles external data connections differently. The steps that follow are unique to Microsoft Excel 2007.

Workshop - Establish SQL Analysis Connection in Excel

To view a user cube in Microsoft Excel, first establish a SQL Analysis Connection in Excel.

1. Launch Microsoft Excel.

2. From the Data menu, select From Other Sources > From Analysis Services.

The Data Connection Wizard displays.

3. In the Server name field, enter http://<ServerName>:8064.

This way you connect to Analysis Services through the XMLA Web Service. The XMLA Web Service installercurrently shipped with EPM installs to this location.

4. Click Next.

The Select Database and Table window displays.

5. Select a cube, for example dspDemoSales.

6. Click Next.

7. In the Save Data Connection File and Finish window, accept the defaults and click Finish.

8. In the Input Data window, ensure the Pivot Table Report option is selected.

9. Click OK.

The selected cube data details are now available to work with as an Excel Pivot Table.

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Viewing EPM Cubes in External SystemsEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



Workshop - View a Cube in Excel

After you have established a SQL Analysis Connection in Excel®, complete the following steps to view a processeduser cube data details in Excel. dspDemoSales cube is used in this example.

1. From the Pivot Table Field List, drag the Geography Hierarchy and drop it into the Column Labelspane.

The Geography element populates as column headings in the pivot table.

2. From the Pivot Table Field List, drag the Customer Group Name Hierarchy and drop it into the RowLabels pane.

The Customer Group Name entries populate as rows in the pivot table.

3. In the Pivot Table Field List, expand Basic Measures.

4. Drag the Actual and Plan measures into the Values Window pane.

Column headings and values populate the pivot table.

Continue to manipulate the data in Excel. For details on working with pivot tables, refer to Microsoft Excel Help.

Note

When information is updated in the database, it is not automatically updated in the cube representationin Excel. To update information in Excel, in the Data menu, select Refresh Data.

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Epicor EPM Server and Cube ConnectViewing EPM Cubes in External Systems



Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the Epicor EPM Server and Cube Connect course.

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ConclusionEpicor EPM Server and Cube Connect



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