Performance Management

Function by Version
Query & Analysis Alert
Function by Version : Alert

Issued: October 2007

Query & Analysis 10.0.0

Document Number: P3622A US

File name: InforPM_Query&Analysis_FBV_Alert.doc

Disclaimer: Infor PM Query & Analysis is used in conjunction with third party companion products, such as operating systems and database
systems. Query & Analysis is only supported for companion products that are in turn currently supported by their respective parent company.
Please refer to the Query & Analysis Support Policy for full details.

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Table of Contents

Alert......................................................................................................................................................................1
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................1
Query & Analysis 10.0.0 ...............................................................................................................................................1
Query & Analysis 6.3.3-1..............................................................................................................................................1
Query & Analysis 6.3.2-1..............................................................................................................................................2
Query & Analysis 6.3.2..................................................................................................................................................2
Query & Analysis 6.3.1-1..............................................................................................................................................3
Query & Analysis 6.2.4..................................................................................................................................................4
Query & Analysis 6.2.3..................................................................................................................................................5
Query & Analysis 6.2.2..................................................................................................................................................5
Query & Analysis 6.2.1..................................................................................................................................................5
Query & Analysis 6.1.2..................................................................................................................................................6
Query & Analysis 6.1.1..................................................................................................................................................6
Query & Analysis 6.0.5-1..............................................................................................................................................8
Query & Analysis 6.0.4..................................................................................................................................................9
Query & Analysis 6.0.3..................................................................................................................................................9
Query & Analysis 6.0.2............................................................................................................................................... 10
Query & Analysis 6.0.1............................................................................................................................................... 10
Query & Analysis 6.0.0............................................................................................................................................... 10
Index Reference ............................................................................................................................................. 15

Query & Analysis Alert Function by Version

October 2007
Alert

Overview

Query & Analysis Alert is an extension of, and an aid to Query & Analysis Executive, Query & Analysis XL and
Query & Analysis Word, used to monitor and analyse database information and program automatic, conditional
responses to the information received. Query & Analysis Alert also includes processes, independent of Query &
Analysis applications, that can be called to automate tasks and schedule e-mail distribution at a set date and time.

Frequently performed activities can be set to run at pre-determined dates and times on an event or time driven
basis including the generation and distribution of reports to selected recipients. These activities can be
programmed to respond to certain triggers called Alerts.

For example, you can create an Alert that responds to an exceeded pre-defined limit. When the limit is passed, the
Alert triggers the automatic generation of a report and then sends it to a nominated recipient via printer, an Excel
worksheet, in HTML form, or by e-mail.

You can execute Tasks in different languages. If workbooks selected for extraction include Dictionary references,
they are translated into the selected language. All activities relating to that workbook are then performed in the
selected language. For example, you could extract a workbook in French, German and Spanish and e-mail each
one to the relevant recipient.

Query & Analysis Alert can be deployed as a client-based, server-based or web-based solution. This allows users
to schedule and execute Tasks using either a Wide Area Network (WAN) or across the internet.

Query & Analysis user access to individual Query & Analysis Alert processes is set within the user’s profile defined
in Query & Analysis Setup. By default, a user profile is granted full access to Alert processes. However, user’s can
be denied access by clearing options on the Alert tab.

Query & Analysis 10.0.0

No extra functionality added.

Query & Analysis 6.3.3-1

No extra functionality added.

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Query & Analysis 6.3.2-1

Cache Process
The Query & Analysis Alert Cache process is used automate the process of repopulating the cache with current
Product data and saving the cache to a mapped drive.

Query & Analysis Executive Workbook Process

The Query & Analysis Executive Workbook Process has been enhanced to allow users to specify an
archive name. This is an addition to using time stamping or Last saved archive currently applied in archiving.

Query & Analysis Budget Management Process

Query & Analysis Alert includes an Alert process to compliment the new Budget Management application. The
Budget Management process should be used to schedule the recalculation, validate and transfer workbook data to
the Budget ledger.

NetEnterprise
Query & Analysis Alert (Brower) can automate NetEnterprise functions, including:

ƒ Save a file in the NetEnterprise tree to the file system.

ƒ Update an existing file in the NetEnterprise tree with a file from the file system.

ƒ Publish a file stored in NetEnterprise. Supported files include Query & Analysis Executive, Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint and text files.

Query & Analysis 6.3.2

Query & Analysis Budget Management Process

The Query & Analysis Budget Management Alert process is renamed to Query & Analysis Budget Management /
SunSystems to distinguish it from the new Query & Analysis Budget Management application. There is no
equivalent Alert process for the new Budget Management application.

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Query & Analysis 6.3.1-1

Listener Service File Access

With Query & Analysis Alert Listener running as a Windows Service Query & Analysis users can access files on the
local PC or mapped drives for Query & Analysis eAlert. Query & Analysis users are able to open reports located on
their PC or network, not just those stored on the Alert server drives.

Once the Listener Service has been installed the Query & Analysis Listener application, accessed from the Query
& Analysis Program Group, should be run once to build up a list of mappings between drive letter and UNC path.
The Listener application can then be closed. While running the Listener Server, when a server side application
needs to open a file it will simply replace drive letter with the UNC path. When locating a file, the Query & Analysis
user sees a list of mapped drives.

Logon Override
Logon Override option is used to specify alternate Query & Analysis logon details to run Executive workbook, Excel
workbook and Word document processes. The revised logon may have specific access permissions not defined
for the Query & Analysis Alert user.

File Exists Process

The File Exists process checks for a specified file in a folder. If the file is found, an Alert can be triggered. The
process has been enhanced to allow pattern matching wildcards within the file name:

ƒ ‘*’ – match 0 or more characters in a file name.

ƒ ‘?’ – match 1 character in a file name.

Clear Alerts Macro

The Clear Alerts Macro has been added to Macro Builder to enable Query & Analysis users to clear triggered Alerts
in an XL workbook.

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 Error Message Process
The Error Message Process has been added to a Task to allow a Workstation message to be sent if a Task or a
Process within a Task does not complete successfully.

Query & Analysis NetEnterprise Manager Alert Processes

There are three new processes included in Alert to automate the File Save, File Update and File Publish commands
available in Query & Analysis NetEnterprise Manager. The processes automate the same actions that can be
performed in the application.

Executive Workbook Process

The Executive workbook process includes a Publishing (tab) activity. This is the same as the Query & Analysis
NetEnterprise Manager Publish process, however it can used in conjunction with other Executive workbook
activities on the same workbook without the need to define a separate Query & Analysis NetEnterprise Manager
process.

The Executive workbook process can load workbook files from the file system or the NetEnterprise Manager file
tree (Query & Analysis centralized database). Click the Workbook Name assist button to display the two options.

Suppress Zeros
The Suppress Zeros option has been included in the Executive Workbook process (Microsoft Office activity).
Suppress Zero removes rows containing zero values, which were originally hidden in the Executive workbook, from
the generated Excel workbook. This is primarily to compliment Expand outlining in Excel and ensure these rows are
not displayed.

Query & Analysis 6.2.4

No extra functionality added.

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Query & Analysis 6.2.3

No extra functionality added.

Query & Analysis 6.2.2

No extra functionality added.

Query & Analysis 6.2.1

Query & Analysis eAlert (Browser) Services

Query & Analysis 6 installation includes a separate executable to install Alert Listener and Alert Manager as
Windows services.

There is an advantage in being able to set up Query & Analysis Alert Listener and Query & Analysis Alert Manager
as services on an Alert Server. As a service these applications are able to run even when no user is logged onto the
Server, and start up without the requirement for any user interaction.

This method is in addition to the current options available to sites to start and run these processes.

Query & Analysis Budget Management Process

The Query & Analysis Budget Management process is included in Alert for SunSystems only. The process includes
three activities:

ƒ Recalculate step: recalculates the workbooks when the Task is executed.

ƒ Validate step: validates the workbook when the Task is executed.

ƒ Transfer step: transfers the workbook data to the Data Warehouse.

Query & Analysis Budget Management is only available for selected Products.

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 Tasks Permissions
Task permissions for users that did not create the Task have been split into two categories. On the Task Details
dialog box other users can be granted access to:

ƒ View, schedule or execute a Task.

ƒ Edit or delete a Task.

Query & Analysis Tasks are stored in the [Link] database. With Query & Analysis Alert Server, that is Alert
configured as a thin client, there are separate databases on each of the clients’ drives. In this case it is not
possible for eAlert clients to access each other Tasks, the Task is only available locally to the client machine that
created the Task. To enable clients to share Tasks the Database Override feature should be used. With Database
Override all eAlert clients map to a single [Link] file stored in a central area.

Query & Analysis Executive Workbook

The Query & Analysis Workbook process has been renamed Query & Analysis Executive Workbook.

Query & Analysis 6.1.2

No additional functionality since last release.

Query & Analysis 6.1.1

Query & Analysis Alert processes are now available across all Alert applications: Query & Analysis Alert Editor,
Query & Analysis eAlert and Query & Analysis Alert (Browser).

Query & Analysis Workbook Process

The Query & Analysis Workbook process has been enhanced in Alert.

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 ƒ Extract tab – the ‘Extract Locked Values’ option overrides the lock on locked queries definitions and
extracts current values from the database.

ƒ E-mail tab – Excel or Word documents can be attached to an email.

Query & Analysis Word Process

In Query & Analysis eAlert and eAlert (Browser), the Query & Analysis Word process has been included.

Query & Analysis Financial Reporting Process

Query & Analysis Financial Reporting jobs can be automated from Query & Analysis Alert.

Product Tasks
In Query & Analysis eAlert (Browser), the Product Task process has been included. Tasks are defined in the
serduct for an Author Product.

File Date Relative

The new Alert Function, File Date Relative, creates an Alert that triggers if the modification date of a selected file is
between two offset days from the current date. Offset dates are set by clicking the toggle buttons.

Example

Assume the Alert Function settings shown above.

Date Offset
18-May 0
19-May 1

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 20-May 2
21-May 3
From Æ 22-May 4
23-May 5
24-May 6
25-May 7
26-May 8
27-May 9
To Æ 28-May 10

If the file ‘[Link]’ is modified between the 22 May and 28 May the Alert ‘My_Alert’ is triggered.

Query & Analysis 6.0.5-1

Query & Analysis Workbook Process

Query & Analysis Alert has a Query & Analysis Workbook Process to support Query & Analysis Executive.

The workbook activities are available on tabs:

ƒ Extract tab - perform workbook query extraction. Archive results from extracted primary worksheets or drill
path.

ƒ Print tab – select printer and worksheets to be printed. Alert trigger can start worksheet printing.

ƒ Output to PDF tab – create PDF file from selected worksheets, and the contents of the worksheet tabs. Alert
trigger can create PDF file.

ƒ Save tab - Query & Analysis Alert extracts to multiple workbooks each time the Alert is fired.

ƒ HTML tab – creates a HTML document from selected worksheets. The HTML file can include headers and
footers. Alert trigger can create HTML file.

ƒ Microsoft Office tab – creates Microsoft Excel worksheets from Executive worksheets (Worksheet tab) and
Microsoft Word documents from Executive worksheets (Document tab). A header and footer can be added
and the Microsoft Office files password protected.

ƒ E-mail workbook tab - Alert trigger e-mails Executive workbooks. The e-mail can incorporate a message
and file attachments, which can be zipped.

ƒ Prompts tab – overrides the worksheet’s default Prompt values with those imported from an external
source: UDO, Excel workbook, Word document or Query & Analysis dictionary.

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 Query & Analysis Word and Query & Analysis XL Process
The Query & Analysis Word and XL Process include a new activity called Output to PDF.

Query & Analysis 6.0.4

Word Document Process

The Word Document process has been added to provide access to Query & Analysis Word. The following Activities
are available in the process:

ƒ Perform document query extraction.

ƒ Print document.

ƒ Save file. Query & Analysis Alert can extract to a single document, which is overwritten, or multiple
documents each time the Alert is fired. In the latter case, the document file names are set by a bookmark
value. As bookmark value changes, a new extract document is created.

ƒ E-mail document.

ƒ Merge document. The merged document can saved to a file, output to a printer or e-mailed.

ƒ Override.

Automatic Port Number Allocation

On the server, the first time you log on to Query & Analysis Listener a Local Port number is automatically assigned.
Query & Analysis Listener starts with 6666 and increments until a free port is detected. This Port Number is
requested by Query & Analysis eAlert the first time it is started.

Query & Analysis 6.0.3

No extra functionality added.

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Query & Analysis 6.0.2

No extra functionality added.

Query & Analysis 6.0.1

No extra functionality added.

Query & Analysis 6.0.0

Query & Analysis Alert is released.

Query & Analysis Alert can be deployed in three forms: client, server or web based application.

The client based application is known as Query & Analysis Alert and consists of the following executables:

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Editor

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Manager

The server based application uses a thin-client and is known as Query & Analysis Alert Server. It consists of the
following executables:

ƒ Query & Analysis eAlert

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Listener

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Manager

The internet based application is know as Query & Analysis eAlert (Browser). It consists of the following
executables:

ƒ Query & Analysis eAlert (Browser)

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Listener

ƒ Query & Analysis Alert Manager

Query & Analysis Alert Editor

Query & Analysis Alert Editor creates, manually executes, and edits Tasks. It is also used to create schedules for
Tasks. The Tasks and Events are stored on the client in the LsAgEg10 database.

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 Query & Analysis eAlert

This is a thin client application used to create, schedule and edit Tasks by communicating with the server-based
Query & Analysis Alert Listener using a TCP/IP connection. Tasks are stored locally in the [Link] database
on each of the client machines. Client machines can not view each others Tasks. The Tasks subsequently
transferred to the Alert server using TCP/IP communication. To enabled client machines to view each others Tasks
a single Override Database is nominated. The Alert client machines mapped to the same Override Database.

Query & Analysis Alert Manager

The automated information flow created by Query & Analysis Alert Editor and Query & Analysis eAlert execute
through the Query & Analysis Alert Manager.

Query & Analysis Alert Manager executes Events (scheduled tasks). The Manager can execute multiple Events
simultaneously. You can view details of Events executing or pending execution.

Query & Analysis Alert Manager must be open on the client to execute Events.

Query & Analysis Listener

Query & Analysis Listener monitors eAlert sessions and processes on the server sent from client machines.
Messages can be sent from the server to individual clients.

Query & Analysis eAlert (Browser)

eAlert (Browser) is browser-based and can be used over a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) or
the Internet. Requires IIS server, the Microsoft .NET Framework

Task
A Task comprises one or more Processes that perform predetermined Activities when the Task runs. You can
create and schedule any number of Tasks. They have an automatically generated ID and a user defined
description.

Tasks can be:

ƒ Created and modified (Processes added or deleted).

ƒ Scheduled

ƒ Imported / Exported as a *.tsk file

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 Process & Activities
Process consists of Activities that are performed when a Task executes. There are ten Process types available in
eAlert & Alert Editor.

1. Excel Workbook: gives access to Excel workbooks within Query & Analysis Alert. The workbook activities
are:

ƒ Perform workbook query extraction.

ƒ Run macro

ƒ Print worksheet

ƒ Save file

ƒ E-mail workbook

ƒ Override.
The Override Activity allows you to override the values currently in an Excel workbook when running
Alert without needing to change the values in the workbook. The values can be set up either in using
Excel Names (single cells not a range) or Scenarios. These names can be created in the same Excel
workbook or a different Excel workbook. The Query & Analysis Dictionary can also be used to store the
value which is used the Names option. uses alternate values in a Excel workbook without the need to
modify the contents of the workbook. The Excel Names and Scenarios are substituted from another
workbook.
2. Command Line: runs operating system commands relating to batch files.

3. E-mail: sends e-mails to selected recipients.

4. Alert Function: performs functions such as checking the existence of a file, copying a file, renaming a file,
deleting a file, checking file modification date or time. These are Function Alerts.

5. Exit Task: exits a Task based on whether an Alert, on a previous Process, fired or did not fire.

6. Reschedule Task: restarts the Task at the nominated Process after the nominated time interval.

7. Delay: continues the Task with the next Process after a nominated time interval.

8. Workstation Message: sends a pre-defined text message to the workbook station that requested the Task.

9. Reschedule on error: reschedules the Task to commence at a nominated process if the previous process
did not execute.

10. Product task: execute a pre-set Author Product Task.

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 Scheduling Tasks
Tasks may be scheduled to run at the designated times. When a Task is scheduled it becomes an Event. Events
are processed by Alert Manager. Events can be edited in eAlert and Alert Editor. All scheduled Events are displayed
in Alert Manager.

Tasks can be scheduled to run:

ƒ Daily - options include: Every Day, Every Weekday or Every x days (x = specified number).

ƒ Weekly - number of weeks between each Event. For example; Every week or every two weeks. You can also
select which day or days of the week the Event should be processed. For example: Monday, Wednesday &
Friday.

ƒ Monthly – options include : Day of the month or Week of the month. Nominate which months the Event
should be processed.

Event
An Event is a Task that has been scheduled to execute at a specified time.

Importing & Exporting Tasks

Tasks can be stored in an external *.tsk file. All tasks or only select tasks can be imported from the task file. In the
process you can choose to also include Events or purge exiting obsolete Events. Similarly, current Tasks and
Events held by Query & Analysis Alert Editor can be exported to an external *.tsk file.

Query & Analysis eAlert Database Setting

By default, each Alert client machine stores Alert Tasks locally in the [Link] database. The [Link]
is located in C:\Program Files\Query & Analysis\Settings. Since the client machines have autonomous databases it
is not possible for one client user to view another client user's Tasks. Further, clients can not view the Tasks
submitted and stored on the Alert Server in preparation for execution.

The Database Override feature enables eAlert clients to view each others Tasks. The [Link] file should be
copied from client machine to a central location. The central location can be another server, so long as it is
accessed by all Alert client machines. Then the eAlert clients map and share a single database.

Clients that have access to the centralised database are able to access all Tasks and not just the client that
created the Task. The Task can only be accessed by other users if ‘Allow other users to edit, delete, schedule or
execute this Task’ has been enabled.

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 Remote Security
There is an additional level of security that can be added when using eAlert. Once enabled, a user wishing to
access Query & Analysis eAlert input a User Name and Password defined in Remote Security. The Remote Security
function configured in Query & Analysis Setup. The User Name and Password in Remote Security can be
independent from the user’s Query & Analysis logon and also their network logon.

Query & Analysis Alert Manager

Automatic Logon
In Alert Manager under Options, Automatic Logon the user can enable Silent Logon.

Listener and Alert Manager can be added to a Batch File or the start up routine so Alert Manager does not stop at
the login screen. The feature enables an organisation to close their machines down for overnight back up or similar
functions. Alert can then automatically log on after the interruption.

Clear Logs
Removes Query & Analysis Alert Event logs.

Query & Analysis Listener

Options
Query & Analysis Listener Options controls

ƒ The maximum number of Alert logs stored.

ƒ Log file location.

ƒ The Alert server TCP/IP address and Port number. These details must match those of the eAlert clients.

Communications log
Lists communication transmission details from eAlert clients to Alert server.

User Details
User details displays the session details of users that are currently logged on to the server.

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Index Reference

Process · 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
A Product · 6, 11
Alert · 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Prompt · 8
Alert Manager · 5, 9, 10, 11, 12
Archiving · 7
R
Recalculate · 5
D
Date · 6, 7
Dictionary · 1, 11
S
Security · 12
Services · 5
E
Events · 9, 10, 11, 12
T
Task · 5, 6, 10, 11, 12
I
Internet Information Services · 10
U
User Defined Output · 8
L
Listener · 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12
V
Vision Alert · 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
M Vision Budget Management · 5
Microsoft Excel · 1, 6, 8, 10, 11 Vision eAlert (Browser) · 5, 6, 9, 10
Microsoft Office · 8 Vision Executive · 1, 5, 7
Vision Setup · 1, 12
Vision Word · 1, 6, 8
N Vision XL · 1, 8

Name · 12
W
O Workbook · 5, 6, 7, 10
Worksheet · 8
Output · 7, 8

P
Password · 12
Port · 8, 13

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