Sometimes thoughts materialize – in this case, I was thinking – wouldn’t it be great if Oracle provided a configured instance of OBIEE 11G – with everything pre-configured so that it’d be easy to get evaluate it quickly without going through the pains of learning new application server (Weblogic) and installation steps.
It seems as I was heard. I’m grateful to several people making me aware of the new app:
If you want to learn and play with sample OBIEE 11g, you should download it from http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/bi-foundation/obiee-samples-167534.html
Installation is breeze. I’ve managed to installed everything in under 1 hour (downloading 25gb takes a few hours)
Again, I think it’s very thoughtful and smart move on Oracle’s part to provide this tool.
It’s been awfully quite and peaceful lately in the OBIEE environment. I think everyone is busy, which is a great thing – it means people are making money. I actually remember that the most active times are the ones when there’s slow amount of work. I quickly run through the list of the OBIEE blogs I usually attend to – and most (most – not all) of the posts are dated back in March. Myself, I’ve not had much time to blog – too busy on the project as well as developing network relationships. I apologize if I couldn’t answer one of your questions in the comments – I hope you were able to resolve the issue.
On another topic – OBIEE google’s group is doing well and growing strong (although the goal isn’t the numbers, but the quality). The quality of topics is amazing, as well as insight provided. I am starting to think that it would be advantageous to hide the material from public view (in order to encourage registrations and discourage lurkers).
I wonder how many people are doing beta testing of OBIEE 11g (and can’t tell due to NDA). I’ve already advised the client that many issues we’re battling would be solved in the new version, however, it doesn’t mean that the “fix” is right around the corner.
Stay well and feel free to connect.
If you’re in the UK in late May and eager to improve your OBIEE skills, do some networking, and meet top experts in the field – I suggest you attend The Rittman Mead BI Forum. Kurt Wolff will be present (expert on all OBIEE-related topics, who worked on OBIEE’s grandfather product) for a very advanced session , where some of the topics will include:
Data modeling topics will include fact tables with different grains, solving complex security requirements, inputting user choices into formulas (for example, calculating a discounted price) without using variables, ragged hierarchies, using dynamically named physical tables, the use of specialized tables to avoid errors at query time or when setting prompts, preserving dimension values, calculations that require inner and outer joins among multiple tables, modeling a near real-time transaction environment, modeling a multi-tenant architecture.
Attendants will include: ” John Minkjan (OBIEE), Venkat Janakiraman (OBIEE, Essbase, Fusion Middleware), Mark Rittman (OBIEE, OLAP), Craig Stewart (ODI), Adam Bloom and Mike Durran (Oracle BI EE), Tony Heljula (OBIEE) and Emiel van Bockel (OBIEE, Database) and this year we are pleased to have Gerard Braat (OBIEE) and Robin Moffatt (OBIEE, Database).”
Sounds like a great opportunity to learn directly from the great OBIEE minds.
Good morning All,
I’m back from Florida vacation. What a change – to come from sunny Florida to cold and raining New York.
Trying to see what’s going on in the OBIEE world. Couple interesting topics on the OTN:
Write back – topic – very interesting and growing
Example on how not to ask questions about complex joins – the author should have provided all the details in the beggining
Not using AGO and TODATE functions – I don’t know why anyone would like to avoid using AGO and TODATE functions for time-series analysis. The only two options are: non-Oracle DB which doesn’t support complex PARTITION BY queries or someone doesn’t want to create time dimension.
Also, there’re some very good discussions on the OBIEE Enterprise Methodology Group.
Good luck and enjoy your week.
One thing that’s making the serious IT consulting field less desirable for a lot of people is the constant need for learning new things. Learning by reading blogs, studying new documentation, and constantly experimenting with new features. nQuire / Siebel Analytics / OBIEE has evolved into a very complex product – and clients often expect one person to be proficient in everything, starting from ETL and ending with BI Publisher. I know several people who’re indeed masters in all products, and they could probably complete a BI project single-handedly (from planning to execution, from ETL specs to data modelling, from OBIEE repository design to front-end customizations). However, such knowledge doesn’t come for free. These people put a lot of extra time into learning new things as well as polishing their existing ones. In the end, it pays off, because they can commend higher rates and it’s what they love – it’s something they can be passionate about.
I haven’t written much lately for several reasons – the major one – dealing with the new project, getting into loop of things. Second one, I’m having much fun reading some new blogs (to which I will definitely link once I find some time). Third, it has something to do with being in New York in the fall. It’s a magnificent city, but it’s very demanding – sometimes I feel it’s taking all my energy. Last reason, it’s more and more difficult to come up with new posts.
Have a good week-end! Stay well! (don’t catch a cold like I did)