Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Technology and Performance

Security

Installation

Embed Excel

 

General


How do I request a demo of Data Access Studio™?

First check the resellers page to see if there is an authorized reseller in your area.  If there is, then contact this reseller for an on-site demo.

If there is not a reseller in your area, Contact ReportsNow at support@reportsnow.com or 303-693-6999.  We can setup an online demo with you.

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Why would I need Data Access Studio™ if I have UTB?

Data Access Studio™ has significant advantages over UTB.  You need Data Access Studio™ if you need the ability to:

  • Open Tables and Business Views
  • Export data to Excel or other applications
  • Calculate on the fly
  • Perform any number of related table lookups from any grid (dynamic table lookups)
  • Visually create columnar and cross-tabular reports
  • Printing with all the extras
  • Format the data visually
  • Save your formats
  • Group, sort, total
  • Get detailed information about tables and business views
  • Filter with more powerful queries
  • Load data faster
  • More...
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How can I deploy new versions of Data Access Studio™ to my enterprise?

Data Access Studio™ has four ways to deploy to your enterprise:

  • Full Client
  • Citrix
  • LAN Server
  • HTTP Server

With the Full Client option. Data Access Studio™ has an automatic update system.  The system administrator simply updates Data Access Studio™ in a central location.  Every Data Access Studio™ workstation will pull the update the next time the user opens Data Access Studio™.  For those companies that use enterprise deployment software such as Tivoli or ZenWorks, Data Access Studio™ deploys as an MSI package.

For the Citrix, LAN Server, and HTTP Server options, simply update the server with the latest version of Data Access Studio™.  The clients simply connect and run!

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Is Data Access Studio™ fast?

Data Access Studio™ loads records over 2 times faster than UTB.

The user interface is fast, modern, and responsive.

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Does Data Access Studio™ work with non-OneWorld® Data?

Data Access Studio™ can view data from any ODBC and OLEDB compliant table.  

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Is Data Access Studio™ designed to work with OneWorld®?

Data Access Studio™ is specifically designed to work with OneWorld®.  This means that Data Access Studio™ seamlessly integrates into the OneWorld® system by leveraging OneWorld®:

  • User security
  • Data Dictionary
  • Object Configuration Manager
  • Data source configuration
  • Specification information  
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Technology and Performance

 

What is the impact on systems performance when you run Data Access Studio?

DAS does the following to minimize any system performance degradation:

  • Generates the highest performing query possible.
  • Provides an "index assistant" which helps the user identify which columns will generate the fastest query.
  • Allows user to hide unnecessary table columns and save this as a layout. DAS will only bring back the visible columns. This results in reduced network traffic, reduced database utilization, and increased speed.
  • Allows an administrator to control which groups can do ad hoc queries versus published queries.
  • Consumes no JDE enterprise server resources.

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Where does DAS keep the results of the reports/grid/query that I see on my screen?

All grid results are stored on the local workstation (whether that workstation is a full client or a thin client).

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Where does DAS perform it’s calculations?

All calculations are performed on the machine that runs the DAS Client. 

On the Fat Client, all calculations are performed on the user's workstation.

On the LAN or Web mode, calculations are performed on the user's workstation. 

On Citrix, all calculations are performed on the Citrix server.

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How does DAS connect to the JDE OW database?

DAS connects using the JDE middleware.  This means that DAS will work with whatever OneWorld data sources you have set up.  Furthermore, in using the JDE middleware, DAS enforces the JDE data access security.

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Does DAS perform any locking on tables while it is performing its queries?

Because DAS is read-only, it does not lock any records. It is up to the particular database to make the query read-consistent.

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Does DAS have a log?

Yes.  DAS has both an error log and a trace log.  Furthermore, DAS uses the existing jde.log and jdedebug.log to trace the JDE middleware.

You can turn on the DAS error log in the following ways:

  1. Using the registry - turns log on or off for DAS sessions that run on this workstation.
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ReportsNow
  • Set Log to 1
  • The DAS.log is stored in the user's temp directory. (E.g. C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Temp
  1. Use the DAS Menu - turns on log just for the current session.
  • After you run DAS, select Help | Turn on Log
  • Use Help | Open Log to view the contents of the log.

DAS Trace is available in version 4.0.  The DAS Trace can be useful to see DAS's execution milestones.  To turn on the Trace:

  1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ReportsNow
  2. Add a new string value named: Trace
  3. Set Trace equal to 1

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The DAS Help topics are blank when viewed over the network.  How do I fix?

As of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft has disabled .chm content across the network.  Please see this Knowledge Base article on how to fix:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675/

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In IE7, the Web Client gets the message: "There is a problem with this website's security certificate."  How do I fix?

DAS signs all executables with a Digital Certificate that ReportsNow created.  This ensures that all executable files cannot be tampered with.  Because ReportsNow is not a Root Certificate authority, IE7 now issues this warning message when you run DAS.  You can alter the security settings per the KB article below to fix this issue.

Please apply "Method 2" to avoid the Navigation Blocked window below...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;931850

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Security

How does DAS enforce EnterpriseOne security?

DAS enforces EnterpriseOne row and column security as follows:

  • If a user is unauthorized to view an EnterpriseOne column, DAS:
    • Does not load data for that column.
    • Prevents the user from showing that column.
  • If a user is unauthorized to view an EnterpriseOne row (based on E1 row security), DAS:
    • Does not return that row to the grid.

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Does DAS provide application-level security as well?

Yes.  DAS provides a security system that allows the administrator to:

  • Secure DAS functionality from specific E1 users or groups
  • Secure which tables a user or group may open.

The security system is based on a hierarchical model that simplifies security maintenance.

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Installation

 

Why do I need to install from an EnterpriseOne Workstation?

DASUpdate.exe reads information from your JDE system to determine how to install Data Access Studio.  Because of this requirement, the DASUpdate.exe installer prompts you with an JDE sign in.  Once you sign in, the DASUpdate.exe installer reads information, such as the location of the deployment server, to determine what needs to be installed where.

The instructions DO NOT recommend that you run DASUpdate.exe on your deployment server for the following reasons:

  • The deployment server is a central part of the E1 system.  The less you execute on the deployment server the better.  By running from a workstation instead of the deployment server, you know that the only way the deployment server is impacted is that the installer creates a new directory and copies files to it.
  • The DASUpdate.exe requires the .NET framework to run.  This means that you will be prompted to install the .NET framework prior to running DASUpdate.exe.  Although it should be perfectly fine, you may not want to install the .NET framework on your deployment server.
  • The deployment server has a bootstrap environment called PLANNER that will not work with the installer.  You may be tempted to select PLANNER if you run DASUpdate.exe on the deployment server.  If install from a workstation, on the other hand, the PDXXXX, DVXXX, and PXXXX environments are all valid environments for the DAS installer.

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Why does DASUpdate.exe create a directory on my deployment server?

DASUpdate.exe creates a directory called "Data Access Studio" on your deployment server to support the following:

  1. Common EnterpriseOne share.  All E1 workstations have access to the E1 share on the deployment server.  This means that E1 workstations will be able to run "Data Access Studio\Setup.exe" to install the DAS client.
  2. EnterpriseOne standards.  Data Access Studio integrates tightly with E1.  The deployment server's role in E1 is to be the central location for installation (E.g., OneWorld Client Install).  The Data Access Studio setup program (setup.exe and DAS.msi), therefore, should be placed on this server.
  3. Automatic DAS client update.  The deployment server directory holds the current version of DAS for auto update.  If you deployed the DAS full client solution to your enterprise, then when each user runs DAS, the DAS client queries this directory for the DAS version.  If you apply a DAS update, then this directory will have a newer version that the DAS client.  The DAS client will detect this and automatically update itself with the newest version.

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Can DASUpdate.exe run on a FAT Client only without doing anything to my Deployment Server?

Yes -- although this configuration is not recommended (see Why does DASUpdate.exe create a directory on my deployment server)

When you run DASUpdate.exe on a workstation, and you get to the "Target Folder" Wizard screen, enter a local folder (such as C:\DAS) instead of the Deployment Server folder that the installer provides. This will then extract the DAS install components to the selected local folder. After DASUpdate.exe is complete, share the local folder (i.e. C:\DAS) so that other workstations can install DAS by running C:\DAS\Setup.exe.

This procedure will not update the deployment server. However, this procedure will still create one table FDASPROP in your system data source and one OCM mapping.

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Why does DASUpdate.exe create FDASPROPin my system data source?

FDASPROP is the main storage table for Data Access Studio.  This table is where DAS stores layouts, reports, preferences, etc.  DASUpdate.exe creates this table in the system data source to ensure DAS users have access to FDASPROP no matter which environment they sign in to.  Furthermore, because there is only one FDASPROP for your entire enterprise, you DO NOT have to worry about environment promotion (e.g., DV->PY->PD).

After DASUpdate.exe creates FDASPROP, it then creates an OCM mapping for FDASPROP.  This way, DAS will always know where the FDASPROP is located regardless of the signed-in environment.

Note also, that because FDASPROP is a central table, users will have their information stored consistently no matter how they run DAS, from either

  • Full client
  • Citrix client
  • DAS LAN server
  • DAS Web server

The result of this configuration is easier maintenance and less hassle for the users and system administrators.

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What are the DAS deployment options?

You may deploy DAS to your enterprise in any of three ways:

  • Workstation
  • Citrix
  • DAS LAN Server
  • DAS Web Server

In the Workstation deployment, your users already have a E1 full client install.  Your users install the DAS client to their workstations.  Once installed, DAS runs entirely from the user's workstation -- consuming resources only from the workstation and the database.

In Citrix deployment, your users do not have an E1 full client install and are typically located on a WAN.  Once installed and published on Citrix, your users dial in to the Citrix server and run DAS.  DAS consumes resources from the Citrix server and database.

In the DAS LAN your users do not have an E1 full client install and are located inside your LAN.  Once installed, user's run DAS from a shared link.  DAS consumes resources on the DAS LAN server, the user's workstation, and the database.

In the DAS Web Server, your users are located in a Wide Area Network.  Users run DAS from a web page link (hosted by IIS, Apache or other suitable web server).  DAS consumes resources on the DAS LAN server, the user's workstation, and the database.

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How do I delete DAS from my system after a trial?

For workstations and Citrix Servers that have DAS installed, use Add/Remove programs.  Remove Data Access Studio.

For the deployment server, delete directory: \Data Access Studio

For FDASPROP, use the drop table command to drop the table from the database.

If you set up a DAS Web Server or DAS LAN Server, you need to uninstall the Data Access Studio Service as follows:

installUtil.exe /uninstall DASServer.exe

 

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How do I upgrade DAS when I upgrade EnterpriseOne?

When you upgrade EnterpriseOne, you will need to do the following:

  1. Sign on to your existing DAS instance with user DASADMIN (for more information about DASADMIN consult the DAS help guide.)
  2. Click File | Work with DAS Instance...
  3. Click the "Export" button. On the Export DAS Instance file dialog, click Save. Data Access Studio will export the DAS Instance data to the .dasi file you specified. You will use this .dasi file in the next step to import to the new instance.
  4. Download the latest DASUpdate.exe from Downloads.
  5. Follow the "Deployment Server Install instructions" to Install Data Access Studio to your new EnterpriseOne instance (this will create the FDASPPROP table in the new instance's system data source.) 
  6. On your new E1 instance, sign into DAS with user DASADMIN.
  7. Click File | Work with DAS Instance...
  8. Click the Import tab and click the "Import" button.
  9. On the Import DAS Instance file dialog, select the .dasi file and click Open.

Data Access Studio will proceed to import the contents for the .dasi file into your new instance.  This procedure will work across non-Unicode to Unicode upgrades as well.  For more information, please consult the DAS Administrator's Guide under the section Upgrading EnterpriseOne.

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Embed Excel

The Excel tab does not show when I enable Excel. How do I fix?

If the workstation with the behavior is a fat client:

1. In Windows, click Start | Run

2. Type: regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\ReportsNow\Data Access Studio\dsoframer.ocx"

(You may need to change the path to your actual Data Access Studio directory)

If the workstation is a thin or web client:

1. In Windows, click Start Run:

2. Type:  regsvr32 "\\<WebServerName>\DASBin\dsoframer.ocx"

(You will need to substitute the name of your DAS Web server for <WebServerName> in the command above.

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The Excel menus do not work correctly. How do I fix?

Delete Excel11.xlb file located at C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel.

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How to Open an Excel spreadsheet using OLEDB?

Delete Excel11.xlb file located at C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel.

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1. Open your excel workbook
2. Select a range of cells (you need to explicitly set the rubber band over the column header and the bottom of the cell:



You have to select a rectangle. (You can't just select columns C through E in the above example, you have to pick C1 through E7 for the query to work.) Also the column headers must be in row 1.

3. In Excel, click Insert->Name->Define.


Click OK. (the name defaults to the first column, you could change this name prior to clicking OK).
This creates the cells that you can query. In this example, you will query the "Gross" object in DAS (see below).

4. Save the workbook and exit.
5. Create an .xls ODBC and point the datasource to this workbook (you probably have already done this.)
6. Run DAS. Click OleDB. New Connection.
7. Select the ODBC that you created above.
8. When DAS opens the selection list, you should see something like Sheet1$, ... Gross. Select "Gross" (or whatever you named your range in step 3).