Scheduling in Web Intelligence lets you create and automate document runs at set times and dates. You can set up recurring document runs to make sure the latest information is always available to stakeholders.
When a scheduled object runs successfully, an instance is created. An instance is a copy of the document with data from the source at the time it ran.
For each document, you can view the list of instances in the History dialog box. You can also find the list by selecting the Instances tile on the Home page.
Here are the key benefits for a company of scheduling documents in Web Intelligence:
- Automate repetitive tasks: Scheduling removes the need to log in, open a document, refresh data, export it, and send it by email.
- Distribute documents on time: You can schedule important documents to run and be delivered when needed. For example, a sales document can arrive in each manager's inbox at 8:00 a.m., before the workday starts.
- Run large documents during off-peak hours: Scheduling lets you process complex documents overnight, which frees up system resources for users during the day.
- Lower database load: When you schedule a document, the system runs the query once and stores the result as an instance. Many users can access this instance, which reduces repeated database queries.
- Deliver information to users: Scheduling sends documents to users instead of making them search for information. This helps more people use business intelligence.
- Send documents in different formats and to many places: You can deliver a scheduled document as a PDF, Excel, CSV, or HTML file. Documents can go to the BI Launch Pad inbox, email, File Transfer Protocol server, or a shared folder. This meets the needs of different users.
- Personalize document content: You can schedule a document to create and send different versions to different users. For example, each regional manager can get a document with only their region's data. This saves time and effort.
- Share one version of the data: When you schedule a document, everyone sees the same data from the same point in time. This removes confusion from different people refreshing documents at different times
Let's Summarize What You've Learned
- Automate document runs to save time and ensure up-to-date information is always available to stakeholders.
- Schedule documents for timely delivery, including recurring and off-peak processing to optimize system resources.
- Reduce database load by sharing scheduled document instances with multiple users.
- Deliver documents in various formats and destinations to meet different user needs.
- Personalize and distribute consistent document content, ensuring all users access the same data version.