Distribution Options in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

In this section:

The Distributions tab in the Advanced Scheduling tool provides the options available for distributing the scheduled report procedure (FEX), as shown in the following image.

distribution options

You can distribute a report using one of the following methods.

Note:

Using the Email Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

Reference:

When you distribute a report through email, you can include the report in the body of the email (known as an inline email message) or send it as an attachment. Only the DHTML, DOC, GIF, HTML, JPG, PNG, SVG, and WP formats can be distributed as an inline email message.

Distributing a report as an inline email message is particularly useful when the report is distributed to mobile devices, fax machines, or through email systems that do not support attachments.

Note: To send an inline email message to a fax machine, you must register your email address with a third-party email distribution provider. The features offered by providers, such as supported area codes, file formats, and requirements on the structure of email parameter values, may vary. It is important that you select a provider whose features are compatible with ReportCaster.

The following image shows the Distribution dialog box of the Advanced Scheduling tool, which can be accessed by selecting the Distribution tab, clicking on the New drop-down list, and selecting Email as the distribution method.

The Advanced Schedule Email distribution dialog box.

Note:

Reference: Considerations When Sending a Report to Multiple Email Addresses

When you create a schedule that uses email distribution, you can type email addresses in the To field, as shown in the following image.

The To field highlighted in the Distribution Information section of the Advanced Schedule Email Distribution dialog box.

If you type multiple email addresses in the To field, you can use a semi-colon or comma symbol between each email address, to designate how the Distribution Server delivers information.

Example: Using a Comma to Separate Email Addresses in the To Field

If you use the comma symbol to separate email addresses, all email addresses are visible to every email recipient.

The schedule will distribute a report named Sales_Metrics_YTD.htm to these email addresses. When you run the schedule, the log report states that one report named Sales_Metrics_YTD.htm has been distributed to both email addresses through a single email.

Example: Using a Semi-Colon to Separate Email Addresses in the To Field

If you use the semi-colon symbol to separate email addresses, each recipient only sees their own email address.

The schedule will distribute a report named Sales_Metrics_YTD.htm to these email addresses. When you run the schedule, the log report states that two reports named Sales_Metrics_YTD.htm have been distributed to EmailA@ibi.com and EmailB@ibi.com through separate emails.

Reference: Using the Cc and Bcc Email Options in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

You can use the Cc and Bcc options for all types of email schedules. These options allow you to send copies of an email distribution to additional recipients, simplifying the creation of scheduled email distributions. For more information, see Using the Cc and Bcc Email Options.

Procedure: How to Use the Email Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

Note:
  • You can use parameters (amper variables) when specifying values in the Email settings of a schedule. These parameters can be system variables, such as &YYMD, or any amper variable for which a value is returned by the Reporting Server when the scheduled procedure is executed. To use the dot file extension separator after a variable terminate the variable with the '|' character (for example, &YYMD|.htm). Similarly, to use the ampersand character itself, follow the ampersand with the '|' character (for example, Smith&|Jones). If a value for a parameter specified in a schedule is not returned by the Reporting Server when the procedure executes, the schedule will fail with a "No report to distribute" error. If the scheduled task is burst, you can also use the '%BURST' symbol to include the burst value. If the Packet Email setting is Yes, the burst value will not be substituted in the Zip filename.
  • A DHTML report distributed as an inline email message may not render correctly. For more information, see Considerations When Distributing DHTML Reports as an Inline Email Message.
  1. Open the workspace in which you wish to create the new schedule.
  2. Navigate to the Action bar and select Schedule.
  3. On the Schedule tool bar, select Schedule to open the Advanced Scheduling tool.
  4. On the Advanced Scheduling tool ribbon, in the Show group, select Distributions.
  5. On the Distributions tab ribbon, in the Manage Distributions group, click the New arrow, and then select Email.
  6. Enter the name for this Distribution definition in the Distribution Name box.

    Email is the default value.

  7. Accept the Email Address(s) method that appears, by default, in the Type box or select one of the following methods from the list in order to provide the email addresses that will receive the distribution.
    • Distribution List
    • Distribution File
    • Email Address(s)
    • Dynamic Distribution List from Server Procedure
    • Dynamic Distribution List from Repository Procedure
  8. In the To box, perform one of the following tasks:
    1. If you selected Email Address(s) in the Type box, enter the email address or addresses of the recipients of the distribution directly into the To box.

      Or

      Click To in order to open the Enter Email Addresses dialog box and enter email addresses for the recipients. You can use this feature if you must also add email addresses to the Cc or Bcc fields. When your updates are complete click OK.

      You can specify multiple email addresses in an email address field. Separate each email address with a comma (,) or a semicolon (;). If you separate multiple addresses by comma, the email addresses will appear in the To line of a single email when the scheduled output is distributed. If you separate multiple addresses by semicolons, the single email address of the recipient will appear in the To line of each of the multiple emails sent when the scheduled output is distributed.

      Each individual email address can contain a maximum of 130 characters, according to the SMTP specification. The total maximum length of this field is 800 characters. For more information, see Specifying Multiple E-mail Addresses

      Note: You can also use group mail lists (defined on your mail server) with the Email Address(es) option. You can use group mail lists to distribute a report or notification to multiple recipients without having to maintain multiple email addresses in the Repository. The format of the group mail list depends on the mail server being used. For example, if you are using a Microsoft Exchange Server and your group mail list is defined as #group1, you would enter group1@listdomain in the Email Address(es) field. If the group mail list contains a space within its name, enclose the space with double quotation marks ('' ''). For more information, see your mail server administrator.

    2. If you selected Distribution List in the Type box, click To and select a previously configured Distribution List from the Open dialog box. For more information, see Creating a Distribution List.
    3. If you selected Distribution File in the Type box, type the full path and file name of the external distribution file you want to use for this schedule. The path and file must be accessible to the WebFOCUS Distribution Server. For more information, see Create an External Distribution File.
    4. If you selected Dynamic Distribution List from Server Procedure or Dynamic Distribution List from Repository Procedure in the Type box, click To and select the Name of the procedure that contains the dynamic distribution list.

      A Dynamic Distribution List enables you to return in memory, either a list of burst values and destinations, or only a list of destinations from a data source (for example, a flat file, SQL database, FOCUS data source, or LDAP).

      When Dynamic Distribution List is selected, the To field is enabled to facilitate the selection of the Procedure Name. Once a procedure is selected, you can pass a parameter on the command line of the fex, as shown in the following image.

      For more information, see Creating a Dynamic Distribution List and Generating a Dynamic Distribution List From WebFOCUS Repository Procedures.

  9. In the Cc box, perform one of the following tasks:
    1. Enter email addresses directly into the Cc box, separating them with commas or semicolons.

      Both of these separators cause the distribution server to send the same copy to all parties in the Cc list or the Bcc list.

      Or

    2. Click Cc to open the Enter Email Addresses dialog box and enter email addresses for the recipients in the To, Cc, Bcc, and Reply boxes. You can separate multiple addresses by comma or by semicolon. When your updates are complete click OK.

      Use this method if you wish to add a Bcc list. The Bcc List does not appear on the Distribution: Email tab until you enter values in it using the Enter Email Addresses dialog box.

      Note:

      • You can create a schedule that bursts sections of a report to different email recipients. However, if you type an email address in the Cc or Bcc box, every section of a burst report will distribute to the same Cc or Bcc email address.
      • If you type multiple email addresses in the Cc and Bcc boxes, Cc and Bcc emails are always sent to each email address individually, regardless of whether a comma or semi-colon is used to separate addresses.
  10. In the From box, your user ID appears, by default. You can replace it with another value.

    ReportCaster does not require a value for this field, but your email system may require one.

  11. In the Reply Address box, type a valid email address. If recipients reply to the email, their messages are sent to this address. If your email system is unable to deliver the content, the undeliverable output message is also returned to this address. ReportCaster requires this field.

    Note: If a default Mail Reply Address was not provided in the ReportCaster Configuration tool, the default Reply Address used for this field is the email address of the user that is signed in to WebFOCUS. ReportCaster obtains the email address of the user from the WebFOCUS security system.

  12. In the Subject box, type the text that you want to appear in the email subject line. ReportCaster may not require this information, but it may be needed by your email system. The value you entered in the schedule Title field is the default Subject value.
  13. Specify whether you want to send the report as an email attachment or within the body of the email inline by selecting or clearing the Send all reports as attachments option. For more information, see Using the Email Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool.
  14. You can type a message to appear in the email body to replace the default message, Please see attachment(s).

    Note: You can also provide a custom default distribution message using the Email Distribution and Notification settings in the ReportCaster Configuration tool in the ReportCaster Console. This allows you to override the default message, Please see attachment(s), by enabling you to create a custom message specific to your organization. The message displays when creating a schedule using Email distribution. The new message will not affect existing schedules.

  15. You can select a file from the WebFOCUS Repository that contains the message you want to distribute with your Email distribution.

    Note: When you use the file option, the information can be maintained in one common place. It can also be revised among multiple schedules. There is no size limit to the contents of the file, other than what the email client and server support.

  16. You can specify a value for the Packet Email or accept the default value. The Packet Email option is set to the default value configured by the administrator. For a schedule that has multiple tasks or a task that is burst, you can decide how many emails to send to each recipient. Options include:
    • No. Sends each attachment in a separate email.
    • Yes. Sends one email that contains all attachments.
    • By Burst Values. Sends one email with multiple attachments for each burst value.
  17. Specify whether to send the report as a compressed (.zip) file by selecting or clearing the Add Report to Zip File check box.

    You have the option of converting your distributed report into a password-protected compressed file. By default, the Add Report to Zip File check box is not selected and the Report will not be compressed. You can optionally password protect a zipped file by including a password in a Distribution File or Dynamic Distribution List. For more information, see Creating an External Distribution File or Creating a Dynamic Distribution List.

    By default, the Add Report to Zip File check box is not selected and the Report will not be compressed.

  18. If the Add Report to Zip File check box is selected, enter the name of the Zip file in the Zip File Name box.

    Note: Support of Unicode characters in a Zip file name and content within a Zip file on Windows 7 and Windows 2008 Server R2 requires the following hotfix from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2704299/en-us. Without this hotfix, file names are corrupted after you decompress a .zip file in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2.

  19. Additionally, you can override the default minimum size (in KBs) a file must exceed before it is automatically added to a Zip file. The Zip minimum size is set to the default value configured by the administrator. To automatically zip an attachment that exceeds a certain size that is different from the default, set this value to the desired size.
  20. Click OK to save the Email distribution information.

    The Email distribution is listed in the table within the Distribution tab.

  21. Click Save & Close to save the schedule.

Procedure: How to Set Mail Server Information Using Email in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

After you specify distribution options for Email in the Advanced Scheduling tool, you can customize settings for Mail Server Information.

  1. In the Distribution dialog box, click the Options tab.

    The Options tab displays, as shown in the following image.

    email options

    The default Mail Server displays in the Mail Server Name field.

  2. If you would like to change the Mail Server, enter the name for the new Mail Server in the Mail Server Name field.
  3. Select the This server requires a secure SSL connection check box if the Mail Server requires an SSL connection.
  4. Select the This server requires a secure TLS connection check box if the Mail Server requires a TLS connection.
  5. Select the This server requires authentication check box if the Mail Server requires authentication.

    If you select this check box, the Account Name check box and Password button is enabled, allowing you to set values for these fields.

  6. Click OK to save the entry or click the General tab.

Using the FTP Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

This section provides information about distributing scheduled output using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

Procedure: How to Use the FTP Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

Note: You can use parameters (amper variables) when specifying values in the FTP settings of a schedule. These parameters can be system variables, such as &YYMD, or any amper variable for which a value is returned by the Reporting Server when the scheduled procedure is executed. To use the dot file extension separator after a variable terminate the variable with the '|' character (for example, &YYMD|.htm.) Similarly, to use the ampersand character itself, follow the ampersand with the '|' character (for example, Smith&|Jones). If a value for a parameter specified in a schedule is not returned by the Reporting Server when the procedure executes, the schedule will fail with a "No report to distribute" error. If the scheduled task is burst, you can also use the '%BURST' symbol to include the burst value. If the multiple reports are distributed in one archive file, the burst value will not be substituted in the Zip filename.

  1. In the Advanced Scheduling tool, select the Distributions tab.
  2. Click the New drop-down list and select FTP.

    The Distribution dialog box appears, as shown in the following image.

    FTP distribution
  3. In the Distribution Name box, enter the name of the Distribution definition.

    FTP is the default value.

  4. From the Type drop-down list, select the method in which you will provide the FTP, location, and file name or file names the report will be distributed to. The options are:
    • Distribution List. Enter the Distribution List Name. The report will be sent to all FTP addresses in the selected Distribution List. For more information, see Creating a Distribution List.
    • Distribution File. Type the full path and file name of the external distribution file you want to use for this schedule. The path and file must be accessible to the ReportCaster Distribution Server. ReportCaster does not validate that the file exists. For more information, see Create an External Distribution File.
    • Single File. Type the name and file extension of the file you will distribute. The value contained in the Save Report As field of the schedule will automatically populate the Name field. When you burst the scheduled report, ReportCaster automatically adds the burst value to the end of the file name for each burst file. Optionally, you can add the '%BURST' syntax to the beginning of the file name, add a directory to the beginning of the file name, or both at the same time.

      Note:

      • In order for the report to distribute correctly, you must add a file extension to the Name value. By default, the Single File Name value does not include a file extension. To add a file extension, you can select the Override the Format Specified in the Procedure check box and select a report format in the Task tab or type the file extension manually.
      • ReportCaster does not validate the location of the file path or whether the specified file already exists.
      • The maximum length of this field is 800 characters.
    • Dynamic Distribution List. A Dynamic Distribution List enables you to return in memory either a list of burst values and destinations, or only a list of destinations from a data source (for example, a flat file, SQL database, FOCUS data source, or LDAP). For more information, see Creating a Dynamic Distribution List.
  5. In the Directory box, type the destination where the output will be sent.
    • You cannot create new Prepared Reports. However, all previously created Prepared Reports will be supported.
    • For WebFOCUS Server Procedures and Managed Reporting reports other than Prepared Reports, specify the FTP logon directory and path of the user ID to whose account on the SFTP or FTP server the report will be sent.
    • If left blank, this specifies that WebFOCUS Server Procedures distributed using FTP will be sent to the home directory of the FTP user.

    Note: When scheduling an FTP distribution, the maximum number of characters you can specify for the directory is 255, including the full path name.

  6. In the Report Compression section, specify options by which to compress the report. Select Create an archive file (.zip), Create compressed file(s)(.zip), Create compressed file(s)(.gz), or accept the default, None. For more information, see Zip Settings.

    Note:

    • The default setting for Report Compression is derived from the configuration settings. For more information, see Zip Settings.
    • Support of Unicode characters in a Zip file name and content within a Zip file on Windows 7 and Windows 2008 Server R2 requires the following hotfix from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2704299/en-us

      Without this hotfix, file names are corrupted after you decompress a .zip file in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2.

  7. In the optional Index File Name field, specify a name for the index file of the report.

    Note: Availability of this option is dependent on your ReportCaster configuration. For more information, see How to Configure FTP Settings. For WebFOCUS Server Procedures, if you are going to specify that the report is to be burst, type the name of the file in which you want the index page to be created.

    Important: You must type the name of the index in the case specific to your operating system.

    The following table lists the case you should use for a specific operating system.

    Case

    Operating System

    Uppercase

    z/OS

    Lowercase

    Windows

    UNIX

    Note: Index pages for burst report output contain only the burst values specified in the Distribution List.

  8. Click OK to save the distribution.

    The schedule to distribute appears in the Advanced Scheduling tool.

Procedure: How to Configure FTP Server Information Using FTP in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

After you specify distribution options for FTP in the Advanced Scheduling tool, you can customize settings for FTP server information.

  1. In the Distribution dialog box, click the Options tab, as shown in the following image.
    The Options tab of the Distribution dialog box that opens from an Advanced Report Distribution Schedule, with the default configuration of (Customized FTP) and blank fields.

    The current value for FTP Server Name and Account Name display, by default.

  2. In the FTP Server Name field, perform one of the following steps:
    • Select a predefined FTP Setting configuration from the FTP Server Name list.
    • Accept the default value (Customized FTP) in the Server Name field and leave the remaining fields blank in order to use the default FTP Server configuration defined in the (Default Settings) page of the ReportCaster Configuration tab.
    • If your organization permits, accept the default value (Customized FTP) in the Server name field and type values in the remaining fields as described in the remaining steps in order to create a new FTP Server configuration that applies to this distribution schedule exclusively.
  3. To change the Account Name, type the new value in the Account Name field.
  4. To change the Password, click the password button and type the new password in the password dialog box.
  5. Select the This server requires a secure SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) check box if the FTP Server requires SFTP. Choose one of the following options:
    • Click Password if the server requires authentication with a user ID and password.
    • Click Public Key to authenticate using Public Key Authentication.
    • Click Public Key and Password (Multi-factor) to authenticate using Public Key Authentication and indicate that the server requires authentication with a user ID and password.

    Note:

    • There is more than one format for the Public and Private Key pair used for authentication to an SFTP Server. If the Public and Private Key pair used by your SFTP Server is in a format that is not recognized by the Distribution Server, you can generate keys in the appropriate format with the sshkeygen utility on the Distribution Server.
    • The Private Key for the server using Public Key Authentication must be added to the sftp_private_key.txt file, which is located in the \cfg directory on the Distribution Server.
  6. Check the This server requires a secure File Transfer Protocol over TLS/SSL (FTPS) check box if the FTP Server requires FTPS. Choose the Security Mode, Protocol, and Data Connection Security settings for the server.
  7. Click OK to save.

Using a Printer Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

The report formats that support printing are DOC, PDF (when you configure ReportCaster to allow print distribution for PDF format and the printer has the appropriate driver), PS, and WP. For more information, see ReportCaster Configuration.

Note: Problems may occur in printed output if the distributed reports contain UTF-8 characters.

Procedure: How to Use a Printer Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

Note: You can use parameters (amper variables) when specifying a value for the Printer Name field of a schedule. These parameters can be system variables, such as &YYMD, or any amper variable for which a value is returned by the Reporting Server when the scheduled procedure is executed. To use the dot file extension separator after a variable terminate the variable with the '|' character (for example, &YYMD|.htm). Similarly, to use the ampersand character itself, follow the ampersand with the '|' character (for example, Smith&|Jones). If a value for a parameter specified in a schedule is not returned by the Reporting Server when the procedure executes, the schedule will fail with a "No report to distribute" error. If the scheduled task is burst, you can also use the '%BURST' symbol to include the burst value.

  1. In the Advanced Scheduling tool, select the Distributions tab.
  2. Click the New drop-down list and select Printer.
  3. Select the output type you would like to print.

    The following distribution output types are available for Print in the Advanced Scheduling tool.

    • Distribution List. The report will be sent to the printers specified in the selected Distribution List. To select a Distribution List, click the icon next to the Distribution List field. For more information, see Creating a Distribution List.
    • Distribution File. Type the full path and file name of the external distribution file you want to use for this schedule. The path and file must be accessible to the ReportCaster Distribution Server. For more information, see Create an External Distribution File.
    • Printer. Specify the printer name in the Name field using the following format. 
      queue@printserver

      where:

      queue

      Is the name of the printer queue.

      printserver

      Is the host name or IP address of the printer.

      Note: ReportCaster can differentiate between the printer queue and the printer host name or IP address due to the presence of an at sign (@) separator. Although ReportCaster supports specifying only the host name or IP address of the printer, we recommend that you specify both the printer queue and host name or IP address when distributing ReportCaster output to a printer. The maximum length of this field is 800 characters.

    • Dynamic Distribution List. A Dynamic Distribution List enables you to return, in memory, either a list of burst values and destinations or only a list of destinations from a data source (for example, a flat file, SQL database, FOCUS data source, or LDAP). For more information, see Creating a Dynamic Distribution List.
  4. If Distribution File or Printer is selected, type the required information. Optionally, select a distribution file for the Name field.
  5. Click OK to save the Printer task.

    The schedule task appears in the Advanced Scheduling tool.

Using the Report Library Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

When scheduling a report procedure (FEX) to distribute report output to the Report Library, specify the Distribution information. The best practice when distributing reports to the Library is to create and specify a different folder location for each Library report to avoid name conflicts when creating multiple schedules for the same report procedure (FEX). This includes the WebFOCUS Repository folder to which to distribute the report, as well as Access Options. These include Owner (Private), Share to Everyone, or Access List (Share Advanced). Expiration of Reports in Library and Report Compression can also be specified.

When scheduling a report procedure for distribution to the Report Library, you select the folder to which the report output will be distributed. Using the Advanced button, you can optionally specify a subfolder to which the output will be distributed. If the subfolder does not exist, it is created dynamically during distribution of the initial schedule execution. During subsequent executions of the schedule, reports are distributed to the existing Library item wherever it is located. You must specify a pattern to be used for the title of the subfolder when the subfolder is created. The pattern can contain text, parameters (amper variables) and, if the scheduled task is burst, the ‘%BURST’ symbol. If the ‘%BURST’ symbol is used, a new subfolder is created for each burst value. You can also select the option to compress a library report when it is stored in the Repository.

You also have the option to specify a Category value to help you further organize the listing of Library reports within the ReportCaster Explorer. In the ReportCaster Explorer, a Category column is available that can be selected to sort Library reports by the Category values.

Note:
  • For an existing schedule that distributes a Library report, if you remove the current task and add a new task, a new Library item will be created in the Repository. When you save the schedule, a warning will notify you about creating a new Library item.
  • If the ownership of a schedule that uses Report Library distribution has been changed, you must correct the ownership of any associated Library reports to match the new owner of the schedule.

Procedure: How to Use the Report Library Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

Note: You can use parameters (amper variables) when specifying values for the Library fields of a schedule. These parameters can be system variables, such as &YYMD, or any amper variable for which a value is returned by the Reporting Server when the scheduled procedure is executed. To use the dot file extension separator after a variable terminate the variable with the '|' character (for example, &YYMD|.htm). Similarly, to use the ampersand character itself, follow the ampersand with the '|' character (for example, Smith&|Jones). If a value for a parameter specified in a schedule is not returned by the Reporting Server when the procedure executes, the schedule will fail with a "No report to distribute" error. If the scheduled task is burst, you can also use the '%BURST' symbol to include the burst value.

  1. In the Advanced Scheduling tool, select the Distributions tab.
  2. Click the New drop-down list and select Report Library.

    The Distribution dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.

  3. In the Distribution Name field, enter the name of the Report Library Distribution definition.

    Report Library is the default value.

  4. Verify that the folder location is correct or make manual edits in the Folder Location field.

    The folder location defaults to the same folder as the report procedure (FEX) being scheduled. Users can also select a different folder that they have authority to write to and create content in for the report to be distributed to that location.

    Note: As a best practice, create and specify a different folder to which the Library reports will be distributed.

  5. Optionally, click Advanced to set optional subfolders, category, and report compression, as shown in the following image.

    Use the following information to set these options:

    • Compress Stored Report. Enables you to compress a library report when it is stored in the Repository.
    • Enable Subfolder. Can be enabled to indicate a subfolder to which to distribute a report. If Enable Subfolder is selected, a pattern must be indicated. A pattern can contain text, parameters (amper variables), and the %BURST symbol.
    • Version Description. In the Library Advanced Options dialog box, you can provide parameterized, descriptive text for each version of a report in the Report Library. The Version Description can include text, amper variables, and the ‘%BURST’ symbol if the report is burst. The Version Description is created by the Distribution Server at the time of schedule execution. The description displays next to the version number in the Report Viewer.
    • Category. An optional value that can be used to sort library reports within the ReportCaster Explorer. For more information, see Using the ReportCasterExplorer.
  6. Select Private, Published, Shared, or Shared with in order to determine which groups and users are authorized to access to the Library report.

    If you select Shared with, click the Access List button to invoke the Open dialog box from which you can select an Access List that you are authorized to access.

  7. Select Expire after if you would like the Library Report to be deleted after the schedule at a later date. Never Expire is the default selection.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Select Save & Close to save your changes.

Procedure: How to Set Report Library Information Using Report Library in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

After you specify distribution options for the Report Library in the Advanced Scheduling tool, you can customize settings for Mail Server Information.

  1. In the Report Library Distribution dialog box, click the Options tab.

    The Options tab displays, as shown in the following image.

    report library options

    The present value for Distribution Name displays by default.

  2. Optionally, select the Send email after report saved to library option to send an email notification to users that are authorized to access the Library report each time a new version is distributed. The email message also contains the URL report content in the Library. Depending upon the Access Option selected in the General tab, one or more users will receive a notification email. If the Access Option is Private, Published, or Shared, the schedule owner will be notified by email when the schedule executes and output is distributed to the Library. If the Access Option specifies an Access List (Shared With), then each user on the Access List is notified when the schedule executes and output is distributed to the Library. Groups in the Access List are not used to retrieve email addresses. Only listed users will receive an email notification.

    Once the Send email after report saved to library check box is selected, you can customize Mail Server Information and Email for Library settings.

  3. If you would like to change the Mail Server, type the name for the new Mail Server in the Mail Server Name box.
  4. Select the This server requires a secure SSL connection check box if the Mail Server requires an SSL connection.
  5. Select the This server requires a secure TLS connection check box if the Mail Server requires a TLS connection.
  6. Select the This server requires authentication check box if the Mail Server requires authentication.

    If you Select the This server requires authentication check box, the Account Name and Password button are available to set values for these respective fields.

  7. In the From box, type any value (for example, the name of the person creating the schedule). ReportCaster does not require the field, but your email system may require the field.
  8. In the Reply Address box, type a valid email address. If recipients reply to the email, their messages are sent to this address. If your email system is unable to deliver the content, the undeliverable output message is also returned to this address. ReportCaster requires this field.
  9. In the Subject box, type the text you want to appear in the email subject line. ReportCaster may not require this information, but it may be needed by your email system. The value you entered in the schedule Title field is the default Subject value.
  10. Optionally, you can type a message to appear in the email body.
  11. Click OK or click the General tab.

Library Bursting to Top-Level Folders Using the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

When creating a schedule with Report Library distribution, you can select the Domains folder in the Resources tree as the top-level folder location to which the sub-folders containing library reports will be burst.

You can schedule a library report to be placed in a sub-folder without having to create the sub-folder first. When you schedule a library report to be burst to a top-level folder, the distribution server will automatically create new sub-folders containing the burst library reports.

A library report does not have to be distributed to a single folder. Depending on which sub-folder pattern is used, a user can distribute library reports into multiple sub-folders based on the burst values defined by the chosen variable.

Note: In order to burst library reports to top-level folders, you must be authorized to create new sub-folders in the Domains folder.

Procedure: How to Burst Library Reports to Top-Level Folders Using the Advanced Scheduling Tool

  1. From the Workspaces area on the start page or the WebFOCUS Home Page, choose the workspace in which you want to create your schedule.
  2. On the Actions bar, click Schedule, and then click the Schedule button.

    The Advanced Scheduling tool displays.

  3. Click the Distribution tab, click the drop-down arrow on the New tab, and then click Report Library.
  4. Click Folder Location.

    The Browse for Folder dialog box opens.

  5. Select the Domains folder, as shown in the following image.

  6. Click OK.
  7. On the Distribution tab, click Advanced.

    The Library Advanced Options dialog box opens.

  8. Click Enable Sub-folder and specify a sub-folder pattern, which will be used to create sub-folder titles. In the following image, the subfolder pattern used is the variable ‘%BURST’.

    For more information on ReportCaster Variables, see ReportCaster Internal Variables.

  9. Click OK.
  10. Click the Task tab and select the Burst Report check box.

    Note: Because the Burst Report process creates separate subfolders for each individual report that uses a different burst value, you will be unable to clear this check box after you create and save the Report Library distribution schedule. If you no longer need to burst your selected Report Library distribution content, you must create a new Report Library distribution schedule that does not select the Burst Report check box.

  11. Complete any other items necessary for the schedule to run properly and save the schedule. For more information, see Creating a ReportCaster Schedule in the Basic Scheduling Tool.
  12. From the Workspaces area on the start page or the WebFOCUS Home Page, right-click the schedule you created and click Run.

    New sub-folders containing your burst library reports are now created in the top-level folder of the workspace.

    Note: The sub-folder structure is contingent on the variable that is used.

Using the Repository Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

How to:

When distributing scheduled output to the repository in the Advanced Scheduling tool, specify the folder location.

Procedure: How to Use the Repository Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

  1. In the Advanced Scheduling tool, select the Distributions tab.
  2. Click the New drop-down list and select Repository.

    The Distribution dialog box appears, as shown in the following image.

    Distribution dialog box
  3. In the Distribution Name box, enter the name of the schedule.

    Repository is the default value.

  4. Verify that the folder location is correct. Use the folder location button to select a folder or make manual edits in the text field.

    The folder location defaults to the same folder as the report procedure (FEX) being scheduled. Users can also select a different folder that they have authority to write to and create content in for the report to be distributed successfully to that location.

  5. Click OK.
  6. Select Save & Close to save your changes.

Distributing to the File System Using the Repository Distribution Method in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

The Repository File System Distribution function allows you send reports to a directory accessible by the distribution server. When you distribute to the Repository with the File System configured, you can choose a File System folder, as shown in the following image.

Note:

A user must be granted the Distribute to File System privilege to use this distribution method. In addition, an administrator must use the WebFOCUS Administration Console to configure file system directories for distribution. Users must be authorized to see these folders, which is done by granting users the list command on the File subsystem. For more information, see the TIBCO WebFOCUS® Security and Administration technical content.

Once authorized, a user can schedule content to be distributed to a configured folder.

Specifying Multiple Distribution Methods and Tasks in a Schedule

How to:

In ReportCaster, a single Advanced Schedule can contain multiple tasks and distribution methods. For example, you can create a multi-task schedule that has two or more email distributions. This allows the distribution of a multi-task schedule to be changed by switching which distribution will be enabled for use, rather than deleting the existing distribution and creating a new one.

Note:

Procedure: How to Add Multiple Distribution Options in a Schedule

  1. In the Advanced Scheduling tool, select the Distributions tab.
  2. Click the New drop-down list and select a distribution method.

    Populate all required fields for the selected method. For specific guidance on using a particular method, see Using the Email Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool, Using the FTP Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool, Using a Printer Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool, Using the Report Library Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool, or Using the Managed Reporting Distribution Option in the Advanced Scheduling Tool.

  3. Click the New drop-down list and select another distribution method.

    Populate all required fields for the selected method. The multiple distribution methods that you have selected display, as shown in the following image.

    You can select additional methods, or complete your schedule creation process.