Provider Services Overview

In This Section:

Provider Services Introduction

Java API

Smart View

XML for Analysis

Essbase Web Services

EPM System

Provider Services Documentation

Provider Services Introduction

Oracle Essbase Provider Services is a middle-tier data-source provider to Oracle Essbase for Java API, Oracle Hyperion Smart View for Office, and XMLA clients and to Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition for Smart View. Provider Services supports highly concurrent analytical scenarios and provides scalability and reliability in a distributed Web-enabled enterprise environment.

Figure 1, Provider Services Architecture illustrates the relationship of Provider Services to Essbase, and to its Java API, Smart View, and XMLA clients.

Figure 1. Provider Services Architecture

Displays a graphical representation of the architecture described in the previous paragraph.

Java API

Java API is available in embedded and three-tier deployments. Both provide a 100% Java implementation. With a complete Java solution, platform independence is achieved.

Embedded Java API is provided through .jar files and related property files that a Java API client can embed within their application. Java API clients communicate to Essbase through Java API. No installer is required, and no middle-tier server, such as Provider Services, is required to service Java API client requests. However, Java API can be embedded in a Java client application in a two-tier solution or in Hyperion products for the middle-tier application of a three-tier solution.High availability and clustering is not available with embedded Java APIs. You must use Java API with Provider Services to enable high availability and clustering.

You can switch from embedded Java API to three-tier mode. Through Java API, products such as Web Analysis and Production Reporting can use the high-availability features of Provider Services. The URL for connecting Provider Services to Java API clients: http://server_name:port/aps/JAPI.

Figure 2.  Embedded Java API - Two-Tier Solution

Diagram of client application with embedded Java API communicating with Essbase through TCP/IP

You can embed Java API in the middle tier of an application as shown in Figure 3, Embedded Java API - Three-Tier Solution:

Figure 3. Embedded Java API - Three-Tier Solution

Diagram of multiple clients and a middle tier application with embedded Java API communicating with an Essbase Server through TCP/IP

Smart View

Smart View provides a common Microsoft Office interface for Essbase, Oracle BI EE, Oracle Hyperion Reporting and Analysis, and Oracle Hyperion Financial Management. To use Smart View with Essbase and Oracle BI EE, you need Provider Services as a middle-tier server. The URL for connecting Provider Services to Smart View clients is: http://server_name:port/aps/SmartView.

XML for Analysis

XML for Analysis (XMLA) is an open, industry-standard Web service interface for online analytical processing. The open architecture of XMLA enables development on any language, platform, or operating system. Provider Services provides high availability for XMLA for Essbase. Using Provider Services and XMLA, Microsoft Reporting Services generates and publishes reports for Essbase. The URL for connecting Provider Services to XMLA clients: http://server_name:port/aps/XMLA.

Figure 4. XMLA System Architecture

Client Web Service and Provider Web Service communicate with Discover/Execute calls over SOAP and HTTP.

Essbase Web Services

Web services are self-contained, modular applications that can be described, published, located, and invoked over a network. Web services use XML to code and decode data, and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) to transport it. Web services are defined using WSDL (Web Service Description Language).

Essbase Web Services support access to and administration of Essbase applications and cubes. Essbase Web Services include the following modules:

  • Datasource

  • Administration

  • Data and Metadata Query

EPM System

Provider Services is part of Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System, a comprehensive business performance management system that integrates modular suites of financial management applications with the most comprehensive business intelligence capabilities for reporting and analysis.

Provider Services Documentation

Installation, configuration, deployment, and other related information for Provider Services may be found in the Hyperion EPM System documentation set, which comprises the following guides:

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Installation Start Here

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Installation and Configuration Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Security Administration Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance User and Role Security Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System High Availability and Disaster Recovery Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Installation and Configuration Troubleshooting Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Backup and Recovery Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Lifecycle Management Guide

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Certification Matrix