This tutorial is the first in a series of three that demonstrates how to configure Microvellum Business Objects in a sample report dataset. Click here for an overview of how they are intended to be used.
We will set up the dataset to contain the following global variables from the default Microvellum library:
Cabinet Back Construction / Back Construction Selections
Base Back Construction (Captured Sides and Bottom)
Tall Back Construction (Full Captured)
Upper Back Construction (Full Captured)
Sink Back Construction (Captured Sides and Bottom)
Open Toolbox and click: “Toolbox Setup > Design Reports > Design Manufacturing Report > New Report From Existing > Product Detail – Static JPG.”
Report Setup box: name the new report “Business Objects - Product Detail.”
Report Setup box: check only the checkbox for “Projects” in the Microvellum Factory database type.
Report Setup box: leave the default tables checked.
Report Setup box: click the options button for “Business Objects.” In the section containing the checkboxes for the Database Tables, click all four options - even if you don't need access to all of them. This will give you the greatest number of related data points possible and will prevent any confusion about what data is available. It does not discernibly increase the overhead of the report.
When the Business Objects option button is selected, there are two additional buttons activated: Add Global Variables and Add Product Prompts. To use the Business Objects for data of either type, you must click the corresponding button and add the specific names to the list. The names must be the exact format of the defined name. For example, if the defined name for a prompt is "Right_Fin_End," you must not enter "Right Finished End." You must enter it exactly, "Right_Fin_End." The same is true for global values. For example, if the name of the variable is “Base Back Construction,” you must enter “Base_Back_Construction.” Do not try to click Add Global Variables or Add Product Prompts button a second time to view the data you have added until after clicking the OK button for the Report Setup box, as described below.
Once you have configured the Business Objects in the Report Setup box, click the OK button. Re-open that report and click the button Edit Data Source again if you want to verify the data just entered. Again click Business Objects > Add Global Variables and Business Objects > Add Product Prompts to view the data that will be included in the report dataset. If it’s wrong, add or revise the data and click OK. Otherwise, click Cancel.
Click the Designer button and then the Dictionary tab to view the available data. Expand the Data Source named "EstimateProject" and view the 'tables' below that parent entry.
Right-click the table named “EstimateProject_GlobalVariables” and click "View Data" to preview the results of your Business Object global variable configuration.
Right-click the table named “EstimateProject_Products” and click "View Data" to preview the products included in the results of your Business Object product configuration.
Right-click the table named “EstimateProject_Products_Prompts” and click "View Data" to preview the individual prompt values included in the results of your Business Object product prompt configuration. You will notice that the field _ID in the Products table corresponds to the field _parentID in the Prompts table. Thus, in our sample, the two rows in the Prompts table with a _parentID of zero (0) belong to the row in the Products table with an _ID of zero (0).
Below is a summary of the EstimateProject data source schema.
EstimateProject = project name and ID.
EstimateProject_GlobalVariables = global variable name of each global specified in the configuration of the object, global value, ID, and parent ID.
EstimateProject_GlobalVariables_Value = ID, parent ID, global values split into one digit per record (row) for multiple digit global values.
EstimateProject_Rooms = room name and ID.
EstimateProject_Rooms_Products = product name, product item number, ID, and parent ID.
EstimateProject_Rooms_Products_Prompts = prompt name of each prompt specified in the configuration of the object, prompt value, ID, and parent ID.
EstimateProject_Rooms_Products_Prompts.Value = ID, parent ID, prompt values split into one digit per record (row) for multiple digit prompt values.
There are limitations in the data available if you don't select all tables when setting them up in the "Business Objects" option button (Global Variables, Product Prompts, Products, Project).
To preview that data as described above, you must first select a project before working in the report designer.
When configuring the Global Variables, you must add the specifically defined name values for each global.
When configuring the Prompts, you must add the specifically defined name values for each prompt.
The Business Objects do not support relationships between the Business Object and the factory or work order dataset objects.
Tutorials for setting up your report to display the Business Object data are found elsewhere in the Help Center.