Is the Training for BI 4.1 different from BO XI 3.1?

[Former Member]

Hello all,

My company is now using BO XI 3.1. We plan to migrate to BI 4.1 soon. One thing we are looking for is the training.

We just curious that training for BI 4.1 is required or not since we have been using XI 3.1 for  about 5 years as admin, designer, and report developer.

We've been using WEBI, Crystal, CMC.

If XI 3.1 and BI 4.1 is not much different in term of developing, then we will not find the training course. We will just perform self training for those differences.

Note: Courses may be WEBI, Crystal, Information Design Tool (Designer), Administration & Security, Administering Servers.

Thank you.

Awora

[CdnConnection · Accepted solution]

Awora,

    The product has changed alot with many enhancements, especially:

• Information Design Tool (NEW - Multi Source Support, . .)
• WebI (Major new feature, changes in interface)
• BI 4.1.x Platform (64bit, Monitoring, Promotion Manager, Visual compare, . . . )
• Security (Access rights more support, . . .

These are some high-level changes. You will NEED training, the product has changed since XI 3.1

Regards,

Ajay

[rick_kruyf3]

There are new training course for BOE 4.1, but you may not have to take the courses to understand the differences.  In my experience, there are numerous SAP partners capable of delivering delta training.

Universe Design - The user interface and methodology are very different when designing UNX universes vs UNV universes.  In 4.1 you have projects, connections, data foundations and business layers and the promotion steps are different.  Parameters are completely redone (Finally) to get rid of the old ugly formulas.  Parameters can now be set at the data layer and business layer to better tune your queries.  The main parts of the business layer are the same. 

Webi - Design is completely different.  Functionality in the design tool is organized into tabs to keep in line with Office 2010 and higher.  The functionality is pretty close.

UI - Again, different but the same.  Use the CMC to set the user preferences to folder structure as the default view, instead of the home tab to minimize the user shock.  While there are subtle differences, it is the same functionality.

Deski to Webi Training - Most needed, but not an official course.  There is a long list of Deski features that are not in WebI 4.1 but there are webi functions that can deliver most of the functionality and the gap is closing with every service pack.

[Henry_Banks]

Hi,

correction - there is not anymore a 'long list of missing features in webi vs deski'  - those gaps are closed now as of SP5/SP6  (except perhaps VBA)  and webi can do much more besides!

regards,

H

[rick_kruyf3]

Henry, I agree with you 100%.  I was careful not to say missing.  One Deski feature that is missing that would be useful is the ability to have a set of columns repeat on a page if there is room.  For certain lists, the Deski reports consume 1/3 of the paper because the block can be set to repeat a number of times per page instead of only once per page.

[jens_grotholtmann]

Even some report-logic has changed. Report design has become more easy, but you should definitly do some training.

To keep things working and have a smooth start, you should start installing a test-system and get familiar with it before you start migrating.

Jens

[Former Member]

Thank you very much to all replies. All information are very useful.

[onkarvelhals]

Official product tutorials might come handy.

sap.com/learnbi

[former_member207735]

4.1 got lot of enhancements and new features. Changes in SDK, i would recommend to refer below SCN and take decision.

http://scn.sap.com/community/bi-platform/blog/2014/04/06/businessobjects-features-since-xi-31-for-di...

[Former Member]

Hi Awora,

There have been many new features, functionality and architectural changes introduced in BI 4.1.

Refer to the below document to understand what has changed/added:

SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Suite 4.1 SP04 (SP4) Released

As Ajay has mentioned, there are many changes from the design perspective as well as administration point of view (mostly new additions, and a bit of changes from previous approaches).

-Sid