Conversion from Desktop Intelligence to Web Intelligence

DeskI used to support several types of OLAP data provider.

In WebI, users may create documents against OLAP provider using OLAP universes. Especially in 4.0 release, you may create reports on top of dimensional semantic layer, which is very powerful to leverage OLAP functionalities. The DeskI documents based on OLAP data provider cannot be converted, and you need to create a UNX universe and then create documents based on the universe.

In DeskI, you can define calculation in the query panel. For example, below is a query generated when the calculation operand is used:

This type of DeskI document is not converted. WebI doesn't have this shortcut, but can make it through query-on-query. 
For example, to accomplish the above report, you need to create two queries. Query 1 is:

Query 2 is:

That is to find the MAX value from the first query, and use it to create a filter in the second query.

In DeskI, when the query contains both "scope of analysis" and "aggregate filter", the dimension of analysis scope participates in the Having filter, see below example:

WebI generates the query in a different way:

When converting the document with Report conversion tool, the query is changed to WebI's way. The query from WebI is actually based on most use cases, since the query in DeskI somehow doesn't return data which is desired for users.

During conversion the filter is removed. You may add the filter after conversion, or use input control to apply the filter in a different way.

In DeskI, when defining a break, you can apply breaks of multiple columns within one single level.

During conversion, the setting is removed. In WebI, this can be done by using formatting options. For examples, you can firstly add two breaks, in the "Manage breaks" window, enable the break header and foot for one break, disable them for the other.

In DeskI, you can break a block on a column which is not part of the block.

The break is removed during the conversion. In WebI, a workaround is to create a section with the column which is not part of the block, then remove the section label.

In DeskI, when defining the break, you can choose break values among the list of value of the break dimension. For example, when the dimension <City> contains values of DC, Boston and Seattle, you can make a break only on the value "DC", and make other values not affected by the break.

The break is removed during the conversion. In WebI, same views can be accomplished in a different way through formula functions. For example, create a variable as: =If ([City]="DC") Then "DC" Else "Other cities", then set section on the variable, and remove the section label to make the variable invisible.

DeskI has functions which are not corresponding to functions in WebI, including: ApplicationValue, BlockNumber, CurrentPage, GetProfileNumber, GetProfileString, Hyperlink, OLAPQueryDescription, PageInSection.

Duing conversion, these functions are replaced with RepFormula("original_syntax"). Besides, the function CountAll is changed to WebI syntex as Count([object_name]; IncludeEmpty; All); and the function "MultiCube" is renamed to "ForceMerge".

In DeskI, to sort a block on a column which is not part of the block, you need to add dimension which is not part of the block as a break, in the break definition, disable the break header and footer, then the invisible break behaves like a sort in the table.

The sort is removed during the conversion. On 4.0 release, you can add the extra column to the table, do the sorting, then hide the column.

In DeskI, you may have Dual Y-axes line charts, which display units for different measures, which is done by enabling the Secondary (Y) Axis in the "Axes and Gridlines" window.

Web Intelligence is now on par with DeskI. With XI3.1, you had to create separate chart. With BI4.1, WebI addresses few remaining charting deltas compared to Deski including dual axes line chart, and introduces many new chart types which are not found in DeskI.

DeskI can have multiple groups on a single chart. In the Chart Format window, you can add additional groups, each group can have different chart type.

After conversion, only the first group appears as WebI doesn't support multiple groups on a single chart.

In DeskI, VBA can be used for windows applications, not web-based applications.

In DeskI, you can configure the Fold and Show header/footer setting of Across Edge Display in crosstabs.

During conversion, the setting is removed.

In DeskI, you can define the Page break header/footer.

During conversion, the setting is removed.

With Report Conversion Tool(RCT), besides the partially converted documents, you may also have partially published documents. Partially published documents happen when the RCT can not find the associated universe during the conversion. The partially published documents can still be opened and viewed, but they are not refreshable.

In DeskI, you may fold/unfold tables, sections and breaks.

In WebI, to fold/unfold vertically is delivered starting from XI3.1 SP2. After conversion, all the report elements are unfolded.
In BI4.0, the feature has been enhanced to fold horizontally as well as vertically on Sections, Table and Breaks.
Furthermore, you can fold/unfold over the web which is not possible in DeskI.

In DeskI, you can apply sort at the query level.

WebI doesn't apply sort at the query level, during the conversion the sort on query is removed. Anyway, you can apply the sort at the report level.

In deski, you can apply sort when designing the query, and also set the count of rows to retrieve partial results at the query option panel. With combining these two features, you can retrieve top N rows for a dimension.

In WebI, you can choose count of rows to retrieve, but can not apply sort at the query level, so you can not do the retrieve top N directly. Anyway, you can leverage Rank ability instead. During conversion, the sort is lost, you need to apply sort at the report level.

DeskI users rely on this on the query panel for enabling synchronization.

The option is lost during conversion. For WebI, this should be done at the universe level, but for local sources, you have to edit cells containing trailing blanks. On 4.0 release, you can do "merge on variable" which will enable deleting the leading/trailing blanks then merging in the report.

In DeskI, this helps you to build the report structure without retrieving the data.

The option is lost during conversion. In WebI, you can accomplish the behavior in a different approach. Beside the "Close" button on the Edit query panel, there is an arrow, click on the arrow, you will find two options: one is "Apply changes and close", the other is "Revert changes and close". If you choose the first one, you go to the edit report mode, and you can build the report structure without retrieving the data.
Besides, on 4.0 release, you can also build report firstly then mapping cells with objects from data provider.

This is a setting in DeskI when defining the query.

The setting is removed during conversion. In WebI, there is a option: "Use custom SQL", which also prevents the edited SQL from being overwritten.

In DeskI, you can apply Filter on a formula.

In WebI, you can create a variable and apply the filter on the variable, during comversion, a variable is created and the filter is applied to the variable automatically.

DeskI can contain Windows OLE objects.

WebI doesn't support it, during conversion, the OLE objects are changed into GIF format.

In DeskI, the embeded picture is stored in TIFF format.

During conversion, the static picture is converted to GIF format.

DeskI supports dynamic Picture, forr example, path computed at runtime or using "Read as pictures" properties.

During conversion, the dynamic picture is deleted. But, you can recreate the same dynamic bahavior by using the "Format cell / Appearance" settings  

In DeskI, you may setup the page options for each document.

During conversion, original page setup options are lost and default Web Intelligence page options are applied.

DeskI's date format is a little bit different from that of WebI.

During conversion, the date is changed to an equivalent Web Intelligence format according to the mappings.

In DeskI, you can have cells shading with gray scale and pattern.

During conversion, the shading is removed. In webi you can use background images for similar effect. Any background image can be added to the cell.

In DeskI, you can define the description for each variable.

During conversion, the description is removed. As a workaround, you can create another variable to store the description, or put the description in a free-standing cell.

In DeskI, users can create custom groupings. For example, when the dimension City has list of value: New York,DC,Los Angeles,Seattle, you can create a variable with two value:"East cities"(which includes New York and DC)and "West cities"(which includes Los Angeles and Seattle).

In DeskI, you can define the color for data series.

During conversion, the original relationship between a series and its color is lost.

In DeskI, you can use stored Procedure as data provider directly.

For WebI, you need to create universe based on stored Procedure, then create create report on top of the universe. Actually, creating universe on Stored Procedure which is much preferred by IT and Administrator people. During conversion, a DeskI document based on stored procedure is converted into two parts, one is a universe based on the stored procedure, the other is a WebI document based on the new generated universe.

In DeskI, like the feature of multiple column in Microsoft Word, you can display a narrow table in multiple columns within one page. (Workflow: Right-Click on a table > Table Format > General > Columns

In WebI, there is not direct feature, a possible workaround is with index number and filters, as long as the amount of data is not fluctuating too much. For example, when creating two columns within each page, first, duplicate the table, make the first table display rows with odd row index number, make the second table display rows with even row index number.

In DeskI, you can set position of tables/charts related to other tables, charts by setting negative numbers. And it enables a bit more flexibility for some report layout tasks.

In WebI, negative number on relative position is not allowed, but you can use the other table/chart as reference to set positive numbers relative position.

In DeskI, you can enables cells, tables, charts to be centered relative to page edges.

In WebI, you need to manually set it.

In DeskI, this enables hiding content based on thresholds.

In WebI, on XI3.1, there is workaround that columns can be hidden by using Alerters, when condition true (set always true) then apply formula to swap object in that same column. BI 4.0 release provides the conditional hiding functionality.

In DeskI, the feature data manager provides the following functions:
1. Display all queries and data providers;
2. Display the summary of each query, including date/time of last refresh, number of rows, duration;
3. Display query results;
4. Set schedule for automatic query refresh;
5. Export data to CSV, XML file.

When multiple data providers share the same universe, the universe is factorized and referenced only once in the document. Hence changing the universe of one Data Provider to another changes it for all Data Providers (given it was factorized).

In WebI, you need to switch universes one by one on each Data Provider.

In DeskI, the formula editor is context-sensitive, operators change according to the variables picked, which may help to guide formula creation.

WebI is more static. Anyway, WebI users benefit from auto-complete the object/function based on first few characters for much faster creation, lowers likelihood of misspellings, also the help box doesn't let you launch help on operators (e.g. where clause). DeskI has the usability edge for formula creating, but both have certain advantages depending on the workflow and the ways functions are used.

In DeskI, it is a usability feature for adding items to "in list" operator.

In WebI, type in manually, or simply capture LOV as copy paste from report output to formula dialog.

Personal List of Values(LOVs) are created in the universe, but can also be done from within a Deski report.
1.To define the personal list of value, the workflow is: on the Menu, click Tools > Universes > Lists of Values > select an object > select either corporate data or personal data > Edit.
2.In DeskI, you can view multiple columns LOVs as a hierarchy. The workflow is: Edit LOV query in the universe or from Tools > Universes > Lists of Values to have more than one object in the LOV query. When you then view the LOV, you will see the top level folder like Year, then you can expand it to select the Month, like the way to navigate a hierarchy.
3. You can use Personal Data Provider as a list of values for a given report.

In WebI, you may edit the list of value at the universe level.
On 4.0 release:
1. WebI enable native hierarchies off OLAP sources.
2. You can have multidimensionality on relational sources as well.
3. You can use personal data provider as a list of values.
4. You can define the List of value by inputting values on the Information Design tool directly.

In DeskI, you may create User-defined hierarchies to override the default ones from universe.

For WebI, the hierarchies(aka. navigation path in 4.0 release) are defined centrally in universe, then the business users who consume the universes don't have to understand data structure on the database layer. Anyway, you can always simply drag in relevant details instead of drill, or build formulas to display hierarchies in different ways. Alternatively, in 4.0 WebI will support true hierarchies defined in OLAP data source.

In DeskI, this is shortcut for arranging common time dimensions (days, months)

WebI can do manually with up/down "arrows".

In DeskI, it is a shortcut for adding subtotal and percentage of totalcontent to table on the Rank definition panel.

In webi, you have to define formula.

In DeskI, this helps users to print content onto one page

In WebI there is no workaround on XI3.l. The feature is available on BI 4.0 release.

DeskI can find: specific values in large document

WebI can find: specific values in the same page and display the total occurances. To search in the whole document, use "page content" in quick display mode to display up to 1000 rows per virtual page then users can search for keywords. And administrator can increase the default max rows per "virtual page" allowable to enables less page scrolling.

In DeskI, the feature is useful for navigating very large tables

WebI doesn't suport it. In WebI 3.1 SP2 and greater, you may apply a workaround to make the table header displayed when browsing a large table, that is to use input control to scroll by row index number.

In deskI, templates enable Query results to be poured into formatted reports.

In WebI, you can define default style for corporate graphical charter.

Use default config file to define report's look and feel, which is to edit  WebiDefaultStyleSheet.css
- It is Stored on server for global modification
- It uses standard Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) format

For New Documents
The file affects the following format:
Backgrounds, fonts color, sizes,
margins, spacing, color
table headers/footers, cells, cell content
page headers/footers,
Sections titles

For existing documents :
You may perform manual conversion using « Clear Format » command

Besides, WebI provides the usability of Format Painter which enable users to copy the format from one object to another.

In DeskI, you have to go to multiple places (Slice and Dice panel shows sorts, breaks,filters)

In WebI, structure view indicates if blocks have filters/sorts/breaks & positioning and enables sizing sections. It is time-saving features for full time authors.

You may refresh universe in DeskI, this requires the end-user to know that the universe should be refreshed.

WebI doesn't support it since universe authors typically refresh the universe themselves.

Deski supports image scaling.

WebI Rich client supports it, but web-based Webi doesn't enable it due to an issue with HTML to handle images over the web.

In DeskI, you have to create them from scratch.

In WebI, it is shortcut for reusing complicated variables if you only need to change a small part.

In DeskI, you have to view structure report by report, not all-in-one presentation of report elements.

In WebI, may view overall report structure map for ease of maintenance (view structure, calculations/variables, filters). It's dHTML only for now.

In DeskI, you have to delete and recreate in order to change the prompt order.

In WebI, you can change the order of prompts.

DeskI does enable keyboard entry, no search for DeskI Prompt List of values, must select from list.

WebI enables: Cleaner graphical user experience for prompts, search in List of Values (+match case option), type unique value option instead of search long list.

In Deski, you have to alter incoming excel to redefine the number type in Excel

In WebI, you can change object qualification for personal data. This is necessary for enabling synchronization displays.

In DeskI, you have to click and scroll for each object to see if another object might be synchronized with it.

In WebI, to define Synchronized Data Providers, you can view all in one window, view synchronized values, add new object to synchronization list, etc. This is a superior user experience for managing complex synchronization within a document.

In Deski, you have to save entire report as Excel to be able to reuse a specific table.

In WebI, you can copy/paste tables as text into Office document, or drag and drop either table or chart into Office. It is common task for business users to pull out parts of a report as needed to put into Office applications.

Cut/Copy/Paste of Tables and Charts has been improved in BI4.0.
For power users looking to reuse existing contents to create another analysis or another report: Copy Paste 1 table or 1 Chart to another document: uses mechanism of Shared Objects.
For business users looking to share and comment content from WebI reports: Copy Paste 1 Table or 1 Chart to external application (Office), copied block is now an HTML format element, can be modified in target application (tables only, charts are images).
The feature is available in WRC and Java Report Panel for BI4.0.

In DeskI, you can save the document as HTML format.

Webi is by default over the web, so saving content specifically to HTML is not requested. WebI can save in csv format which addresses the vast majority of workflows. In 4.0, WebI will enable copy/paste between WebI and Office with formatting.

DeskI can not save report data to CSV, but can save data from each Data Provider to CSV file from Data manager.

WebI can save data from each Data provider, moreover WebI can save as csv from report side that will save all Data Providers in a report into one csv file.

In DeskI, you can save report to my computer as TXT

Webi can save as csv which addresses vast majority of workflows. Then CSV can be overwritten to replace comma with a different delimiter.

In DeskI, you can save report to my computer as RTF, and keep formatting of table and values.

Webi can save as csv, or save as Excel to keep the formatting. These address vast majority of workflows. In 4.0, WebI will enable copy/paste between WebI and Office with formatting.

Delivery rules affect how documents in publications are processed and distributed. When you set delivery rules on documents, you indicate that the publication will be delivered to recipients only if the content in the documents meets certain conditions. For DeskI documents, you can specify a formula expression. You can also set a delivery rule based on whether the personalized publication contains any data.

WebI doesn't support the publishing delivery rule. Anyway the Crystal report is an option if you need the functionality.

During Publishing, the data in documents is refreshed against data sources and personalized before the publication is delivered to recipients. This combined process is known as "report bursting". DeskI has the option of "One database fetch for each batch of recipients", this report bursting method uses the data source log on credentials of the publisher to refresh data. The batches are based on the personalization values you specified for the recipients.

WebI publication with dynamic recipient only has two options: "One database fetch for all recipients" and "One database fetch per recipient".

Deski can send .rep by email, for other format, cannot send directly from DeskI user interface.

In WebI, you can send document by email in Excel, PDF, and CSV format. This is a shortcut for rich client users.

Deski can schedule output to a printer.

In WebI, you can schedule to PDF against an unmanaged disk and write a script to send the PDF to a printer.

DeskI can export the data provider to XML format

WebI doesn't support it directly, but you can accomplish it with Extension Point.

In DeskI, possible via VBA but not integrated the same way and not available for all clients at once via server.

It is very well integrated within WebI, new functions appear directly as functions in formula editor.
(To know the Creation of external function, you may refer to the document in the link http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir31SP2/en/xi31_sp2_webi_calc_ext_en.pdf)

DeskI doesn't support optional prompt, a workaround is to select all values in prompts, which is much less performant.

In WebI, when a prompt is set as optional, when the prompt is not answered, WebI refines the query by removing the filter.

In DeskI, you have to accomplish it through formatting tricks.

In WebI, it is a common formatting feature. The workflow is to right-Click on the cells you want to merge and select "Merge".

DeskI cannot do it within Query, you have to rank within report or use a combination of query sort and defining row limits.

In Webi, you can do it as long as the underlying Database supports it.

In DeskI, you have to use manually created conditional formatting.

In BI 4.0, this feature is available out-of-the-box. In XI3.l, you have to use the Show when empty check box

In Deski, you have to retrieve grouping sets from different levels of hierarchy, then synchronize on common dimension. Otherwise, it leads to DeskI not handling some kinds of aggregation such as ratios very well and generating wrong results.

WebI supports the feature known as smart measures.

DeskI doesn't support this, you can fake this by using tables as single cells and getting rid of the body cells to keep just the header.

In WebI, you can do it, it is needed for creating sophisticated report layouts.

In DeskI, you need use formula to rank cumulative sum.

In WebI, you have direct support for this common analysis view.

In Deski, you have to use alerters to conditionally format the rows to accomplish this.

In WebI, It is default setting for ease of reading.

In DeskI, an alerter can only contain one object, if you want to create an alerter like: <Revenue> < 5000) and (<Expenses> > 500, you have to use an extra variable, the steps are:
First create the variable to express the condition:
<Variable1> = (<Revenue> < 5000) and (<Expenses> > 500)
Second add an alerter with the condition:
<Variable1> = 1

In WebI, an alerter can contain conditions on multiple objects, so no additional local variable is required. After the document is converted into WebI, you may modify it and optimize the alerter accordingly.

Besides, WebI provides many new features which there is no way to accomplish in DeskI, including Input control, track data change, drill over the web, database sampling, publish as Web services, etc. They greatly change the ways of report authoring and consuming. For example, you used to create multiple reports in DeskI to analyze different scenarios, with the input control in WebI, you only need to create a single report which enables users to drive their "personalized" content views.

In summary, most of DeskI documents can be converted to WebI. For the DeskI features which there are not equivalent ones in WebI, you can refer to the article to apply workarounds to accomplish the functionality in different way. And you can optimize the converted documents with the powerful features which WebI provides exclusively.