Blogging on IT Marketing

I should have done this before. Long back. Long long back. There’s so much fun stuff in IT marketing to talk about that I should’ve started blogging about it long ago! Now I have a lot of catching up to do.

I want to discuss B2B marketing, IT marketing and Services Marketing. And there is so much to talk about there – Brand development and growth, web marketing, social marketing, field marketing, importance of content in technology and services marketing, and so much more. And maybe we’ll also discuss some fun things that have nothing to do marketing! (Nah! Who am I kidding – this is going to be an out and out marketing blog).

And in between, when there arent tomes to write about marketing, I’ll be tweeting here and there. Well, mostly here -> https://twitter.com/hxmktg

So, I’ll see you guys back here soon. Ciao!Read More about  IT marketing

Informatica and Oracle hints in SQL overrides

HINTS used in a SQL statement helps in sending instructions to the Oracle optimizer which would quicken the query processing time involved. Can we make use of these hints in SQL overrides within our Informatica mappings so as to improve a query performance?

On a general note any Informatica help material would suggest: you can enter any valid SQL statement supported by the source database in a SQL override of a Source qualifier or a Lookup transformation or at the session properties level.

While using them as part of Source Qualifier has no complications, using them in a Lookup SQL override gets a bit tricky. Use of forward slash followed by an asterix (“/*”) in lookup SQL Override [generally used for commenting purpose in SQL and at times as Oracle hints.] would result in session failure with an error like:

TE_7017 : Failed to Initialize Server Transformation lkp_transaction

2009-02-19 12:00:56 : DEBUG : (18785 | MAPPING) : (IS | Integration_Service_xxxx) : node01_UAT-xxxx : DBG_21263 : Invalid lookup override

SELECT SALES. SALESSEQ as SalesId, SALES.OrderID as ORDERID, SALES.OrderDATE as ORDERDATE FROM SALES, AC_SALES WHERE AC_SALES. OrderSeq >= (Select /*+ FULL(AC_Sales) PARALLEL(AC_Sales,12) */ min(OrderSeq) From AC_Sales)

This is because Informatica’s parser fails to recognize this special character when used in a Lookup override. There has been a parameter made available starting with PowerCenter 7.1.3 release, which enables the use of forward slash or hints.

§ Infa 7.x

1. Using a text editor open the PowerCenter server configuration file (pmserver.cfg).

2. Add the following entry at the end of the file:

LookupOverrideParsingSetting=1

3. Re-start the PowerCenter server (pmserver).

§ Infa 8.x

1. Connect to the Administration Console.

2. Stop the Integration Service.

3. Select the Integration Service.

4. Under the Properties tab, click Edit in the Custom Properties section.

5. Under Name enter LookupOverrideParsingSetting

6. Under Value enter 1.

7. Click OK.

8. And start the Integration Service.

§ Starting with PowerCenter 8.5, this change could be done at the session task itself as follows:

1. Edit the session.

2. Select Config Object tab.

3. Under Custom Properties add the attribute LookupOverrideParsingSetting and set the Value to 1.

4. Save the session.

Thanks for reading this blog.To know more about Informatica

SAP EcoHub – Connecting for Success

SAP Ecosystem is an example for how SAP position itself as complete solution provider. Not very long ago SAP wanted to be everything for everyone. SAP wanted to put forth a solution which would solve all the problems. To say, ‘SAP achieved this objective 100%’ is not a fair statement. Now, SAP comes up with the approach ‘We can do this together’. SAP wants to make use of the knowledge and skill available out side of the SAP world. SAP wants to provide collaborative solution. The company absolutely realizes that it can not possibly meets all the customer demands by being the lone warrior. Now SAP is building an army to take care of its objective.

SAP Ecosystem is a novel approach for SAP, customers, partners and individuals to come together with single objective to innovate collaborative solution for market need. Customers find qualified expertise, insights, answers, and connections that are right for their business. Working within the SAP Ecosystem is fast and effective – whether engaging a new partner or co-innovating using complementary technology, customers can access broader knowledge quickly to make more informed decisions.

SAP created a portal to give a face to the Ecosystem, It is called SAP EcoHub. EcoHub fosters an ideal environment for ongoing innovation and value creation, It represents the unique convergence of easy access to knowledge about SAP partner offerings as well as rich community powered context. It provides the intelligence that the customers find value in their investment decisions. SAP EcoHub is the community powered online portal created by SAP which provides information on various partner solutions. This is a trusted source from SAP to provide information to customers who are looking to easily discover and evaluate SAP partner solutions relevant to their industry and their own unique IT environment. SAP EcoHub offers the opportunity for the customers to learn about SAP certified solutions and leverage the wisdom of the communities – peers, partners, business process experts and consultants – to procure the solution that best fits their requirements.

Eventually, all groups of SAP Ecosystem will be represented in SAP EcoHub – relevant, trusted solution partners, services partners, technology partners, hosting partners, and content partner services and offerings will all have a place on SAP EcoHub. Currently solution partners are the only one showcasing their products. There are about 230 solutions have been showcased. For example, there are about 14 HR specific solutions 36 Aerospace and defense solutions listed in EcoHub. EcoHub also works as a marketplace, you can discover, evaluate and buy any of the trusted products from the portal. If you want to earn your name as SAP company you need to have presence in EcoHub.

As a guest you can access most of the features You can use your SDN id to login to this portal also to get full access. While you are there you can watch videos from people like Narayana Murthy Infosys and Anand Mahindra among others talking about EcoHub and the significance of it.