Monitor Batches
This section describes how to use the Client Reporting’s Batch Status and Batch Status and Control functions to monitor batch information and review, submit, re-submit, cancel, and delete batches.
Batch Status Window
To work with the Batch Status window:
From any Eagle window, click the Eagle Navigator button to access the Eagle Navigator.
Enter Reporting in the Start Search text box and click the Reporting Center link. Or click All Programs and select Reporting Center. You see the Client Reporting workspace.
Open the Client Reporting folder, and double-click the Administrative folder to see the Client Reporting options.
Double-click Batch Status.
You see the Batch Status window. The Batch Status window displays the name of the batch, advanced report profile, status, effective date, due date, create date, start and end dates, and duration.To display summary and package level details for the selected batch in the Batch Status window, click the Show Batch Details link at the bottom of the Batch Status window. Or right-click and select Show Batch Details from the popup menu.
You see the batch details on the Packages tab.To enlarge the batch details section, place your cursor on the horizontal scroll bar and drag the scroll bar to the correct height. Batch details for the selected batch are displayed on two tabs:
- Packages tab: Displays the individual reporting packages in the batch in chronological order. Detail includes the entity/client name, status, number of runs, imaged report, Advanced Report Profile name, start and end dates, and duration.
- Summary tab: Displays the batch status and number of entities/clients in the batch.You will see a link to an imaged report in the Report column when a package in the batch has progressed through the imaging stage of the workflow. Double-click the link to display the report in the Advanced Report Viewer. While reviewing the imaged reporting package, you have the option of converting it to another file format and changing the approval status.
Additionally, you can distribute one or more of the reporting packages ad hoc (manually). Select a package, right-click your mouse, and select Adhoc distribution from the popup menu.To update the package level information, click the Refresh Batch Details link at the bottom of the window. The Refresh link at the top of the window only refreshes batch level information.
Batch details are also available when you select a batch on the Batch Status window and click the Review Batch link.
Additional options on the Batch Details tab are described in the following table.
On this page
- 1 Batch Status Window
- 2 View an Imaged Reporting Package
- 3 Convert Imaged Reports to Another File Format
- 4 Change the Approval Status
- 5 Distribute Reporting Packages Ad Hoc
- 6 Submit a Batch
- 7 Cancel a Batch
- 8 Delete a Batch
- 9 View Batch Approvals
- 10 View Batch Distributions
- 11 Evaluate Workflow Events
- 12 Retrieve the Batch Log
- 13 Work With the Batch Status and Control Window
- 14 Configure Batch Statuses
Option | Description |
Hide Batch Details | Hides batch details. |
Sort Options |
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Filters | The following filters help you manage your data:
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Right-click Menu Options | These options help you manage your data:
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Engine Locations | Click to display the Client Reporting Engine Locations dialog box, which displays a list of engines used by Client Reporting. It provides information on the engine location and if it is configured to run in a clustered environment. In a clustered environment, a concurrent value of Yes indicates the engine can run on any server. A value of No indicates the engine only runs on the Master server. |
Configure Link | This link displays the Configure dialog box, which allows you to filter batches by status and date and control the number of items displayed per page. |
Quick Links Menu | This menu contains the following options:
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Search Menu | There are a variety of searches you can perform from the Search menu. |
Change Due Date | Use this option to modify the due date of batches that you own. To use this option, select a batch, right-click, and select Change Due Date from the popup menu. |
View Batch’s Approvals | This option displays detail about the approvals that have been associated with the selected batch or the entities or clients in the batch. To use this option, select a batch, right-click, and select View Batch’s Approvals from the popup menu. |
View Batch’s Distributions | This option displays details about batch distributions. To use this option, select a batch, right-click, and select View Batch’s Distributions from the popup menu. |
Evaluate Workflow Events | This option evaluates all of the current batch and approval records in Client Reporting and, if necessary, updates the batch and approval statuses. |
Review Batch Link | This link displays the Review Batch dialog box, which allows you to view batch details for the selected batch. This option is also available when you right-click your mouse on the selected batch. The Review Batch dialog box displays two tabs: Summary and Packages. The Summary tab displays general batch information such as the batch instance number and name, Advanced Report Profile instance number and name, status, who last modified the batch, and the number of entities/clients in the batch. The Refresh link updates the batch information. The Packages tab displays the individual reporting packages within the batch in chronological order. Detail includes the entity/client name, status, number of runs, imaged report, Advanced Report Profile name, start and end dates, and duration. The Refresh link updates the package level information. The Search link displays the Find dialog box, which helps you locate package level information when a batch contains a large number of packages. |
Re-submit Batch | Select this link to display The Submit Batch dialog box, which allows you to resubmit a selected batch for processing. This option is also available when you right-click on the selected batch. |
Cancel Batch | This link displays the Cancel dialog box, which allows you to cancel a selected batch regardless of its current status or stage. |
Delete Batch | Select this link to delete one or more selected batches. This option is also available when you right-click on the selected batch. |
Batch Logs | Use this option to quickly locate, save, and analyze the PACE Server logs related to a batch. To use this option, select a batch, right-click, and select Batch Logs from the popup menu. |
This link displays the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the list of batches. | |
Refresh | Use this link to refresh batch level data on the Batch Status window, including search criteria. |
Submit Batch | Use this link to display the Submit Batch dialog box, which allows you to submit the selected batch on an ad hoc basis. This option is also available when you right-click your mouse on the selected batch. |
Search Menu
You can perform a simple text search or use the Search menu to search for information.
To perform a text search, enter the text or string in the Search field, which is located to the right of the Search menu and click Enter. Client Reporting searches through the information on the Batch Status window for a match. If a match is found, the row is highlighted.
To use the Search menu, click the arrow next to the Search link. The Search menu displays the options described in the following table.
Option | Description |
Search for client batches | Searches for client batches that meet the specified criteria. The search is applied down to the package level. For example, if you are searching for all clients with a client type value of Contact, the Batch Status window will display batches that contain at least one client that meets the specified criteria. The drop down list at the top of the Search for Client Batches dialog box includes field attributes defined against the CLIENT table. If the selected field is associated with a reference code, the code values are displayed in the drop down list. Otherwise, the lower box is a standard data entry field. You can configure the search criteria to look for a specific value using the EQUAL connector, a string of values using the IN connector, or a near match on a specific value using the LIKE connector. |
Search for entity batches | Searches for entity batches. Displays the Search for Entity Batches dialog box, which searches for entity batches that meet the specified criteria. The search is applied down to the package level.For example, if you are searching for all entities with an Entity Type of Composite, the Batch Status window will display batches that contain at least one entity that meets the specified criteria. The drop down list at the top of the Search for Entity Batches dialog box includes field attributes defined against the ENTITY table. If the selected field is associated with a reference code, the code values are displayed in the lower drop down list. Otherwise, the lower box is a standard data entry field. |
Search for Clients | Searches the database for clients that meet the specified criteria. Click Define search result fields to display the Configure Fields dialog box. On this dialog box, you define the columns on the Clients dialog box which are displayed when you execute the search. You control the order of the fields using the Move Down and Move Up links. When you click OK, you return to the Search for Clients dialog box. |
Search for Clients - Advanced Search | Provides a more complex search for clients. The Name section displays field attributes that are defined against the CLIENT table. If the selected field contains a reference code, the lower right corner displays the code values. Use the fields, code values, and arguments in the keypad to define the client search criteria. |
Search for Entities | Searches the database for entities that meet the specified criteria. Use the fields, codes, and connectors on the dialog box to define the search criteria. Click Define Search Result Fields to display the Configure Fields dialog box and define the columns on the Entities dialog box, which is displayed when you execute the search. Click Define Advanced Search Criteria for a more complex search. |
View an Imaged Reporting Package
When a package in the batch has progressed through the imaging stage of the workflow, the Report column on the Packages tab of the Review Batch dialog box displays a link to an imaged report.
Double click the link to display the report in the Advanced Report Viewer.
When accessed from the Review Batch dialog box, the Advanced Report Viewer displays a drop down list of the clients or entities in the current batch. The drop down list is displayed in the upper right corner of the Advanced Report View. You can use the drop down list to view each package.
While viewing the report, you can convert it to a Power Point or HTML format as described in the following section, Convert Imaged Reports to Another File Format.
Convert Imaged Reports to Another File Format
You can convert imaged reports to a variety of other file formats, including Power Point and HTML. The embedded version of HTML better handles reports that include logos or other image files.
To convert an imaged report to another file format:
Select a report and click Save As.
Select a format from the Save as type drop down list.
Change the Approval Status
While reviewing an imaged reporting package, you have the option of changing the approval status.
To change the Approval Status:
Click the Approval Status link while reviewing a batch report in the Advanced Report Viewer.
Select one of the following options.
- View Batch’s Approvals. Displays approvals from the current batch. This allows you to view the entire workflow for the current batch. Any date filter settings on the main Approval Status window are applied.
- View Package’s Approvals. Displays approvals from the current package. This allows you to view the workflow for the entity or client contained within the package currently being viewed. Only approvals defined at the entity or client level are displayed. Any date filter settings on the main Approval Status window are applied.
- View Package’s Next Pending Approval. Displays next approval for the selected client or entity. If more than one approval record exists or more than one approval exists at the next order value, all are displayed. Any date filter settings on the main Approval Status window are applied.
Distribute Reporting Packages Ad Hoc
To distribute a reporting package ad hoc (manually):
Click Review Batch.
You see the Review Batch dialog box.Select the Packages tab and select the completed batch that you want to distribute. Click Adhoc distribution.
You see the Batch Distribution dialog box.Complete the fields on the Batch Distribution dialog box as described in the following table.
Option | Description |
Distribution Type | Select how you want the batch to be distributed from the options on the drop down list. |
Value | Specify a value. |
View Types | Determines who receives the distributed batch. |
Submit the Engine at Log Level | Allows you to override the batch log level. A more detailed log is generated without requiring the log level to be changed at the PACE Server level, or for the PACE Servers to be recycled to generate more detailed logs. The log level override value applies to any Advanced Reporting, Concentration, or Distribution engines submitted by the current instance of the Client Reporting batch engine. |
Submit as Scheduled | Submits the distribution as a scheduled event. When enabled, it allows the request to be run on a PACE Server dedicated to scheduled events and an ADHOC PACE Server in a cluster to be avoided. |
Submit a Batch
Users who are not granted permission to use the Maintain Batches window can be granted permission to submit batches using the Batch Status window.
To submit a batch on an ad hoc basis:
Select a batch on the Batch Status window and click Submit Batch.
You see the Submit Batch dialog box.Complete the following fields on the Submit Batch dialog box.
Option | Description |
Report Start Date Report End Date | Select the check box and specify a value for the Report Start Date and Report End Date. Or use the default Report Start Date. The Report Start Date check box is designed to support off-period report processing. The specified report start/end dates determine which package is submitted. It works with any date rule that is specified in the underlying Advanced Report and Advanced Report Profile to determine the start and end date of the reporting package. |
Select a Due Date | Specify the date the batch should be completed. |
Submit the Engine at Log Level | Allows you to override the batch log level. A more detailed log is generated without requiring the log level to be changed at the PACE Server level, or for the PACE Servers to be recycled to generate more detailed logs. The log level override value applies to any Advanced Reporting, Concentration, or Distribution engines submitted by the current instance of the Client Reporting batch engine. |
Submit as Scheduled | Submits the ad hoc batch as a scheduled event. Two edit checks are included in the submission process. If the batch has already been submitted with the same effective date a warning message appears. You can ignore the warning and submit the batch again with the same date. |
Run this event at High Priority | Runs the event at a higher priority. |
To Re-Submit a Batch:
Open the Batch Status window.
Click the Re-Submit Batch link.
You see the Re-Submit Batch dialog box.Select a batch to submit for a subsequent run. If a batch was created for more than one entity or client, you can re-submit it based on the status of the detail records. If there are approvals associated with the batch being resubmitted, a new approval record is not created. Clear the All check box to re-select package status values.
Click OK.
Cancel a Batch
You can cancel a batch on the Batch Status window at the batch level, or package level regardless of its current status or stage.
To cancel a batch:
Open the Batch Status window.
Click the Cancel Batch link.
You see the Cancel Batch dialog box.
The STATUS of the selected batch is updated to L. This instructs the Client Reporting engine to stop processing the batch record. The batch, its packages, and related jobs are all cancelled.
The Cancel Batch dialog box displays a tree structure that models the contents of the batch. The top branch represents the batch record and the lower branches represent the packages in the batch. The batch level branch reflects the CR_BATCH record and the package level branches reflect the CR_BATCH_DETAIL records related to the batch.
To cancel a batch at the Batch Level: Select a “top branch” package on the Cancel Batch dialog box. This cancels the entire batch, including all of the packages contained within the batch.
To cancel at batch at the Package Level: Select a “lower branch” package on the Cancel Batch dialog box. This cancels that package only. The remainder of the packages in the batch are processed. The package level records are displayed in the Cancel Batch dialog box only after the package has reached the imaging stage. This is because until the imaging stage, when the Advanced Reporting engine has been submitted, there is no engine related to the package that can be terminated. Once a package has reached a status of Completed, that package no longer appears eligible for cancellation. No check box within the Cancel column is displayed on the Cancel Batch dialog box for that package.
Kill Requests
When a cancel batch request is submitted to the PACE Server, the Client Reporting engine uses the CR_BATCH and CR_BATCH_DETAIL records to resolve back to related SCHEDULE_DEF and SCHEDULE_QUEUE records. A Kill Engine request is submitted to stop the processing of the packages, and the PARENT_QINSTANCE value within the SCHEDULE_QUEUE record is used to find any related engines spawned by the parent record. These processes are also terminated. The CR_BATCH and CR_BATCH_DETAIL records are modified to a status value of Cancelled (L).
Each engine type deals with Kill requests differently. A batch may continue to be processed during the imaging or distribution phase if the Kill request is not detected in time by the underlying engine.
The following table describes how the Client Reporting related engines handle Kill requests.
Engine | Kill Request Descriptions |
Advanced Reporting | Checks for the request each time the system writes to the log file. Changes the log level. Does not affect the frequency of checking the kill flag. |
Client Reporting | Checks for request each time the system writes to the log file. Changes the log level. Does not affect the frequency of checking the kill flag. |
Distribution Engine | Checks for request each time the system writes to the log file. Changes the log level. Does not affect the frequency of checking the kill flag. |
Client Reporting Pre-Processor | Checks for requests each time the system writes to the log file. Changes the log level. Does not affect the frequency of checking the kill flag. |
Concentration Reports | Fetches the SECURITY_DICTIONARY_LINK table for Dictionary based concentration reports. Matrix fetch (such as Analytics/Price/Rating/Schedule). Various points in the tree build process. Begin/End Position data fetch. Cash Adjustments fetch. The following modules check for the kill request: Entity Characteristic fetch FX Rates fetch Issuer Info fetch |
Delete a Batch
To delete a batch:
Open the Batch Status window.
Click the Delete Batch link.
You see the Delete Batch dialog box.Click Delete Batch. The CR_BATCH and CR_BATCH_DETAIL records associated with the selected batch is deleted.
If you selected an active batch, a message appears notifying you that an active batch will be cancelled as part of the delete process.
View Batch Approvals
The View Batch’s Approvals option on the Batch Status window displays details about the approvals that are associated with the selected batch or the entities or clients within the batch. To use this option, select a batch, right-click your mouse, and select View Batch’s Approvals from the popup menu. You see the Approval Status dialog box.
You can update the approval status using the ellipses button and filter the data. Right-click your mouse and select a filter from the popup menu.
View Batch Distributions
The View Batch’s Distributions option on the Batch Status window displays details on the selected batch distribution. To use this option, select a batch, right-click your mouse, and select View Batch’s Distributions from the popup menu. You see the Batch Distributions dialog box.
This dialog box lists the distributions that have occurred for the selected batch, including the batch name, Advanced Profile name, client/contact ID, distribution category, communication type and value used, and distribution time stamp.
Right clicking your mouse anywhere on the Batch Distributions dialog box displays a popup menu with options that allow you to view all batches, only your batches, the event log file, recall one or more distributions, and recall all distributions.
Recall One or More Report Distributions to the Portal
The Recall Distributions option, available when you right-click your mouse on the Batch Distributions dialog box, allows you to recall one or more reports that have been distributed to the Portal. This involves deleting the physical file that was distributed, as well as deleting the database records that indicate an Inbox item within the Portal. This functionality helps automate file retrieval in the event that a package is distributed in error.
You can recall the distribution if at least one package within a batch status record has moved past the distribution stage and the Portal is the destination.
To recall one or more reports that have been distributed to the Portal:
Select one or more clients on the Batch Distributions dialog box.
Right-click your mouse and select Recall Distribution from the popup menu.
The reports that have been distributed for the selected clients are deleted from the Portal. Once the distribution is recalled, the status column on the Batch Distributions window displays Recalled. If a batch was cancelled and some of the packages were distributed, the Recall Distribution option is still available.
To Recall All Report Distributions to the Portal
Right-click your mouse on the Batch Distributions dialog box.
Select Recall All Distributions from the popup menu.
Evaluate Workflow Events
The Evaluate Workflow Events option on the Batch Status window evaluates all of the current batch and approval records in Client Reporting and, if necessary, updates the batch and approval statuses. To use this option, select a batch, right-click, and select Evaluate Workflow Events from the popup menu.
Normally, a manual approval causes the Client Reporting engine to run, thereby enabling the next dependent approval or progressing the batch to the next stage. However, if an approval status record is updated directly through the database and not through the Client Reporting’s Approval Status window, the Evaluate Workflow Events functionality recognizes the updated approval status value and either enables the next dependent approval record or advances the batch to the next stage.
This option is also available on the Approval Status window.
Retrieve the Batch Log
The Batch Log option on the Batch Status window allows you to quickly locate, save, and analyze the PACE Server logs related to a batch.
To retrieve batch logs:
Select a batch on the Batch Status window,
Right-click, and select Batch Logs from the popup menu.
You see the View Batch Logs dialog box. The View Batch Logs dialog box displays the current batch and its current status, as well as the status of the packages contained within the batch. The Advanced Reporting and Concentration logs are listed for each package within the batch, whether the batch is created at the entity or client level. If a certain package has not reached the imaging stage, no logs are displayed for that package. Similarly, if the selected package has not yet reached the distribution stage, or the related clients are not configured to received distributed reports, no distribution logs are displayed for that package.To save the logs, right-click and select Download from the pop-up menu.
Work With the Batch Status and Control Window
Client Reporting also includes a Batch Status and Control window. This window provides you with an overview of the current scheduled Client Reporting batch cycle, including batches that are scheduled to run in the current period but have not yet begun processing. Batches that have been submitted on an ad hoc basis are not displayed on the Batch Status and Control window.
The Batch Status and Control window is based on the existing Batch Status window. Control of the columns contained within the window, the filters used to return data to the window, and the sorting of the data within the window are all the same controls that exist within the Batch Status window.
If the Batch Status window is launched and the window is filtered to display only batches with a Start Date value of the current day, the window shows all batches that have been submitted (either scheduled or on an ad hoc basis) and were picked up by the Client Reporting engine during the current day. This window only retrieves records from the PACE_MASTERDBO.CR_BATCH table.
However, this same filter applied to the Batch Status and Control window only displays those scheduled batches that have been submitted and were picked up by the Client Reporting engine during the current day, as well as those batches which are currently scheduled to run during the current day. The Batch Status and Control window is intended to provide a full view of the batches that are due to be processed during a given time period, so those batches which have not yet begun processing are displayed in the window. This enables you to assess more quickly the batches that are impacted by errors or by slow processing in current batches.
Records that represent batches that are scheduled to run within the displayed time frame are displayed in green in the Batch Status and Control window. These records do not have all of the functional links available to them since they do not represent active batches.
The Cancel Batch link, for example, is not enabled for batches that have not yet begun processing so there is no engine or process to cancel if the batch is not running.
The Show Batch Details link, however, is available for these records. This feature retrieves data from the RULESDBO.CR_SCHEDULE_LIST table to display the entities or clients contained in the batch when the batch has not yet been submitted. Active batches return data from the PACE_MASTERDBO.CR_BATCH_DETAIL table to display this information.
Configure Batch Statuses
The Configure link on the Batch Status window displays the Configure dialog box.
Configure Dialog Box - Batch Status Tab
The Batch Status tab allows you to configure settings for the batch statuses displayed on the Batch Status window.
A description of the options on the Batch Status tab follows.
Option | Description |
Use this Custom View | Select a custom view for display, if defined, from this list. |
Filter Batches by Status | Use this option to filter batches on the Batch Status window by status. |
Filter Batches by Date | Use this option to filter batches on the Batch Status window by date. |
Group Batches by Categories | Select this check box to group batches on the Batches Status window by category such as annual, monthly, or quarterly. Any category that does not contain a batch is hidden. If a batch does not have a category assigned to it the category column displays <unknown>. |
Page Size | Specify how many items you want to display per page. |
Configure Dialog Box - General Tab
The General tab in the Configure dialog box has a number of settings that apply to all Client Reporting functions.
A description of each option on the General tab follows.
Option | Description |
Use this as Startup View | Specify which window you want to view on start up. |
Client Identification | The Client ID and Client Display Name check boxes allow you to display the client ID and client name on windows for identification purposes. The Display contacts using this color link allows you to display contacts in a different color for easy identification. The Select an additional Client column drop down list allows you to display additional client related columns. |
Save Most Recent Settings | Select this check box to automatically save your most recent settings when you log out of the Client Reporting. |
Reset All Settings | The Reset All Settings button resets your saved preferences, including window filters and sort settings, grid control settings, and default view settings. |
Configure Dialog Box - Print Options Tab
Use the Print Options tab in the Configure dialog box to control printing options.
A description of each option on the Print Options tab follows.
Option | Description |
Orientation | Select either Portrait or Landscape. |
Margins | Enter left, right, top and bottom print margins. |
Print Gridlines | Select this option if you want gridlines to print. |
Print column Headings | Select this option if you want column headings to print. |
Show Printer Selection Dialog Box | Select this option if you want a list of available printers to appear. |