Accumulate Performance History Data

This workflow is used to accumulate a running archive of performance history data (including user and application statistics) for the specified SAP system. By default, the workflow obtains performance history data for the previous 13 months. However, the workflow may be configured by specifying your own start date, and how many months of data to extract.

The performance history data is stored in four External Data Sources, which must be created before the workflow is run for the first time. The External Data Sources should be named as follows, substituting <System Name> for the RFC Destination from which the performance history data is to be extracted.

<System Name>_AppStats

This External Data Source stores application statistics extracted from the <System Name> RFC Destination for the specified number of months. The External Data Source should be created with columns TYPE, NAME, ACCOUNT and COUNT.

<System Name>_UserStats

This External Data Source stores user statistics extracted from the <System Name> RFC Destination for the specified number of months. The External Data Source should be created with columns TYPE, NAME, ACCOUNT, PERIOD and COUNT.

<System Name>_AppStats_Archive

This External Data Source archives 13 months of application statistics (default) extracted from the <System Name> RFC Destination. The External Data Source should be created with columns TYPE, NAME, ACCOUNT, COUNT and DATE.

<System Name>_UserStats_Archive

This External Data Source archives 13 months of user statistics (default) extracted from the <System Name> RFC Destination. The External Data Source should be created with columns TYPE, NAME, ACCOUNT, PERIOD, COUNT, DATE.

Each time the workflow is run, the data in the ‘App Stats’ and ‘User Stats’ External Data Sources is archived and replaced with a new set of performance history data. The DATE column in the ‘Archive’ External Data Sources stores the start extraction date for each set of performance history data. The data retrieved into the External Data Sources is suitable for use in other LiveCompare workflows, such as the Smart Impact Analysis workflow from the Impact Analysis package.

Creating an RFC Destination

Before you begin, you will need to create an RFC Destination for the SAP system containing the performance history data you wish to accumulate.

Creating External Data Sources

You will need to create the four External Data Sources as described above. The first part of each External Data Source’s name should match the name of your RFC Destination.

Preparing the Workflow

To prepare the Accumulate Performance History Data workflow, drag its workflow template from the Templates folder into your own workspace, then modify the workflow as follows:

To specify the system from which to retrieve performance history data:

  1. Select the Stats system parameter and choose ‘Edit RFC Destination’ from its context menu to display the RFC Destination dialog.

  2. Select the appropriate RFC Destination, then click ‘Save’.

To specify how many months of data to extract:

  1. Select the Retention period (Months) parameter and view its details in the Property Editor.

  2. In the ‘String’ property, enter the number of months of performance history data to extract.

To specify a start date for the extraction of performance history data (optional):

  1. Select the Override date YYYY-MM-DD (optional) parameter and view its details in the Property Editor.

  2. In the ‘String’ property, enter a start date in the format YYYY-MM-DD.

If you are running the workflow for the first time, make sure that the Overwrite App XDS's (false on first run) and Overwrite User XDS's (false on first run) parameters are both set to false. For subsequent runs of the workflow, you should set each of these parameters to true.

Save the workflow using the 'Save' toolbar button.

Running the Workflow

To run the Accumulate Performance History Data workflow, click the ‘Run’ toolbar button, choose ‘Run Now’ from the workflow’s context menu or press F5. The currently running workflow action is marked with an animated display. When the workflow execution has completed, examine the contents of each of the External Data Sources by selecting them from the Data > External Data Sources folder in the LiveCompare hierarchy.

Scheduling the Workflow

The Accumulate Performance History Data workflow should be scheduled to run once a month.