Adding a Custom Data Class to IT Analytics Cubes

IT Analytics 7.1 offers several predefined cubes out-of-the-box that each include their own set of fields to allow for flexible ad-hoc reporting on your Altiris environment. For users who leverage custom inventory or the CMDB capabilities within Altiris to create custom data classes that contain data specific to their environment, there is a method by which this data can be added to IT Analytics cubes. This involves the download and installation of the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility (.zip file attached to this article) and a simple configuration to add the custom data class as a dimension to the cubes.

NOTE: Only the cubes that contain Asset or Computer data are currently supported for extension using this utility. This utility is provided as an optional configuration to IT Analytics and is separate from the Symantec Management Platfrom so that it can be updated on as as needed basis. Any issues and requested enhancements to the utility should be sent directly to the author.

To successfully install and use the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility the following prerequisites must be met:

• .NET Framework 4.0
• Must be run on the machine hosting the Symantec Management Platform
• db_owner access to Symantec CMDB database
• Administrator access to the IT Analytics Analysis Services database
• Be a member of the Symantec Administrators role in the Symantec Management Platform

Installing the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility

1. Download the ITAnalyticsCubeExtensionUtility.zip file attached to this article.
2. Extract and open the ITAnalyticsCubeExtensionUtility.msi file, and if prompted to download .NET Framework version 4.0, click Yes.

3. After installing .NET Framework version 4.0, open the ITAnalyticsCubeExtensionUtility.msi file, ensure the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility Setup Wizard screen is displayed and then click Next.

4. Select the installation folder for the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility and decide whether or not the utility can be accessed by other users on the computer, then click Next.

5. Click Next to confirm installation and install the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility.

6. Allow the installation process to complete.

7. Close the window and allow the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility to launch.

Adding a Custom Data Class as a Dimension to the Cubes

1. If not already open, launch the Cube Extension Utility by navigating to: Start > All Programs > Bay Dynamics > IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility and clicking on Cube Extension Utility.
2. Wait for the Cube Extension Utility to initialize.

3. Select Add Dimension to launch the Add Dimension Wizard.

4. Select the Cube Name you want to add the dimension to and click Next.

5. Select the Data Class Name you want to add and click Next. In this example, we have created a custom data class called "Support Group" to identify which corporate group supports a particular computer. 

6. Specify the Dimension Name or accept the default name and click Next.

7. Verify the information is correct on the Summary screen and click Next.

8. Wait for the dimension to be added.

9. If you would like to add additional data classes click Add Dimension, otherwise click Finish.

10. After you have finished adding dimensions, you must reprocess the modified cubes for the changes to take effect. From the Symantec Management Console, navigate to: Settings > Notification Server > IT Analytics Settings > Processing to reprocess cubes.
11. Open the modified cube by going to Reports > All Reports > IT Analytics > Cubes. In the Pivot Table Field List you should see the new dimension that was just added.

12. You can now use this dimension when creating pivot table views, the same way you use any other default dimension.

Removing a Dimension from the Cubes

1. To undo the dimension addition process described above, launch the Cube Extension Utility by navigating to: Start > All Programs > Bay Dynamics > IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility and clicking on Cube Extension Utility.
2. Wait again for the Cube Extension Utility to initialize.
3. Select Remove Dimension to launch the Remove Dimension Wizard.

4. Select the Cube Name you want to remove the dimension from and click Next. In the example above we had added our custom data class to the Computers Cube.

5. Select the Dimension you want to remove and click Next. In the example above, we used our custom data class called "Support Group."

6. Verify the information is correct on the Summary screen and click Next.

7. Wait for the dimension to be removed.

8. If you would like to remove additional dimensions click Remove Dimension, otherwise click Finish.

9. After you have finished removing dimensions, you must reprocess the modified cubes for the changes to take effect. From the Symantec Management Console, navigate to: Settings > Notification Server > IT Analytics Settings > Processing to reprocess cubes.

Troubleshooting

When closing the IT Analytics Cube Extension Utility, you may see the following error message:

This error does not affect functionality and will be addressed in a future product update.