What Is MetaMiner¶
MetaMiner is a Windows server application that keeps a continuously updated copy of your SAP BusinessObjects metadata and gives administrators tools to analyze and change that content.
How it works¶
MetaMiner does not replace the Central Management Console (CMC) or BI launch pad. It reads the CMS with a dedicated service account, stores what it finds in its own database, and works from that copy. Actions that change BusinessObjects content (for example a universe remap or a promotion) are sent to the CMS through the BusinessObjects SDK under the account you configure.
| You want to | MetaMiner gives you |
|---|---|
| Find any object fast | The CMS Explorer in the client: folders, categories, inboxes, documents, universes and connections with filters and search |
| Know who can see what | Security exploration and security comparison across users, groups and environments |
| Know what breaks if a table changes | Database impact analysis from tables and columns to universes and Web Intelligence documents |
| Change many reports at once | Universe remap, connection remap, Crystal database logon changes, copy/cut/paste between folders and environments |
| Move content between environments | Backup, restore and promotion, including Lifecycle Management (LCM) export |
| Prove an upgrade did not change results | Report validation and visual comparison of document versions |
| Report on usage and content | Audit reports, unused universe objects, Web Intelligence data sources, SQL access to the MetaMiner Database |
| Watch the platform | Server inventory and metrics, alerts, and Insights dashboards in the Web Console |
Who uses it¶
| Role | Typical use |
|---|---|
| BI platform administrator | Install and configure MetaMiner, run pulls, clean up content, manage security |
| BI Center of Excellence lead | Usage and impact reporting, upgrade and migration planning |
| Security reviewer | Rights analysis and audit history |
| Power user / developer | Search, impact analysis, report comparison |
Key terms¶
- Environment
- One BusinessObjects cluster (one CMS) configured in MetaMiner.
- Pull
- MetaMiner reading metadata from an environment into the MetaMiner Database.
- MetaMiner Server (MMS)
- The Windows service that runs the pulls and serves the client, the administrator and the Web Console.
- MetaMiner Database (MMDB)
- The PostgreSQL database that holds the pulled metadata.
- MetaMiner Client (MMC)
- The desktop application users work in.
- MetaMiner Administrator (MMA)
- The desktop application that configures the server.
Image of the MetaMiner Client main window showing the CMS Explorer with a folder tree and document list
../images/get-started/mmc-cms-explorer-overview.png