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Definition

A portal utility for making business objects available for use by connectivity-based components and services, such as Object-Based Navigation.

Use

By means of the Business Object Importer the content administrator can import business objects from systems in the Portal Content Directory (PCD) into the Business Object folder of the Portal Content Catalog. The Business Object Importer also enables the creation of context business objects.

Business objects can be imported directly to the Business Object folder, although organizing them into logical subfolders is recommended.

To create new folders and to access the business object importer:

  • To create subfolders, right-click the Business Object folder, or an existing subfolder, and choose Start of the navigation path New Next navigation step Folder End of the navigation path. Enter the required field values and choose Finish .

  • To open the Business Object Importer, Right-click the Business Object folder, or any subfolder, and choose Import Business Objects . The Business Object Importer opens in a new tab in the working area.

The Business Object Importer allows for single or multiple imports of business objects, from systems located in the PCD, to the desired folder. Context business objects are created individually.

Structure

The Business Object Importer is divided into two main panes:

  • The left pane enables the following:

    • the creation of a logical business object, referred to as a context business object

    • the use of a search utility

    • the selection of business objects, referred to as system business objects, since they are available from systems existing in the portal

      The system business objects are displayed in the Available Business Objects section in tree format.

  • The right pane displays the business objects added to the relevant business object folder.

Creating a Context Business Object

Add a context business object to the business object folder by entering the desired values in the name, ID, and ID prefix fields, and then choosing the Add button below the ID prefix field.

Note

Note that the prefix together with the ID, in the format < prefix >.< ID >, become the object identifier in the PCD (Portal Content Catalog).

Searching for Business Objects

In the event of numerous systems and/or business objects, which would make manual selection difficult, the search utility enables finding specific objects and filtering the search by system alias. If results are found matching the search, a list of business objects is returned in a table that replaces the Available Business Objects section. The table displays three columns:

  • Business Object - the business object name

  • Parent - the folder in which the business object resides

  • System - the portal system containing the business object

Selecting business objects from the table and choosing Add at the bottom right, adds the objects to the current folder; they are displayed in the right pane of the importer. Multiple selection is supported using the Ctrl or Shift keys.

To return to the Available Business Objects list, click the link Back to tree to the upper right of the table.

Import from Available Business Objects Tree

The main import utility consists of a left and right pane:

  • The left pane displays all available systems in the PCD and the business objects that they contain, including any associated operations.

  • The right pane represents the folder from which the import tool was opened, which is also the folder to which imported business objects are added.

  • The Add button, below the left pane, and Remove button, below the right pane, are for loading and unloading business objects to and from the selected folder.

The Left Pane - Available Business Objects

The Available Business Objects pane contains folders representing systems in the PCD. Expand a system folder to expose its business objects. To add business objects to the right pane, select them and click Add . Multiple selections are possible using the Ctrl or Shift keys.

Note

  • The list available is limited to 100 items; beyond that the search utility must be used to locate and add business objects.

  • Choosing and adding a system icon does not add its contents, just the folder.

The Right Pane - The Selected Folder

The right pane shows the folder to which you are importing business objects. It displays all the contents of the selected folder: existing business objects, if any, newly imported or created business objects, and any subfolders.

If a subfolder is selected in this pane, the up-arrow icon in the upper right corner is for navigating to the next highest folder level, placing the name of that folder name into the title bar of the pane. Double-clicking a subfolder moves the selection downwards in the tree to that folder.

Save and Refresh

The Save and Refresh buttons are located at the top of the Business Object Importer. The Refresh button is useful for keeping up with the latest changes in the system landscape.

Caution

Additions of business objects to business object folders are kept only after saving.