Introduction
Before we start to discuss and explore the topic let-us first try to understand what is meant by an Agent. An agent in simplest terms is defined as “a person or thing that takes an active role or produces a specified effect”.
In context of Fusion Applications an Agent is a mechanism which enables us to automate our business processes. We can use them to provide event-driven alerting, scheduled content publishing, and conditional event-driven action execution.
We can choose:
-
A schedule that the Agent runs on
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A data condition that determines what the Agent does
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An analysis that can be distributed
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Actions that can be automatically executed depending on whether the data condition is met
Agents can dynamically detect information-based problems and opportunities, determine the appropriate individuals to notify, and deliver information to them through a wide range of devices (email, phones, and so on).
I hope from the above we got a very basic idea of What is an Agent and Why it is used but now let-us try to understand how does an Agent Works.
How does an Agent Works?
In the simplest format, an agent automatically performs a specified catalog analysis based on a defined schedule, and examines the results for a specific problem or opportunity. If the specific problem or opportunity is detected in the results, then an alert (a notification generated by an agent that delivers personalized and actionable content to specified recipients and to subscribers to the agent) is generated and delivered to specified recipients and to subscribers to the agent, using the delivery options that are specified for each person.
To handle more complex requirements, agents can invoke actions that trigger other agents, scripts, Java programs, or applications. Results can be passed between agents, and to other applications or services through XML, HTML, or plain text. For example, an agent might run an analysis to identify all current product orders over a specified dollar amount that cannot be filled from a regional warehouse. The results can be passed to another agent that runs an analysis to locate alternative sources for these products. A final agent might be triggered to feed information into a corporate CRM system and to notify the appropriate account representatives of the alternative sourcing.
One might automatically be a recipient of alerts generated by some agents, and agents created by others might be available for subscription. One can also create your own agents if he/she has the appropriate permissions and responsibilities. Depending on the level of authority that one has, agents can be selectively shared with others or can be made available for all users.
This is all about the What, Why and also How of an Agent that is What is an Agent, why we need an Agent and also How does an Agent works but now let-us concentrate on various components of an agent and their meaning.
Agent Components
There are various components of an agent and they have been grouped depending on the different specific purpose they are used for. All associated components belong to one or other of the seven groups which are available in the application as a separate tab. A brief description of the tab follows:
General
Specifies the priority of the content that an agent is to deliver and how to generate the delivery content (that is, what user to run the query as).
Components |
Meaning |
Priority |
Use this option to specify the priority of the delivery content — High, Normal, Low. The priority works with the delivery profile for a user to determine the destination for delivery content of different priorities. |
Run As |
Use this option to specify how to generate the delivery content (that is, what user to run the query as: Recipient: Select this option to use the credentials of each recipient. Specified User: This option is available only to the administrator. Select this option to use the credentials of a specified user. All recipients receive the same content as if they were the specified user. Use Agent Owner's Credentials: This option is not available to administrators. Select this option to use the credentials of the agent owner. All recipients receive the same content as if they were the agent owner. |
Created By |
Displays the name of the person who created the agent. |
Last Modified |
Displays the date and time when the agent was last modified. |
Description |
Displays the description of the agent that was provided when the agent was saved. |
Schedule
Specifies whether the agent is to be run based on a schedule, how often it runs, and when its running is to start and end.
Components |
Meaning |
Enabled |
Use this box to specify whether to enable the agent to run as scheduled. This is useful if you have defined a schedule for an agent but find you want to stop it for a certain period of time. This attribute gets Disabled if the Frequency is set to Never. |
Frequency |
Select any of the below option to specify how the agent runs: Never: Creates a nonscheduled agent. Once: Runs the Agent one time only Daily: Runs the agent on a daily schedule. If you select this option, then the following additional option is displayed. Days: Use this box to specify the daily interval, such as every 3 days Weekly: Runs the agent on a weekly schedule. If you select this option, then the following additional options are displayed. Weeks: Use this box to specify the weekly interval, such as every 6 weeks On : Specify the days of the week, such as Monday and Friday Monthly: Runs the agent on a monthly schedule. If you select this option, then the following additional options are displayed. On: Specifyeither the day occurrence (first Tuesday) or the day of the month. Months: Specify Month as April, September etc |
Start |
Use this box to specify the date and time to start the agent and the time zone. Click the Select Date and Time button to display the Select Date and Time dialog, where you select the date, time, and time zone. |
Re-run Agent Every |
Use this box to specify whether to run the agent multiple times within a day. Select this box to run it multiple times within a day. Then enter the interval between executions (in minutes) and specify the time to stop the repetition by clicking the Select Time button to display a dialog in which to select the time. Deselect this box to run it one time within the day. |
End |
Use this area to specify when to end the running of the agent No End Date: Use this option to specify that the agent is to be run indefinitely. Select End Date: Use this option to specify an end date. Click the Select Date button to display the Select Date dialog, where you specify the date on which to end the running of the agent |
Note: When you select the date and time, for time zones where daylight savings applies, the time zone reflects the daylight savings time. For example, if, during the summer months, you select (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London, this means BST (British Summer Time).
Condition
Specifies whether an agent always delivers its content and executes its actions, or conditionally delivers its content and executes its actions.
Components |
Meaning |
Settings |
Use this box to specify either of the two option: Do Not use a Condition (always deliver content and run actions) Use this option to specify that the agent is always to deliver its content and execute its actions. Use a Condition Use this option to specify that the agent is to conditionally deliver its content and execute its actions. |
Create |
Use this button to display the ‘Create Condition Dialog’ where you create an inline condition. |
Browse |
Use this button to display the ‘Select Condition Dialog’ where you select a named condition. |
Edit Condition |
This button is enabled only if an inline condition is created. It allows to make changes to the inline condition |
Customize |
This button is available only if you selected a named condition that is based on an analysis that includes one or more prompted filters.Use this button to display the ‘Customize Condition dialog’ where you can customize the condition |
Test Condition |
Use this button to test whether the condition evaluates to true or false. |
Save to Catalog |
This button is available only if you created an inline condition. Displays the ‘Save as Dialog’where you save the condition to the catalog as a named condition. |
Delivery Content
Specifies the content to deliver with an agent, such as a dashboard page or a saved analysis.
Components |
Meaning |
Subject |
Use this field to enter the subject line for the agent. |
Content |
Use this box to select the type of content to deliver: Analysis: Use this option to deliver saved analyses (shared and private). Dashboard Page: Use this option to deliver dashboard pages from My Dashboard or dashboard pages from public (shared) dashboards. Briefing Book: Use this option to deliver a briefing book. Condition Analysis: This option is available only if you have specified a condition on the Conditions tab. Use this option to deliver the results of the analysis on which the condition is based. |
Browse |
Use this button to display the ‘Choose Delivery Content Dialog’ where you select the content. |
Customize |
(This button is not available if you have specified Condition Analysis as the delivery content. Instead, the customizations specified on the Conditions tab are used.). Use this button to display the ‘Customize Delivery Content Dialog’ where you customize the content to be delivered. |
Clear |
Use this button to remove content previously selected. |
Format |
Use this box to select the format in which to deliver the content. The format options depend upon the type of delivery content. The format options are: (Device default): Uses the device default to determine the content format. HTML: Sends delivery content as HTML. Plain Text : Sends delivery content in plain text format. CSV Format: Sends delivery content as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) attachment. Tab delimited Format: Sends delivery content as a tab-delimited attachment. Excel 2003 and Excel 2007: Sends delivery content as a spreadsheet attachment. Powerpoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2007+: Sends delivery content as a Power-point PDF — Sends delivery content as a PDF attachment. Narrative Text — (This option is available only if you have specified the Condition Analysis as the delivery content.)Sends a narrative description of the results of the analysis on which the condition is based. If you select this option, a box is displayed in which you enter the narrative description to send. To include column n from the results in your text, use @n.) |
Delivery |
Use this area to select whether to deliver the content directly or as an attachment: Deliver Results Directly This option is available only for these format options: (Device default), HTML (except for dashboard pages), Plain Text, and Narrative Text. Use this option to deliver the content directly. Deliver as Attachment Use this option to deliver the content as an attachment.If CSV data, Excel, or PDF is selected in the Format box, then this option is automatically selected.If you select the Deliver as Attachment option, in the Attachment Note field, then enter a text message to provide context for the agent attachment. |
Attachment Note |
Use this field to enter a text message to provide context for the agent attachment. |
If Condition is False |
Use this area to specify whether to deliver a text message to recipients when there is no agent content to deliver to them. To deliver a text message, select Deliver this Message and then enter the text message to be delivered |
Note: You can reference variables in the Subject, Attachment Note, and If Condition is False Deliver this Message fields. To use the @ character, precede it with the \ (backslash) character to separate it from the variable syntax. For example, Dear @{NQ_SESSION.DISPLAYNAME}, \@ New York, is displayed as Dear Joe Smith, @ New York.
Recipients
Specifies who is to receive the delivery content of the agent and who is allowed to subscribe to the agent.
Components |
Meaning |
Select Recipients |
Use this area to view and specify who is to receive the delivery content of the agent. To: 1) Add users, Application roles, and Catalog groups, click the Add Recipient button to display the ‘Select User dialog’ where you select the users, Application roles, and Catalog groups. 2) Add email recipients, click the Add Email Recipient button to display the ‘Enter Email Address dialog’ where you enter their email addresses. The Add Email Recipient button is not available if you selected Recipient for the Run As option on the General Tab 3) Delete a selected recipient, select the recipient in the list and then click the Delete button. 4) Show only a particular set of selected recipients, use the Show box to select one of the following options: All, Users, Emails, Catalog Groups & Application Roles. |
Get Recipients from the Request Used in the Agent Condition |
This box is enabled only if you have specified a condition that is based on an analysis for the agent. In addition, you must include the recipient information in the conditional result set (that is, you must include a column that contains who the recipient should be for each row).Use this box to specify whether recipients are to be determined dynamically from the results of a conditional analysis. Select this box to have recipients determined dynamically from the results of a conditional analysis. Deselect this box to have the recipients determined from the Select Recipients area. |
Column Containing Recipients |
This box is available only if the Get Recipients from the Request Used in the Agent Condition box is selected. Use this box to select the column in the conditional analysis that contains the desired recipients. |
2nd Column Containing Recipients (optional) |
This box is available only if the Get Recipients from the Request Used in the Agent Condition box is selected. Use this box to optionally select an additional column in the conditional analysis that contains desired recipients. |
Only Return Rows Relevant to the User Running the Agent |
This box is available only if the Get Recipients from the Request Used in the Agent Condition box is selected.Use this box to specify whether only rows in the results that are relevant to the user running the agent are sent in the delivery content. Select this box to send only rows that are relevant to the user running the agent. Deselect this box to send all rows. |
Publish for subscription |
Use this box to specify whether the agent is to be published so that users can subscribe. 1) You can only publish agents that have content and actions (if any) that can be shared. 2) When you deselect the Publish Agent for subscription box, any selected subscribers are disabled, and the Allow Subscribers to Customize Agent box is deselected and disabled. |
Allow Subscribers to Customize Agent |
This box is available only when the Recipient box is selected on the General Tab. Use this box to specify whether subscribers can customize their subscription of the agent, for example, by providing values for a prompted filter associated with an analysis. |
Agent Subscribers |
Use this area to view and specify who is allowed to subscribe to this agent. In the list of agent subscribers, the Name column identifies the users, Application roles, and Catalog groups that are allowed to subscribe to the agent and the Currently Subscribed column identifies (with a check mark) those users, Application roles, and Catalog groups that are currently subscribed. To:
|
Destinations
Specifies where the content is to be delivered.
Components |
Meaning |
Home Page and Dashboard |
Use this box to specify whether content is to be delivered to the Home page and dashboard pages. |
Devices |
Use this option to specify whether content is to be delivered to specified devices. If you select this option, then you must select one of the following options: Active Delivery Profile — Use this option to specify that content is to be delivered to the devices specified in the active delivery profile. The active delivery profile is configured through the ‘My Account dialog: Delivery Options tab’ Specific Devices — Use this option to specify that content is to be delivered to specific devices and then select one or more of the following device options:
If you select a specific device here, then the default device selected in the My Account dialog: Delivery Options tab overrides the devices that are set in the active delivery profile for a user. Devices that are specified here are used instead of the devices specified in the active delivery profile. An agent, for example, need not be dependent upon a user's configuration. The agent can be configured to use device information from default devices in the Devices area in the My Account dialog: Delivery Options tab. |
Oracle BI Server Cache (For seeding cache) |
This option is available only for administrators who have been granted the Manage Catalog Groups privilege. Use this option to specify whether to seed the cache. Administrators can create Server cache for individual users. The cache seeding operation enables administrators to run analyses on dashboard pages or analyses that are stored in the catalog, and to create a Server cache. This speeds up response time for users when they actually run the analyses on the dashboards. If data exists in the cache for a given analysis, then the data is deleted and refreshed when the agent runs.The cache for the analysis or the dashboard page is created at the appropriate schedule for the indicated set of users. Generally, if you are using the analysis that you have specified as the content for this agent to seed the cache, then you do not select any other user destinations (such as Email). |
Note: To have the cache created for each user, select the Run As Recipient or Specified User box in the General tab.
Actions
Specifies one or more actions to execute when an agent finishes.
Components |
Meaning |
Agent Condition True or No Condition Exists |
Use this area to specify one or more actions to execute only if the agent condition evaluates to true or if there is no condition associated with the agent |
Agent Condition is False |
This area is enabled only when a condition has been specified for the agent. Use this area to specify one or more actions to execute only if the agent condition evaluates to false. |
Invoke per Row |
This box is enabled only when a condition has been specified for the agent. It is not available for Invoke Server Script actions, Invoke Agent actions, or actions for which one of the parameters is a result set mapping. Use this box to specify whether to execute the action for each row returned by the condition. Select this box to execute the action for each row. Deselect this box to execute the action only once, regardless of the number of rows returned. |
Add New Action |
Use this button to display the ‘Create New Action dialog’ where you create an action. |
Add Existing Action |
Use this button to display the ‘Select Existing Action dialog’ where you select an existing action. |
Edit Action |
Use this button to display the ‘Edit Action dialog’ where you edit the selected action. For inline actions, you can edit the action definition. For named actions, you can edit only parameter values. |
Delete Action |
Use this button to delete an action. |
For those with an EBS background by now should be able to co-relate that an Agent in Fusion does appears and provides the Functionality of Oracle Alerts and that’s not incorrect with the major difference being this is a much more advanced version with additional capabilities and flexibility added to it.
And with this we have come to the conclusion of this article.
Hopefully, it was a good read and gave all of you some idea about what an agent is and how should the same be used to meet specific business needs.
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