SQL Update on PSURLDEFN, Application Server and GetURL(URL.XXXX) - All connected

Today, we had an interesting issue at one of our customer site.

When a PeopleSoft environment is refreshed (production / post upgrade refresh), Environment Management team (DBAs) will mask sensitive data using scripts or tools. PSURLDEFN is one of the key table to be masked.

We recently had a environment refresh (Post Upgrade). One issue was reported where the connectivity to the third party system was lost after the refresh (upgrade). On analysis, the PSURLDEFN was blanked out during the refresh process and not reverted with actual values. So, the DBAs repopulated the data using SQL scripts. Post URL data population also, the same connectivity issue was encountered.

On further Analysis, GetURL(URL.XXXX) was used in PeopleCode to get the third party system URL. GetURL() function fetches the information from the App Server Cached details. This was designed for a quicker response on the Application Server. The issue was finally resolved by DBAs clearing the cache and Application Servers bounced.

So, if there are any SQL update on the PSURLDEFN table, its good practice to clear the Application Server Cache.

PeopleTools 8.54: PeopleSoft Fluid UI

Last week the PeopleSoft Technology Blog announced the general availability of PeopleTools 8.54. We are really excited to dig into the new features, particularly the new PeopleSoft Fluid User Interface. This new interface gives flexibility to a developer to dynamically control the PeopleSoft applications page display based on the user’s device type.

PeopleSoft application fluid pages scale from large screen devices such as laptops and desktops down to the reduced viewing space of tablets and smart phones. For a larger screen size, the application content gets adjusted accordingly to fill the viewing space. Likewise, for a smaller screen size, non-essential information can be removed and content is presented in a very usable fashion fitting the small screen space.

PeopleSoft Fluid pages can be built in large part the same as a traditional PeopleSoft page is created in  the application designer.

However, designing the page and configuring the component is somewhat different from the traditional PeopleSoft page development. PeopleSoft fluid pages emphasis more on CSS3, HTML5 and JavaScript. CSS is highly used in controlling the appearance and layout of a fluid page. Hence, application implementation team may need expertise in these areas to develop/customize a PeopleSoft Fluid page.

We will post soon with our hands on experience on this.  

PeopleSoft Related Content

What is Related Content Service Framework?

The PeopleSoft Related Content Framework enables to link application pages with contextually relevant collaborative content. In simple terms Related Content Service Framework allows extension of a transaction without customizing the component, also allows the user to perform more actions, tasks, and to see related information without leaving the transaction.Brings additional, supplemental information into the transaction in a bottom or side frame. Related content services are ideal for the scenarios when the user wants to access two pages at same time, or some display only information like Help instructions etc.,

Some of the Business Benefits:

• User can quickly access all the required information in one place without any additional effort.
• Related Content Service is easy to configure no development work will be required so less maintenance.
• Additional supplemental information helps increase performance.
• Related information from two different Databases can be viewed from one page makes easy to perform tasks.
• Very Secure- uses the same PeopleSoft Security as the application transaction

Sample Business Purpose/ Example:

• Any document related to the page can be displayed as related content. Eg: Staffing Company can get the timesheet document as related content to timesheet entry page.
• For trainings in the learning and development module, the corresponding training material can be placed as related content.
• Reports/ Graphical representation(Charts) of data can be displayed as related content.
• Complex Edit rules of a page can be given as document (External documentation) in related content frame.

1. Development Process of the Related Content Service

Defining the Related Content Service. To define a related Content Service, navigate to

Main Menu -> People Tools -> Portal -> Related Content Service -> Define Related Service

There are 7 different types of services that can be created. Use an application class when Peoplecode needs to be run to execute business logic.Non-PeopleSoft service type accesses any non-PeopleSoft pages, external content, or services. By using  PeopleSoft Component  as service type  the component can be from the local PeopleSoft system or from a remote PeopleSoft system. Embeddable Pagelet service type is used todefine a PeopleSoft Pagelet wizard created embeddable pagelet to be used as a service.OBIEE (Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition) Pagelet is used to define a PeopleSoft Pagelet wizard created OBIEE data source based pagelet to be used as a service. PeopleSoft Query service type is used to access PeopleSoft Query definitions. The query results can also be filtered based on the query definition and the parameters that it requires. PeopleSoft Script can be used in situations in which an iScript has been used to develop the application functionality based on PeopleSoft data or non-PeopleSoft data, such as stock quotes or weather information.

2.   Manage Related Service Definition.

After assigning the related service definition to a PeopleSoft component, user can configure the related content service and related actions. Service parameters, security, layout etc., can be defined.

Main Menu > People Tools > Portal > Related Content Service > Manage Related Content Service > Configure Related Content Page.

After implementing these steps the related content service will be displayed in the component to which it is attached to.

In order to implement the related content services we need to configure the web profile with the Authentication and local node needs to be authenticated with a Password.

Limitations of Related Content:  Some of the limitations of the related content would be we cannot handle the dynamic pages as related content services. A related Content service doesn’t support a language sensitive field to be used as a service parameter.

Cumulative Feature Overviews (CFO) For PeopleSoft 9.2

The Cumulative Feature Overviews (CFO) tool for PeopleSoft 9.2 has been released.

It’s a simple and great tool to identify the new features available with the latest releases. It will be very useful during upgrade for the Fit-Gap analysis. Definitely I like this tool...

Tool description is available under - https://blogs.oracle.com/peoplesoft/entry/cumulative_feature_overviews_for_peoplesoft

Tool is available under - https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocContentDisplay?_afrLoop=385360800890007&id=1117033.1

Note: Oracle support id is required to download the tool.

Sample Screenshot of the tool:

 

PeopleSoft Test Framework

Application testing is one of the critical and challenging tasks in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) projects. Application testing is more focused on functional/business specification, user interface, security and performance. Among all of them, functional testing is the most demanding job as it requires participation from various stakeholders like developers, testers and business users. Usually business users have only limited time to dedicate for the functional testing activities as their business-as-usual tasks are on priority.

PeopleSoft Test Framework (PTF) is a testing tool delivered with PeopleTools 8.51 and above. PTF automates various tasks within PeopleSoft application, primarily functional testing. Automated functional testing helps the business users in executing more test cases with greater accuracy in a short period.

PTF works by replicating the actions of a single user executing functional tests against the PeopleSoft browser-based application. Users can record manual test procedures and save them within the framework. Later, for instance after an application upgrade or patch, the tests can be executed against the application to verify whether the application still behaves as expected.

Below are 2 videos from Oracle on PTF Introduction and walk through with examples:

PeopleSoft Test Framework Part 1

PeopleSoft Test Framework Part 2
 

PTF can be used effectively in the following scenarios:

• New Implementation Projects/Upgrades. Especially in the upgrade projects where test cycles are conducted over and over again.
• Limited functional resources for testing.
• Highly customized application.
• Significant ongoing development projects
• Routinely deploying patches and fixes
• Can be used for different kind of tests like – System, Integration, Upgrade, UAT on different environments since it can be easily migrated

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