This example page describes how to configure an Scheduler XML Action to publish an auto-refreshing .IOK file [1] with updated data from an IOK data source held centraly, i.e. a server-based IOK 'datamart' source. This XML Action example demonstrates the procedure needed for live data publishing, where a changing data source is available only behind closed doors on a server, and the end user only has access to a web-hosted Omniscope 'datamart' file, rather than adding load to the transactional databases. We call this use case scenario 'self-sourced publishing'.
The downloadable file pack includes a "Refresh and publish.xml" XML Action with full comments in the XML source. To get started, download this example file pack .ZIP file:
Self-sourced publishing example [2]
and extract as "C:\Self-sourced publishing example\".
Note: In general, XML Actions are normally be edited in this way [3], and are executed by the Scheduler, either from the Watch Folder [4], or on-demand using a Scheduler Task List command.
The XML action does the following:
After executing this action, you will have:
To demonstrate this procedure in action using the sample files from the pack, we use the Enterprise Scheduler's Watch Folder [4] feature to execute the action as described below.
1) Check the action works
- simulate data changing by editing the CSV file
- drop the XML action into the watch folder
- check the internal master IOK has the updated data but retains its formulas
- check the external file has the updated data and retains its formulas, leaving Omniscope open, without any prompts
(2) Check live refresh works in the external file
- simulate data changing by editing the CSV file
- drop the XML action into the watch folder
- check the external file refreshes automatically, without any prompts
(3) Check refresh on open works in a local user copy
- simulate a "local user copy" by opening the external file, creating a different view configuration,
and saving as a different file with HOLD pressed. Close the file.
- simulate data changing by editing the CSV file
- drop the XML action into the watch folder
- open the local user copy and check it refreshes on open
(4) Check live refresh works in the local user copy
- In the local user file, un-press the HOLD button, and leave the file open
- simulate data changing by editing the CSV file
- drop the XML action into the watch folder
- check the local user file file refreshes automatically, without any prompts
Links:
[1] http://kb.visokio.com/kb/auto-refresh
[2] http://kb.visokio.com/files/Resources/KB/KBAutomation138/Self-sourcedPublishingExample.zip
[3] http://kb.visokio.com/kb/xml-actions
[4] http://kb.visokio.com/kb/watch-folder