Develop your BA environment

This workflow outlines how to set up a Pentaho Server for BA development. It also covers how to build, refine, and test BA content.

This workflow is similar to the Trial Download Evaluation experience. The difference is you configure the server fully. You also work with your own report designers and data scientists. You can also engage Pentaho professional services.

Before you start, consider Pentaho training classes. Training helps you install and configure the server. Training also helps you build data models and BA applications.

Set up your Pentaho Server

Use this checklist to verify requirements. Then install and configure the Pentaho Server and BA design tools.

Verify system requirements

• Review required components in Components Reference.

• Review required drivers in JDBC drivers reference.

• Acquire one or more servers that meet requirements.

• Obtain the correct drivers for your system.

Obtain software and install the Pentaho Server

• Download the Pentaho software from your Sales Support representative.

• Install the software using Install all Pentaho components.

• Sign in using Quick tour of the Pentaho User Console.

• Tour Administration.

• Change the default administrator password.

Change the Pentaho Server fully qualified URL

• Follow Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics instructions to change the server URL.

• If multiple machines point to one server, confirm all clients use the new URL.

Configure the Pentaho Server

• Manage licenses. See Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

• Configure server data connections. See Install Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

• Configure email for scheduled reports. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Review schedule management. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

Configure BA design tools

Do this only on a development system. Do not configure design tools on your production server.

• Configure design tools and utilities. See Install Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

• Configure each tool’s data connections. See Install Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

Import data sources and data models

Create data sources and models that support agile BA development.

Choose data source types

• Choose a data source type. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Review relational versus multidimensional models.

Create data sources and models

• Tour the Data Source Wizard. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Learn how the server and wizard produce usable sources and models.

Create database table data sources

• Create a database table source. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Create initial data sources and preliminary models.

Learn about Mondrian schemas

• Create and modify Mondrian schemas. See Pentaho Schema Workbench.

• Add a Mondrian data source.

• Adapt the schema for Analyzer.

• Refine the schema in Schema Workbench.

Create reports and further refine data models

Work with data scientists and business analysts at this stage. This improves the quality of models and reports.

As you prepare to move to production, use data sources from:

• Pentaho Schema Workbench

• Pentaho Metadata Editor

Create Analyzer reports, Interactive reports, and dashboards

• Follow Pentaho Business Analytics instructions.

• Create Interactive and Analyzer reports.

• Create a dashboard.

• Verify results match what you need.

• If needed, refine models with your data team.

Create a report with Report Designer (optional)

• Follow Pentaho Report Designer instructions.

Refine your data source model

• Edit multidimensional models. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Refine Mondrian schemas. See Pentaho Schema Workbench.

• Refine relational models. See Pentaho Metadata Editor.

• Recreate reports to validate changes.

• Repeat until results meet requirements.

Test environment quality

If you do quality assurance testing, upload content to the Pentaho Repository. Then download it to the QA server. See Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics for details.

Some organizations also run user acceptance testing after QA.

Next steps

• Investigate security. See Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

• Plan scheduling for production. See Pentaho Business Analytics.

• Decide what content to promote to production. See Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics.

• Check the Support Portal for service packs.

• Prepare to Go live for production - BA.