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How Siebel Reports Uses Integration Objects

An integration object is a type of object that stores metadata that allows Siebel Reports to get Siebel data in XML format. It identifies the data that Siebel CRM must integrate. For example, a business object might contain multiple business components and fields, but most integrations only require some of these business components and fields. An integration object can specify only the business components and fields that Siebel CRM requires to run a report.

A typical Siebel integration uses Siebel EAI and integration objects to get data from an external application and then distribute this data to a Siebel deployment. Siebel EAI distributes this data in an integration message that includes header data. This header data identifies the message type, message structure, and a body that contains one or more instances of data. Example data includes orders, accounts, or employee records.

Siebel CRM uses this XML data to create a report template in RTF format and to run the report. Siebel CRM creates an XML data file that the following items use to merge the XML data with the report template, and then creates the report:

• Connected client. It uses the Siebel XMLP Report server component.
• Disconnected client. It uses the Oracle BI Publisher XDO Engine.

It is recommended that you modify an existing integration object before you create a new integration object. If no existing integration object meets your requirements, then you can create one. For more information, see Modifying Predefined Integration Objects to Add Fields to Reports and Creating New Integration Objects to Add Fields to Reports.

For more information about integration objects, see Integration Platform Technologies: Siebel Enterprise Application Integration.