The Oracle WebCenter Analytics OpenUsage API allows you to raise Analytics events from custom portlets and applications and store them in the Analytics database. This section presents an introduction to OpenUsage and provides basic use cases and a simplified example. The sample application includes examples of calling the OpenUsage Java API and using the OpenUsage event tag.

Oracle WebCenter Analytics collects information about the activity taking place within the Oracle WebCenter Interaction portal and in web applications, so you can respond better to your users' needs. Analytics delivers detailed information about the use of specific content items and portlets, as well as community activity such as document downloads and discussion postings; it can even track activity by group or individual user. These usage details help ensure you develop and deliver the best content and applications for your users.

The only requirement for using the OpenUsage API is to have the OpenUsage libraries and a connection to a network that allows UDP traffic. The OpenUsage API sends portal usage tracking metrics from the Interaction component on the portal server, as well as custom portal and non-portal events from external applications, to the Analytics Collector Service via the Portal Message Bus (PMB). Analytics services are installed on a stand-alone Analytics Services Server. The Analytics database stores all the metrics gathered and returns them to the Analytics Services Server or external application. The Analytics Service provides Analytics data to end users through the Analytics Console or Analytics portlets on the portal server.

For details on installing and configuring Analytics components, see the Installation and Upgrade Guide for Oracle WebCenter Analytics.The Analytics Administration utility in the Oracle WebCenter Interaction portal provides a simple interface for defining custom events, parameters, and dimensions. Event data can then be queried using SQL for reporting to a non-portal application.