Building an Index

To submit a search definition to be indexed, or built, use the Schedule Search Index page (PeopleTools, and then Search Framework, and then Administration, and then Schedule Search Indexes). Assign a name that reflects the index you are building. If more than one user is building a particular index, each person must create their own run control.

From the Build Search Index run control page:

  • The Search Definition field, lookup option, lists only search definitions that have been deployed.

  • The indexing type must also be selected:

    • A full index is a complete rebuild of an index that removes old data and applies completely new data to the index.

      For performance reasons, full indexes should not occur where there are large amounts of data.

    • An incremental index is used to update an existing index, remove old obsolete records, and add new records that were modified or added since the last index build.

      The indexed document retains a date and time at the header level, which is updated from various pages, transactions, and batch jobs each time the header or child record changes. If a previous build of the index has occurred, information pertaining to the last build is displayed on the run control page. Incremental indexes are typically more efficient than a full index when there is a large amount of data.

      Note:

      The Incremental Index process picks up changes to setup tables and any supporting tables that are effective dated.

  • When search results change often, incremental index builds should be run nightly or whenever the system is lightly used.

    This keeps the search data current. However, there are some exceptions that require the index to be rebuilt. This can include:

    • A department name change, since the name change is not reflected in the indexes where the department is referenced.

    • Effective dated information where correction mode is used against an existing date and no new effective date is created.

Note:

With Real Time Indexing, you may not need to use incremental builds. Refer to Understanding Real Time Indexing in HCM to see if a delivered search definition is certified for use with RTI.

For more information about the Build Search Index page, see the PeopleTools: Search Technology, "Administering PeopleSoft Search Framework", Working with Search Indexes.

Automated Incremental Indexing

PeopleTools release 8.62 provides the ability to automatically trigger incremental indexing based on an incremental indexing configuration, which automates incremental index processing instead of relying on manual scheduling of incremental indexing.

For additional information about incremental indexing, see PeopleTools: Search Technology, "Administering PeopleSoft Search Framework", Working with Search Indexes.

Note:

To find application updates related to Automated Incremental Indexing, use the PeopleTools Features tracking group. Enter the tracking group Automated Incremental Indexing for PT 8.62 or above.