Data Correction Self-service - Configurable Data Correction

Implementers could use plug-in driven batches to perform some types of one-off data corrections, but the process required many manual configurations and lacked the built-in approval step supported by the request-based data correction flows. In addition, each custom plug-in driven batch involved creating a few custom algorithms, scripts, and a batch control for just the one-off update.

This release introduces a simplified way to request, approve, and perform plug-in driven based data corrections.

The mechanism is based on a new Configurable Data Correction (F1-DataCorrectPlugIn) Request business object that includes the following components:

• An SQL query for selecting records to correct.
• Either a business object or a script to perform the data correction for each record.
• The number of threads to submit the data correction batch process with.

This business object is a subclass of the existing data correction root business object and leverages the same approval based lifecycle flow.

When a request is approved and a user submits it for processing, a batch job is created for the specific request. The batch job uses the query on the request to select the records to correct and calls the corresponding business object or script to perform the update for each record. The request remains in the Submitted status while the batch process runs.

When the batch is completed it updates the corresponding request to the Processed status, which then creates a monitoring To Do Entry for a user to review the results of the batch. The user marks the request as complete and if further corrections are needed the user can create another request with different correction details as needed.

A corresponding Data Correction via Batch (F1-DataCorrectTypeByBatch) Request Type business object is also provided to define a request type record for creating such requests. To enable this functionality, a request type should be created using this business object.

With this approach, the data correction procedure is as follows:

• Use any tool to compose and test an SQL that selects the records from a primary table of a maintenance object to correct.
• If the change is a simple set of updates to non-list elements on a business object, then note that business object. Otherwise, implement a service script that gets the prime key of a selected record and uses standard scripting logic to perform the update. You can test the script using the Test action on the Script page.
• Create a request of the new type and specify the SQL and the business object or script to use for data correction.
• Progress the request through approval and submit for processing when ready.
• Review the data once the submitted batch is complete.

This request-based data correction process does not require custom algorithms or batch controls. It only requires a custom script for more complicated updates.

Data corrections after a conversion project is one of the most common requests from cloud implementations. Using a configurable request to query and update such records allows you to manage this process without having to request special database updates.

Steps to enable and configure

To enable and configure this feature, complete these steps. You need access to the existing Request Type portal, Request Type Query portal, and to the Request Type MO application services to perform these steps.

1. Add a request type using the Data Correction via Batch business object.
2. Select the "Configurable Data Correction" as the related business object.
3. Setup the to do role as needed.
4. System administrators should grant access to the following application service for any user that is going to create requests for data correction.

• Data Correction Request BO (F1-DATACORRECTIONRBO)
• Request Data Correction (F1DTCREQ)

Tips and considerations

To enable users to create configurable data correction requests, you must give them access to the application service for the Data Correction Request Root (F1-DATACORRECTIONRBO) business object and to the application service for the Request Data Correction (F1DTCREQ) batch process.