Demantra 7.3.1.3 & BranchId Multiplier parameter

Version 7.3.1.3 takes away branch Id multiplier parameter from Demantra's engine setup, new engine execution process determines number of branch Ids by itself. Though 7.3.1.3 version is seen with setting.xml file still containing the parameter due of ignorance probably, 7.3.1.4 version is fixed and doesnt have this parameter listed.

New process looks at predictable number of combinations and available number of engines in distributed engine environment to determine division of branches. This change eliminates any wrong manual settings of this parameter which used to degrade engine run performance.

Btw, Demantra's R12.2 release is still out in horizon and hopefully will be available for implementations in 2013 soon.

Demantra DB Connection Issue Resolution

This morning, ran into an issue with my local Demantra install. When connecting to Business modeler I got a DB error " ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier specified." 

Additionally found that TOAD wont connect to my local DB 11g install too, giving the similar error. Checked that my DB services were running fine and TNSPING was responding well too. 

Decided to bounce my DB using cmd prompt and found below error while doing it:

ORA-00065: initialization of FIXED_DATE failed 


Recalled that last I used my DB I changed my DB settings to make it fixed date environment for some work and shutdown my DB with FIXED_DATE settings. 

To resolve the issue, I took the option of creating a new PFILE using SPFILE and then edited the PFILE to take out the FIXED_DATE settings from it. Later I was able to make this change permanent by creating SPFILE using the PFILE. 

CREATE PFILE FROM SPFILE;

Once created look for file named “initXXX.ora” where XXX stands for DB service name. e,g. VCPDB in DB Home install directory. Take out the FIXED DATE setting from init file and try starting server using :

SQL> startup pfile='uo1\dbhome_1\database\INITXXX.ORA' ;ORACLE instance started.

For making this change permanent:

CREATE SPFILE from PFILE ='u01\dbhome_1\database\INITXXX.ORA' ;

RESTART again to use the SPFILE for starting the DB. 

And... I am back in action with my local DB and Demantra install. :) 

APCC 12.1.3.8

APCC 12.1.3.8 Release Features:

- This release comes with enhanced and improved usability of Advanced Planning Command Center module. Within APCC, Supply Chain Analysts in this version have ability to:
- edit material plan to modify supply and demand
- edit resource plan to modify resource availability
- utilize item simulation set for mass item attribute maintenance
- utlize Orders UI to firm and release orders
- re-run a plan and release the plan for execution

- Embed Demantra worksheets in APCC reports: Ability to access and update Demantra worksheets while being logged into APCC. Uses Demantra anywhere feature and requires both APCC and Demantra applications SSO enabled.

Demantra 7.3.1.4 is supported with APCC 12.1.3.8, also note that APCC 12.1.3.8 is certified on OBIEE 11g.

Demantra 7.3.1.4 is now Available

The latest release of Demantra in form of version 7.3.1.4 is now available, this release while in waiting of 12.2 release has now made some of the new UI changes available. This release is more focused on further improving user's experience with worksheet UI by allowing usage of new and better promotional calendar. Drag and drop kind features along with ability to change font/color/3D graphs make Demantra worksheet look and feel better.

Utilizing Demantra anywhere concept, one can also embed now a Demantra worksheet into APCC reports. This would allow S&OP users to easily access Demantra data and also allows them to make changes to facts using APCC reports itself. No need to navigate back and forth between screens anymore.

Refer to Metalink note id 1490558.1 for more details and complete listing of key features.  

New "Guided Resolution" for Demantra

After a good success of Oracle Community concept released earlier by Oracle Support, we are seeing them taking another step forward in form of "Guided Resolution" for Demantra application. The concept basically better organizes previous resolutions for known or fixed issues related to Demantra product. 

They have started with five topics:

• Data loading related issues (Note Id 1461899.1)
• Data loading issues not related to error codes (Note Id  1468884.1)
• Workflow related issues (Note Id 1353217.l)
• Worksheet related issues (Note Id 1486639.1)
• Engine related issues (Note Id 1486634.1)

Guided resolution page look:

Refer to below note for more details around what is this new concept and how to use it. 

How to Use the Demantra Guided Resolution, a Proactive Services Tutorial.  Note 1473992.1

Demantra: Engine Status Check

Checking status of Engine:

To determine if engine is running or not, one can use the work_status parameter in init_params_0 table. Value_float column indicates if the current or the last engine run was in batch mode or simulation mode.

• 99 => Simulation Run
• 1=> Batch Run

Value_date reflects the current state of engine. If the value_date changes every 22 sec then it would mean that Engine is running currently.

As Engine can only run in one mode at a time, it helps to be aware of the current state of engine prior to launching engine run.

Demantra 7.3.1.3 version released

Demantra 7.3.1.3 version was released recently for customers.

Following are few key new features:
 - Integration with Asset Intensive Planning Applications.

• DM module is now integrated with cMRO(Complex Maintenance Repair & Overhaul) module of Oracle EBS application. Integration empowers using Demantra's capabilities to build non-unit maintenance plan forecast and to support deriving planning factors accurately for cMRO module. 
• DM module is also integrated with eAM(Enterprise Asset Management) module of Oracle EBS application. The integration let's Demantra users to generate a non-maintenance forecast and then use it further with ASCP and cMRO to support planning for maintenance activities.

 - Ability to define Series with Hyperlink, allowing opening a URL from worksheet.

- Ability to run database health check using standard procedures. Flexibility to run a quick or a comprehensive test has been provided.

- Additional improvements on PTP/TPMO engine are also part of this release.

Refer to document ID 1453644.1 on Metalink for more details about this new release.