Global Parameters (Interactive Portlets)

Global parameters represent information that is available at the global level in CA Clarity PPM, from any CA Clarity PPM page where you can include an interactive portlet. For example, you can include an interactive portlet on the Overview page, a personal dashboard, or on an object page.

Global parameters are created from an interactive portlet in Studio. When you select a global parameter, the data is made available to the Xcelsius visualization as a Flash variable by the name that you select when creating the global parameter. This data is available regardless of where the interactive portlet appears on CA Clarity PPM pages.

For example, if you create the Language global parameter in your interactive portlet and specify the Flash variable name as "Lang," the language preference of the logged in CA Clarity PPM user is available to the Xcelsius visualization in the Flash variable named "Lang." The Language global parameter applies regardless of the CA Clarity PPM page in which you include the interactive portlet.

When configuring either of the web service connection methods in the Xcelsius Data Manager, the URL where the web service is hosted is required. You can explicitly specify the server where your web services are hosted. Alternatively, you can use the same Xcelsius visualization as-is on multiple CA Clarity PPM servers. In this case, create either the Clarity Web Service URL global parameter or the BusinessObjects Web Service URL global parameter, and supply the web service URL corresponding to the CA Clarity PPM server on which you view the Xcelsius visualization.

Download the Design Files for Stock Xcelsius Visualizations from the Software Downloads page to review stock Xcelsius visualizations and better understand how these parameters are used.

The following global parameters are available:

BusinessObjects Session ID

Authenticates the CA Clarity PPM user when the QaaWS connection method is used to get real-time CA Clarity PPM data when the user is viewing an Xcelsius visualization.

Xcelsius visualizations using the QaaWS connection method require the BusinessObjects SessionID global parameter of the user who is assessing the visualization to authenticate with the QaaWS. This information is made available to the Xcelsius visualization by creating the BusinessObjects Session ID global parameter.

Connection Method: Query as a Web Service

Required: When using the QaaWS connection method.

Flash Variable Name: Must match the CELogonToken Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

BusinessObjects Web Service URL

Maps to the Web Service URL in Xcelsius when the QaaWS connection method is used to enable the data exchange between CA Clarity PPM and the Xcelsius visualization.

Connection Method: Query as a Web Service

Required: When you want to use the same Xcelsius visualization as is on multiple CA Clarity PPM servers. Provide the Web Service URL for the CA Clarity PPM server from which the Xcelsius visualization is viewed. Otherwise, explicitly specify the server on which your Web services are hosted when setting up the data connection in Xcelsius.

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

Example:

http://<BO_servername>/dswsbobje/qaawsservices/

Clarity Session ID in SOAP Header

Authenticates CA Clarity PPM users when the CA Clarity PPM Web Service connection method is used to enable the data exchange between CA Clarity PPM and the Xcelsius visualization.

Xcelsius visualizations viewed from CA Clarity PPM that use the CA Clarity PPM Web Service connection method to get real-time CA Clarity PPM data require the SessionID of the user who is assessing the visualization. The SessionID is used to authenticate with the web service. This information is made available to the Xcelsius visualization by creating the Clarity Session ID in SOAP Header global parameter.

Connection Method: CA Clarity PPM Web Service

Required: When using the CA Clarity PPM Web Service connection method.

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

Example:

<n0:Auth><n0:SessionID><CLARITY_SESSION_ID>

</n0:SessionID></n0:Auth>

Clarity User Internal ID

Identifies the Internal ID associated with the logged in CA Clarity PPM user.

Example: You can use this global parameter to filter data by the internal ID to allow users to view global, user-specific information from the Xcelsius visualization.

Connection Method: CA Clarity PPM Web Service and Query as a Web Service

Required: No

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

Clarity User Name

Identifies the user name of the logged in CA Clarity PPM user.

Example: You can use this parameter to filter data by the user name to allow users to view global, user-specific information from the Xcelsius visualization.

Connection Method: Web Service Connection and QaaWS

Required: No

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash Variable name defined in Xcelsius.

Clarity Web Service URL

Maps the Web Service URL when using the CA Clarity PPM Web Service connection method in the Xcelsius visualization to access CA Clarity PPM Web services.

Connection Method: CA Clarity PPM Web Service Connection

Required: When you want to use the same Xcelsius visualization as is on multiple CA Clarity PPM servers. You must provide the Web Service URL for the CA Clarity PPM server from which you view the Xcelsius visualization. Otherwise, you must explicitly specify the server on which your web services are hosted when setting up the data connection in Xcelsius.

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

Example:

http://<servername>/niku/xog
Language

Identifies the language preference of the logged in CA Clarity PPM user. The CA Clarity PPM Account Settings of the user determines the language associated with the Xcelsius visualizations.

Connection Method: CA Clarity PPM Web Service Connection and Query as a Web Service

Required: No

Flash Variable Name: Must match the Flash variable name defined in Xcelsius.

More Information:

Create Object or Global Parameters

Tools and Resources for an Xcelsius Implementation