State of ConnecticutCore-CT Project

Query4 hrs

Updated 1/21/2011

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Objectives

In this training, you will learn to use basic concepts of Query in CORE-CT. We will specifically focus on the following topics:

Reference Materials and Training Tools

CORE-CT website

EPM Job Aids

EPM Reporting Tools

Data Dictionary

Query Manager

Searching for and Executing an Existing Query

Modifying an Existing Query

Define Criteria including Prompts, Add and Remove Data Fields

Editing an Existing Query

Translate Values, Column Order, Sort

Creating a New Query

Maintaining a Query

Schedule, Copy to another user, Delete, Rename, Mark as Favorite

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Introduction

Why EPM? Answer: EPM allows users to query data for many purposes such as to generate reports, analyze trends as well as audit transactions.

What is a Query?

Answer: Query is an end user reporting tool which allows you to specify and extract the precise information that you want to retrieve from Core-CT.

You can use queries in the following ways:

To run queries as a separate process

To display data

To download query results to an Excel spreadsheet to further manipulate the data

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EPM Warehouse

Transactional Data

Informatica(ETL)

Source Tables

Core HRMS

Reporting Tables

Data Loader(App Engine)

Core Financials

PS Query/nVision/Crystal

Live Data

Static Data

EPM ReportingUsing PS

Query

Data Architecture

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EPM Warehouse

Transactional Data

Core HRMS

Core Financials

Live Data Data

Understanding the Data is Key

To successfully query data, users must be familiar with the following aspects of data fields:

1. Functional use; what the data represents at the agency level

2. Relationship to other data fields

3. Data format: text, number, field length, case sensitive

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Reference Materials and Training Tools

CORE CT website is central repository for a wealth of information, reference materials and training tools to assist users.

http://www.core-ct.state.ct.us

Specifically, Job Aids are available to reinforce the information introduced in this course. Job Aids summarize key information and outline critical processes in Core-CT.

• General Job Aids

• Module Specific Job Aids

• Reporting Job Aids

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EPM Job Aids

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EPM Job Aids

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Overview—EPM Reporting Tools

EPM Reporting Tools

I. Data Dictionary

II. Query Manager

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Overview—EPM Reporting Tools

   The Data Dictionary:

• Provides you with information about the fields that make up the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Reporting Tables

• The data dictionary is a spreadsheet containing all the tables that exist in Core-CT EPM and the fields that make up those tables

• This dictionary enables you to look up and review descriptions of fields that you may be unfamiliar with in Core-CT

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Data Dictionary

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Data Dictionary

Exercise 1

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Overview—EPM Reporting Tools

Query Manager

The Query Manager tool allows users to

1. Search for and Execute an Existing Query

2. Modify an Existing Query

3. Edit an Existing Query

4. Create a New Query

5. Maintain a Query

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Query Manager

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Query Manager

Search for and Execute an Existing Query

Exercise 2

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Query Manager

Modifying an Existing Query

Existing queries can be modified to meet new reporting needs as well as can be enhanced to increase readability and presentation.

Modifications can include:

•Adding or removing Data Fields

•Establishing, altering or removing Criteria

•Editing format and presentation layout

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Defining Query Criteria

Selection criteria enables you to selectively retrieve only the data you want

• Can be built into the query design or applied as a Prompt. A prompt is an efficiency mechanism that allows users to establish criteria each

time a query is executed rather than having to alter the query design.

• Refines your query by specifying conditions that the retrieved data must meet

• Serves as a test that Core-CT applies to each row of data in the table that you are querying

If a row passes, Core-CT retrieves it

If a row does not pass, Core-CT does not retrieve it

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Effective Date Criteria

The Effective Date (EFFDT) field provides a historical and future perspective, allowing you to see how the data has changed over time

• When you add a row of data to an effective dated table, you specify the date on which the data becomes effective

• When you change a row of data, CORE-CT generates a new effective date and retains the previous version of the row as history

• Please note that you can only specify effective dated criteria for tables that contain the EFFDT field

Queries using Effective Dated Tables

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Effective Date

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Query Manager

Modifying an Existing Query

Exercise 3

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Query Manager

Editing an Existing Query

Existing queries can be edited to increase readability as well as enhance the formatting of the presentation of the final report.

The edit functionality allows a user to:

•Translate Values

•Order Columns

•Sort Data

•Utilize simple Aggregate functions

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Overview - Aggregate Functions

You can apply the following aggregate functions to a field:

• Sum – Adds the numerical values from each row and displays the total

• Count – Counts the number of rows

• Min – Checks the value from each row and returns the lowest one

• Max – Checks the value from each row and returns the highest one

• Average – Adds the values from each row and divides the result by the number of rows 

Advanced Query Options

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Query Manager

Editing an Existing Query

Exercise 4

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Creating Your Own Query

Creating your own queries enables you to select the tables that you want to execute the query from and tailor the fields so that only the data you want displays

The steps involved in creating a simple query include:

• Selecting records

• Adding fields

• Editing field and query properties

• Defining selection criteria

A more complex query may also include:

• Creating joins

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Creating a Query-Keypoints

When creating a query, please note the following:

• You can extract precise information using visual representations of your Core-CT database, without writing Structured Query Language (SQL) statements

• If you click the Save button without first completing the Properties page, a dialog box displays prompting you to type the Query Name, Description, and Owner fields

• Once you set up a query, you have many options to format, output and save the query. You can also set the query criteria

• Core-CT allows you to run and/or create ad-hoc queries through the web browser, and download results to Microsoft Excel

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Key Fields

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Query Naming Standards

Best Practice:

Users should follow this standard when naming private queries

Remember: There can be no spaces in the naming convention.

Private Queries: USER’SINITIALS_AGENCYACRONYM_MOD

ULE_FUNCTION_QNAME

Example: DM_APA_HR_EMP_CHANGES

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Query Manager

Creating a New Query

Exercise 5

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Query Manager

Maintaining a Query

Users can perform the following functions:

• Scheduling a Query

• Use of Folders and Favorites

• Deleting a Query

• Copying a Query to another User

• Rename a Query

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Query Manager

Maintaining a Query

Exercise 6

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Query Manager

Challenge Exercise

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Conclusion

Wrapping up the Query course:

• Summary of completed course objective

CORE CT website—Job Aids and Resources

Introduction to the EPM Reporting Tools: Data Dictionary and Query Manager

– Search for and Execute an Existing Query

– Modify An Existing Query

– Edit an Existing Query

– Creating a New Query

– Maintain a Query

• Challenge Exercise

• Complete the course evaluation forms

Query Wrap-Up

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Questions?