Client tools XI 3.1 / BI 4.x side by side?

server administration XI Server Discussion
1

Hello BOB members,

I have to work with the two SAP BO platforms XI 3.1 and BI 4.0 because I am workin on multiple projects. Therefore, I have to install the client tools for each platform. Has anyone tried this before? Is it feasible to install and safely run both client tool packages on one personal computer? My question may appear silly but I have learned a lot of strange lessons in SAP BOXI 3.1.

Thanks.

Regards
Johannes

Johannes Bruns :de: (BOB member since 2011-01-17)

2

not a big deal. you can have both client tools on a same box. it’s working

bernard timbal :fr: (BOB member since 2003-05-26)

3

Thank you, Bernard.

I followed your advice and installed the client tools of SAP BI 4.x in addition to my client tools of XI 3.1. Both tools are working correctly.

By the way, the client tool installer of SAP BI 4.x offers two options: installation side-by-side or replacement of existing XI 3.1 client tools.

Regards
Johannes

Johannes Bruns :de: (BOB member since 2011-01-17)

4

The only issue you will have using both XIR3 and BI 4 client tools on the same machine is if you use Webi Rich Client in 3-tier mode i.e. launch it from within InfoView/BI Launch Pad. It will always try to launch the latest version.

Also, if you’re developing in Webi via InfoView or BI Launch Pad then the java versions will be different so you’ll have to uninstall the latest version of Java if you want to switch back to XIR3 Webi development

malteser (BOB member since 2006-02-21)

5

Not only the three-tier “launcg rich client from web interface”, but any three-tier “launch SDK macro’s from excel or other windows programs” will do that.
… GetSetUniverse, DocUnv.exe ( launch the bi4 UDT instead of the BO3 Designer )
Or another “excel wit vba script” that tries to analyse our users group memberships … will only “check” the BI4 repository (still testing) and not the “production environment” BO3.

Looking for a workaround.

Worst case scenario: get rid of “local BI4 client tools” and install them on a VM, because that is “another machine with its own windows registry”

RensH :belgium: (BOB member since 2007-06-18)

6

Not true, can be run side by side :).

You can toggle the different versions on and off by accessing Java via the control panel.
When doing this make sure you have the browser closed before modifying a Webi report.

Mak 1 :uk: (BOB member since 2005-01-06)

7

Bernard, May i ask a dumb question please? I’ve been using Crystal and Enterprise for 12 years…and need to upgrade from xi 3.1 fp 5.4 to sp7, but when the guide mentions client tools and client tools fixpack…i have no idea what its talking about. what are client tools and do i have to deploy the client tools fixpack. do they mean clients Crystal Reports 2008 and Web Intelligence? Do I have to patch the clients and the server to get to sp7? thanks, jhhbob

jhhbob (BOB member since 2007-08-06)

8

In BusinessObjects, you have the server side where is installed the Webi and Infoview portal, http server and so on, and the client side (typicaly, computer of BusinessObjects users). Users can connect and use the platform using browser, in this case, there is no deployment to achieve (or just the correct JVM) but also use desktop products like designer, webi rich clients. In this case, they have to be deployed with clients tools. Clients tools and server program must be at the same SP / Fixpack level. Then, if you upgrade from fp 5.4 (what is the SP level), to SP7, you have both to path the server side and all deployed clients. I suggest you to firt make test on POC environment to well validate the procedure

bernard timbal :fr: (BOB member since 2003-05-26)

9

Thank you so much, Bernard.

jhhbob (BOB member since 2007-08-06)