Scripting is one of the most important areas in Siebel Development but irony is that it is never recommended to write script in Siebel. Siebel scripting is done in a language known as eScript. eScript shares it’s syntax with JavaScript. If you have worked in JavaScript then you would find it pretty easy to adapt to eScript.
eScript can be broadly classified into two categories
Server Scripts: as its name suggests is executed on server side. Which means that the user request is sent to server where the scripts is then executed
Browser Script: is actually converted into JavaScript and is executed on client side.
Usually scripting is written on objects in Siebel such as Applets, Business Components etc. But the main use of eScript is done to write Business Services. There are lots of things that you achieve through a business service. Detail discussion on business service is subject to different post but it is similar to somewhat workflows implementing complete business processes with the help of script.
Scripting should be used as a last resort. Everything can be done through script of course but it makes the manageability and up gradation of Application difficult.
But as I said in my earlier post to be a successful Siebel developer Scripting and Configuration should be your strong points. Scripting can be fun but should be avoided as long as possible
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Sunday, October 21, 2007
Siebel eScript – An Overview
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Labels: eScript, I Wish I Knew
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Siebel Configuration - An Overview
If Siebel could be visualized as human body then configuration has to be the heart of that body. Without configuration Siebel cannot work and configuration is what comprises of 70% of Siebel Development.
Siebel configuration is done using an IDE provided by Siebel i.e. Siebel Tools. If you want to be a successful Siebel professional then you need have strong configuration skills. Configuration is mostly based on concepts and facts. Once you have understanding of the concepts and facts properly then you wouldn’t face any problems. I would like to like to give example of computer networking here to explain the above statement.
In networking a RJ-45 jack is required for UTP cable to connect to system. Once we have this knowledge it doesn’t change it doesn’t matter how many times you perform that task it is always going to remain same. Similar case is with Siebel configuration once you know how to create an Applet you are done. It doesn’t matter how many times you create and Applet the procedure will remain the same. Though there are several ways but they all work in predefined way and once you know them they will always be same.
Siebel Configuration is a little different from Siebel scripting. Unlike scripting, in which everybody has his own unique ways to approach things Siebel configuration works on predefined set of rules that have been decided by Siebel. So you can be successful at Siebel configuration even if don’t have strong programming skills but as a downside Configuration and Scripting goes hand in hand. So, the chances that you will be working on configuration alone are pretty slim.
Siebel Configuration is one area which comprises of 50% of interview questions. So, when you want to appear for interview make sure you are up to date with your configuration concepts and fundamentals. Main responsibility of a Siebel configurator is to work on business layer of Siebel and implement business logic and business rules.
Hope this helps you to point into right direction.
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Posted by Neel 0 comments
Labels: I Wish I Knew
Monday, October 15, 2007
Siebel Enterprise Integration Manager (EIM) - An Overview.
This article has been provided by Shalini Chauhan having Siebel experince of over 1.5 years and Leading an EIM team.
Not everybody today uses Siebel but when they decide to use Siebel they just cannot leave data in their legacy system as such. They would like to retain that in their new improved Siebel CRM system. But how do you import that terabytes of data probably existing in CSV or a DAT file. This is where EIM comes into picture.
EIM stands for Enterprise Integration Manager. It is a SIEBEL Component which is used for Data Migration from legacy as well as other Siebel systems.
When I heard about EIM, it appeared to be a very dull, complicated and difficult subject. But when I really started working, I found it as much fascinating and challenging as I wished to work upon.
Why EIM:
Siebel has very unique and complicated Database structure which already has relationship defined between n number of tables hence it is not recommended to insert, delete or update data stored in what is known as Base Tables in Siebel. During migration lot of things can happen which can lead to data integrity issues. To answer all those concerns Siebel has provided EIM.
For most of base tables in Siebel an EIM table is also in existence which allows you to play with data and perform thing that you normally wouldn’t want to perform on base tables. So, you can import-export data to and from EIM tables and we can perform following operations on the data that resides in EIM tables
a) Insert
b) Update
c) Merge
d) Delete
Once the data is manipulation and scrubbing is complete we can import that data in base tables and Siebel EIM component takes care of things like Foreign Key, Composite Keys, User Keys and also issues related with data integrity.
The source of data can be dat files, CSV files or any other kind of legacy database. So as the process, we need to push data to these interface tables using third party tool like SQL Loader, DTS etc and then migrate data to Siebel base tables using EIM component.
Main Responsibilities of person responsible for EIM are
To be successful in EIM, one must be aware of basic understanding of RDBMS, SQL, cursors, etc and should have interest in database and also should have an adaptive learning approach. It is really a challenging job but only when you are ready to exhibit your dedication and hard work.
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Posted by Neel 3 comments
Labels: I Wish I Knew
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Siebel Administrator - An Overview!
Siebel Adminstrator is different domain all together. Again a pretty intresting area to work in siebel (I have been saying this for everything I have mentioned so far, haven't I :) ) Knowledge of Unix, Linux and shell scripting can be an added advantage as most of Siebel Server installation are on Unix Servers. If you have interest in OS, troubleshooting and you love to work from command line then this is the area for you. Generally, all the siebel implementation have more than one servers that a person has to manage. You, will need to be pretty thorough with your siebel architechture basic if you want to succeed in this area. Usually the work of a siebel admin is managing as there are fresh implementations are pretty rare. Also, you will need to have strong database skills if you want to really make your mark as siebel admin. Pro's of Siebel Administrator Con's of Siebel Administrator But still, If you love linux or Unix and your area interest in database this is the area for you. All the best for future!!
But this is one area where I wish to work some day. Haven't had chance to do that because as far as other areas are concerned they are inter linked and sooner or later you will be working on them but this one area is pretty seperate from others. Siebel EAI, Scripting, Workflows can be considered as a part of Siebel Development but Siebel Admin is a different ball game altogether.
Main Responsibilties of a Siebel Admin are
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Labels: I Wish I Knew
Siebel Business Analyst - An Overview!
Siebel Business Analyst (BA) is quite an interesting and lucrative job . Lucrative because most of the opportunities for a Siebel BA are Abroad.
Yes, the ones who's dream is to go abroad this is the choice for you. But beware not everybody can be a BA. One of the most important pre-requisite to be a BA is to have good communication skills. You, are at the client end representing your company so you have to good in communication skills.
Business Analyst job can be broadly divided into two streams.
Technical Business Analyst : They are also known as Technical Solution Architects [Sound's impressive isn't it. Well I have worked as one :) ]. Their main responsibility is to talk to client, understand the requirement and then design it. The most interesting and challenging part of Technical BA is to design the requirement.
How many times while working as developer we have scolded the person who had created the design. Well, the only way to change it is to be the one to design :). You, need to have strong technical skills if you want to be a Technical BA.
Functional Business Analyst : Their main Responsibility is to understand the requirement functionally. The line between the Technical and Functional BA is really thin and most of the time both duties are performed by one person. Functional BA's can afford to be technically weak :).
Siebel BA role can be summarized as below
Pro's of BA Role
Con's of BA
My Advice : If you don't mind being away from family and you don't want to be a techie then this is job you want, provided you have good communication skills. But, If you like India and family like me then may be you might like to stay away from it. But still a good domain option in Siebel and contributes a lot in your personal development and your experience.
PS : The views expressed in above post are my personal. If you think differently feel free to post comments or write to me. I will be more than happy to include them in this post.
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Posted by Neel 3 comments
Labels: I Wish I Knew
Monday, October 8, 2007
Siebel EAI - An Overview.
'Man is a social animal' they say and we have to depend on others to thrive and grow. It is pretty much true when it comes to software. A software in itself is rarely complete it generally dependent on other software for things like information, processing the information, storing the information etc. So, there has to be mechanism to join or integrate various softwares so that they can work together seemlessly appearing as one system capable of doing everything. Siebel EAI is the domain that deals with integrating siebel to other hetrogenous and homogenous systems or Applications such as Java, .Net and siebel itself. Pros of Siebel EAI Cons of Siebel EAI
EAI stands for Enterprise Application Integration. It is according to me is one of the most intresting and challenging jobs in siebel. If you love web and web related things then you are going to love it too. But beware you might end up spending sleepless nights (just kidding, but still you need to put a lot of hard work). The most common implementation of EAI today is Web Services. To get more information on Web Services you can go through articles on Web Services and Web Service PPT that I created during my intial days of working on EAI.
Siebel EAI can be summarised by following points
My Advice : Jump on it if you get a chance, you won't regret it. But if you don't like XML,Web, HTML and woudn't want to spend long hours in office then stay away from it.
Read Below if you want to know what others have to say :
Vipul Saxena : It is break away job from routine configuration and scripting jobs. Challenging Assignments and great statisfaction when you are able to do it successfully. A rare skill, must have if you have intrest in scripting and web.
Ankit Walia : Don't loose it if you get the chance.
Gaurav Gupta : Analytics and Siebel EAI are at par. Hottest thing happening in siebel. Best thing that you can get when entering into siebel. Nothing is better than this.
Anupam Rastogi : Not a cup of tea for everybody only a person with intrest can excel and succeed in it. If you understand EAI properly can also be used on unorthodox places.
Siebel EAI Rocks !!!!!!
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Posted by Neel 0 comments
Labels: I Wish I Knew
Siebel CRM - I wish I knew !
A lot of time when we look at the things that we have done in past we get a feeling that If I would have known a few things earlier I could have done a lot of things in a different and better way.
This is specially true in case of Siebel, being a specialized technology there aren't many people who can guide us in right direction. When I started in Siebel everything was a blur for me. I had absolutely no idea, what siebel is all about? what choices do I have?
I had to learn things gradually from my experience through my mistakes and I of course my luck. I was lucky enough to be put in Siebel EAI and had intresting assignments and most important of all I wanted to do it, but there were others not so lucky on whom the choices were thrust upon because they had absolutely no information to base their choices upon.
Through this article I would like to spread the awareness of the choice that we have when we enter the world of siebel, different aveneus that we can explore .So, that we can take our own decision based on our interest and taste rather than sitting back and let somebody else make the choice for us.
According to my knowledge following are the major functional areas in siebel from which you can choose to specialze.
Each area has its own Pros and Cons. I will enabling links once the detail information is put on that particular area and also I will aslo be putting in comments from my friends and colleges working on siebel in these particular domains. From the areas metioned above Siebel Configuration and Siebel Scripting are the areas that you need to have basic knowledge. They can be considered as a kind of must to progress in any area of siebel development.
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Posted by Neel 3 comments
Labels: I Wish I Knew