New Code Generator simplifies BIRT Reporting for IBM Maximo Developers

Significant time savings thanks to automated code generation

 
The situation is well-known: Report developers in the IBM Maximo environment wanting to use BIRT for reporting already fail in the first steps. Due to the fact that the database connection takes place via Scripted DataSource, graphic BIRT tools like e.g. the SQL editor are not available. Especially BIRT beginners are faced with the monotonous task of having to enter lots of code lines by hand. A tedious error search aggravates these efforts even more.

The missing automation inspired two BIRT experts: The Austrian company MAYR-MELNHOF Karton Gesellschaft mbH and the German company CoSMIT GmbH. Together both companies developed a code generator as Eclipse plugin. Headed by engineer Gerd Stockner, Maintenance System Manager of the Maximo team at MAYR-MELNHOF, a practical yet simple solution was developed. The code generator is supposed to save the developers a lot of time and make their work less stressy.

Below you will find a brief description of the code generator's function: After starting the wizard, the report name and a template are stated in the input mask. Afterwards, the query can be generated in the graphic SQL editor. Now the generator automatically generates the open & fetch methods as well as the output columns of the dataset.

For this purpose, Mr Stockner with his long-standing experience in the field of reporting with ACTUATE in Maximo requested the assistance of the business intelligence specialists CoSMIT located in Frankfurt. Now the team is programming the code generator based on the respective demands.

"The code generator saves us valuable time in report generation. Maximo developers will be able to apply this plugin immediately with the corresponding benefits. This allows us to utilise the possibilities of BIRT to the full extent."

Apart from the time savings, the tool provides a lot of additional advantages for the users: For example, the queries may have any degree of complexity. Views and database functions can be used as well. Tables and field names are easily entered into the input mask via drag & drop.
 
The code generator developed by Mr Stockner and his report developers was subjected to numerous tests. Meanwhile, the results verify the significant practical use of the plugin together with the outstanding quality of the generated reports. This has enticed CoSMIT GmbH to provide other Maximo report developers with this code generator for their work.
 
Users can download the tool free of charge on the CoSMIT website. The code generator is open source. Support is available from the CoSMIT team via the Maximo forum which is also accessible via the CoSMIT website.

Click here to Download the Code generator