YSoft SafeQ CRS enterprise architecture
This page describes the architecture of YSoft SafeQ CRS (Central Reporting Services) and includes a diagram of central data collection.
Architecture description
The YSoft SafeQ CML (Central Management Layer) (configured as the CRS sender) is a client that sends data to YSoft SafeQ Data Collector (a component of the CRS server). YSoft SafeQ Data Collector processes data from the CML server and temporarily stores it in a database. There are two types of data: Statistical data and Descriptive data.
Statistical data is mapped to Descriptive data according to the selected key. All Statistical data are sent every time, while Descriptive data are sent only when required by Statistical data.
YSoft SafeQ Data Collector stores all data into the Data Warehouse in predefined intervals. Data are already structured and ready to be processed by client tools. The Data Warehouse provides data for the OLAP cube, Microsoft Reporting Services, and Microsoft Report Builder. To optimize performance, data are mirrored in separate databases for MS Reporting Services and MS Report Builder.
A standalone database server is recommended.
YSoft SafeQ CRS client
In terms of communication, the YSoft SafeQ CML that sends data to the CRS is a client, while the YSoft SafeQ CRS is a server. The YSoft SafeQ CML must be properly configured and connected to YSoft SafeQ Data Collector. The data sending period and other configuration settings of the CML client are configured in the appropriate configuration file. (For data sending period information and for other settings, see the chapter "Central Reporting System" in your YSoft SafeQ administration guide. Also see detailed information in Installing YSoft SafeQ CRS server.)
YSoft SafeQ Data Collector
YSoft SafeQ Data Collector is basically a specially configured YSoft SafeQ server that is able to receive and process data from YSoft SafeQ CML servers that are configured as clients.
Data Collector uses the Microsoft SQL Server 2008, 2008 R2 or 2012 database for data storage. Data Collector receives new Statistical data from YSoft SafeQ CMLs (clients) and temporarily stores it in the database. After all Statistical data are collected, Data Collector asks the specific YSoft SafeQ CML (client) for the Descriptive data needed for mapping Statistical data.
The last data that Data Collector receives from the YSoft SafeQ client represents the current values of counters from devices (MFPs, printers, copiers) that are collected by the YSoft SafeQ CML and YSoft SafeQ ORS.
Data are synchronized from Data Collector to the Data Warehouse every hour (all mapped Statistical data and all counters from devices).
If any Statistical data received cannot be mapped correctly, Data Collector will try to map it during the next synchronization.
Data Collector settings are stored in the appropriate configuration file. (See detailed descriptions in Installing YSoft SafeQ CRS server.)
Data Warehouse
The Data Warehouse is implemented as relational databases in MS SQL 2008, 2008 R2 or 2012 server. The Data Warehouse is used for permanent storage of Statistical and Descriptive data from YSoft SafeQ Data Collector. Data are already structured in non-aggregated form and ready to be processed by client tools. These data are a direct source for OLAP cube, Microsoft Reporting Services, and Microsoft Report Builder. To optimize performance, data are mirrored in separate databases for MS Reporting Services and MS Report Builder.
Data sent to the Data Warehouse
The following data are sent to the Data Warehouse:
[dow] – job's day of the week
[hour] – hour the job was performed
[day] – day the job was performed
[month] – month the job was performed
[year] – year the job was performed
[week] – number of week the job was performed
[date] – date the job was performed
[jobs_cnt] – number of released print jobs
[pages] – job pages
[price] – job price
[costs_per_page] – costs per page of printed job
[price_per_page] – price per page of printed job
[avg_cvg] – average job coverage
[avg_toner_k] – average consumption of black toner
[avg_toner_cmy] – average consumption of color toner
[papers] – quantity of paper used
[accid] – job counter
[_dph] – job VAT rate
[dph] – job VAT price
[duplex] – duplex job
[simplex] – simplex job
[credit] – if job is accounted with credit
[paper_type] – paper type simplex/duplex
[job_type] – job type
[jobs_title] – job title
[origin] – job origin
[jobs_size] – job size
[forced] – forced type of job
Counters status
The following Descriptive data are sent to the Data Warehouse:
Information about MFPs
Information about MFPs' groups
Information about MFPs' cost centers
Information about users
Information about users' cost centers
Information about servers
Information about projects
Information about job types
Data mapping
Descriptive data which goes into YSoft SafeQ Data Collector are re-mapped to Statistical data due to a possible conflict of identifiers. Three identifiers are created: the original identifier, a new identifier, and source identifier. The set of these three identifiers is referred to as the mapping descriptor. Statistical data are adjusted according to this descriptor, to include the new identifier with the correct relation to the original ID.
Available data in the Data Warehouse
You can access all data in the Data Warehouse by using Microsoft Report Server. You can use predefined reports or you can use Microsoft Report Builder to create reports (both are part of MS SQL 2008, 2008 R2 and 2012.)