BI Catalog Builder - CMiC Default Data Source - Predefined Data Source

The backbone of CMiC Analytics (BI Dashboard Builder and BI Query Builder) is a semantic layer called a data catalog. It is a layer that describes information in the database in natural language terms. It also defines relationships between different parts of the database, such as Job Costing and Project Management. CMiC ships a default catalog to every customer, called the “CMiC Default Data Source”. This contains nearly every table and view in the system, with nearly all the joins that could be required between them optimally predefined. For example, it contains common tables and joins that most users would use in a BI report. Users who have access to Catalog Builder can make copies and customized versions of the data catalog, or even create one from scratch.

NOTE: The CMiC Default Data Source should not be modified, as patch installations and hotfixes update this default data source, overwriting any changes made to it and making any dependent dashboards unusable.

As shown below, CMiC Default Data Source is comprised of subsets of tables and views that are grouped by Enterprise modules.

If CMiC Default Data Source is not sufficient to create a desired dashboard, because a different join type is required (e.g., left outer join required instead of inner) or a table\view needs to be added to it, it is recommended that a copy of CMiC Default Data Source is created for modification and use. Refer to Copy (Data Sources, Business Areas, Folders) for more information.

If a new data source is required, and it does not make sense for it to be a copy of the CMiC Default Data Source, only then would the Create Data Source screen be used to create it.

NOTE: If required, security roles can be assigned to the CMiC Default Data Source at any level, including data source, business area, and folder level. Please refer to CMiC BI Security – BI Catalog Builder for more information.