Introducing

FoliosFlow

 The Ultimate Planview Data Utility Tool

FoliosFlow is a versatile, tactical tool designed to streamline and enhance the flow of inbound and outbound data interaction with Planview Portfolios through simplified yet powerful functionalities. Inspired by the utility of a Swiss Army Knife and the problem-solving capabilities of WD-40, FoliosFlow integrates seamlessly into Planview's ecosystem, offering a broad range of features and capabilities aimed at optimizing your portfolio data management tasks.

Key Features

Parameterized Configuration

Users can easily configure FoliosFlow by specifying essential parameters such as database login, processing services, and logging preferences in a parameters_file.txt. The tool ensures secure and efficient access to necessary services, with a straightforward format for setting up (parameter=value).

Dynamic Authorization Token Generation

Leveraging OAuth, FoliosFlow automatically generates an authorization token when required, ensuring uninterrupted access to Planview's Web Services. It supports configurations for host, client_id, and client_secret parameters, maintaining a secure and seamless connection.

Flexible Batch Processing

Catering to both bulk and batch processing needs, FoliosFlow allows users to define the payload size, enabling efficient data handling and processing with options for full or partial data sets (batch_size=* or batch_size=n).

Verbose and Historical Logging

With options for verbose logging, users gain detailed insights into the tool's operations, enhancing troubleshooting and monitoring. Additionally, FoliosFlow can store cache history, offering a snapshot of data states for further analysis.

 Email Notifications

Enhance your workflow with email notifications, including log file attachments for a comprehensive overview of processing outcomes, ensuring stakeholders are always informed.

Supported Services (More are in development)

IActionItemService - Manages action item operations within Planview Portfolios
IEntityAssociationService2 -
Associate primary structures as attributes of entities
IExchangeRateService - Controls exchange rate data, including setup and deletion
IExternalKeyUriMapService -
Map between Planview system keys and external system keys
IFinancialLoadService - Loads financial data into Work portfolios in Planview
ILaborRateCardCellService2 -
Manage labor rate card cell data: create, update, read, delete
ILaborRateCardProfileService2 -
Manage labor rate card profile data: create, update, read, delete
ILaborRateCardService2 -
Manage labor rate card data: create, update, read, delete
ILaborRateCardSetService2 -
Manage labor rate card set data: create, update, read, delete
IOutcomeService - Facilitates updates and queries for Planview's outcome data
IPlannedExpenditureService2 -
Handle planned expenditure data: create, update, read, delete
IProjectService3 -
Manage projects: create, update, read, delete
IQueryService -
Run read-only SQL queries against the database
IResourceRequirementService - Manages create, update, upsert, read, and delete resource requirement data
IReserveService2 -
Manage reserve data: create, update, read, delete
IResourceService -
Manage resource data: create, update, read, delete
IStandardActivityAssignmentService - Handles assignments for standard Planview activities
IStructureService2 -
Manage structure data for non-primary structures
ITaskService3 -
Manage tasks: create, update, read, delete
ITimeReportedService - Manages the reporting of time-related data in Planview
IUserService -
Manage users: create, update, read, delete, deactivate, activate
IWorkStatus2 - Manage work statuses (WBS 20)

Efficient Data Management

Output File Management

FoliosFlow neatly organizes processed records, failed attempts, and logs into designated files, ensuring easy access and management of data output.

Comprehensive Service Coverage

From handling input files with precision to executing various services like Structure, Resource, Attribute, and Query, FoliosFlow offers extensive support for managing your Planview data effectively.

Tactical Search Parameters

Enhance your data queries with tactical search parameters, allowing for precise and efficient data retrieval and management within Planview Portfolios.

Advanced Functionalities

Structured Data Handling

Create, update, upsert, and manage Portfolios structures with ease, employing strategic search parameters and handling for key data elements.

Resource Management

Effortlessly manage resource entities, from creation to deletion, with advanced functionalities for updating quantities, descriptions, and more.

Attribute Customization

Read, set, and manage attributes for your resources and portfolios, ensuring data integrity and customization to fit your project needs.

Query Optimization

Execute sophisticated queries with support for multi-line SQL statements, enhancing data analysis and reporting capabilities.

 User and External Key Management

From user creation and management to handling external key mappings, FoliosFlow ensures comprehensive control over your Planview environment.

Project and Task Management

Project and Task Creation: Effortlessly create new projects and tasks, setting them under the correct parent entities with ease. For example, create a project named 'Project 1' under 'Parent 1', or generate tasks such as 'Task 1' under 'Project 1'.

Project and Task Updates: Update descriptions and other critical data for projects and tasks to reflect current statuses or changes. FoliosFlow can differentiate between new and existing entities, updating or creating them as needed.

Selective Updates and Delta Management: For projects and tasks alike, FoliosFlow identifies changes (deltas) since the last run, updating only what's necessary. This ensures efficiency and accuracy without the need for manual checks.

Summary

FoliosFlow stands as a testament to flexibility, efficiency, and tactical precision in managing Planview Portfolios data. Whether you're looking to streamline your data processes, enhance portfolio management data flows, or simply optimize your Planview operations, FoliosFlow is your go-to solution.

Example Use Cases

1.     Ad hoc Data Loads and Updates: FoliosFlow enables users to quickly respond to business needs by facilitating immediate data loads and updates. This is ideal for situations requiring rapid data correction or integration, such as correcting erroneous entries or incorporating last-minute data from external sources.

2.     Scheduled Data Loads and Updates Without Planview Jobstream Dependency: With FoliosFlow, organizations can set up data loads and updates on a schedule that operates independently of the Planview Jobstream. This allows for more flexible data management processes that are not constrained by Planview's internal scheduling mechanisms, optimizing resource usage during ideal operational windows.

3.     Scheduled Off-Peak Data Loads and Updates: FoliosFlow can be configured to perform data loads and updates during off-peak hours, minimizing the impact on system performance and ensuring data is fresh for the start of the business day. This is particularly useful for global operations where data readiness must be synchronized with varying time zones.

4.     Ad Hoc Data Extracts Using Web Services or SQL Queries: Users can leverage FoliosFlow to perform on-demand data extracts, utilizing either web services or direct SQL queries. This facilitates real-time data analysis and reporting, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on the latest data.

5.     Complex Field Updates: FoliosFlow excels in handling complex updates to data fields, such as:

·        Updating Work Descriptions in Portfolios: Automatically updates Projectplace by concatenating the Project Status overall RAG with commentary on planned activities for the next month and then updating the project description which in turn can by synched into ProjectPlace.

·        Selective Updating Based on Data Comparison: Before updating project descriptions, FoliosFlow queries all active projects for new Work Description data. It then compares this data with information it has cached from the previous run, identifying and updating only the deltas. This efficient approach prevents unnecessary updates, reducing system load and optimizing data accuracy.

Additional Use Cases

6.     Data Quality Assurance Checks: FoliosFlow can automatically perform data quality checks before data loads, ensuring that only clean, validated data enters your system. This helps maintain the integrity of your data ecosystem.

7.     Data Transformation and Enrichment: Utilize FoliosFlow to transform and enrich data during the load process. For example, it can aggregate multiple data sources, apply business logic to transform raw data into actionable insights, or enrich datasets with additional data pulled from external APIs.

8.     Legacy System Integration: FoliosFlow facilitates the integration of data from legacy systems into Planview, ensuring seamless data flows across different technologies within the organization. This is crucial for companies undergoing digital transformation initiatives.

9.     Automated Archiving Strategies: Set up FoliosFlow to automatically archive old data based on customizable rules, such as data age or relevancy. This helps manage data storage costs and system performance without manual intervention.

10. Compliance and Auditing Trails: FoliosFlow can ensure that all data movements and transformations are logged, creating an audit trail that supports compliance with industry regulations and internal policies.

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