Built-in BSA Value Dashboard

The BMC Server Automation (BSA) Value Dashboard shows the potential value in terms of dollars and hours that can be realized by your organization by using BMC Server Automation. Calculations are based on a set of standard values BMC has determined.

This dashboard report fetches information for the past twelve months. For example, if the report runs on May 2, 2014, the report gathers data from May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014.

Managing the BSA Value Dashboard report

A standard installation of BMC Decision Support for Server Automation sets up the BSA Value Dashboard report. The report should run regularly using default settings and parameters. To manage the report, you can perform the following actions:

• To execute the BSA Value Dashboard report
• To change default values of parameters for the BSA Value Dashboard report
• To change the schedule and other standard settings
• To change the currency format

See BSA Value Dashboard issues if you encounter problems configuring or using the Value Dashboard.

Before you begin

If you have upgraded to version 8.6 of BMC Decision Support for Server Automation from a previous version and the database server is running on Oracle, the data warehouse user must be granted the following permissions:

• GRANT SELECT ON dba_free_space TO datawarehouseUser

• GRANT SELECT ON v_$log TO datawarehouseUser
• GRANT SELECT ON v_$tempfile TO datawarehouseUser
• GRANT SELECT ON v_$datafile TO datawarehouseUser
• GRANT SELECT ON v_$instance TO datawarehouseUser

If the database server is running on SQL Server, the data warehouse user must be granted the following permission:

GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE TO datawarehouseUser

To execute the BSA Value Dashboard report

Use this procedure if you want to run the BSA Value Dashboard report immediately.

1. Log on to the BMC BladeLogic Decision Support for Server Automation portal as a user with privileges to run reports. 
2. In Public Folders, navigate to the Dashboard (BSA Value Dashboard in versions earlier than 8.6 SP1) folder.
   That folder contains a report named BSA Value Dashboard.
3. On the row for the BSA Value Dashboard report, under the Actions column, click the Run icon .
   A windows providing options opens. 
4. Choose the following options:
   • Language – A language is selected by default.
   • Delivery – Select Save the report.
   • Prompt Values – Deselect Prompt for values.
5. Click Run.
   The report may take 5 to 30 minutes to complete depending on how many job runs and servers have been targeted over the last 12 months.

To change default values of parameters for the BSA Value Dashboard report

By default the BSA Value Dashboard report is defined to use a set of standard values based on assessments BMC has performed. You can change those values to match the standards of your own organization. 

The following figure shows the default parameters:

1. Log on to the BMC BladeLogic Decision Support for Server Automation portal as a user with privileges to run reports.
2. In Public Folders, navigate to the Dashboard (BSA Value Dashboard in versions earlier than 8.6 SP1) folder.
   That folder contains a report named BSA Value Dashboard.
3. On the row for the BSA Value Dashboard report, under the Actions column, click the Set Properties icon .
   A windows providing options opens. 
4. Click the Active Report tab.
5. Under Prompt values, select the Override the default values check box.
   
6. Click the Set hyperlink.
7. Change parameter values as necessary.
8. Click Finish.
9. Click OK.
   The next time the report runs, it uses the values you have specified unless you explicitly override those value in an interactive run of the report. 

To change the schedule and other standard settings

By default, the BSA Value Dashboard report:

• Runs on the second day of every month.
• Keeps six sets of output and run histories.
• Shows the latest output by default.

Use the following procedure to change settings:

1. Log on to the BMC BladeLogic Decision Support for Server Automation portal as a user with privileges to run reports. 
2. In Public Folders, navigate to the Dashboard (BSA Value Dashboard in versions earlier than 8.6 SP1) folder.
   That folder contains a report named BSA Value Dashboard.
3. On the row for the BSA Value Dashboard report, under the Actions column, click the Schedule icon  next to the report.
   A windows providing options opens. 
4. Under Frequency, select your desired schedule.
5. Under Options, make sure Formats is set to HTML.
6. Under Delivery, select Save and then select Save the report.
7. Click OK. 
   The new schedule is applied to the report.

To change the currency format

1. Log on to the BMC BladeLogic Decision Support for Server Automation portal as a user with privileges to use Report Studio. 
2. In Public Folders, navigate to the Dashboard (BSA Value Dashboard in versions earlier than 8.6 SP1) folder.
   That folder contains a report named BSA Value Dashboard.
3. Open the BSA Value Dashboard report in Report Studio.
4. In Properties (at lower left), click in the Data Format row.
   The Data Format dialog box opens.
5. For Currency, select a currency format. 
6. Click OK.
7. Repeat this procedure for all graphs that include the DollarSaved parameter.