Build Semantic Layer Views for Jira Service Desk Data in APOS Live Data Gateway

APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live Jira Service Desk data, enabling real-time analytics on Jira Service Desk just like working with a relational database.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Jira Service Desk data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Jira Service Desk, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Jira Service Desk and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Jira Service Desk data using native data types.

Download and Install the Connector Files

In order to access Jira Service Desk data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.

• Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.JiraServiceDesk.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.jiraservicedesk.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.jiraservicedesk.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)

Configuring the Jira Service Desk Connection String

Before establishing the connection to Jira Service Desk from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the Jira Service Desk JDBC Connection String.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the Jira Service Desk JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

You can establish a connection to any Jira Service Desk Cloud account or Server instance.

Connecting with a Cloud Account

To connect to a Cloud account, you'll first need to retrieve an APIToken. To generate one, log in to your Atlassian account and navigate to API tokens > Create API token. The generated token will be displayed.

Supply the following to connect to data:

• User: Set this to the username of the authenticating user.
• APIToken: Set this to the API token found previously.

Connecting with a Service Account

To authenticate with a service account, you will need to supply the following connection properties:

• User: Set this to the username of the authenticating user.
• Password: Set this to the password of the authenticating user.
• URL: Set this to the URL associated with your JIRA Service Desk endpoint. For example, https://yoursitename.atlassian.net.

Note: Password has been deprecated for connecting to a Cloud Account and is now used only to connect to a Server Instance.

Accessing Custom Fields

By default, the connector only surfaces system fields. To access the custom fields for Issues, set IncludeCustomFields.

Your connection string will look similar to the following:

Connecting to Jira Service Desk & Creating a Semantic Layer View

After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to Jira Service Desk in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Configuring the Connection to Jira Service Desk

1. Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager
2. If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
   1. Click File -> Configurations
   2. Click on the "..." Menu for the License
   3. Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
3. In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
4. In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
   • Set Data Source to "Database"
   • Set Database to "CData Drivers"
   • Set Database CData Drivers to "Jira Service Desk"
   • Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.: jdbc:JiraServiceDesk:ApiKey=myApiKey;User=MyUser;
   • Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.jiraservicedesk.JiraServiceDeskDriver" (this should be set by default)
5. Click Test Connection
6. Click Save
7. Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "jiraservicedesk")
8. Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI"
9. Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save"

At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Creating a Semantic Layer View

1. In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
2. Select a Connection (e.g. "jiraservicedesk")
3. Click "Login"
4. Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
5. Click "New Semantic Layer View"
6. Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name
7. Click "Step 2"
8. Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view
9. Click "Step 3"
10. Select the Measures from the available table columns
11. Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
12. Add any Variable Prompts
13. Click "Step 6"
14. Define any Table Joins
15. Click "Review"
16. Review you semantic layer view and click "Save"

With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your Jira Service Desk data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to Jira Service Desk data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.

More Information & Free Evaluation

Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email info@apos.com for more information on working with your live Jira Service Desk data in APOS Live Data Gateway.