The ability to efficiently integrate and process data in Enterprise Performance Management is mission-critical. At Kscope25, Chian Lin, Solutions Architect at EPMI, delivered a powerhouse session titled “Advanced Data Integration: Ten or More Tips & Tricks 2.0,” offering practical strategies to supercharge Oracle Cloud EPM integrations.
Overview
- Use Expressions for Speed: New Target Expressions can outperform traditional mappings by up to 35%.
- Embrace SQL Mapping: Gain flexibility and control by replacing multi-step mappings with concise SQL logic.
- Drill-Through Confidence: Maintain transparency with robust drill-through features to your EPM environment.
Simplifying the Complex: What’s New in Data Integration
Oracle’s evolution from Data Management to Data Integration (DI) comes with a suite of features that streamline developer workflows, improve transparency, and boost performance. Chian walked attendees through the new UI, enhanced filtering in the Workbench, and the game-changing Quick Mode and Integration Agent.
Expressions: The Secret Sauce
Expressions in the new Data Integration UI offer a flexible, performance-boosting alternative to traditional * to * mappings. Common tasks such as handling nulls, substring manipulation, or applying default values can now be executed more efficiently.
Performance Insight: A test loading 500,000 rows using these new expressions showed a 35.2% performance improvement compared to conventional mappings. That’s a tangible gain in processing efficiency that translates into real-world impact for data teams.
SQL Mapping: Precision with Power
Forget tedious mappings—Chian demonstrated how #SQL dimension mappings and Target Expressions using SQL can transform your integration logic. These techniques allow you to handle conditional transformations (e.g., CASE statements), date reformatting, or even pre-process currency conversions with exceptional flexibility.
A notable client example involved converting HCM data from local currencies to USD using a combination of SQL mappings and lookup dimensions. This avoided manual assumption setups across 25 currencies—saving time, reducing errors, and keeping drill-through functionality intact.
Drill-Through to EPM: Transparency Matters
Drill-through capabilities, especially for Finance and Planning teams, offer a direct lens into source data. The latest updates make it easier to configure and maintain drill-through paths, enhancing traceability and audit readiness—essential for regulatory compliance and operational clarity.
REST APIs & Integration Agent: Unlocking Automation
Data pipelines now benefit from enhanced orchestration via REST APIs and the Integration Agent. These tools not only support real-time data integration from on-prem or third-party systems but also introduce sophisticated control over scheduling, sequencing, and monitoring of integration tasks.
Looking for more Oracle Data Intergration Tips?
If you’re managing Oracle Cloud EPM integrations and want to eliminate inefficiencies, this presentation is a must-read.
Download Chian Lin’s full presentation to access all 10+ expert tips and implementation-ready strategies.
Integration FAQs
Can I use these expressions with legacy Data Management UI?
No. The advanced expressions discussed are only available in the newer Data Integration UI.
What’s the best use case for SQL mapping in Oracle EPM?
SQL mappings are ideal for complex transformations, such as conditional logic, date formatting, and currency conversions.
Is it hard to transition from Data Management to Data Integration?
Not at all—Data Integration includes all features of Data Management and adds enhanced functionality. The transition is mostly seamless with minimal retraining needed.