Creating a BAQ Data Source

Use a Business Activity Query (BAQ) data source to bring Epicor ERP data into Epicor FP&A for reporting and analysis. A BAQ data source creates a Data Class that stores BAQ results and makes the data available throughout the application.

In this article, we will cover:

• BAQ Concepts

• Supported BAQ Integration Modes

• Creating a BAQ Data Source

• Configuring BAQ Mappings

• Configuring Data Class Dimensions

• Testing and Publishing a BAQ Data Source

• Configuring Scheduled Synchronization

• Configuring Multiple Measures

• BAQ limitations

About BAQs

A Business Activity Query (BAQ) is a custom query created in Epicor ERP to retrieve data for reporting and analysis. Epicor FP&A can access BAQs from connected Epicor ERP environments and use them as data sources.

BAQ Integration Modes

Epicor FP&A supports several BAQ integration approaches.

Mode	Description
New Standard Data Class and Dimension Member Load	Creates a new Data Class and loads dimension members.
New Dynamic Data Class and Dimension Member Load	Creates a view without creating a full Data Class.
Load into Existing Data Class	Loads BAQ data into an existing Data Class.
Dimension Members Load Only	Loads only dimension members.

Supported Mode

Currently, only New Standard Data Class and Dimension Member Load is supported.

Creating a BAQ Data Source

Opening Data Sources

1. Open Data Sources.

2. Review the list of existing BAQ data sources.

Creating a Data Source

1. Select Create.

2. Complete the required fields:

   Field	Description
   Credentials	REST connection credentials used to connect to Epicor ERP.
   BAQ	The BAQ to retrieve data from.
   Name	Name of the Data Class that will be created.

3. Select Save.

   The new data source appears in the Data Sources list.

Configuring a BAQ Data Source

After creating the data source, configure the BAQ column mappings.

Opening the Configuration

1. Select the data source.

2. Select Configure Source.

Reviewing the Preview Data

The configuration page displays:

• Available BAQ columns

• Sample BAQ rows

• Mapping controls

  Use the preview to determine how each BAQ column should map to FP&A dimensions and properties.

Mapping Columns

To map a column:

1. Select the column.

2. Review the mapping panel.

3. Assign the appropriate Type, Dimension, and Property.

4. Save the mapping.

Mapping a Date Column

Use a date column to populate the Time dimension.

Configuring a Time Mapping

1. Select the BAQ date column.

2. Set Type to: TimeDate

3. Set Sub Type to: Date

4. Select the Time dimension.

5. Save the mapping.

   Epicor FP&A extracts Year and Month values from the source date and populates the Time dimension.

Mapping a Dimension Member

Dimension member columns can be mapped to existing dimensions.

Example: Supplier Dimension

1. Select the vendor identifier column.

2. Set:

   Setting	Value
   Type	Dimension
   Sub Type	String
   Dimension	Supplier

Auto Add Members

• If source data contains dimension members that do not already exist in FP&A, they can be created automatically.

• Clear Auto Add if you do not want new members added automatically.

Mapping Dimension Properties

Additional source columns can populate dimension properties.

Example: Supplier Description

For a supplier name column:

Setting	Value
Type	Dimension Property
Property	MemberDescription

This allows the supplier description to be maintained alongside the Supplier dimension member.

Mapping Measure Columns

Measure columns store the numeric values used for reporting.

Configuring a Measure

1. Select the value column.

2. Set Type to: Measure

3. Select a Sub Type:

   • Currency

   • Quantity

4. Enter a measure name.

5. Save the mapping.

Measure Rules

Measure columns must contain numeric values.

Use Mapping Filters

The Filter list helps you review mapping progress.

Available Filters

Filter	Description
End Result	Displays mapped columns only.
Source Preview	Displays all source columns.
Left to Do	Displays unmapped columns.

Skipping Unmapped Columns

Before testing the data source, all remaining columns must either be mapped or skipped.

Skipping Remaining Columns

1. Set the filter to Left to Do.

2. Select Skip All.

3. Confirm the action.

   All unmapped columns are marked as skipped and the data source becomes eligible for testing.

Configuring the Data Class

Open the DataClass tab to configure dimensions for the new Data Class.

Required Dimensions

The following dimensions are mandatory:

Dimension

Account

BusinessProcess

Time or TimeDate

Currency

Adding Additional Dimensions

1. Select Add Dimension.

2. Select the required dimension.

3. Configure the default value.

4. Save the changes.

Saving the Configuration

1. Review all mappings and dimensions.

2. Select Save Configuration.

   The data source status changes to: Configured and the Test Data Source option becomes available.

Testing the Data Source

Running the Initial Load

1. Select Test Data Source.

2. Select Run.

   The system:

   • Creates the Data Class
   • Processes the BAQ data
   • Publishes the data source

   The initial load may take some time to complete.

Published Status

After processing, the status displays: Published / Suspended.

Configuring Automatic Synchronization

Use synchronization schedules to refresh BAQ data automatically.

Enabling Synchronization

1. Select the data source.

2. Select Run.

3. Enable Sync.

4. Enter the synchronization time.

5. Save the schedule.

   Synchronization times use UTC. Convert the time appropriately for your local time zone.

6. The status changes to: Published / Active Schedule.

Configuring Multiple Measures

BAQ data sources support multiple measures within a single Data Class. This eliminates the need to create separate BAQ configurations for each value column.

Adding an Additional Measure

1. Open the data source configuration.

2. Select Source Preview.

3. Select the additional numeric column.

4. Set Type to: Measure.

5. Configure:

   • Sub Type

   • Measure Name

   • Account

6. Save the mapping.

Multiple Measure Rules

Each measure:

• Must contain numeric values.

• Must be mapped to a unique Account.

• Must represent a distinct business meaning.

Using separate accounts prevents double counting and maintains reporting accuracy.

Using the Data Class in Reports

After publication, the BAQ Data Class can be used like any other Data Class in Report Editor.

Creating a Report

1. Open Report Editor.

2. Select the BAQ Data Class.

3. Configure report dimensions and filters.

4. Save the report.

Limitations

The following limitations apply to BAQ data sources.

• Special characters in BAQ data sources and columns are not supported when creating new dimension members.

• Integration Modes 2, 3, and 4 are not currently supported.

Best Practices

• Use meaningful Data Class names that reflect the BAQ purpose.

• Configure all mandatory dimensions before testing the data source.

• Review source preview data before mapping columns.

• Use unique accounts for each measure.

• Enable synchronization schedules for BAQs that require regular refreshes.

• Verify mapping completeness before running the initial test.

Additional Information

• BAQ stands for Business Activity Query.

• BAQs retrieve data from Epicor ERP for reporting and analysis.

• The primary supported integration method creates a new Data Class and dimension members.

• Multiple measures are supported within a single BAQ Data Class.

• Published BAQ Data Classes can be used throughout the reporting framework.