Descendant class instances now included in reports
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
The Report on descendant class instances option on the Data Access tab of the Report Definition rule has a new option to now include data from all descendant classes of the report's primary class. If descendant classes are mapped to multiple class tables, the generated SQL query performs UNIONs to include this data. Previously, only a single class was included in the report.
You can select a subset of descendant classes to include or exclude by adding a filter condition on pxObjClass.
Existing reports retain the older behavior for this option after an upgrade or update. To use the new option, you must set it for each existing report. New reports created in Designer Studio and out-of-the-box Pega 7 Platform template reports from which new reports are created in the Report Browser (pyDefaultReport and pyDefaultSummaryReport) default to the new option. If you have created custom template reports for some application classes, you must change them to enable the new option in reports that are created in the Report Browser for these classes.
See Reporting on data in multiple class tables.
Report Definition query filters can search embedded properties
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
Filter conditions on Report Definition rules that query the Elasticsearch indexes can now reference embedded properties. Previously, filter conditions could reference only the top-level properties of a class. To reference an embedded property within a filter condition, specify indexes for embedded page lists and page groups, for example, Customers(1).Addresses(1).City = Boston OR Customers(1).Addresses(1).State = MA.
These indexes are ignored in the generated query, and so can potentially match any value in a page list or group. However, filter conditions that reference multiple embedded properties in the same page list or page group, as displayed above, might not be satisfied on the same page.
BIX extracts can be scheduled and run from the Pega 7 Platform by using agents
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
You can create an agent that periodically invokes the new pxExtractDataWithArgs activity to run a BIX Extract rule. The activity takes the class and extract rule name, as well as an additional input string with a list of BIX command-line parameters, as input parameters to use for the run.
Discontinued support for list view and summary view rules
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
The list view rule and the summary view rule are deprecated, and support for these rules has been discontinued. Existing list view and summary view reports will continue to work on supported browsers. However, the last version of Internet Explorer that list view and summary view rules support is Internet Explorer 11.
You cannot create new list view or summary view reports. Instead, create list reports and summarized reports by using the report definition rule. To prevent display issues, re-create the custom list view and summary view reports that you need as report definition reports.
Report Definitions can query tables in multiple schemas
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
You can create a Report Definition that queries class tables in multiple schemas in the same database. Previously, queries on tables that were mapped to PegaRULES and PegaDATA schemas could not include tables that were mapped to other schemas, because other schemas were assumed to be in a different database. The schemas to which queried class tables belong are no longer validated when you save the Report Definition, so you can now query tables in schemas other than PegaRULES and PegaDATA. However, Report Definitions that query tables that are in more than one database fail when run.
Support for encrypted traffic in a cluster
Valid from Pega Version 7.3
The Pega 7 Platform includes the Ignite platform, which supports encryption for intra-cluster communications. You can now configure encryption for intra-cluster traffic for compliance with regulatory or organizational security requirements.
For more information, see Enabling encrypted traffic between nodes.
Chart drilldown capabilities extended to dashboard widgets
Valid from Pega Version 7.3
When the chart for a report is displayed in a dashboard widget, you now can click any part of the chart to drill down and view the subset of data for that part. This enhancement provides you with an accurate view of the data that determines the report results. Previously, this capability was provided only in the Report Viewer.
Enhancements to exporting report results to Excel
Valid from Pega Version 7.3
When you export report results to Excel, the .xlsx file that the export process generates is smaller, opens faster, and no longer displays a security warning when you open it. Excel handles more of the formatting, and DateTime, Date, TimeOfDay, and Numeric properties are exported in a format that Excel recognizes. In addition, columns have sorting and filtering enabled by default.
These enhancements are enabled by default and provide improvements to performance and memory usage, especially with large data sets. You can disable this new default behavior by modifying the pyEnableExportToAdvancedExcelFormat when rule. For more information, see Disabling the default functionality for exporting reports to Excel.
Monitor standard and custom security events
Valid from Pega Version 7.3
From the new Security Event Configuration landing page, you can select the standard and custom security events that you want the Pega 7 Platform to log automatically for every user session. The security events are grouped into the following types:
- Authentication
- Data access
- Security administration
- Custom
The API logCustomEvent() is provided so that you can create custom security events that are specific to your applications and that can be monitored by the Pega 7 Platform. For more information, see Security Event Configuration.
SAML configuration supports global resource settings
Valid from Pega Version 7.3
In the SAML Authentication Service form, you can now use global resource settings, which allow greater flexibility for values that change compared to using fixed text values. Apply global resource settings, which are dynamic values, in the Identity Provider (IdP) information section and the Service Provider (SP) settings section of the form.
For more information, see Authentication Service form - Completing the SAML 2.0 tab.