Hello,

For one of our clients, we want to make use of XML Publisher (XMLP). As far as I understand XMLP is integrated with Oracle Apps 11.5.10. Because we are on Oracle Apps 11.5.8, we have to install a few patches. This is not an option, because we are in the middle of a large european roll-out.

Now we are looking at the possibility to use the standalone version of XMLP.

My question is: Is it possible to call the standalone version of XMLP from Oracle Apps? I want to submit a concurrent program from Oracle Apps which creates the XML output. Next I want XMLP to be started automatically to integrate this XML output with a template.

All of the above has to be possible by just submitting one concurrent request. Maybe in combination with command line option or a java procedure.

Could someone give me some directions?

Thanks in advance.

Daan

We’re using XMLP with 11i10, and even that has taken some tweaking to get it to work properly.  Although it is possible to support a stand alone version of XMLP, it would require introducing change into your environment and customization.  I’m guessing the patches you are referring to are interoperability patches to the technology stack to allow XMLP to integrate with the applications suite?  How significant are the patches?  It seems obvious that you have initiated a code freeze to stabilize your environment for your roll out, but it also seems obvious that getting the stand alone version of XMLP will require some sort of enhancement or customization - again modifications or enhancements to code.

If it were up to me, I would argue that if they want the functionality then you need approval for applying the patches and regression testing your environment.  Option #2 would also introduce code change, albeit not through patching.  Regardless, its still a change to the environment.  Additionally, option #2 would most probably need to be backed out or a least revisited should you choose to upgrade beyond 11.5.8.  And of course if you have issues with option #2, Oracle isn’t going to support it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Michael Siebert

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you on the fact that option #1 would be the best because option #2 also will have impact. The problem is that we have discussed option 1 with our DBA’s. Currently they do not want to make time for installing and testing option #1. In the meantime the business is asking for XMLP so now we are checking the possibilities of option #2. Hopefully option #2 will have less impact on the environment. We will discuss this impact with our DBA’s.

I will update this thread as soon as I know more.

Cheers,

Daan

Dear All,

I also posted this question on otn.oracle.com. This is an answer I got there.

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1. Install XMLP on a separate server entirely - kick off conc request to extract data and then use Java Messaging Service (JMS) to push the resulting XML to the external server where they are using AQ to set up jobs for the XMLP server to work through, generating and delivering the final documents.

2. Set XMLP up as a virtual printer - here the conc request again generates XML but this time the result is directed to a virtual printer namely XMLP. There is a perl or similar wrapper that gets called as the printer and accepts the data, template, output format and delivery destination as parameters.

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I didn’t have a chance to test these solutions. We are still discussing the possibilities within the organization. I will let you know if I have any news.

Daan