Understanding the Data Library

The Meridian Data Library is an optional component that can be installed with the Meridian server components. It provides a synchronized replica of the document metadata of one vault. The metadata can be stored in a SQL Server or Oracle database. You can use the Data Library as a data source for your favorite reporting application or for more complex reports than can be configured in Meridian. You can configure reports against the Data Library using any application that supports SQL Server or Oracle as a data source, for example, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services or SAP Crystal Reports.

The Data Library is a subset of the functionality that is provided by Meridian Explorer. By installing Explorer Client licenses, the Data Library can be accessed using the search, viewing, and printing capabilities of the Explorer Client from a web browser. To add even more flexibility to the configuration, you can install an Explorer Server license.

The primary differences between these three configurations are summarized in the following table.

The Data Library is an excellent introduction to other BlueCielo products that include components of the Data Library:

• Meridian Explorer — The Data Library can be upgraded to all of the features and benefits of Meridian Explorer with the addition of Explorer server and client licenses. Meridian Explorer can provide engineering content to your entire enterprise. The Explorer client provides extensive search, viewing, and printing capabilities. For more information about the Meridian Explorer, see theBlueCielo Meridian Explorer Administrator's Guide and theBlueCielo Meridian Explorer User's Guide.
• Meridian Publisher — The Data Library uses a subset of the Meridian Publisher components to synchronize data between the Meridian vault and the Data Library. Installing the entire Meridian Publisher module and licenses allows you to publish metadata and documents (optionally rendered to other formats) to other destinations, such as other Meridian Enterprise vaults, a Windows file system, or other document management systems.