PowerCenter Mapping Generation Option

Increasing Developer Productivity and Simplifying the Data Integration Lifecycle

The Mapping Generation Option automatically generates PowerCenter data integration mappings from best practice templates and reverse-engineers existing mappings into reusable template form. This option leverages the freely distributed Informatica Data Stencil design tool for Microsoft Visio and freely distributed Informatica Velocity-based mapping templates to accelerate and automate design.

With the Mapping Generation Option, data architects, data analysts, and mapping developers can create reusable mapping templates and reverse-engineer PowerCenter mappings into Visio templates. This option increases developer productivity by reducing repetitive tasks and simplifying the data integration lifecycle.

Key Features

Automated, Parameterized Mapping Generation

• Reverse-engineer PowerCenter mappings into Visio templates to document mapping processes or to kick-start the reusability process
• Automate the mapping creation process when paired with freely distributed PowerCenter 8.5 tools, templates, and resources, including:
  • Data Stencil, a data-flow design tool based on Microsoft Visio, the tool of choice for data analysts; this tool replicates functionality found in PowerCenter Designer for the design and creation of data integration mappings
  • Reusable best-practice mapping templates based on Velocity, Informatica’s proven data integration solution design methodology
  • An open community of mapping template contributors in the Informatica Developers Network

Best Practice Mapping Templates and Wizards

• Use template modeling language to create mapping patterns for broader reuse
• Simplify mapping generation by generating custom wizards based on templates
• Access pre-defined wizards and templates for common data integration patterns, such as Slowly Changing Dimension

Benefits

Reduces Development Costs by Reducing Repetitive Tasks
The Mapping Generation Option provides a Visio-based design environment to create PowerCenter mappings and reusable best practice mapping templates. Many mappings follow the same design but have different sources, targets, or other transformation rules. This option helps developers design a single mapping template and automatically generate many mappings based on parameters, eliminating a significant amount of redundant work and reducing overall development costs.

Accelerates Time to Market with Pre-Built Patterns for Common Data Integration Scenarios
With the Mapping Generation Option, developers can design business and transformation logic using Data Stencil, and then use this template to automatically generate mappings in PowerCenter. With this option, IT teams can accelerate their development by utilizing pre-defined wizards and templates that address common data integration scenarios such as slowly changing dimension. The option helps maximize the leverage of design assets in the solution development lifecycle and increase the reuse of solution best practices, which decrease time-to-delivery.

Saves Design Costs by Improving Collaboration Between Data Architects, Business Analysts, and Mapping Developers
By providing a design environment based on the popular and commonly used tool Visio, the Mapping Generation Option streamlines communication and improves collaboration between data architects, business analysts, and mapping developers. With better communication and more collaboration between these groups, data integration solution design specifications are more accurate. Increased accuracy means fewer errors and faster turnaround, all of which keep design costs in check.

Product Literature

Mapping Generation Option Datasheet
PowerCenter Brochure