Using PI Web API for Integrating PI System with Oracle EBS

Using PI Web API for Integrating PI System with Oracle EBS

As the PI System continues to evolve, many organizations find themselves in situations where they need to connect it seamlessly with other enterprise systems like Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS). This is especially relevant when upgrading PI System from older versions like 2018 and needing to move away from deprecated components such as PI Web Services 2012.

In this blog post, we will explore how the PI Web API can be utilized to provide data access to Oracle EBS, replacing the older PI Web Services, and how you can implement this integration effectively.

Why PI Web API?

The PI Web API is a modern, RESTful interface to the PI System, allowing for programmatic access to various data operations using HTTP requests. This makes it an ideal choice for contemporary integration needs, offering:

• Scalability and Flexibility: Apt for both large-scale data operations and simple queries.
• Standard Protocols: Uses widely-adopted technologies like HTTP and JSON, making it easier to integrate with diverse systems.
• Broad Compatibility: Supports various authentication methods including Kerberos, making it secure for enterprise environments.
• Comprehensive Documentation: OSIsoft provides detailed guides and examples on how to implement the API with different systems.

Oracle EBS and PI Web API

Oracle E-Business Suite includes the Integrated SOA Gateway, which provides the necessary tools to interact with external services through its Service Invocation Framework. This framework can send HTTP requests, thus making it feasible to leverage the PI Web API for accessing PI System data.

Steps to Achieve Integration:

1. Understand EBS SOA Components: Familiarize yourself with the Oracle E-Business Suite Integrated SOA Gateway and Service Invocation Framework. These components will allow you to issue and handle HTTP requests needed for interaction with the PI Web API.

2. Configure PI Web API: Ensure your PI Web API is correctly configured to accept requests from Oracle EBS. This includes setting up appropriate authentication modes that EBS can handle, such as Kerberos or Basic Authentication.

3. Develop and Test API Calls: Write scripts or configure UI components in Oracle EBS to invoke the necessary PI Web API endpoints. Start by testing small queries to ensure connectivity and correct data retrieval.

4. Refer to Documentation: Use both Oracle and OSIsoft documentation to guide your setup. Key references include Oracle EBS Integrated SOA Gateway Developer's Guide and the PI Web API Documentation.

5. Implement Monitoring and Failover: As with any critical integration, implement monitoring for your connections and consider High Availability (HA) configurations, especially for components like PI Vision that Oracle EBS will interact with.

Conclusion

Transitioning from deprecated components like PI Web Services to the more modern PI Web API involves careful planning, but it ultimately provides a more robust and future-proof solution for data integration. Oracle EBS users can leverage the PI Web API through the SOA Gateway, creating a seamless flow of information between their enterprise resource systems and the PI System.

Begin your integration journey by diving deep into the documentation and seeking community support when needed. Happy integrating!