Lab 8: Saving and Importing Analysis Models

You can save analysis models to a file and import saved models into your Data Warehouse using Commerce Server Manager. When you save analysis models to files you eliminate analysis model dependency on the Data Warehouse. You can save analysis models that are used by your Web site on your Web servers or external database, and secure your Data Warehouse by placing it behind a firewall. If your Web site is using an analysis model stored in the Data Warehouse that is not operational or accessible, your site may not operate correctly.

You can also view a saved Prediction model before you import it into your database using the Dependency Network Viewer.

For information about deploying and securing the Predictor, see Deploying Predictor.

This contains the following steps:

• Step 1: Save an analysis model
• Step 2: Import an analysis model
• Step 3: View a saved prediction model

Step 1: Save an analysis model

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Commerce Server 2002, and then click Commerce Server Manager.
2. In Commerce Server Manager, expand Commerce Server Manager, expand Global Resources, expand Predictor on <server name>, expand Predictor Service, and then select Models.
3. In the Models content pane, select Transactions, and then click Save model on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
4. In the Save model to a file dialog box, navigate to <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft Commerce Server 2002\Predictor Tutorial\, and then click Save.
5. In the Saving an analysis model to a file dialog box, click OK.
6. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft Commerce Server 2002\Predictor Tutorial\, and locate the Transactions.PMF file. The extension PMF stands for Predictor Model File.

Step 2: Import an analysis model

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Commerce Server 2002, and then click Commerce Server Manager.
2. In Commerce Server Manager, expand Commerce Server Manager, expand Global Resources, expand Predictor on <server name>, expand Predictor Service, and then select Models.
3. In the Models content pane click Import model on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
4. In the Import model from file dialog box, do the following:

   Use this	To do this
   File name	Click Browse. In the Import model from file dialog box, navigate to <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft Commerce Server 2002\Predictor Tutorial\, select Transactions.PMF file from the list, and then click Open.
   Model name	Type ImportedTransactions.
   Destination data warehouse	Select the name of the data warehouse that is associated with the Predictor Demo Site.
   Model configuration	From the drop-down list, select PredictorDemo_Transactions.

5. Click OK.

Note

• The import process uses the API exposed by the PredictorClient object using the LoadModelFromFile functions. For more information about the PredictorClient object, see PredictorClient Object.

Step 3: View a saved prediction model

1. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft Commerce Server 2002\, and then double-click DnetViewer. The Dependency Net Viewer application starts.
2. In the File menu, click Open.
3. In the Open model file dialog box, navigate to <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft Commerce Server 2002\Predictor Tutorial\, select Transactions.PMF, and then click Open. The model should appear in the Dependency Net Viewer.

Note

• You use the Dependency Net Viewer to view Prediction models only, and you use the Segment Viewer in Business Desk to view Segment models.

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