Correlation Search

Correlation searches rely on name-value pairs to define the specific data items the system searches for. The defined data items are tracking points for business processes and documents.

IBM® Sterling B2B Integrator enables you to enter correlated search criteria to perform advanced correlation searching.

For example, instead of searching all of IBM Sterling B2B Integrator for a particular invoice, you can search for that invoice number, which saves you time.

IBM Sterling B2B Integrator includes a correlation service that you can use to define a correlation that enables you to search for a specific data item. Correlations are either reconfigured and come with IBM Sterling B2B Integrator, or are created when a process runs.

The data for correlations is stored as name-value pair records in the correlation table in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator. You can search the data using the Correlation Search option.

The following figure shows the fields you use in a typical correlation search:

To enter a name-value pair, you select a value in one or more name fields and type the appropriate correlated value in the corresponding Value field. The following figure shows the drop-down menu of options for the Name fields:

The Advanced Search options in the Administration Menu provide specific pages for performing correlation searches pertaining to EDI interchanges, groups and transactions, business process specification schemas, and ebXML message flows.