1 Business Intelligence: Report Creation and Automation Using Business Objects Dylan Black University of Wisconsin – Platteville [email protected].

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Business Intelligence:

Report Creation and Automation Using Business Objects

Dylan Black

University of Wisconsin – Platteville

[email protected]

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About Me

• Senior – Majors:– Computer Information Systems– Business Administration

• IT Analyst – John Deere C&F

• Extensive Training / Experience in Business Objects

• Darlington WI

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Overview

• What is Business Intelligence (BI)• Business Intelligence Software Solutions• Business Objects (BO) Overview• Business Objects Report Creation• Future of Business Objects• Conclusion

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Business Intelligence (BI) Defined

• Applications and Technology– Gather Data– Provide Access to Data– Analyze Data

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• Ultimate Goal– Improve Timeliness/Quality of Information

• Crystal Ball “Theory”– Business Intelligence Shows the Best Course to Take

Reasons for BI

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• Eliminate Guesswork

• Enhance Communication

• Respond to Changes:– Financial Conditions– Customer Preferences– Supply Chain Operations

Benefits of BI

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• Security – Access to Data

• Data Volume

• Data Retention

• Benchmark and Performance Targets

BI Technology Requirements

Key Issues -

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• Balanced Scorecard– Measures a Company’s Activities

• Visions• Strategies

• Competitive Analysis

• Performance Management

• Many, Many More…

BI Software Solutions

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Business Objects

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• Leading Implementation of BI– More Than 39,000 customers– 80 % of Fortune 500 companies

• 4,900 Employees Worldwide

Business Objects Overview

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• Three Main Aspects– Report Creation– Report Scheduling– Report Access

Business Objects Platform

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• User-Friendly Full Featured Application– Novice– Advanced

Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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• Two Levels of Variables– Universe

• Separate Application – Universe Designer• Insulates Users From Raw Data• Keeps Data Secure• Allows Multiple Users to Access the Same

Data in Different Reports• Stored Procedure

Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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– Report Level• User Can Apply Conditions on Universe Level Variables• Built-in Functions

– Sum– Average– Standard Deviation– Comparable to Microsoft Excel, More Graphical Options

Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

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Business Objects Platform – Report Creation

“Slice and Dice” Panel

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• Three Options– Universe

• Executes Stored SQL Queries to Import Data From DB2 Tables

– Excel Spreadsheets– Free-Hand SQL (FHSQL)

• Advanced Users Can Write Specialized SQL Queries To Access Data

• Data is Returned As A Variable

Business Objects Platform – Data Access

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• Countless Options– Charts– Graphs– Compound Conditions– Visual Basic Macros

Business Objects Platform – Data Manipulation

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Business Objects Platform – Data Manipulation

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• BO Broadcast Agent Console (BCA)– Server Application– Scheduler– Report Repository

Business Objects Platform – Report Automation

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• Scheduling Abilities– Intervals

• Monthly• Weekly• Daily

Business Objects Platform – Scheduler

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Business Objects Platform – Scheduler

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– File Watcher• Connects Old With the New!• Legacy Programs Executed on Mainframe

– Programs Manipulate Data in DB2 Tables» COBOL» SAS» JCL Utilities

– When Complete, These Applications Create a File that BCA “Sees” Triggers Report Creation

Business Objects Platform – Scheduler

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• Visual Basic Macro– BCA Supports Visual Basic for

Applications (VBA)– This allows to create PDF and Excel

versions of Business Objects Reports.• Reports Are Saved to Server so Users Can

Access at Anytime.

Business Objects Platform – Scheduler

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• Web Intelligence (WEBI)– Online Application

• Users Can Create and Send Reports to Other Users

• Reports Created by Scheduler Can Be Stored For Later Access

• Users Can View Scheduled Report Status

Business Objects Platform – Report Access

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• Java Web Applications– PDF and Excel?– Create ‘Front End’ All Users Can Use to

Access PDF and Excel Files Stored On Server and Display in Web Browser

Business Objects Platform – Report Access

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• Business Objects + Microsoft Office– Revolutionary!– BO Reports Can be Embedded In

PowerPoint, Excel and Word Documents– Real Time Access!– Available in Newest Version of BO –

Business Objects XI Release 2

Business Objects Platform – Report Access

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• Implement New Technologies while still interacting with old.– VERY IMPORTANT

• Older Technologies / Languages Such As Mainframe COBOL ARE Going to be Around.

– Too Expensive to Convert– Still Work!

• Must Find New Ways To Tie “Old with the New”

Future of Business Objects and BI

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Conclusion

• Business Intelligence – Quickly Growing Field– Job Opportunities

• Business and IT are No Longer Separate

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References

• www.successfactors.com

• www.wikipedia.org

• www.businessobjects.com