Welcome to the Data Visualisation & Reporting Stream
November, 2013 Birmingham Creating a Pervasive BI Platform with SAP BusinessObjects Speaker: Kevin McManus Founder, LaunchWorks
Learning Points By consolidating reporting technology across applications a larger ROI can be achieved By combining the benefits of a BICC, Data Warehousing, BI Platform and Adhoc Query to Create a Common platform and standards for the creation and maintenance of reporting features that can be used across multiple applications that need reporting Create value added ways for users to access, analyze, and interact with data using web based tools
Introduction 19+ Years delivering BI solutions Founder of LaunchWorks SDK Solution provider ASUG Central Texas SAP User Group BI Chair ASUG Strategic SIG Chair Roadmaps and Production Direction Biroadmaps.com 4
Learning Points You have a powerful reporting platform for creating reporting services that other web and mobile applications can tap into. Many Fortune 500 companies are using the technique of an Pervasive BI to integrate SAP BusinessObjects WebI and SAP Crystal Reports directly into the applications that end users need to report on. The flexibility of the universe and reports to connect to so many data sources make SAP BusinessObjects an excellent choice for connecting users to their data, no matter which application they are using. 5
Return on Investment Maintain a cohesive strategy by establishing guidelines, standards and governance around tool selection Reduce redundant effort/costs with new projects by using a centralized set of technology and services Reduce redundant effort/costs with new projects Reduce training costs with consistent User Interfaces 6
Architecture Common Portal ERP SFA HR / PM Ordering EIS Pervasive BI Application BI Platform Semantic Layer ODBC XML RDBM S Cubes DW Stored Procs 7
The Data Warehouse Institute (TDWI) BI Maturity Model Where are we? Most organization s IT have grown beyond running the company on spreadsheets. The next challenge is moving the current BI strategy into an Adult level Enterprise Data Warehouse and Sage Level BI/Reporting Services. 8
Definition of Terms BI Platform A platform supporting a layer of business logic on top of one or more databases used for creation, organization and sharing of canned reports, adhoc reporting & dashboards Reporting Tool An application supporting reporting functionality that is integrated into other applications to support the needs of that application s unique requirements around operational and management reports 9
Definition of Terms Adhoc Reporting Creation of new reports and queries where the tool, taking instructions from the user, writes the query based on rules captured in the semantic layer How the query needs to join between tables, and which calculations to use in a formula, are designed into the semantic layer before reports are created For example, the user is given control over the following features: Data Content, Report Layout, Query Filters, Prompts Adhoc Query Creation of new results where the tool connects the user to the data source and allows the user to write the query from scratch How the query needs to join between tables, and which calculations to use in a formula, are written by the user The user is given control over the following features Tables, Joins, Database Columns, Query Filters 10
Enterprise Reporting BUS An enterprise reporting bus (ERB) is a reporting software architecture model used for designing and implementing the interaction and communication between software applications and reporting functionality. Enterprise Reporting Portal Also known as an enterprise information portal (EIP) or corporate portal, is a framework for integrating information, people and processes across organizational boundaries. 11
Business Intelligence Competency Center (BICC) A Business Intelligence Competency Center (BICC) is a cross-functional organizational team that has defined tasks, roles, responsibilities and processes for supporting and promoting the effective use of Business Intelligence (BI) across an organization 12
Gartner BI Maturity Model Source: Gartner (2008) Are we here yet? 13
Examples 14
Examples
Best Practices Shared Authorization Layer Database, Active Directory, LDAP, SSO Standardized User Interface Report Lists, Report Menus, Integrated report calls, Scheduling Standardized User Interaction Elements Prompts, Parameters, Context Report Execution Initially Crystal Reports Future Potential Web Intelligence, Dashboards, Analysis, etc Output Interactive Viewer, Email, Distribution, Export (PDF, XLS, CSV), Alerts Authenticate & Authorize User Report List / Menu Prompts & Parameters Report Execution Report Output Interaction
Demo Demo 17
Top 10 Features a Reporting Bus needs.. that BOE has Your BI Platform already provides 1) SSO Authentication with AD and LDAP and SAP 2) Auditing 3) Report and Folder Security 4) Dynamic List of Values 5) Hierarchical and Cascading prompt support 6) Interactive Viewer that takes the query output and provides + Grid View + Graph View + Column and sort control + User level Filters 18
Top 10 Features a Reporting Bus needs..that BOE has With an SDK based solution 7) Single click links to view / Print / Export reports and access instances 8) Ability to access and embed report parts + For embedding into screens 9) User Controlled Prompt Sets + Gives ability to Save, Retrieve and Share combinations of filter selections 10) Subscriptions to bursting publications 19
Needs of an Adhoc Query User Data Availability Joining Data Sources Local Data Sources Ability to publish / share in an editable format including viewing SQL and formulas 20
Adhoc Query Feedback Loop 1) Adhoc Need Identified 2) Source Identified 8) Training and Education on availability and use 3) Attributes Defined 7) EDW dimension attributes expanded 4) Query / Business Rule Developed 5) Adhoc Need Met 6) Results Published and Reviewed 21
Best Practices State of Current Report Tools Recommend technological changes Report Types and Usage Functionality integrated into Applications Recommend process changes including governance Assess Strategize Timeliness of reports Establish guidelines for tool selection and usage Processes of report creation Skills being used for reporting Present future state benefits Formulate plan for reaching future state Plan Include applications, technology, and process components Prepare communication of results of assessment to key stakeholders Implement Assist with implementation of recommendations as needed 22
Summary Adhoc Query BI Portal Enterprise Reporting Bus Enterprise Data Warehouse 23
Get on the Bus 1) Establish a Business Intelligence Competency Center (BICC) that oversees the tool selection, design, and governance during delivery of new reporting projects 2) Support an Enterprise Data Warehouse - accessed primarily by Web Intelligence for adhoc reporting - compliment with multi-source joining of data, dashboards and mobile - enable evaluation of OLAP tool consolidation later 3) Establish and analyze reporting requirements through a standard set of tool selection criteria. - Web Intelligence will access data in the Enterprise Data Warehouse for adhoc reporting. 24
Thank you Embedded BI Strategies and solutions Customer Facing Portals Embedded BI Mobile and Digital Form solutions Twitter: @launchworks Email: answers@launchworks.com Web: www.launchworks.com 877-857-7407 25