“apps are in … data’s in … now how do i get the info out!”
DESCRIPTION
“Apps Are In … Data’s In … Now How Do I Get The Info Out!”. Russ Proudman ARIS Software, Inc. 425.372.2747 www.noetix.com. Agenda. 1. Reporting Challenges 2. Difficulties Caused by Database Complexity 3. Top 10 List of Key Elements for Successful Reporting 4. Demonstration - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
“Apps Are In … Data’s In … Now How Do I Get The Info Out!”
Russ ProudmanARIS Software,
Inc.425.372.2747www.noetix.com
Agenda
1. Reporting Challenges2. Difficulties Caused by Database Complexity3. Top 10 List of Key Elements for Successful
Reporting
4. Demonstration5. Q & A
Reporting Challenges
Section 1
What Experts Have Observed
“The typical Fortune 1000 company has a big problem: it collects a lot of important business data that never gets used.”
“Users who could take data and turn it into a competitive advantage can’t get the level of access they need.”
What Do the Experts Predict
“Instead of a small number of analysts spending 100 percent of their time analyzing data…
All managers and professionals will spend 10 percent of their time analyzing the data themselves using Analytical Processing Systems.”
Huh? Wha?
Running Your Business “I want to see the top 10 vendors in dollar volume over the last year.”
“Which invoices were charged to my department this month?”
“What is the backlog for item 1265?”
“What is the salary history for employees in my department?”
Standard Oracle
Reports
How Do You Get The Data Out?
Have the Information
ServicesGroup Do It
Do It Yourself
Not Available! Too Late! Too Hard!
“You don’t have the information you need to make informed business decisions.”
Querying Oracle Apps using SQL
End User Query Tools - Example
End User Query Tools
• Oracle Discoverer 3.1
• Cognos Impromptu• Business Objects• Brio Query• Crystal Reports• InfoMaker• etc.
“All I need is an End User Query Tool…”
Database Complexity
Section 2
Advantage Problem?Feature?
RelationalDatabase
Desc. Flexfields/Quick Picks
ComprehensiveSuite of Apps
Great for OLTPFlexibility
200-300 tables of information per average App
Need to create complex joins to get to meaningful data
Customize Apps for your business
Hard to get at and identify customized data elements
Integrated BusinessFunctions
Oracle Apps Structure is Complex
Performance Oracle is a good performing database
Statements must be tuned to perform
Key Flexfields Identify key elements in your business
Hard to identify what segments stand for
Top 10 Elements for Successful
Reporting
Section 3
#10. Open Systems - don’t limit your optionsproprietary systems means you’re on a query tool’s upgrade path, method, etc.
#9. Automatic Setup - not trading one task for anothercontinual administering / managing query tool is not productive
#8. Handle Environment Changes - seamless regenerationif your Oracle environment changes (ie: new SoBs, Op. Unit, Inv/Mfg. Org., etc.) then must be able to regenerate whatever’s required for query tool to keep working
#7. Performance Optimization - stop unnecessary waitingtuned queries can be vastly faster than unoptimized ones
#6. Organize Information by Functional Areausers productivity is much higher when info broken down by their job responsibility
#5. Index Column Identification - creates fast queriesFull table (multi-table) scans are agonizingly slow while indexes are faster (book)
#4. KFF / DFF / LOV Decoding - much easier for userOracle Apps save data as segments(kff), attributes(dff), numbers(lov)Decoding data for user recognition is much easer for reporting / querying
#3. On-Line Directory to InformationHaving full help with all objects, definitions, hints, examples, searches means end users will produce reports / queries much faster.
#2. Complexity Completely Hidden - user not confusedIf it’s difficult for the end user, they won’t use it!
#1. Buffer Needed for Oracle Upgrades / PatchesAs Oracle releases patches / upgrades “they’ll get ‘ya”It’s not a matter of if … it’s a matter of when!
Solution to Database Complexity
You can create a business layer in the database using Views
• It’s an Open Solution (use any query/reporting tool/SQL, etc.)• Views have the “look & feel” of tables (rows & columns)• Allow for a more complex representation of data than a table• View complexity can be hidden from users (multi-table joins)• Views can be tuned & optimized• Fields in views can identify Oracle Applications index columns• Fields in views can decode KFF / DFF / LOVs
Oracle Applications Data Base
QueryTools
Crystal ReportsMS Access, Excel
SQL*PlusO Reports
ODBC, Java, XML
Query &Analysis
Oracle DiscovererBusiness Objects
Cognos ImpromptuBrio Query
Andyne/GQL
OLAPClients, Servers
Oracle ExpressArbor Essbase
Cognos PowerplayOracle ROLAP
etc.
Views
Metadata Layer Metadata Layer
Overview of Views
Complex Joins Can Be Done in Views
Oracle Tables
PO_Lines
ViewsPO_HEADERS PO_LINE_TYPES
MTL_ITEMS
PO_LINES
MTL_ITEM_CATEGORIES
AP_TERMS PO_UN_NUMBERS
Customize Views to reflect your configuration
DepartmentManufacturer_NameSegment12Attribute4
Oracle Tables Views
APPROVAL_CODE MAKE_BUY_CODE1 12 13 2
APPROVAL_CODE MAKE_BUY_CODERejected MakeApproved MakePosted Buy
Flexfields
Quick Picks
Demonstration
Section 4
1. Noetix Help File2. Oracle Discoverer w/ NoetixViews
We have a solution … NoetixViews
Questions& Answers
Section 5