The most common reporting tools used in Oracle Applications

• Oracle Reports: Fixed format reports delivered with the 11i release were built on this tool. This is the most used tool for reporting on Oracle Applications. Most of reports customizations are built with this tool. Once customized the output of the report can be in Excel (Not group By Report), word, Acrobat documents or text format.

• Oracle Discoverer: is an intuitive tool for creating reports and performing on-line analysis. Discoverer uses the EUL (End User Layer), a meta data definition, which hides the complexity of the database from the end user and provides easy to use wizards for creating reports to suit individual needs. The flexibility of this tool allows the user to create cross tab reports that perform like pivot tables in Excel.

• Oracle XML Publisher: is a new Oracle tool for reporting. It enables users to utilize a familiar desktop tool, like MS Word or MS Excel, to create and maintain their own report. At runtime, XML Publisher merges the custom templates with the concurrent request extracts data to generate output in RTF, PDF, HTML and EXCEL.

• RXi Report: (Variable reports) – variable format reports delivered with the E-Business 11i. With this tool a user has the ability to print the same report with multiple layouts. The user can also choose which columns he requires on a particular report. This tool is most used on Oracle Financials Applications

• FSG Reports (Financial Statement Generator): is a powerful report building tool for Oracle General Ledger. Some of benefits of using this tool are that a user can generate financial reports, and schedule reports to run automatically. The only drawback of this tool is that it is only available for the general ledger responsibility and can be used to see only financial account balances.

• Business Intelligence System (BI): is a set of tools to provide high level information for the managers (decision makers) to run their business such as the profitability of a particular business unit. The information this tool provides helps managers to take the right decision with the daily data that is uploaded on their systems.

Oracle Data Visualization Desktop (DVD)

Oracle Data Visualization Desktop (DVD) has been released and now all the BI Bloggers including myself who did not get a beta copy are scrambling to review and post their thoughts.

The functionality of Data Visualization is not new the Business Analytic tools offered by Oracle.  OBIEE 12c and BI Cloud Services (BICS) have Visual Analyzer Projects and then there is Data Visualization Cloud Service (DVCS).  But Data Visualization Desktop (DVD) is Oracle's truly first direct to any data source desktop tool since the days of Interactive Reporting.

Now full disclosure, I am a true fan of Interactive Reporting.  I cut my business intelligence teeth on Brio 6.0 back almost 18 years ago.  I really like Interactive Reporting.  It provided direct access to almost any database via ODBC and could import local data files.  You had graphical data modeling, query and analysis and dashboards along with paginated reporting. All in All it was and I argue still is a great tool.  

But in the age of acquisitions Oracle made a decision to take its acquisition of Siebel Analytics and make it the new face of Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition. Unfortunately, Interactive Reporting which came along a few months later with the acquisition of Hyperion became the "Redheaded Stepchild" and was relegated to "Not a Strategic Product" along with SQR and Web Analysis.

Alright…enough of nostalgia lane!

The Desktop install comes with two sample datasets and sample Visual Analyzer Project to showcase some of the features and capabilities.

The part the interested me the most was direct to data access.

The Data Sources panel provides access to existing Data Sources, capabilities to create new data sources and manage connections.

Clicking Create New Data Source brings up the following dialog.

From a File is self explanatory and nice way to include non-curated data in an analysis.  

From Oracle Applications is interesting, if you read the print below the option you see 

 "Select an Analysis containing the data you want to visualize."

 
 Looking at this Option I see that I can connect to an existing OBIEE instance.

 

After setting connection information and Signing in I see the OBIEE catalog I have access to

 

 
Navigating to an analysis

 
Reviewing and retrieving the data from the analysis

 

 My analysis is now a data source that can be used

 
My Data Source in a Visual Analyzer Project

 

The option to create data source from Database provides access to a large number of databases

 

Connecting to the database I can see the tables

 



Selected table is displayed and the columns can be inspected.

 

The data source is imported into DVD and is available for building a VA Project.

 

To add more data sources you can add in the Data Sources interface or you can add within the Visual Analyzer Project.

 

Adding requires you to go through the steps of creating a data source, picking a data source type and if the database already has connection then selecting the table. 

 

When the data source is added from within VA Project a wizard drives how that table will be used - Extend a Fact or Extend a Dimension.  If Extend a Dimension then the matching column is established.

 

Looking at the Source Diagram the relationship link is displayed.

 

 

Dimensions can be extended as well.

 

And when additional supporting dimensions are added and a complete model is built for the project the relationships of the data sources is more evident.

 

Now the diagram may be a bit confusing with some thinking that there are joins between all the tables but if you look closely you see the darker lines with numeric value showing actual joins.

 

 

So, my first impressions are that it is an easy tool to navigate and get into data analysis rather quickly.  I like that I can create multiple data sources from many different sources and add them into a VA Project.

 

I would like to see the ability to add more than one data source at a time. 

 

There will be many more blog posts by others in the weeks to follow and I look forward to their impressions.

 

 

Oracle Demo Environment Instant Access

Oracle Demo Environment Instant Access

Oracle Business Intelligence

Open the URL below in your browser and log in with the credentials provided to access a fully functional OBIEE environment (aka Sample App V 309 which is based on release 11.1.1.7.1 and includes the new Mobile App Designer).

http://slc02okm.oracle.com:7780/analytics

User: Prodney

Password: Admin123

BI Mobile Application Designer (BIMAD)

Oracle provides instant access to demo applications created with BIMAD, so you can enjoy them directly on your mobile device.

Simply use a QR Reader to scan the QR code below on your mobile device to navigate to the login page or use the URL below.

http://aosdemeamt05.oracle.com:7777/mobile/appstore/#store-page

User: bimad_user

Password: welcome1

Alternative URL: http://slc02okx.oracle.com:7780/mobile/appstore

(Thanks to Christian for this update)

There is also a document available with detailed instructions.

BI Mobile HD

For iPad users, Oracle provides the BI Mobile HD app which can be connected to a demo environment as described in this document.

BI Mobile HD app on the iPad

Endeca

As announced on the BI & EPM blog, the latest release of Endeca - 3.1 - can be evaluated in a live demo environment as well, using the following URL and credentials.

http://slc02oku.oracle.com:7101/eid/webUser: publicuser@oracle.com

Password: Admin123

Endeca Information Discovery 3.1 Demo

SMART VIEW SUPPORT MATRIX AND COMPATIBILITY

1. What is the current version of Smart View?

Current version of Smart View is 11.1.2.5.510, released in October 2015.

2. In the release compatibility tab of the support matrix, what does Smart View 11.1.2.5+ mean?

It means Smart View 11.1.2.5.000 and higher.  Any release of Smart View 11.1.2.5.000 or higher is supported with the data source provider mentioned in the release compatibility matrix.  The latest release on the code line is recommended for customers.

3. Does the latest version of Smart View support 11.1.1.x releases of EPM suite (Planning, HFM, etc.)?

Smart View releases beginning with 11.1.2.5.000 support EPM 11.1.1.4.x.  Earlier versions of EPM are not supported.  Customers need to upgrade to a higher version of EPM suite, preferably 11.1.2.3.500, the latest.

4. Does Smart View support Internet Explorer 10?

Smart View 11.1.2.5.000 (and higher) supports IE10, as long as the underlying product or provider supports IE10.  For example, HFM 11.1.2.3.500 supports IE10 so Smart View supports IE10 in that context.  For older versions of HFM, IE10 support is not certified.

5. Does Smart View support Internet Explorer 11 against HFM?

IE11 is currently certified only with products in EPM System 11.1.2.4. In this release of EPM System you must use Smart View 11.1.2.5.400.

There is a limited support for IE11 with EPM 11.1.2.2.500 and 11.1.2.3.500.

6. Does Smart View Support Office 2013?

Yes.  Smart View Release 11.1.2.5.000 onwards supports Office 2013.

7. Does Smart View support Office 365?

Smart View is ONLY supported for Desktop versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook included in any Office 365 plan and which are locally installed on any supported Windows Operating System.

Office 365 is a subscription-based online office and software-plus-services suite which offers access to various services and software built around the Microsoft Office platform.  Other services include Lync web conferencing, Exchange online, Sharepoint, SkyDrive and Skype.  The licensing determines what component or service is included as part of a bundle.

Microsoft Office Web Apps are a part of most Office 365 plans. Office Web Apps allow users to open Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, among others, using a web browser.  However Office 365 on the web is intended for reading (full fidelity) and limited editing.  Office Web Apps do not have extensibility (add-in) model and there are no plans for one. Smart View is NOT supported for Office Web Apps which are part of Office 365.

Office 365 was made available in 2011 when Microsoft Office 2010 was the latest Office Suite.  Smart View supports Microsoft Office 2010.  Microsoft Office 2013 is supported starting with Smart View Release 11.1.2.5.000.

8. Which versions of Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) does Smart View support?

8. Which versions of Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) does Smart View support?

	COMPATIBLE OBIEE SERVER RELEASE
SMART VIEW RELEASE	11.1.1.7.0	11.1.1.7.1 (NO PATCH)	11.1.1.7.10 (FA-REL8)	11.1.1.7.140527	11.1.1.7.150120	11.1.1.9.0
11.1.2.2.310	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
11.1.2.3.000	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
11.1.2.3.000 PSE_16909989	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
11.1.2.5.000	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
11.1.2.5.200	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
11.1.2.5.210	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
11.1.2.5.215	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
11.1.2.5.400	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
11.1.2.5.410	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
11.1.2.5.500	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
11.1.2.5.510	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

 9. Does Smart View Support Google Docs?

Smart View is a COM add-in for MS Office Suite of products and as such, cannot not have any integration, with Google docs.  Google Docs (includes Docs, Sheets, and Slides) is a free, web-based office suite offered by Google within its Google Drive service.

In order to provide functionality similar to Smart View a new application will have to be created possibly using Google Apps Script.  Google Apps Script is a JavaScript cloud scripting language that provides easy ways to automate tasks across Google products and third party services and build web applications.

It is to be noted that Google docs does have limitations such as:

• Sheets – 200 sheets per workbook, with 400,000 cells in all
• Docs – 1,024,000 characters, regardless of the number of pages or font size
• Slides – Presentations created in Google Slides can be up to 50 MB – about 200 slides.

These are practical limitations for Smart View users who have a large number of cells in a typical workbook.  In some cases the number of sheets in a workbook does exceed 200 or documents can have more than 1,024,000 characters in a document, which is not allowed in Google Sheets and Google Docs respectively.

Once these limitations are addressed and if Google Apps Script (or newer technology) is able to provide the same rich functionality that COM add-ins such as Smart View provide, Oracle will re-visit this topic for consideration.