Analyzer is
a Macrosoft application designed to provide decision support
features to our clients and allow the user to view and
profile their data in different ways. Analyzer is a decision
support platform designed to connect to any database and
present the information based on the dimensions and metrics
available in the database. It is most useful when used
to view the information in a data warehouse.
Analyzer is easy to configure and can be connected
to any database with very little effort. Analyzer user-interface
is web based and follows point and click, and drag and
drop methods. Analyzer is designed as a 3-tier application
in which the middleware acts as the data broker between
the database and the user-interface. This architecture
allows the user-interface to be independent of the database
it is connecting to present the information. The middleware
can be configured to connect and extract information from
a database and create a hyper-cube, which the user can
access through the Analyzer user-interface. The middleware
can be configured to create multiple hyper-cubes each
from different database. Middleware configuration includes
definition and driver to connect to a specific database
and the information on the tables and columns in the database
that could be used to create the Metrics, Dimensions and
Filters for the Hyper Cube.
 |
Architecture
Analyzer has 3-tier architecture with
database as the backend, middleware which acts as the
data broker, and user-interface as the front-end. The
backend could be any database platform or a flat file.
The Middleware connects to the database using the platform
specific drivers.
The Middleware also needs information on the configuration
of the database, i.e. how the database is organized such
table names, column names, data types etc. Middleware
configuration includes definition of Columns in the database,
which will be used as Metrics, Dimensions and Filters
in the Hyper-Cube. Once all this information is provided
to the Middleware, then it can be configured to create
a Hyper-cube, which is a rolled up view of a subset of
dimensions and metrics available in the database. Once
a Hyper-Cube is formed, then the user-interface can be
used to slice and dice the information in it to help the
user look at it in different ways. Middleware can be configured
to create multiple Hyper-Cube, where each Hyper-Cube could
be created using information from a different database.
Maximum number of dimensions that can be used to create
a Hyper-Cube is 16.
Both Middleware and user-interface of Analyzer is developed
as ActiveX component, which can be incorporated into other
client/server or web applications very easily. Most Windows
based application development platforms allow use of components
in applications.
Analyzer enables users to explore
large volumes of summarized data with sub-second response
times in a Web, Windows, or Excel environment. With Macrosoft's
Analyzer, users at any business or technical skill level
in a company can perform their own multidimensional analysis,
create reports, and share them for better decision-making.
Macrosoft's Analyzer draws information from relational
databases to model and build PowerCubes ("Cubes").
Cubes are data sets that can contain over a billion rows
of data and 2 million categories (members). Business rules
and calculations (for example, percentage growth and market
share change) can be built right into them, and time series
analysis is delivered automatically. Cubes and reports
can be deployed to Web clients, or to Windows and Excel
clients, all using the same application server.
Macrosoft's Analyzer provides both a multidimensional
data store and a feature rich end-user experience. Its
multi-server, load-balanced architecture is easy to install
and manage, and it scales to thousands of users.
|
Built for Deployment
Deploy Business Intelligence across your
organization, and outwards to extranets for customers, suppliers,
and partners.
Zero Footprint, HTML-Based Client
The Analyzer Web client is simply a Web
browser. Published PowerCubes and reports are accessible to
anyone with a Version 4 or higher Web browser. The Zero-footprint
client extends Analyzer's reach across the enterprise, and
via extranets to customers, suppliers, and partners who do
not have to worry about deploying or managing plug-ins or
Java applets.
Open Portal
Administrators and users can publish Analyzer
reports to Upfront, the Macrosoft's BI portal. Upfront's open
XML API and customizable User Interface templates enable the
integration of Macrosoft's Business Intelligence into existing
applications.
Browser and Platform Independence
Any user running version 4 or later browser
use Analyzer Web, and the server is supported on Microsoft
Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, SUN Solaris, HP/UX,
and IBM AIX platforms.
Firewall Compatible
Analyzer's multi-tier architecture, coupled with its use of
pure HTML for Web clients, allows reporting applications that
can tunnel through corporate firewalls without compromising
security.
Network Efficiency
Data is processed and summarized in the application layer
by the Analyzer Enterprise Server-only summarized results
are returned. As a result, the volume of information sent
to the user is substantially reduced, preserving bandwidth
and optimizing network performance. Users quickly identify
where to focus their attention by starting with the highest-level
information, and then perform trend and top-down analyses
while minimizing the number of queries and data mart accesses.
Minimal Training
Because Analyzer Web uses the standard Web browser interface
and its functionality is aimed at the knowledge worker/information
consumer, the product is easy to learn and to use. It does
not require a three-day training course to use.
Enterprise Scalability
Analyzer builds PowerCubes quickly, in
a highly compressed format, with large volumes of data-create
cubes ranging in size from very small to cubes based on over
1 billion input records. In terms of categories (members),
the range is equally wide, with tens of thousands of categories
in small cubes, and large cubes containing 2 million categories.
Users can drill from cube to cube to access the full range
of enterprise data.
Analyzer's multi-tier architecture scales to thousands of
users, automatically load-balancing incoming requests across
multiple servers and processors. If any server fails, incoming
requests are sent to other servers on the system. Additionally,
cached query results reduce the time users spend waiting for
results.
Enterprise Security
Analyzer fully supports Secured Sockets
(SSL), ensuring that data sent over the Web is secured. Additionally,
administrators can control user access both within PowerCubes
and the portal environment by defining User Classes. User
class definitions are stored in an LDAP-based central security
component that provides common security administration and
integration with existing security.
Analyzer's use of HTML only allows the Analyzer server to
function in a firewall environment. This extends the deployment
of applications to external customers, suppliers, and partners.
Effortless Data Exploration
Analyze what's driving your business multi-dimensionally-using
intuitive information groupings and categories.
Analyzer data is organized under logical "dimensional"
headings such as fiscal periods, sales regions, and product
groups-whatever makes the most sense in your business
context. Explore the dimensions that are key to your business
success by pointing, clicking, and dragging the information
in dynamic, interactive reports.
Three simple but powerful
capabilities allow users to analyze business data from
any point of view:
-
Drill down. Gain
fast answers to critical business questions by easily
moving from one level of information to the next.
-
Slice-and-dice.
Interactively explore corporate data in any combination,
from every conceivable angle.
-
Graphical analysis.
Choose from a wide range of graphical displays to explore
the key factors driving the business.
In addition to these basic features,
Analyzer offers the broadest range of features for data
exploration, including: Ranking and Sorting: Quickly rank
or sort data to determine your top-to-bottom, best-to-worst
performers.
For more information
please contact:
John Kullmann
jkullmann@macrosoftinc.com
Phone: 973-889-0500 x272
|
