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Client for browsing cubes

  • May 5, 2004 at 7:22 am

    #179634

    Hi all,

    I'm wondering what would be the most popular tool for browsing AS cubes and also, if I were to use only Microsoft tools, what would be the easier to use from an end user perspective?

    Thanks in advance,

    Ignacio

  • May 6, 2004 at 2:01 am

    #505419

    Ignacio,

    There are many such tools out on the market. Microsoft push their own product called Data Analyser although this isn't a zero-footprint tool.

    Check out: MIS AG, ProClarity, Panorama....to name but a few!

     

    Regards,

    Jamie T

    Jamie Thomson
    http://sqlblog.com/blogs/jamie_thomson

  • May 6, 2004 at 3:55 am

    #505435

    Your question cannot really be answered at it is too vague. You need to decide what functionality you require, the possibility of expansion of datasources, output formats, report sharing, page v modular format issues etc.

    And of the course, the most important - COST.

    I regularly keep up to date with the market and have worked with all the big names. Below is a table that I put together for a recent client. Hopefully this will give you a start. Incidentally, my fav is definitely business objects.

    Sorry about the format of the table as displayed on this site. You may want to cut it out and realign it.

    PRODUCTEASE OF USEVISUALSOLAPWEB BASEDEMAILMULTI DATADRILL DOWN

    BUSINESS OBJECTS V5EASIESTOKYESNOYESYESYES

    BUSINESS OBJECTS V6QUITE EASYGOODYESONLYN/AYESYES

    CRYSTAL V9DIFFICULTGOODNEARNONONONO

    COGNOS REPORTNETAVERAGEBESTYESONLYN/AYESYES

    COGNOS POWERPLAYQUITE EASYGOODYESNOYESNOYES

    MICROSOFT REPORTING SERVICESDIFFICULTEXCELLENTYESYESYESNOPARTLY

    ------------------------------
    The Users are always right - when I'm not wrong!

  • May 6, 2004 at 6:29 am

    #505453

    I think the best thing is "Microsoft Office Web Components"

    you can use this component in Any Office product or in any programming langusge (like C#)

    see this 2 links

    http://www.sla.urc.ac.ru/edu/chMath/intro2003/interest/owc/owc.htm

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnacbk02/html/odc_4010c12.asp

    I hope this help u.


    Alamir Mohamed
    Alamir_mohamed@yahoo.com

  • May 6, 2004 at 7:03 am

    #505460

    We are using Excel for the most part. It gives you pretty much the same functionality as the cube browser in the Analysis Services interface. If your users already use Excel, it's pretty intuitive with a little lesson or two and doesn't cost you the $$ for 3rd party software assuming they already have Office.

    Overall...I agree with Alamir...if you already have an intranet allowing users access to reports, use the web component. Only a web browser is needed and the functionality is just as it is in Excel.

    My two cents anyway...

    Scott Montgomery

    smontgomery@scottrade.com

  • May 6, 2004 at 3:03 pm

    #505560

    Thanks for all the answers posted.  I was indeed looking for a few clues on what would be the best choice when analyzing / browsing a cube, and I think I got excellent ones.  Sure, a more concise specification would be better, but this is step 1, gathering opinions from your personal experiences.

    Thanks a lot!!

    Ignacio

  • May 9, 2004 at 2:26 am

    #505736

    here is another link for "Microsoft Office Web Components"

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/2/8/c28831e9-684e-4aab-9af3-f061bf68ad70/WebCmpnt.doc

    I hope it help u all


    Alamir Mohamed
    Alamir_mohamed@yahoo.com

  • May 11, 2004 at 1:42 am

    #505914

    I also recommend Owc, due to cost and simpleness of use. A thing that I found very interesting is the "Office Xp web component toolpack". It contains a lot of sample very useful: How to do "drill down", a little component for printing from explorer using the formatting of excel, the cell coloring, the use of personalized action on data... All ready to use! I think take advantage to give an eye. 

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=BEB5D477-2100-4586-A13C-50E56F101720&displaylang=en


    "...e il mio maestro mi insegnò com'è difficile trovare l'alba dentro l'imbrunire" F.Battiato - Prospettiva Nevsky

  • May 11, 2004 at 4:33 am

    #505939

    If you're interested in using Excel but feel a little limited by the current pivto tables, keep an eye (and ear) out for the new AddIN from MSft (named something like Business Acellerator for Olap for Excel).  What the guys have done in the Business productivity team is really quite good.  I'm not sure if you can get on the beta any longer, but from all accounts it's due for release releatively soon anyway.  In a sentences, it's a *lot* more flexable than the current pivot tables.

    Steve.

  • May 26, 2004 at 1:48 am

    #507805

    Hi Steve, what is the addin you mention ? Are you refer the Sql Accelerator (Retail Analitics and Sales & Marketing) or there are something more that I NEED TO KNOW ? Thank you in advance!

    Marco.


    "...e il mio maestro mi insegnò com'è difficile trovare l'alba dentro l'imbrunire" F.Battiato - Prospettiva Nevsky

  • May 26, 2004 at 5:09 am

    #507819

    Hi Marco,

    No, not refering to SSABI, there are a set of Acellerators released (and some still in beta) for Office.  Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/office/solutions/accelerators/default.mspx .  The Excel one isn't released yet but it is very close.

    Steve.

  • May 26, 2004 at 6:59 am

    #507837

    Proclarity is a pretty good tool for a reasonable cost.

  • May 31, 2004 at 10:23 am

    #508423

    Thank you very much Steve! As ever provide good idea and solutions! My compliments!

    Ciao,
    Marco.


    "...e il mio maestro mi insegnò com'è difficile trovare l'alba dentro l'imbrunire" F.Battiato - Prospettiva Nevsky

  • May 31, 2004 at 4:39 pm

    #508437

    Hi Marco,

    Tomorrow (2/06) is a good day to hit the Scorecarding URL, it's the official release date (unless they've changed it and not told everyone!)  

    Cheers,

    Steve

     

    Steve.

  • June 4, 2004 at 6:37 am

    #508999

    try Targit!

    http://www.targit.com

     

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