Easier Database Connecting + Easier Report Building = The Amazing AnyDB Excel/CSV Data Upload Feature in the Yurbi 9 Q1 2012 Release
With Yurbi, we continually strive to make and keep our customers excited about how Yurbi makes connecting from any database, and report building for anyone on their team, easy. Using Yurbi Mathematics, we add: “making connecting to any database easy” to “making report building for anyone on the team easy” and it equals the amazing AnyDB App and Excel/CSV Upload Feature (sure, I’m biased because I was the developer of this feature) . With this feature, we’ve combined the best of your spreadsheet data with the best of our BI tool, to create a quick and easy way for you to make better business decisions.
Yurbi’s AnyDB Technology already gives you the ability to create Yurbi Apps that can connect to any database, or really, any data source. In our Yurbi 9 Q4 2011 release, we upgraded Yurbi’s AnyDB Technology, by adding a feature that allowed data uploads from Excel/CSV-type files. With the Yurbi 9 Q1 2012 Release, we expanded the use of the AnyDB Technology’s Excel/CSV upload capabilities by adding a feature that automatically generates a Yurbi reporting App.
With this amazing feature, you, as the administrator, can maintain full visibility and complete control of the Yurbi App. You can maintain version control with your team when sharing reports. You can limit data access to team members. You can know how team members manipulate the data with Yurbi’s auditing and logging capabilities. Now, we have gone one step further with this new feature and have given you the ability to update/refresh the raw data as needed. Again, we worked to combine the best of your spreadsheet data with the best of our BI tool.
How does this amazing feature work? Well, when you generate an AnyDB App via the Excel/CSV method, the data in the Excel/CSV file is used to generate a SQL table in the Yurbi database. The amazing part is that NO database knowledge is required…it’s automatically generated with a logical report field tree, and instantly ready-to-use!
It is also amazingly easy to overwrite existing data and add/append new data (including columns) in your Excel/CSV file using the existing AnyDB App. How does it do that? Well, just select the “overwrite” checkbox in the “Excel/CSV Data Loader” field and the existing data is deleted and the new data in the Excel/CSV file is uploaded. But what if my file contains only new data? No problem, just deselect the “overwrite” checkbox and the new data in the Excel/CSV file will be uploaded preserving the existing data. This is amazing because your existing AnyDB App is maintained. Thus, all your report definitions will still work!
Here is a screen shot of the interface that handles the Excel/CSV file upload:
Now that I’ve explained how this amazing feature works in our Yurbi 9 Q1 2012 release, I want you to test my Yurbi Mathematics theory for yourself. When you download Yurbi Community and use the Excel/CSV data upload feature, let me know if, “making connecting to any database easy” plus “making report building for anyone on the team easy,” equals the amazing AnyDB App and Excel/CSV Upload Feature.
If my Yurbi Mathematics theory does not hold true for you, open a support ticket at http://support.yurbi.com or post your issue on our Yurbi Community http://community.yurbi.com/yurbi site and I’ll respond.
Update: To learn more about how useful this feature can be in your environment, check out this whitepaper – “Controlling Your Spreadsheets: The Good, The Bad, and The Solution!”
In my role as the client success manager, I’ve been working with our Yurbi clients so they can optimize Yurbi, thus optimize the data in their databases. One key way to do this is by gaining a 3600 view of your data and utilizing SQL views in the database environment. For the non-SQL folks, an SQL view (called simply “view”) is a virtual table that can be created on a SQL database to perform various design functions. I’d like to think of a view as a predefined query, that when called upon, can return very precise and specific data that might not be available otherwise. The screenshot below shows an example of a SQL view definition and as you can see it’s a little technical so this most likely is something your database administrator will be responsible for.
Why use views? Well, there are many benefits including: 1) having the ability to purge complexity and simplify query statements; 2) relieving the load on the database; and 3) especially leveraging virtual custom tables without impacting the design of the actual database tables on the backend.
Although views are generally helpful in designing custom views of most databases, they are especially helpful to us because Yurbi is a dynamic environment to begin with, but it is also very compatible with custom view statements.
Think about one of the main ideas behind Yurbi – live data. We can run the same report against a database all day long, and that data will change throughout the day. We might have an interest to report off of the lifespan of a ticket to find out: 1) how long the ticket was in a particular status before it was transferred and 2) who transferred it. Basic ideas like this can grow and evolve into very formal approaches to business intelligence and with Yurbi you can do this by using ‘SQL CREATE VIEW’ statements.
Querying Against the Data Source: An Example in Yurbi
To run a query regarding the lifespan of a ticket, for example, against the data source you will:
Create the “view” table
Create functions
Identify tickets
Evaluate if the ticket was opened in a specific timeframe
Calculate the open data against the present time using a mathematical function to
Create custom fields
Open Yurbi and import the custom table and fields
Start building reports to analyze historic data against tickets
Yurbi treats the “view” table that you created above just like it would any other table in your database. The screenshot below show a view table that you can select in the Yurbi App Builder interface integrated with all the other tables from the database.
By using SQL views in Yurbi, you can see your data with a 3600 vantage point. Maintaining your data integrity, while building the custom reports you need, are important aspects to business intelligence. Let Yurbi help you achieve your goals no matter the requirement.
There are a lot of different things involved in implementing BI software into your business. Of course, taking the time to test drive BI software is going to make all the difference in the long run. There are a lot of ways that you can utilize this software but it is going to be up to you to make sure that you put things to work properly. You have to look at all of the features offered, the different tools that you’re getting, and how they can be used in your business. Take the time to put this software to work in actual situations to see just what it can do. Then, you’ll be able to get more out of your purchase in the long run.
Of course, if you test drive BI software that’s free, you’ll even get to avoid the purchasing part. There are programs out there that don’t cost a thing and will still provide you with a wide selection of different tools and features that you can benefit from. Check these out if you want to get even more from your BI solutions. When you’re test driving these products, just remember to give it your all and put your business’s needs first so that you can get the best solutions in the end.
The way that you get information directly affects the way that you use it or learn the things that you need to know. With so much out there to choose from in the world of business intelligence, you’ve got to put your business needs first. Look for simple, affordable information delivery systems that are focused on making things easier for your business. It’s really that simple. You can test drive BI software to see what your options are like. Don’t rule out free programs because free BI software is out there that can be effective. If you want better solutions, they’re waiting for you. Just get out there and get more from your information delivery and reporting tools, no matter what it takes.
Free KPI BI software is a great option for your business. Of course, it isn’t the only option that you have. It’s going to be up to you to make sure that you don’t just get something for nothing. You have to make sure that the ‘something’ has substance that you can depend on. It’s really all about taking the time to figure out what you’re working with. Give yourself the chance to explore all of the different products that are out there so that you can get the right ones for the job every single time. With so much to choose from, this can seem like it’s easier said than done. However, it’s actually a simple task.
Look for tools that have all the features that you need. Find programs that are rich in elements and reporting tools that will give you the upper hand in knowing what’s going on behind the scenes. Make sure that you take the time to learn about each platform and what it offers, as well as what you’re missing out on. If you’re looking for quality, features, and tools, you will have no trouble picking out the perfect free KPI BI software, instead of just taking what you can get.
When you’re trying to measure analytics and handle reporting, there are a lot of different options that you have. The best way to choose is to test drive BI software and see what it can do for you before you commit. It’s like trying on clothes, but for your business intelligence. You can see exactly what a program offers and how it can help you in the ways that you need, no matter what you have in mind.
All that you have to do is find BI software that gives you the option to try it out, and go for it. Make sure that you look at features and reputation so that you’re not wasting your time on products that don’t work, of course. In no time, you’ll know exactly what BI software is best because you’ve tried it for yourself.
As a former administrator, I’ve been thinking of countless ways to make Yurbi “administrator-friendly”. One way is to put the task of password management into the end-user’s hands. With Yurbi 9.12 Q1 release, our development team has made an “administrator-friendly” enhancement with the addition of user based password management.
Now, making “administrator-friendly” enhancements to Yurbi is not new. Back in Yurbi 9.6 release, we added the ability for end-users to set preferences for defaulting dashboard and help features. With this enhancement we empower the end-users to manage their account passwords, email address and report schedules. This removes these tasks off of my… opps, I mean, the BI administrator’s already long list.
How does this work? Well, the password management function is only enabled when using Yurbi’s PIN based password management. Yurbi’s built-in PIN based security is perfect for organizations that want to extend data access to contractors, vendors, and customers.
Using Windows security for logging into Yurbi? Then the ability for a user to change their PIN will not be shown. In a Windows Active Directory security scenario, users can manage their passwords the same way they do for their desktop login.
For a user to access their preferences they click on the cog wheel in the upper right corner next to their login name.
Here is the password security view:
For security reasons the user must first enter their current password in the first box, then enter their new password in the New and Confirm text boxes. Passwords are also masked for security. Click the save button and they’re done.
Do you have some “administrator-friendly” enhancements you’d like us to add to Yurbi? Please let me know by commenting to this blog post below, or e-mail me @ info@5kfish.com
Free BI software is a great option for companies that want to get more out of their day-to-day operations and the overall success of their business. Information delivery and business intelligence have been around since 1958 and they have been giving organizations the tools that they need to succeed over the years. Of course, gone are the days of accountants, spreadsheets, and crunching numbers. In some areas, these elements are still necessary. However, today’s BI software is designed to do all of the hard work for you so that you can get exactly what you want from your business.
Business intelligence solutions are designed to collect, organize and arrange data so that you can analyze it and use metrics and scorecards to keep track of things along the way. The free BI software that you will find today allows you to have a full set of integrated tools that will give you all of the power that you need to make your business succeed. With so much to choose from, it’s really going to be up to you to find what works best. However, as long as you opt to use BI software in the first place, you’ll already be on the right track.
You can’t count on free BI software to run the show. It can do a lot of the work, but it’s not a standalone success tool. You also have to make sure that your business is in the right place and that you have a plan of action ahead of time so that you can measure the right results. It’s up to you to get things ready for this software and put it to good use. As long as you do that, it can become a very effective tool for you to work with.
Everyone has a chance at better business operation with free BI software. Take the time to explore what’s out there and make sure that you’re aware of what you’re working with. Look at all of the features that are included and how they can help your business. Make sure that no matter what you choose, you’re getting the best for your business in the end. Free BI software is great, but only if you make it effective by using it properly.
KPIs are a measure of success (or failure) for any business. Knowing what it is that you should be measuring and analyzing makes a big difference in your reporting and analysis. Think about the things that matter most to your business. Then, take the time to test drive BI software so that you can find the best tools to get the job done. If you’re lucky, you’ll find free software solutions that put your KPIs into perspective, give you a simple dashboard interface, and provide you with all the tools that you need. Scorecards, databases, spreadsheets, and other resources are yours for the taking with the right BI software solutions. It’s up to you to take advantage of them and keep your business on the right track with proper analysis.
When you get the chance to test drive BI software, it’s something that you should definitely take advantage of. Of course, there are a lot of different options that you have to choose from, giving you the chance to explore everything that is out there and make the best decisions. When you’re test driving software, there are two different platforms to choose from: web-based and desktop. Desktop applications are traditional and they do offer you a lot of benefits. However, the newer, more technologically-advanced web-based programs are clearly the better option. They have more features, better tools, and a lot more to appreciate. Here are just a few reasons why you should test drive BI software that is web-based to choose it for your business:
-Web-based applications are flexible and moveable. No longer do you have to be chained to your office PC to get BI information and metrics. When you choose a web-based reporting solution, you’re able to access your information from any computer that has an internet connection. Not only is that easier, but it cuts down on what you’ll spend on equipment for your employees because they won’t need dedicated laptops for travel or other devices to keep them connected since any computer will do the job.
-The self-service nature of web applications is much easier to use for the average person. Desktop applications usually require a lot of coding and tech knowledge. That means that you’re paying IT people to help you keep track of analytics, reporting, and other elements of your business intelligence. With a web-based software solution, you can cut out the middleman and save money by being able to use the program yourself. It’s all about ease of use and that’s exactly what makes web-based solutions the better choice.
-Collaborative BI solutions. Instead of having a database or ten different applications to track your business intelligence information, you’ll get all of the components that you need on one place. You no longer have to worry about checking different applications, importing and exporting, and other hassles. It’s all there in one place and it’s easy to access whenever you need information.
-Easier upgrading. When new programs or upgrades come out, you will have a much simpler time transitioning to the latest model. There is so much out there that you stand to gain from not having to do the upgrades yourself or worry about hiring IT specialists to take care of things. Plus, when things are upgraded, you’ll get a chance to see what changes without being blindsided and expected to just figure it out.
-Web-based applications are more affordable overall. Not only do you pay less to implement them, but you will also pay significantly less to utilize them, maintain them, and upgrade over time. Plus, you’ll be spending less money on equipment costs and other related expenses that you have with a desktop application. All in all, it just makes more financial sense to test drive BI software that is free because it really does have so much to offer.
There are so many things that you stand to gain from implementing a web based BI solution. You’ll get all of the information and tools that you need, including things like a user-friendly dashboard, great reporting tools, databases, spreadsheets, cloud integration, the option for multi-tenant BI, multi-level security, and so much more. If you’ve ever questioned the effectiveness of a software solution like this, it’s easier than ever for you to see exactly what you can get for your money when you test drive BI software that is web-based to see what it can do for you. There aren’t many disadvantages to be found from losing the desktop application, either. That’s what makes it an even better option. You essentially get all of the perks without any of the hassles or issues that you have been having in the past. It’s really going to be up to you to make sure that you get what you need from your investment, but you stand to gain a lot when you choose this option.
Some people will miss the dedicated, powerful nature of a desktop application, but when you find the right web-based solutions, you will see that you can get everything that you deserve out of your investment, including that dedicated sense of flexibility and use that you’re used to. When it comes to business intelligence, your company deserves nothing less than the best and it’s up to you to make sure that you get it. Web-based solutions might just be what you’re looking for, so give them a test drive and see for yourself.
