Extend Oracle BI To Support Real-Time Analytics

Editor's Notes

• #3 Today we’re going to discuss the extension to Oracle BI applications to support Real Time Analytics. We’ll begin by describing what we mean by Real Time BI, and touch on reasons why this is needed. Then we’ll review reporting methods for BI, and explore the Real Time Oracle BI extension developed by KPI Partners As a wrap up of the formal presentation we’ll discuss a couple of customer case studies and do a brief demo of some of the real time reports used to address the business issues. In conclusion we’ll address questions raised during the presentation. So what is meant by Real Time Business Intelligence?
• #5 In the BI context this implies presenting operational information using BI reporting tools without requiring ETL processing. So why do we need Real Time BI reports?
• #6 ======= Business process has intra-day update/review cycles Need real time data to make business decisions What orders are currently in hold status so that actions can be taken to get them shipped? What if my data changed since the last data load and I could make the wrong decision? Management Driven - Management wants the latest up to the minute data in order to make an up to the minute decision We have always had real time although it has taken time to build reports ======= One of the most common examples of an intra-day update/ review cycle is during the financial close process. Typically accountants review preliminary results from feeder systems, identify and post required adjustments, and review results several times in the course of the day. Since these cycles are not predictable, this presents challenges to using micro ETL. We’ll come back to this during the Case Study/demo portion. Another class of needs relates to operational decisions based on current transactions. As an example, if a customer cancels an order that is scheduled to ship today, the warehouse manager needs the information immediately to prevent shipping the product Lastly, management decisions are dependent on up to the minute data. An example of this I recently encountered was an operational manager needing information on receipt of Cash in Advance payments to determine product allocations to customers. This will also be revisited in the case study. So let’s take a minute and compare/contrast traditional BI and Real Time BI
• #7  “Real-Time is a slightly different version that appeals to a different audience” ======================================================================= Classic BI focuses on historical data (history typically beginning yesterday and back) It provides ability to compare multiple period results, as well as snapshots of business conditions. It provides the ability to perform complex analytics without impacting operational system performance. RT BI By contrast, Real Time BI is based on reporting transactions as they’re entered in the underlying EBS system. Integrate Real Time details with historical data for blended analytics Primarily focused on operational information requirements. Mostly relevant for operational reporting involving use cases where data has to be current.
• #8 This diagram illustrates a traditional BI data flow
• #9 As a background, when we speak of the Oracle BI Apps, we’re referring to those listed here. Each of these comes pre-seeded with a variety of traditional analytic reports that will always have a place in a BI solution.
• #10 This diagram illustrates a real-time BI data flow
• #11 KPI partners has developed a number of Real Time reports that can be deployed along with the traditional BI applications. Each is based on Oracle’s E-business Suite applications, and provides a view into real-time operational data from a BI reporting platform Each provides ad-hoc reporting capability, and can be incorporated with traditional reports on standard OBIEE dashboards Let’s take a look at each of these Real Time Apps
• #12 In summary, and somewhat oversimplified, Traditional BI supports historical analytics while RT BI allows for inclusion of current activity in the reporting. These 2 approaches provide a unified solution to BI reporting needs. Now let’s take a couple minutes to consider the reporting methods for Business Intelligence.
• #14 A variety of alternative reporting tools are available to the IT organization Four categories of reporting based on the types of questions being asked Address each in turn
• #15 We’ve already discussed Traditional Batch BI a bit. Key points are it can handle complex analytics and trends without impacting the source system, but the data is not up to the minute and building new analytic areas is time consuming. USE CASE: COO wants 3 year trend of Sales expense vs. order count and new customer count ADVANTAGES: Can handle complex analytics Can analyze what happened at a point in time Typically used for trend analysis and comparative analysis No impact on source system CHALLENGES: Data is often 1 day old Not all data is available for reporting Often does not aid in decisions that need immediate information Building new analytical areas is time consuming
• #16 Key points related to Near Real Time batch are that it’s focused on only selected critical areas in which the benefits of traditional BI apply. The disadvantages are that there remain some data latency issues, and requires more IT involvement USE CASE: Sr VP of sales needs intra-day sales summaries – mid day and end of day ADVANTAGES: Analytics focused in certain areas (Cannot replace true batch) Data is more fresh than traditional batch (few hours old) Can handle complex analytics CHALLENGES: More IT head ache with maintenance of near real time and real time in same environment Data latency is still there (max is intra day)
• #17 You can’t talk about Real Time reporting without considering the reports delivered as part of the ERP system. These reports address a wide range of topics, using real time data from the ERP system. However, these reports are inflexible in content/format with only prompt variables available to the user. More significantly, a user requires access to and knowledge of a variety of ERP applications in order to run these reports. Lastly, modification of these reports or development of new reports is highly dependent on IT support. USE CASE: Product manager needs to review Bill of Materials and Routing for product ADVANTAGES: Wide range pre-delivered Real Time Typically run in background CHALLENGES: Business has to get used to multiple tools Functionality is limited – older technology Heavy IT dependency No concept of common metrics across organization
• #18 Real Time BI combines some of the best features of traditional BI reporting with the real time data content of ERP reporting. BI users are able to modify report content on an ad-hoc basis using the same tools as traditional BI (at least within the context of the data that are exposed for reporting) The security rules are the same as in Traditional BI But Real Time BI is NOT the solution for every question. It can impact source system performance It’s not intended for complex analytical calculations or large amounts of data. USE CASE: Frequent Trial Balances during financial close process ADVANTAGES: Up to date critical information Ad Hoc, user driven reports Same tool for real tme & traditional Security same as Traditional Standardized metrics CHALLENGES: Cannot handle complex analytical calculations Cannot handle large volume of data Can impact source system performance
• #19 The key point is that Real Time BI is another tool in the reporting toolkit. As always, the important point is to use the right tool for the job!
• #20 Lets take a closer look at KPI partner’s Real Time Oracle Business Intelligence.
• #22 KPI partners has developed a number of Real Time reports that can be deployed along with the traditional BI applications. Each is based on Oracle’s E-business Suite applications, and provides a view into real-time operational data from a BI reporting platform Each provides ad-hoc reporting capability, and can be incorporated with traditional reports on standard OBIEE dashboards Let’s take a look at each of these Real Time Apps
• #23 Integrated RPD Conformed dimensions BI Apps Report and Real-Time reports on the same Dashboard with common prompts Combine Insights from historical and current data Common security framework Automatically addresses ALL changes ====================================== -Modify existing views to add or delete columns -Build additional views to meet more reporting needs -Rename the columns to be more business friendly -Retain all RPD customizations, including new metrics, name modifications etc. Integrates with rest of Oracle stack ====================================== -Can be deployed with golden gate replication technology -Can be deployed on Exalytics
• #27 Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI KPI has developed a pre-built analytic application specifically designed for real-time enterprise financial analysis Overview Traditional business intelligence is based on daily refresh of a data warehouse and is geared towards analytical reporting. Organizations also need operational reporting that is real-time in nature but do not have the ability to wait for a data refresh during critical business times like the financial close process. KPI Partners has developed a pre-packaged real-time finance solution for use on the Oracle Business Intelligence platform. Using the solution with Oracle E-Business Suite enables any organization to monitor and analyze financial health throughout the organization. KPI’s Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI offers the capability of presenting real-time transactional information side-by-side with historical information in a single analytical environment. The application enables the presentation of up-to-the-minute reporting of key transactions while maintaining a proper level of performance for operational processing. Compliance Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is fully integrated with Oracle’s BI Application platform and is compliant with standards for Oracle BI metadata. Integration Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is tightly integrated with Oracle E-Business Suite’s Financial modules. Real-Time Financial Close The month-end close is the most time-sensitive period in the financial process. The focus is on transactions that may disrupt timely reporting of financial results. The following are key questions that can be addressed by KPI’s Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI: Has everything been posted?  What is still on hold?  What shipments haven’t been invoiced?  Do my subsystems balance with the General Ledger? Any changes to fixed assets that impact depreciation? Which customers have credit limit issues?  Is my ledger in balance after the latest posting? Are there any journal entries that didn’t post? Extreme Performance The solution works within a traditional Oracle database environment, but is optimized for use with Oracle Exalytics. Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI leverages Golden Gate for real-time replication into Exalytics’ Times Ten database to provide sub-second response time. Key Functionality Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is delivered with out-of the-box conformed dimensions and features the following analytical capability: Invoice Exceptions  Adjustments  Unapplied Receipts  Available Credit  Journal Entry Reconciliation  Un-posted Items Exceptions  Invoices On Hold  Prepayment Status  Unmatched Invoices  Goods Received Not Invoiced  Void Payments  Asset Additions & Retirements
• #28 Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI KPI has developed a pre-built analytic application specifically designed for real-time enterprise financial analysis Overview Traditional business intelligence is based on daily refresh of a data warehouse and is geared towards analytical reporting. Organizations also need operational reporting that is real-time in nature but do not have the ability to wait for a data refresh during critical business times like the financial close process. KPI Partners has developed a pre-packaged real-time finance solution for use on the Oracle Business Intelligence platform. Using the solution with Oracle E-Business Suite enables any organization to monitor and analyze financial health throughout the organization. KPI’s Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI offers the capability of presenting real-time transactional information side-by-side with historical information in a single analytical environment. The application enables the presentation of up-to-the-minute reporting of key transactions while maintaining a proper level of performance for operational processing. Compliance Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is fully integrated with Oracle’s BI Application platform and is compliant with standards for Oracle BI metadata. Integration Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is tightly integrated with Oracle E-Business Suite’s Financial modules. Real-Time Financial Close The month-end close is the most time-sensitive period in the financial process. The focus is on transactions that may disrupt timely reporting of financial results. The following are key questions that can be addressed by KPI’s Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI: Has everything been posted?  What is still on hold?  What shipments haven’t been invoiced?  Do my subsystems balance with the General Ledger? Any changes to fixed assets that impact depreciation? Which customers have credit limit issues?  Is my ledger in balance after the latest posting? Extreme Performance The solution works within a traditional Oracle database environment, but is optimized for use with Oracle Exalytics. Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI leverages Golden Gate for real-time replication into Exalytics’ Times Ten database to provide sub-second response time. Key Functionality Real-Time Financial Analytics for Oracle BI is delivered with out-of the-box conformed dimensions and features the following analytical capability: Invoice Exceptions  Adjustments  Unapplied Receipts  Available Credit  Journal Entry Reconciliation  Un-posted Items Exceptions  Invoices On Hold  Prepayment Status  Unmatched Invoices  Goods Received Not Invoiced  Void Payments  Asset Additions & Retirements
• #30 Real-Time Supply Chain & Inventory Analytics for Oracle BI KPI has developed a pre-built analytic application specifically designed for real-time analysis of an organization’s supply chain Overview KPI Partners has developed a pre-packaged real-time supply chain and inventory solution for use on the Oracle Business Intelligence platform. Using the solution with Oracle E-Business Suite enables any organization to monitor and analyze supply chain and inventory throughout the organization. Key Analytical Areas • Sales Order Booking & Backlog • Orders On-Hold • Price Lists • Customer Credit Limits • On-Hand & In-Transit Inventory • Inventory Movement • Inventory Transactions & Safety Stocks Integration Real-time Supply Chain and Inventory Analytics is tightly integrated with Oracle E-Business Suite’s Inventory and Order Management modules. Users have efficient inventory control and abilities to monitor shop floor activity. Visibility into the order-to-cash process also streamlines order processing for an organization. The solution works within a traditional Oracle database environment, but is optimized for use with Oracle Exalytics. Real-time Supply Chain and Inventory Analytics leverages Golden Gate for real-time replication into Exalytics’ Times Ten database to provide sub-second response time. Compliance Real-time Supply Chain and Inventory Analytics is fully integrated with Oracle’s BI Application platform and is compliant with standards for Oracle BI metadata. KPI’s Real-Time Supply Chain and Inventory Analytics is tightly integrated with Oracle E-Business Suite’s Inventory and Order Management modules. Key Functionality Real-Time Supply Chain and Inventory Analytics is delivered with out-of the-box conformed dimensions and features the following functionality: • Order backlog analysis • Booked and un-booked order analysis • Analysis if sales order holds and the impact on order processing. • Customer credit limit analysis • Analysis on pricing modifiers and the impact on probability • On-hand & In-transit Inventory vs. Backlog Analysis • Inventory Management & Inventory Transaction Analysis • Safety Stock vs. On-hand Inventory Analysis
• #32 The key point is that Real Time BI is another tool in the reporting toolkit. As always, the important point is to use the right tool for the job!
• #43  “Real-Time is a slightly different version that appeals to a different audience” ======================================================================= Classic BI focuses on historical data (history typically beginning yesterday and back) It provides ability to compare multiple period results, as well as snapshots of business conditions. It provides the ability to perform complex analytics without impacting operational system performance. RT BI By contrast, Real Time BI is based on reporting transactions as they’re entered in the underlying EBS system. Integrate Real Time details with historical data for blended analytics Primarily focused on operational information requirements. Mostly relevant for operational reporting involving use cases where data has to be current.
• #45 The Leader In Oracle BI & EPM KPI Partners is the Most Experienced Oracle BI & EPM Systems Implementation Partner KPI Partners is an Oracle Platinum Partner who specializes in Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) and Oracle Enterprise Performance Management solutions. The award-winning staff at KPI Partners comes directly from the product engineering departments at Oracle, Siebel, and Hyperion. In addition to consulting services, KPI Partners offers training, support, and exclusive pre-packaged analytic solution extensions for Oracle Business Intelligence. KPI Partners works with both corporate technology departments and corporate business units to develop value-added business intelligence solutions, not just new technology deployments. Industry Expertise We deliver enterprise technology solutions through the skill, experience, and power of our team. Our company experience is rooted within the origin of business intelligence and enterprise decision support technology. Results Driven We are driven to make a difference. From fundamental concepts to application, we deliver methods, tools, and technologies to help drive enterprise reporting and insight. Client Focused We provide the vision, technology, and leadership our clients need for success. We deliver results on time and on budget. Our clients rely on our expertise to help them define their future. Innovation We continue to drive the creation of new technology, best practices, and thought-leadership within the space. World Class We are recognized as leaders in enterprise-level business intelligence technology. With reputation comes responsibility, and KPI Partners strives to provide white glove, 5-star-level, service and support.