This document discusses various tools used for business analysis including reporting tools, managed query tools, executive information system tools, OLAP tools, data mining tools, and application development tools. It provides details on specific tools like Cognos Impromptu, Cactus, and FOCUS Fusion.

1. Business Analysis
DATA WAREHOUSING
REPORTING AND QUERY TOOLS AND APPLICATION
Dr. Himanshu Hora
SRMS College of Engg. & Tech., Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh (INDIA)

2. Reporting and Query Tools
Tools Categories :
 Reporting
 Managed Query
 Executive Information System
 OLAP
 Data Mining

3. Reporting Tools
 Production Reporting Tools
Companies generate regular operational reports or support high
volume batch jobs, such as calculating and printing pay checks.
 Report Writers (Desktop tools for end users)
Crystal Reports / Actuate Reporting System
Users design and run reports without having to rely on the IS
department.

4. Managed Query Tools
 Managed query tools shield end users from the
complexities of SQL and database structures by inserting
a “metalayer” between users and the database.
 Metalayer : Software that provides subject-oriented views
of a database and supports point-and-click creation of
SQL.

5. Executive Information System Tools
 First deployed on mainframes.
 Predate report writer and managed query tools.
 Build customized, graphical decision support Apps. or
“briefing books”.
 Provides high level view of the business and access to
external sources e.g. custom, on-line news feed.
 EIS Apps highlight exceptions to business activity or rules
by using color-coded graphics.

6. OLAP Tools
 Provide an intuitive way to view corporate data.
 Provide navigation through the hierarchies and
dimensions with the single click.
 Aggregate data along common business subjects or
dimensions.
 Users can drill down, across, or up levels.

7. Data Mining Tools
 Provide insights into corporate data that are not easily
discerned with managed query or OLAP tools.
 Use a variety of statistical and AI algorithms to analyze
the correlation of variables in data.
 Interesting patterns and relationship to investigate.
IBM’s Intelligent Miner,
DataMind Corp.’s DataMind

8. Applications
Need for applications
Some tools and Apps can format the retrieved data into easy-to-read
reports, while others concentrate on the on-screen presentation. As
the complexity of questions grows, these tools may rapidly become
inefficient.
Application often take the form of custom-developed screens and
reports that retrieve frequently used data and format it in a
predefined standardized way.

9. Cognos Impromptu
 Impromptu is database reporting tool from Cognos
Corporation.
 Solution for interactive database reporting.
 Object oriented architecture ensures control and
administrative consistency across all users and
reports.
 Easy-to-use graphical user interface.
 In terms of scalability, support single user reporting
on personal data, or thousand of users reporting on
data from large warehouse.

10. Cognos Impromptu
 Unified query and reporting interface
 Object-oriented architecture
 Complete integration with PowerPlay
 Scalability
 Security and Control
 Data presented in a business context
 Over 70 predefined report templates
 Frame-based reporting
 Business-relevant reporting
 Database-independent catalogs

11. Application Development Tools
 PowerBuilder
 Forte (Forte Software Inc.)
 Information Builders :
 Cactus
 FOCUS Fusion

12. Cactus
 Enterprise-class, client/server development environment.
 Create applications of any size and scope combination of
transaction processing, decision support, and batch
processing.
 Primary components of Apps
 Presentation layer
 Business logic
 Data access
 Easy to learn and use. No prior knowledge required of
HTML, JAVA or complex 3GLs.

13. FOCUS Fusion
 Multidimensional database technology for OLAP and
Data warehousing.
 FOCUS Fusion provides
• Fast query and reporting
• Comprehensive, graphics-based
administration
• Integrated copy management
facilities
• Open access via industry-standard
protocols