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Modules:Analytics

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Analytics

This module provides the infrastructure necessary to use OLAP Cubes in Openbravo.


This module has been created in order to enhance Openbravo with the ability to do Analytical Analysis. This module provides the basic infrastructure and tools for Analytical Reporting.

With this module it is possible to define an OLAP Cube through Application Dictionary and then use it to create Analytical Reports.

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Disclaimer

Analytics is a complete solution and a very powerful tool. For the end user it is very intuitive and easy to use too. But it also hides a large complexity behind, that needs to be understood before performing advanced actions. Therefore, based on it's level of complexity, three different levels of Roles can be defined:

  • End User. The End User should have access only to the final results. With Muli-Dimensional Reports Window it is possible to see only results and yet have available most of the options of Analytics, like the ability to drill through dimensions, export the report, show graphics...
  • Consultant. The consultant is the Rol that generates the results for the user, hence this Role must have access to the OB Analytics Window to create Analytical Reports. Consequently, an important knowledge about functionality in Openbravo and performance in Analytics is needed. This Rol should tune the Report to improve performance, if not, performance issues may arise.
  • Developer. The Developer is the Role that builds the Cubes through the Cube Definition Window. An extensive knowledge of Openbravo is needed for this Role, both functional and technical. A bad designed Cube may lead to huge performance issues and, even worse, wrong data shown that the end user may not realize that it is not correct.

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Disclaimer

Openbravo Analytics is a Business Intelligence Tool. Like other BI tools, it has been created to achieve excellent performance with Analytical Reports.

Analytical Reports are meant to show meaningful information without plenty of data. Not like flat Reports which shows a lot of data, but it is really hard to understand the information that it conveys. An example of a flat Report can be the General Ledger Report. It shows a lot of data that can be analyze, but it is not easy to understand the situation without investing some time analyzing the data. On the other hand, a chart with the profits of the companty for the last 5 years is an Analytical Report. With a quick glance, the user can fully understand the situation of the company.

Openbravo Analytics has a good performance with Analytical Reports, but it does not perform correctly with flat reports. For this scenario, it is advised to create a normal Report using JasperReports

Explanation: In order to have great performance with Analytical Reports, Openbravo Analytics calculates all the possible combinations with all the dimensions. If a report has:

  • A Cube defined over a table with 1.000.000 records (small table)
  • 100 records per dimension. Not too much
  • 10 dimensions. Too many!

It needs to do 100 to the 10 calculations 1.000.000 times.

In total 10 to the 17 calculations! The fact of having 10 dimensions will kill the performance. Also, if the goal is to show meaningful information with a quick glance, there is no point on having so many dimensions

Introduction

A brief explanation about OLAP Cubes and the technologies that Openbravo uses to implement them.

Intro-Video

See this great video for a 2 minutes overview.

Resources

Some of the most interesting On-Line external resources that are helpful for understanding the underlying technologies and concepts in Openbravo Analytics:

Installation and Configuration

An explanation of how to install and configure the Analytics Module.

For more advanced topics on Mondrian configuration, refer to the developers section below, which has a more extensive explanation in that regard.

User Guide

Once Analytics Module is installed and configured the user has access to a set of tools to consume Multi-Dimensional Reports

OB Analytics

This is the main Window from which Multi-Dimensional Reports can be explored. The User will have access to a Window named Multi-Dimensional Reports, which is a limited version of OB Analytics Window. therefore not all the functionality detailed will be available to this Role.

Openbravo Sales Reports, Views, Widgets, Cubes

Openbravo Analytics provides several different instruments to help you with your reporting and analytics requirements.

Multi-Currency, Hierarchies & Date Time Mapping

This page discusses several topics which are important to understand when working with OB Analytics.

How To

Consultant's Guide

Once Analytics Module is installed and configured the consultant has access to a set of tools to consume and also to create Multi-Dimensional Reports for the end user

OB Analytics

This is the main Window from which Multi-Dimensional Reports can be explored.

Stored Views

It is possible to save a Multi-Dimensional Query and then to launch it again through a different Window. This makes it possible to construct a specific view using Analytics and then make it available to only specifically selected users.

How To

Developer's Guide

Cube Definition

Cubes are defined through the Application Dictionary. Cubes can be modified or created using the Cube Definition Window.

Security and Access

How security and authorized access are handled with Analytics.

Create, Update and Extend Fact tables using Openbravo's Fact Table infrastructure

Openbravo provides an infrastructure to control the updating of separate fact tables from transaction tables. This section discusses how to setup and extend existing fact tables and how to incorporate your code and custom columns in the standard Openbravo Fact Update infrastructure.

Cube Queries in Process Windows and Widgets

It is possible to embed a Multi-Dimensional Query into a Widget or a Process Definition Window to show the results.

Managing time/date columns and Parent-Child relations in Mondrian

Discusses complex mapping topics, for example how date/time properties and parent-child relations are mapped.

XMLA/Excel/xmla4js

Using the XMLA webservice api with Analytics

Configuration and Development

How to configure Mondrian to improve performance and tips for when developing using the Analytics infrastructure.

Limitations

Known limitations of Mondrian/Analytics Module.

How To

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