4 Using Business Intelligence Tools in Portal Express

4 Using Business Intelligence Tools in Portal Express

This chapter discusses how to use the folders and portlets associated with the Business Intelligence Tools in Portal Express. Specifically, this chapter discusses the following functions:

Business Intelligence Tools in Portal Express

The BI Tools Page

Running your Reports-Report Options

Business Intelligence Tools in Portal Express

In order to use the Viador Business Intelligence tools in Portal Express, you will need to use a special group of folders and portlets which allow you to view, delete, and publish files. You may also choose some default settings for running reports (discussed below). For complete instructions on using the Viador Business Intelligence tools, read the Viador BI-Portal Business Intelligence Tools Guide. For instructions on running SQL reports, see the Viador BI-Portal Report Server Guide, and for instructions on viewing SQL and OLAP data, read the Viador BI-Portal Guide to Viewing Charts and Presentations. You may have one or all of the above tools depending on your installation.

The BI Tools Page

The BI Tools page is published to Business Intelligence users by default. If you are a Business Intelligence user, and this page is not published to you, consult your Viador administrator.

Figure 17: The BI Tools Page

Located on the BI Tools page is the BI Designer's channel which contains all the portlets and folders you need to run Business Intelligence tools from Portal Express. The Report Options portlet (discussed below) is located within this channel.

Running your Reports- Report Options

You may wish to specify how to save snapshots and which report runner to use when running reports, charts, crosstabs, or cubes. The portlet, Report Options, allows you to specify default settings for these options.

To run the Report Options portlet:

Click on the Report Options icon in the Business Intelligence Designer's channel.

You will see the following screen:

Figure 18: Report Options Dialog Box

Click the radio button to the left of your preferred settings.

Choose from the options listed below.

When saving snapshots you have three options:

generate snapshot as temporary object The snapshot will be saved as temporary object.

save snapshot as report name A snapshot report with the same name as the definition file will be saved in your Inbox.

ask me how to save a snapshot At runtime, you will be asked to choose one of the above options.

When running reports you have three options:

use html runner Use this option in most cases-especially if you are running a report over a slow speed intranet.

use the Java applet runner Choose use the Java applet runner if you are running a large report and you want the ability to cancel the query during execution. (This option establishes a "live" connection with the database).

ask me what report runner to use This option will ask you to choose from one of the above options at runtime.

Click OK to save your preferences.

generate snapshot as temporary object	The snapshot will be saved as temporary object.
save snapshot as report name	A snapshot report with the same name as the definition file will be saved in your Inbox.
ask me how to save a snapshot	At runtime, you will be asked to choose one of the above options.

use html runner	Use this option in most cases-especially if you are running a report over a slow speed intranet.
use the Java applet runner	Choose use the Java applet runner if you are running a large report and you want the ability to cancel the query during execution. (This option establishes a "live" connection with the database).
ask me what report runner to use	This option will ask you to choose from one of the above options at runtime.

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