A couple of remarks with regard to SAP BusinessObjects (Advanced) Analysis for Microsoft Excel
I had some spare time on my hands last week and thought it would be interesting to delve into (Advanced) Analysis for Microsoft Excel, the first product to come out of development after SAP’s acquisition of Business Objects (correct me if I’m wrong). My colleagues were quite impressed with what they had already seen of an early version at TechEd Las Vegas in 2009, so I was quite eager to get the installation going, so I could share some of my new-found insight with my colleagues (I’m in the lead when it comes to OLAP within our practice). Besides, I am a big fan of cubes and still think that, despite column-based storage and in-memory technology, they have a rightfully earned place in any Business Intelligence landscape.
Welcome back ForceMerge() AKA MultiCube()!
I have always been a big fan of the MultiCube() function that is available in Desktop Intelligence. I can still remember the first time I learned about the function. A colleague of mine at that time was struggling with a report with multiple data providers he had built. He was really annoyed, because he couldn’t get the measures to aggregate properly. Which is exactly the purpose of this function, so when he found out about the (proper) use of the function he was really excited he could make it work after all.
SQL Server 2008 R2 is RTM
A co-worker of mine told me the other day that SQL Server 2008 R2 had gone gold. A bit of research revealed that Ted Kummert, senior vice president of the Business Platform Division at Microsoft apparently announced the RTM status in a conference call. Customers will be able to get this latest version of SQL Server as of the 13th of May and MSDN adn TechNet will be able to download it the 3th of May. The free express edition can already be downloaded. Even though official prices haven’t been revealed yet, it is expected that they will rise by 15 to 25% in comparison to R1. Read more
One thing that might be confusing about using the Web Intelligence Rich Client
With the arrival of BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.0 the ability to view documents via a so-called Rich Client has been added to the suite. While the Rich Client might appear to be nothing more than a full client version (it requires a separate installation) of the Java version of Web Intelligence in InfoView, it does in fact have certain features that are not available in thin client version.
User rights in XI 3.x
I’d never really considered doing this when working with user rights in an Enterprise environment, but now that I’m thinking about it, it does make sense.
When setting security for a single user, a best practice is to create a group first, then apply the desired security rights to the group and add the user to that group. Rather than applying rights to individual users each time a new user requires the same privileges, the administrator can simply add them to the group, thus saving administrative time.
Gartner evaluates the reporting capabilities of nine BI vendors
Gartner put the reporting capabilities of nine BI vendors to the test a while back. The results can be found in a fairly elaborate, 28 pages long, report with the dramatic title Critical Capabilities for Business Intelligence Reporting. MicroStrategy Report Services gets its share of positive feedback in it, which is probably why it is available for free on the MicroStrategy web site. You can grab your copy here, after having completed the registration process.
Cognos 8.4 FP1 is out
A colleague of mine told me yesterday that Fix Pack 1 for Cognos 8.4 was released.
8.4 Fix Pack 1 is a version of IBM Cognos 8 aimed at upgrading existing Cognos 8 customers. It includes updates to 8.4 BI Server, Metric, Go! Dashboard, Go! Search and Go! Mobile.
And it only took around, what, four years?
I’m flicking through the notes I’ve been making for the past half year or so on the XI 3.x version of SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise, because I’m preparing for the upgrade exam (Wednesday is the big day).
BI history
The Microsoft BI team uploaded a video to YouTube about the history of my field of expertise. It’s a bit flashy, but useful if you’re new to the business or want to explain to someone else what it is you’re exactly doing. Read more
† RIP ESD
It was announced a while back that the Business Objects Electronic Software Delivery was going to be closed down and it appears that it has, because I can still log in but cannot do anything else apart from that.
Rest in peace trusty ESD. I know we had our troubles at times, but being with you sure beats the heck out of being with the SAP MarketPlace. Oh well, I guess everything takes getting used to.