Over the past few years we have had an increased number of requests for reports and information from the Vision database, we initially thought that setting up some database views would stop the influx of requests but this made matters worse as customers were running reports with limited database knowledge and managing to bring their systems to a grinding halt, in addition this opened up customers data to a potential threat, which is something we try to ensure we never have.
We took the decision to then build a new BI module much like the one we had in the Vision Commerce application, however this module would be integrated into the system with user access controls and we would not only provide data but we would provide reports, on the back of this we then thought it would be a great idea for customers to have their own developer so that they could develop the reports where they were capable of doing so.
In April 2016 the BI module was launched with customers taking this with upgrades during Q2, 2016, the intention at this time is to provide this at no cost to customers for the period until 31 December 2016, it will enhance reports and information within the system and over the 8 months from the launch we want to gather feedback from customers.
What does the module provide ?
There are three key components to the BI Module
Enquiry
Reporting
Designer
The Enquiry and Reporting Component
This part known as "BI Enquiries" and "BI Reports" are menu options which appear on the applications where Business Intelligence module has been integrated.
"BI Enquiries" provide data grid output from the various enquiries made on the database, this allows you access to data to drop it into excel, csv or PDF and use in external applications or simply just view it on the screen
"BI Reporting" provides access to built reports which can contain tables, grids, graphs. These reports are properly laid out reports which can be printed and used internally or provided to a customer, they can also be used to display live information on demand.
Until end of 2017, we will provide customers access to all enquiries and reports we add to the system.
What Vision applications does the module cover ?
It is now possible to run this in all the Vision core applications, although some have had no enquiry requests so there maybe no reports.
Can more enquiries/reports be added ?
Yes you can request additional enquiries to be added to the "BI Enquiry" and you can also request a "BI Report" to be added.
We charge from £90 for each additional enquiry and it will depend on the complexity, you can request these through the RFC portal, implementation can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks and does not require a new application install.
In comparison, if you add something to the main application then this will require a new release and prices for this begin around £600
Can I have a trial ?
You can have a 3 month trial of the "BI Enquiries" or "Bi Reports"
There is a charge for this module but existing customers who trial the system and wish to keep it before 31 Dec 2017 will only pay a monthly fee in order to provide support and maintenance for this module for the future.
For each application you wish to have the BI Enquiries or Reports for the charge is £35 per application per year, and you will only pay for 3, if you have it in all systems you will only be charged for 3.
The Designer Component
For those who want to design their own reports, you can take advantage of the designer component, which provides a powerful report writing tool where you can build your own reports, tables, charts, graphs and live data from the existing set of data views we provide.
This is an advanced module and requires the user to have some previous experience in databases and report writing.
What data is available?
Due to the large number of data tables available in Vision including our control tables, audit tables and tables specifically for HMRC auditing, we provide you with a set of data views which provide you with access to customers, stock, invoice rates, orders, goods inwards. It also makes the ability to output reports and understand things much easier, for example the orders tables require 60 separate tables to be joined, we provide you access to this using 6 different views which so far has provided everyone with enough information to generate reports they required.
What we will not show you in this data are
Passwords
Security information of any sort
System Configuration settings or any system tables
HMRC audit tables
Transactional databases where transactions flow through them (such as EDI)
Temporary or virtual tables
When will the designer component be available?
This is already available in all systems.
Is there a charge for the designer component?
Yes there is a charge for this module which includes a days training session and then it is licensed per designer per month.
Each designer must undertake a training course before we unleash them on the system.
Hosted Vision systems are able to run this module with no changes, it is simply install and go, however customers who have their own servers may find that this module requires more resources or updates to allow it to work.
As part of the training, we will provide you with 2 free database views, within 4 weeks of the training should you need them in order to help you build the reports and output you need.
Is there support for the designer component ?
Yes there is but this will be named user support only. If you have not been trained then you can not log a ticket about your report.