“Apps Are In … Data’s In … Now How Do I Get The Info Out!” Russ Proudman ARIS Software, Inc

Agenda 1. Reporting Challenges 2. Difficulties Caused by Database Complexity 3. Top 10 List of Key Elements for Successful Reporting 4. Demonstration 5. Q & A

Reporting Challenges Section 1

What Experts Have Observed “The typical Fortune 1000 company has a big problem: it collects a lot of important business data that never gets used.” “Users who could take data and turn it into a competitive advantage can’t get the level of access they need.”

What Do the Experts Predict “Instead of a small number of analysts spending 100 percent of their time analyzing data… All managers and professionals will spend 10 percent of their time analyzing the data themselves using Analytical Processing Systems.”

Huh? Wha? Huh? Wha? Running Your Business “I want to see the top 10 vendors in dollar volume over the last year.” “Which invoices were charged to my department this month?” “What is the backlog for item 1265?” “What is the salary history for employees in my department?”

Standard Oracle Reports How Do You Get The Data Out? Have the Information Services Group Do It Do It Yourself Not Available!Too Late! Too Hard! “You don’t have the information you need to make informed business decisions.”

Querying Oracle Apps using SQL

End User Query Tools - Example

End User Query Tools Oracle Discoverer 3.1 Cognos Impromptu Business Objects Brio Query Crystal Reports InfoMaker etc. “All I need is an End User Query Tool…”

Database Complexity Section 2

Advantage Problem? Feature? Relational Database Desc. Flexfields/ Quick Picks Comprehensive Suite of Apps Great for OLTP Flexibility tables of information per average App Need to create complex joins to get to meaningful data Customize Apps for your business Hard to get at and identify customized data elements Integrated Business Functions Oracle Apps Structure is Complex PerformanceOracle is a good performing database Statements must be tuned to perform Key FlexfieldsIdentify key elements in your business Hard to identify what segments stand for

Top 10 Elements for Successful Reporting Section 3

#10. Open Systems - don’t limit your options proprietary systems means you’re on a query tool’s upgrade path, method, etc. #9. Automatic Setup - not trading one task for another continual administering / managing query tool is not productive #8. Handle Environment Changes - seamless regeneration if your Oracle environment changes (ie: new SoBs, Op. Unit, Inv/Mfg. Org., etc.) then must be able to regenerate whatever’s required for query tool to keep working #7. Performance Optimization - stop unnecessary waiting tuned queries can be vastly faster than unoptimized ones #6. Organize Information by Functional Area users productivity is much higher when info broken down by their job responsibility

#5. Index Column Identification - creates fast queries Full table (multi-table) scans are agonizingly slow while indexes are faster (book) #4. KFF / DFF / LOV Decoding - much easier for user Oracle Apps save data as segments(kff), attributes(dff), numbers(lov) Decoding data for user recognition is much easer for reporting / querying #3. On-Line Directory to Information Having full help with all objects, definitions, hints, examples, searches means end users will produce reports / queries much faster. #2. Complexity Completely Hidden - user not confused If it’s difficult for the end user, they won’t use it! #1. Buffer Needed for Oracle Upgrades / Patches As Oracle releases patches / upgrades “they’ll get ‘ya” It’s not a matter of if … it’s a matter of when!

Solution to Database Complexity You can create a business layer in the database using Views It’s an Open Solution (use any query/reporting tool/SQL, etc.) Views have the “look & feel” of tables (rows & columns) Allow for a more complex representation of data than a table View complexity can be hidden from users (multi-table joins) Views can be tuned & optimized Fields in views can identify Oracle Applications index columns Fields in views can decode KFF / DFF / LOVs

Oracle Applications Data Base Query Tools Crystal Reports MS Access, Excel SQL*Plus O Reports ODBC, Java, XML Query & Analysis Oracle Discoverer Business Objects Cognos Impromptu Brio Query Andyne/GQL OLAP Clients, Servers Oracle Express Arbor Essbase Cognos Powerplay Oracle ROLAP etc. Views Metadata Layer Overview of Views

Complex Joins Can Be Done in Views Oracle Tables PO_Lines Views PO_HEADERS PO_LINE_TYPES MTL_ITEMS PO_LINES MTL_ITEM_CATEGORIES AP_TERMS PO_UN_NUMBERS

Customize Views to reflect your configuration DepartmentManufacturer_NameSegment12Attribute4 Oracle Tables Views APPROVAL_CODE MAKE_BUY_CODE APPROVAL_CODE MAKE_BUY_CODE Rejected Make Approved Make Posted Buy Flexfields Quick Picks

Demonstration Section 4

1. Noetix Help File 2. Oracle Discoverer w/ NoetixViews We have a solution … NoetixViews

Questions & Answers Section 5