Common engine for data queries
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 use a uniform kernel engine for designing and running data queries.
Prognoz Platform 8 supports data extraction from relational database management systems using SQL, MDX- based extracting data from multidimensional database management systems, and in-memory data processing that use the platform native engine. Data extraction from database management systems using SQL is based on the separate retrieval of dimensions and data from databases. It allows to create an SQL query without using links between the tables and speeds up data extraction.
MDX-based data extraction from multidimensional database management systems uses standard MDX functions. In its turn, the result of running MDX queries can be cached both on the dictionary level and on the data level.
In-memory data processing is based on loading data sets into Random Access Memory (RAM). Further this data is addressed via an internal mechanism (without using SQL or MDX) optimized for extra fast query performance against the data. The in-memory mechanism can be enabled for any multidimensional data source registered in the repository of Prognoz Platform 8.
Common formatting engine
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 use the same engine for formatting and result-rendering in all tools in the thick client and in thin client configurations; in the thin client it runs on the BI server. This mechanism allows to create reports with a uniform formatting using various tools (for example, in Analytical Queries (OLAP), Reports, Dashboards), in different clients (desktop and web application), when exporting results to various formats (for example, PDF, XLS, RTF and so on).
Objects distribution
Prognoz Platform 8 uses a single engine for distributing objects (queries, reports, and others) through multiple channels (e-mail, FTP, portal, or mobile application).
The problem management mechanism is used for this purpose. Any desired operations may be defined within the mechanism: loading data via ETL, calculating aggregates and calculated factors, caching cubes, computing modeling and forecasting tasks, calculating reports and exporting them to external formats, publishing reports to mobile devices, and performing other tasks, including executing custom modules. The tasks can be run according to a schedule, they can be called from other modules, or called via Web Services.
The user can also export the report to an external format, send an email message with the report file as an attachment, or place the report to a certain directory (which allows to access this report from wireless devices, if necessary), or publish the file to a portal or FTP server.
Common repository
Prognoz Platform 8 uses uniform repository of metadata. Several users can simultaneously work in the repository. A single user can also simultaneously work in several repositories.
All the objects can be accessed in a consistent way. After an object is created it appears as a repository item and can be further used to take part in any operation available for the object in a standard dialog boxes of Prognoz Platform 8. Metadata on all the created objects and the relationships between these objects, is stored in this repository.
In the repository all objects are equal, irrespective of data source used (relational, multi-dimensional or file). The common repository allows to perform the following operations:
Creating, copying, and deleting objects.
Granting rights to objects.
Logging performed operations.
Transferring objects between different repositories.
Creating references from one repository to the objects of another one and working with these objects from first repository.
Reusing all major objects: connections, tables, dimensions, cubes, reports and so on. For example, dimensions, created by the user can be used by other users for creating new cubes.
Describing metadata of user objects, that is enlarging standard object model of the platform repository depending on project needs.
Access control, managing users and user groups and access permissions
Prognoz Platform 8 uses a uniform program kernel including a uniform settings mechanism and monitoring of access for all objects, created in a uniform metadata repository is used. All tools of the platform are based on using this kernel and because of this all platform tools use the same security, metadata, administration. Prognoz Platform 8 uses a single mechanism to manage users, user groups and access permissions. Management is performed via common security management and administration tool. Prognoz Platform 8 allows to create custom users and groups, or it can use existing users or groups integrating with LDAP directories, including Active Directory.
The capabilities of Prognoz Platform 8 to manage users and groups of users, access permissions:
Differentiation of access to all platform objects. The platform recognizes common operations for all object types and specialized operations for specific object types.
Logging access for all types of objects and object operations. Flexible settings of tracked objects and operations.
Access differentiation on the level of metadata objects and on the more detailed level. For example, differentiating access to specific elements of dictionary or to specific cells of cube.
Limiting the time a user can be logged on for certain week days, permitting a user to log on only using a specific workstation (based on workstation name, ip-address or mac-address), configuring password complexity (password length, required sets of characters, prohibition to use some words).
Using of common database with delimitation of access permissions or usage of dedicated DB for each client in cloud BI applications, based on Web services.
Common development tools
Prognoz Platform 8 can be used as a unified development and authoring environment for:
Creating custom data warehouse.
Extraction, converting and loading data.
Creating cubes.
Creating reports, dashboards, factors.
Performing express analyses, time series analysis.
Creating models.
For programmers platform offers a application development kit that enables them to access all platform components, which may include low-level components (such as controls) and high-level components (such as the components for working with OLAP reports), and build a fully-functional, customized BI application on top of Prognoz Platform 8.
Tools integration
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 are strongly integrated via the common repository of metadata and the Platform program kernel. The created content can be used in various tools. For example, an OLAP report can be used in a dashboard and further configured in a mobile application. All data sources are unified and can be accessed in various Prognoz Platform 8 tools.
Common user interface
Prognoz Platform 8 uses uniform library of components, therefore all tools in the platform share the same look and feel. All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 use WYSIWYG approach. It allows to see the influence of performing operations on the final result.
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 allow quick access to commands via the tool ribbon. Commands are organized in logical groups, which are collected together under tabs. All tools use unified commands to manipulate objects.
BI applications based on Prognoz Platform 8 may have special unified interface which may vary from solution to solution.
Access clients
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 are available via the desktop, web and mobile applications.
The web application is aimed at supporting of modern web standards, interacting with the platform via web service and it is a Rich Web Application. In order to create rich and dynamic user interface the web application uses up-to-date technologies: HTML5, CSS3, COMET, ECMAScript5, WebGL, DHTML, JavaScript and SVG. The following technologies of Web-application development are supported: ASP.NET and Java.
The following web browsers are supported:
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Opera
Microsoft Internet Explore
Apple Safari version 6 and later for Mac OS X
Mobile application is available for iPad 1 or later. The following tools of Prognoz Platform 8 are supported: Dashboards, Analytical Queries (OLAP), and Reports.
Common report export formats
Prognoz Platform 8 uses common libraries of exporting into external formats for all tools. The following export formats are available from the user interface: XLS, XLSX, PPTX, RTF, PDF, HTML, MHT, and EMF.
Export to other formats can be implemented on the application level by means of development tools of Prognoz Platform 8.
Common security mechanism
Prognoz Platform 8 uses a common mechanism to manage and configure access permissions to all objects created in the repository.
For each object it is possible to assign for users and user groups permissions to read, edit (including permissions changes) and delete. By default, the permissions are inherited from parent object It is possible to redefine permissions for children with the permissions inherited from the current object, and to view effective user permissions for the current object. Object access control is checked by the platform core when the object is accessed from any of the tools. For each object it is possible to enable auditing of specific operations or all operations with the object.
Single server installation
All components of Prognoz Platform 8 can be installed within a single server install: BI server and Web server, Web services, Web application and desktop application.
Common administration
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 work with a common set of metadata (object descriptions), stored in the repository. All the objects are managed (renamed, moved, assigned permissions, and so on) via a common interface within the administration and information security tool.
Scaling tools
As the scaling tool Prognoz Platform 8 uses caching of dimensions, cubes and time series DB, clustering by means of setting up several application servers to the cluster using load balancer. There is no integrated workload balancing, high availability to the platform, but integration with external solutions is available by customization.
Capabilities of visual interaction with components
Prognoz Platform 8 allows to visually interact with components, for example:
Tables. Available operations: data drill down and drill up, sorting, filtering, ranking, data displaying in percents, displaying growth indicators, applying conditional formatting, hiding/showing columns and rows, entering and editing data with following saving to the source.
Charts. Available operations: changing chart type, data drill down and drill up, scaling, selecting series and points, viewing points values, showing/hiding series by clicking legend elements, data
normalization, editing data on the chart with saving to the source.
Maps. Available operations: viewing displayed values, data drill down and drill up with jumping to the appropriate map, scaling, showing/hiding map elements using legend, showing maps in the 3D mode, rotating 3D map.
For charts, maps, bubble charts, tree maps and bubble trees it is available to build an animated time line that allows to show dynamics of observation objects by specified metrics for a certain period of time. Platform components also support handling of different events: click on legend element, click on chart series, click on map territories. By handling the events at the application level it is possible to implement advanced options for interactive filtering and passing parameters between visualizations.
Search method
In Prognoz Platform 8 the mechanism of BI search is implemented by means of the Apache Solr search engine and supports token usage, stemming, lemmatization, speech tagging, decomposition on creating indices and handling search queries.
The search engine of Prognoz Platform 8 is available via the REST and SOAP Web services of Prognoz Platform 8 and can be connected to other search engines via implementing the appropriate adapter. Uniform tool for creating calculated expressions in all tools
All tools of Prognoz Platform 8 use universal formula editor to form calculated expressions (formulas, conditions). The editor supports:
Intellisence autocompletion technology.
Checking of expression correctness.
MDX expressions.