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>> Alternative User Terminology
>> Database Reports and More
>> MIS Productivity
>> Querying and Reports
>> Reporting Repository
>> Sample Query By Example (QBE)
>> Sample Report
>> Spreadsheet Metaphor
>> SQL Support
Alternative User Terminology.
The most productive language for information access varies significantly among end users,
developers and database administrators. What is natural for a database administrator
to use may be completely foreign to the average end user. End users may understand
the business but may not understand how its data happens to be stored.
Consider the model below.
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Database Reports and More
A single VEIS Studio Edition report can even combine data from heterogeneous data sources, a task which would heretofore have required separate tools for all these types of reports.
| Legacy
Databases |
Middleware
|
Object
Sources |
Other
Sources |
| DB2 |
MDI
Gateway |
Java/Smalltalk/C/C++ |
File
services |
| DB2/2 |
ODBC |
Envy |
Object
files |
| Sybase,
SQL Server |
Q+E
Library |
SOM/DSOM |
ASCII
files |
| Oracle |
EDA\SQL |
CORBA |
xBase |
| Gupta |
|
GemStone/Jasmine |
Propriety |
Specific database drivers are licensed separately from Visual EIS Studio. They may be licensed from Promia or the driver developer vendor. Call for availability.
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MIS Productivity
During development, managers and developers can use VEIS Studio Edition prepackaged reports to track classes, create documentation, manage status, et. al.
VEIS Studio Edition allows MIS flexibility in deciding how to deliver report to their end users. MIS can prepackage components in the repository, imbed reports into user applications or allow users to define their own reports.
Using VEIS Studio Edition, MIS can efficiently deliver comprehensive applications with full-featured reporting capabilities in a cost effective manner.
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Querying and Reports
VEIS Studio Edition suite of interactive data browsers - Query By Example (QBE), Report By Example (RBE), Free Form and Schema Browser - allow quick access to information and printing of columnar reports. The WYSIWYG layout designer creates free form reports with groups, fonts, graphics, aggregates and other features. Integrated tools allow the creation of reports using the classes and terminology from the user's business model, or, in the absence of an existing business model class, SQL columns. This flexibility results in greater productivity for users at all skill levels
Spreadsheet and word processor users are already familiar with VEIS Studio Edition's user interface. The WYSIWYG spreadsheet metaphor, drop down menus and button bar enable quick report generation and enhancement. VEIS Studio Edition supports a full set of features including grouping (control breaks), calculated cells, event driven formatting, aggregates and images.
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Reporting Repository
Why reinvent the Wheel? VEIS allows reporting components, such as data accessing SQL optimized by MIS, to be stored in a repository and reused. These components can be rapidly pieced together to create a variety of reports. These features promote the sharing of tested reporting components across the enterprise.
VEIS Studio Edition components include
* filters - data retrieval
* scripts - runtime variable prompts
* layouts - output formatting (reports, web pages, etc.)
Many reports which process the same raw data for various analyses can use the same data filter. The ability to share data access and formatting logic is the key to reporting productively and insures consistent reports.
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Sample Query By Example (QBE) Interaction
The Query By Example(QBE) browser provides an easy to use query interface to SQL databases or
object oriented data sources. The user simple provides the selection criteria, and the appropriate
retrieval code is generated automatically.
Shown below is a query which obtains a list of all the authors living in either California
or Utah sorted by state in descending order, last name in ascending order and first name
in ascending order.
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The resulting columnar report is shown below. This report can be printed as is or exported to a variety of file formats. Alternatively, a VEIS Studio layout can be generated automatically to which labels, fonts, break points, calculations and other formatting options can be added.
VEIS Studio Edition allows a subset of data to be retrieved for testing and caching of data locally to reduce database traffic. This results in faster feedback and report generation. All of these features mean greater productivity and cost effective reporting capabilities.
Note: The windows displayed were taken from VEIS Studio Edition running in Windows NT.
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Sample Report
The layout below was created by first using the Query By Example tool to generate a basic report layout. The Layout Tool was then used to add color, underscores, etc. The end result (below) is the layout for a report of authors sorted by state in descending order with a control break on state. It contains a few different fonts, some color, a count (aggregate) of authors by state, and a few other niceties. The Layout tools can also supply a list of attributes (column names, method names, etc.) from which to drag and drop. This feature reduces time and typographical errors by saving the user from having to type.
The resulting report can be reviewed on-line, printed exported or sent to another user, even one who is on a different operating platform.
Note: The windows displayed were taken from VEIS Studio Edit8on running in OS/2.
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Spreadsheet Metaphor
Users already know how to interact with VEIS Studio Edition. Familiar user interface techniques such as drag and drop editing, button bars, pop up menus and integrated help add tot he familiarity of the spreadsheet metaphor and macro language to enable the user to easily create reports.
VEIS Studio Edition is a unique combination of familiarity with power which, along with complete data retrieval flexibility along with WYSIWYG tools, means greater user satisfaction and productivity.
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SQL Support
VEIS Studio Edition accesses data in either traditional SQL or object oriented terms. The developer has complete flexibility in the packaging of the business model. Data may be retrieved by using SQL, a spreadsheet-like macro language or a specific business terminology. The developer decides whether table oriented or business model access is appropriate without sacrificing functionality or ease of use. VEIS Studio Edition enables users at all levels to rapidly analyze information and produce high quality reports in an intuitive manner.
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