In a breakthrough technological development, MB Worksoft company e-Knowledge is using Sagent`s technology to build digital dashboards through Microsoft Outlook 2000.
This, according to Sagent, is the first time any company in South Africa has developed digital dashboards using information obtained from data warehouses, managed and controlled by Sagent`s software.
"Everyone who uses Outlook 2000 can use it as a dashboard to integrate the enterprise, bridge intranets, extranets, source private data and public information, plus provide a central store of correctly structured data readily accessible by knowledge workers," says Marcin Szyllo, MD of e-Knowledge. "One can get an immediate view of the current status of one`s business.
"Microsoft has provided the framework for anyone to create digital dashboards through Outlook 2000. The Sagent/e-Knowledge collaboration is different from other dashboard solutions in that instead of using a Web browser, it makes use of ActiveX components available within Outlook 2000."
Szyllo explains that browsers cannot display XML in a meaningful way yet, therefore conventional dashboards are not presentable and users have to continually read and display data. "Our strategy is to use ActiveX technology components delivered by Sagent`s WebLink software.
"Sagent`s ActiveX has the capacity to format and display information delivered by XML the way it was configured. In addition, by using Sagent`s Visual Sinks on our dashboards, we enable the displaying of multiple presentations such as, graphs, OLAP queries or reports, at the same time. Visual Sinks enable multiple inputs and outputs."
Szyllo also says where one doesn`t have client software one can use Microsoft`s IIS Web server and WebLink, which runs on IIS. According to Paul Murphy, sales and marketing director of Sagent South Africa, WebLink is a server-based information-access tool, giving users of Web browsers the power to access and analyse items developed within Sagent controlled data marts, enabling Web-based, multi-dimensional analysis.
He says Sagent WebLink pages provide a user interface which is designed using frames for easy navigation and execution of different types of information such as lists of plans and snaps.
"Sagent Analysis is delivered to remote users via Sagent WebLink and the implementation of ActiveX technology. WebLink displays the Sagent grid, charts and cross tabs as ActiveX controls so users can manipulate them, conduct complex analysis, and export data to Microsoft Excel.
"Drilling, pivoting and filtering features provide virtually instantaneous results because charts, graphics, and entire pages don`t have to be downloaded and refreshed from the server after each action, unlike HTML-based solutions."
Murphy adds that digital dashboards from other business desktop systems may also be used with Sagent`s technology.
According to Microsoft, a digital dashboard provides a powerful tool that knowledge workers can use to view their daily activities, collaborate with co-workers, and gain insight into the performance of the company. It ensures knowledge workers have the information and expertise they need to properly assess and act upon business opportunities.
Szyllo says other benefits to users of Sagent`s/e-Knowledge digital dashboards include:
* Presentation of data is seamless and simple, and the user interface is easy for knowledge workers to understand and use;
* Key Performance Indicators: Companies need to monitor them and this information can be on Outlook all the time;
* One can highlight exceptions - things that don`t move;
* No matter where people are, they can access important company information by connecting up to their office;
* Information from multiple data warehouses can also be accessed from the Outlook screen.
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