Web based applications have traditionally provided limited functionality, interactivity and analytical capability, and their maintenance requirements are often significant.
The newly announced version of Comshare`s DecisionWeb delivers web-based applications with the important functionality usually found only in traditional client/server solutions, such as exception reporting personal calculations, sorting, the ability to write data back to the central database, and customisable points of entry for individual users.
DecisionWeb is web-enabled client/server software for the rapid development of enterprise-wide, custom analytic applications, like performance measurement, executive information systems, and management reporting.
"It allows business people around the world to link to performance measurement applications using only a Java-enabled Internet browser," says Gavin Steinberg, financial applications manager at SPL, sole representative of Comshare products and services in Southern Africa.
"Comshare DecisionWeb`s intuitive human factors allow hands-on work with business information. The application includes high-performance Java grid and chart applets that give users interactive visualisation and analysis capabilities. Users analyse data resident in a multidimensional (OLAP) database, performing drag-and-drop dimension rotation, drill-down, and charting," he says.
"The product includes Guided Analysis capabilities, like OverView and the soon-to-be released routine surveillance capability, which solve the problems associated with finding the important information hidden in extremely large databases. With Guided Analysis, users are led directly to problem areas or areas of opportunity, rather than being required to randomly search through huge amounts of data. Further analysis can then be performed using the ad-hoc analysis features of DecisionWeb."
DecisionWeb`s version 2.2 major enhancements include:
OverView - a unique way to visualise the structure of a dimension, and overcome the limitations of ordinary data displays, by allowing users to see hundreds or even thousands of data points at a glance. By combining this advanced visualisation technique with colour-coded exceptions, users can instantaneously shift from views that establish context and perspective, to detailed close-ups that focus on specific information. With a clear picture of the information and how elements relate to one another, users can make better decisions.
Personal Views - enable users to personalise their application by giving them the ability to save and recall "state of the applet" information.
New Charting Capabilities - including 13 new chart types, and the ability for the end-user to create ad hoc charts on demand!
Advanced End-User Functionality - including user-defined colour-coded exceptions, user-defined calculations using a calculator applet, sorting, omit missing, and more.
"Within the next several weeks, Comshare will add its innovative routine surveillance capability functionality to the Comshare DecisionWeb list of capabilities," says Steinberg. "The routine surveillance capability, part of the functionality that makes up Guided Analysis, provides routine surveillance of information using software agents, proactively monitoring trends and patterns to identify anomalies. When a problem occurs, the routine surveillance capability notifies the user about the existence of the anomaly, and presents the information for further analysis.
"Users are freed from the need to constantly look for exceptions. DecisionWeb will do it for them, allowing users to concentrate on other issues. By providing routine surveillance at every level of the application`s hierarchy, Comshare DecisionWeb will provide a new level of decision support."
Share
Editorial contacts