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Chapter 6: Using Business Analytics Advanced

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CHAPTER 6: USING BUSINESS ANALYTICS ADVANCED Objectives

The objectives are:

• Provide a general overview of Business Analytics Suite and its business intelligence features.

• Get to know the user interface of Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

• Provide a general idea on how to build analyses and reports using the Intelligent Analysis tool.

• Create a dashboard drawing using the Intelligent Analysis tool. • Make an analysis based on a cross tabulation. • Design a Business Analytics report. • Describe how the work on an analysis or report can be completed.

Introduction This chapter describes how to use Business Analytics (BA) for Microsoft Dynamics® NAV to perform advanced business intelligence tasks. In the Chapter 3, "Configuring a BA Database in Microsoft Dynamics NAV," Kevin, the Sales Manager, referred to IT professionals to create a BA database and to configure the cubes. Using the example for that scenario, this chapter further explores how the scenario tasks can be achieved with the help of Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

For more details on usage of specific features of the Business Analytics Advanced client, not covered in this chapter, refer to the online Help within the product.

Microsoft Official Training Materials for Microsoft Dynamics ® Your use of this content is subject to your current services agreement

Business Intelligence for IT Professionals in Microsoft Dynamics® NAV 2009

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Business Analytics Suite Overview The Business Analytics suite is an application that allows users to perform many business intelligence tasks with data warehouse built upon data from Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

The main features that Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers are as follows:

• Storyboards – creating dynamic snapshots of analysis views and criteria.

• Dashboard, analyses, and reports. • Scheduling of analyses, objects and storyboards. • Intelligent analysis – designing analyses, dashboards, and reports

with a few clicks of the mouse. • Comparisons – building several charts, graphs, tables, and other

objects, side by side and comparing the results dynamically changing measures and dimensions.

• Datamining – automatic analysis of relations between measures and dimensions. The datamining process analyzes every possible combination of the measures and dimensions for an analysis, and generates a visual presentation of the most significant relations.

• Hyper Relations – shortcuts to automatically open analyses with more information.

User Interface This section provides information on the basic elements of the user interface. You need to be aware of these elements to quickly perform business intelligence activities that will be described in this chapter.



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Business Analytics Main Window

When you start Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the main application window is opened.

FIGURE 6.1 THE MAIN APPLICATION WINDOW

The window consists of five areas:

• Menubar (numbered 1 in the screenshot) – contains buttons which allow the user to easily access all the applications functions and settings. Click View > Menubar to hide the menu and enlarge the work area.

• Toolbar (numbered 2 in the screenshot) – contains buttons for the most frequently used functions. Apart from the standard functions (New, Open, Save, and Print), the buttons represent functions for working with objects and reports and can vary. Click View > Toolbar to hide the Toolbar and enlarge the work area.

• Work area (numbered 3 in the screenshot) – the area where all analyses and reports are placed.

• Status bar (numbered 4 in the screenshot) – displays information about the tasks currently performed by Business Analytics. Click View > Status bar to hide the Status bar and enlarge the work area.



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• Smartpad (numbered 5 in the screenshot) – used for a wide variety of functions grouped by the following tabs: o Favorites – contains a list of analyses and reports ready to be

opened. Analyses and reports can be grouped in folders and subfolders. The typical folders are: Shared – used for analysis and reports available to all users, and Personal – used for a user's own reports not available to other users.

NOTE: The name of the folders and analyses can be changed by right-clicking a folder or an analysis and selecting Toggle Translation. This toggles between the file system names of the folders and analyses and the names translated in the Business Analytics Enterprise Manager. The translations are shown in the language selected from the Tools menu.

o Source data – displays data from the warehouse. The user can select a cube (if the data warehouse is multidimensional), dimensions, and measures to create analyses and reports. In case of designing a report, the bottom of this tab has buttons for adding text and graphical components to the report.

o Properties – contains the primary functions and settings for the active object and in case of designing a report, for the active item.

o Calculations – contains a smart calculations dialog that allows the user to add or edit predefined calculations. The Advanced Calculations editor on the bottom of the tab allows the user to manually add columns and rows to a cross tabulation object and design formulas to define the contents of the data fields of the added columns and/or rows. This feature also applies to the grid of the data page of graphical objects.

o Criteria – contains options for defining criteria. A criterion, whether that is Global, Local or a Comparison element, is defined by selected dimension values from one dimension. The selection of values is furthermore defined by the selection operator, such as equal to, different from, less than, and so on.

NOTE: Use the Disable/Enable immediate refresh toggle to stop the objects from refreshing every time a criterion is added or changed. This is especially useful when working with large or complex data structures with long query response times.

o Drillpad – contains a log of any changes in the criteria for the active analysis. The log is displayed as a list of nested criteria in a chronological sequence. Any of the logged entries in this list can be clicked to bring the user back to the exact state of the analysis or the report.

o Scheduled Jobs – contains options to edit existing scheduled jobs, meaning reports and storyboards.



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To hide the menu and enlarge the work area, click View > Smartpad.

Cross Tabulation Analysis Main Window

The core of the cross tabulation analysis is a cross table. The cross table displays the joint distribution of measures categorized by dimensions. The data shown in a cross table is always represented on the X and Y axes and can be dynamically handled in a similar way to a pivot table in Microsoft® Office Excel®. For example, the cross table can count, sort, and total data displayed in the matrix format.

The following screenshot is an example of an analysis in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV that is based on a cross tabulation.

FIGURE 6.2 CROSS TABULATION

Most other analyses in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV are based on one or more objects, such as charts, pies, bars, bubbles, and others. Combining objects makes it possible to use one object to specify or influence data shown in other objects. The object selected to build your analysis on defines the look of the analysis in the work area.

NOTE: All Business Analytics graphical objects are based on a cross table, and therefore can be used as a basis for a cross tabulation analysis.



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Business Analytics Report Main Window

The following screenshot shows the main window of a report in Business Analytics when it is designed manually.

FIGURE 6.3 BUSINESS ANALYTICS REPORT MAIN WINDOW

The report consists of the following five elements:

• Page header • Title • Detail • Summary • Page footer



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The bands represent the total width of the report. Various items can be placed on the bands to comprise the actual contents of the report. The purpose of having bands is to be able to group the information and determine how often each band is repeated. The data in the report can be dynamically handled, just as in a cross tabulation, but is displayed only on the X axis in columns.

Text (static or semi-dynamic) and graphical components (images or simple drawings) can be added to a report to improve its visual representation.

Objects

An object in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV is basically a window that displays data. The data can be displayed in many ways, for example in a chart or a bar. The following screenshot is an example of a Pie object.

FIGURE 6.4 AN OBJECT DISPLAYING DATA IN A PIE

The ability to combine objects is important for the objects to perform advanced analyses when applying various criteria with a vast amount of data.

Intelligent Analysis There two methods of designing analyses and reports and Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

• Manually, specifying the content in a number of manual steps. • Using the Intelligent Analysis tool to create analyses, dashboards,

and reports with a few mouse clicks.



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This section outlines the easiest way to perform business intelligence tasks by using the Intelligent Analysis tool.

Overview

Intelligent Analysis follows simple steps to create a report or analysis and concentrates on what needs to be analyzed rather than how to build up the analysis.

To start intelligent analysis, click New or Intelligent Analysis on the Toolbar.

The work area is divided into two parts:

• The upper half contains text options selected to complete a task. The options are self explanatory and will easily guide you through a task. After selecting major options, more options are displayed to define measures, dimensions, criteria, and so forth, to complete the task. The observation-orientation-decision-action circle to the right of the options can be used to filter the options by business tasks. Click a business tasks arrow in the circle to view the options relevant to the selected task.

NOTE: Whatever business task is selected in the circle, the filtered options can always be expanded by clicking More.

• The lower half contains a sample of the report or analysis in real time based on the options currently selected.

Basic Options

The major intelligent analysis options are as follows:

• Observation o Create a dashboard drawing: Select this option to observe

changes and development of a key performance indicator (KPI) displayed by a gauge with a time slider. If selecting KPIs that cannot be demonstrated by one pair of a gauge and a time scale, the program will display several pair of objects.

o Create a report: Select this option to build a Business Analytics report. The wizard guides you through defining the content for each report area. . It is not necessary to specify all the suggested parameters, but the report columns are mandatory for the program to be able to generate a report.

o Be notified: Select this option to set up an e-mail notification to be sent to you in case any of the specified measures changes.



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• Orientation o Analyze: Select this option to create an analysis based on the

specified cube, measures, dimensions, and criteria. o Datamine focusing on: Select this option to let the program

analyze the selected measures, dimensions, and criteria and build an object on the basis of the collected data.

• Decision o Search: Select review a saved analysis if any and make a

business decision based on that. • Action

o Schedule: Select this option to set up the creation of an analysis or a report at a later stage. The scheduled analysis/report can be saved in a folder or sent by e-mail.

o Create a storyboard: Select this option to create a sequence of analyses on the basis of the analyses available in the drillpad or saved in the Shared and Personal folders.

NOTE: Refer to the online Help within the product for a detailed description of all the options available in the Intelligent Analysis tool.

Demonstration: Designing an Analysis Using Intelligent Analysis

Create an analysis using the Intelligent Analysis tool. In the scenario described in the Setting Up a BA database section of Chapter 3, "Configuring a BA Database in Microsoft Dynamics NAV," Kevin wanted to analyze the gross margin based on the numerous criteria.

The following steps show how to create a Gauge object that will display the trend of the gross margin for a period of time.

1. Click New to start the intelligent analysis. 2. In the circle with business tasks, click Observation. 3. In the I would like to area, click create a dashboard showing. 4. Click the AssistButton next to the Select the cube field and select

the Sales and Purchase Efficiency cube. 5. Click the Gross Margin measure and then click Next.

NOTE: The Sample area demonstrates two objects to be created.

6. Click Gross Margin : 20% below minimum to set up a new goal for the analysis.

NOTE: Multiple values can be added as a goal. Each of the added values will result in an extra needle in the Speedometer gauge.



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7. Click Measure as goal. 8. Click Gross Margin. 9. Click visualized with > speedometer > Trend.

Since Kevin is interested in the local currency only, set the appropriate filter.

10. Click selected by the following criteria > Currency must be > Currency must be equal to and put a check mark next to n/a.

NOTE: n/a represents the local currency (LCY) because when a transaction in Microsoft Dynamics NAV is done in LCY, a currency code is not specified.

11. Click Next > Next > with ... on the criteria bar. 12. Click Posting Date. 13. Click Date and Year to be able to dynamically filter the trend results

by time periods. 14. Click the smiley in the upper right corner and then click Configure. 15. Set the Trend Direction to Positive trend is good and click OK.

For the analysis provided, all the required options are selected. However, more criteria can always be added to this or any other kind of analysis. The only condition is that the selected measures, dimensions, and criteria must go together for the program to be able to generate a report, cross tabulation, or other visualization of data.

16. Click Next > Go.



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The generated result looks as follows:

FIGURE 6.5 GROSS MARGIN TREND OVER 2010 - 2011 FOR TRANSACTIONS IN LCY

This is a general trend of the gross margin since the first posted transaction until the last posted transaction in the database. The result indicates a general decline of the gross margin over the two years. Now, manipulate the results to view the details over specific time periods.

17. Right-click the time slide at the bottom, and select Fetch or Define to enter the Data mode.

18. Set the following dimension: Posting Date > Posting Date and click the lightning on the time slide to fetch data. The time slide is modified to display time periods in details: posting date, quarter, month, and year. If necessary, specify a date or drag a line to view the result over a period.

NOTE: The time slide works simultaneously with the trend which means that whatever date or period is set on the time slide is reflected on the trend in real time. It is also possible to disable immediate refresh by clicking the equal sign on the criteria bar.

19. On the time slide, drag a line from 01-06-2010 until 04-01-2011.



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The trend changes as shown in the following screenshot:

FIGURE 6.6 GROSS MARGIN TREND SINCE 01 JUNE 2010 UNTIL 05 JANUARY 2011

The result indicates that based on the transactions posted for the selected period the gross margin did not change. Click the Cross Tabulation icon in the upper-right corner of the work area to see the data in a cross tabulation: the total gross margin for the fourth quarter of the year 2010 is 1,596.50. Click the Cross Tabulation icon again to return to the gauge view.

NOTE: For more information on toggling views refer to the Cross Tabulation section.



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20. On the time slide, drag a line from 01-06-2010 until 14-01-2011.

FIGURE 6.7 GROSS MARGIN TREND SINCE 01 JUNE 2010 UNTIL 14 JANUARY 2011

The result indicates that based on the transactions posted for the selected period the gross margin declined. Click the Cross Tabulation icon in the upper-right corner of the work area to see the data in a cross tabulation: the total gross margin for the first quarter of the year 2011 is -3,024.37, which is a decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 (1,596.50). Click the Cross Tabulation icon again to return to the gauge view.

Similar manipulations can be applied to other analyses involving the time slide.

NOTE: When selecting a date or a period with no transactions posted, the program cannot generate a visualized analysis and other criteria must be defined.

Gauges, just like other objects in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, can be overfilled with information when trying to create an analysis with a large amount of data. The readable result in this case can be achieved by using a cross tabulation analysis. The following section describes how to create a cross tabulation to perform more business analyses tasks required by the scenario with Kevin, the Sales Manager.



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Cross Tabulation There are two methods of creating a cross tabulation in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV:

• Through the use of an analysis object • Manually

This section demonstrates both methods.

NOTE: The source cube for the cross tabulations built in the following demonstrations is taken from the Trade Analysis database configured in the Configuring Business Analytics Database chapter of this manual.

Demonstration: Designing a Cross Tabulation Through the Use of an Analysis Object

Every object in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is based on a cross tabulation. Conversely, a cross tabulation can be created from an object.

Now, create a cross tabulation from the simple gauge created in the previous section.

Drag a line on the time slide over years 2010-2011 and click the cross tabulation sign in the upper right corner or press Ctrl+D.

According to the scenario, Kevin has a lot more values to analyze by various criteria. So he decides to make a new manual cross tabulation for a detailed analysis.

Demonstration: Designing a Cross Tabulation Manually

To create a cross tabulation manually, use the following procedure:

1. Click New > Analysis.

NOTE: If in the middle of another analysis, the program asks whether to save the current analysis on a hard drive.

2. On the Source data tab of the Smartpad, set the following options:

NOTE: The sequence of setting the dimensions and measures for the analysis defines the way the data will be displayed in the cross tabulation. This means that the options selected last will be child cells for the options selected first on the same axis.



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• Cube o Sales and Purchase Efficiency

• Measures

o Amount (Based on this measure Kevin will find out the most profitable items.)

o Gross Margin (This measure will help Kevin to view the gross margin for all items and make a business decision about future purchases and price corrections.)

o Quantity (To view the number of items sold.) o Unit Price (To have an overview of item prices.)

• Dimensions

o Customer (To be able to view which customers made the highest profit.)

o Sales Invoice Line No_ (To be able to view the number of items under analysis.)

NOTE: For the better visual presentation, set the Sales Invoice Line No_ and Customer dimensions on the Y axis. To add a dimension to a specific axis, right-click it on the Source data tab and select Add to X axis or Add to Y axis.

Set the criteria to further refine the selection of dimension values. You can define local criteria (apply only to the current object) or global criteria (apply to all objects). Since Kevin needs to analyze transactions only with local currency, set the following criterion.

3. On the Criteria tab, click Add global criteria.



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4. In the Add criteria pane, click Currency must be > n/a. 5. Click Fetch data to generate a cross tabulation based on the options

defined.

FIGURE 6.8 GROSS MARGIN ANALYSIS IN CROSS TABULATION

This is a raw result of the generated cross tabulation. To make the result readable and remove unnecessary calculations (the program calculates totals for all columns, including Unit Price in this case which is not correct), use the following procedure:

1. Right-click the table, and select Table > Totals and Subtotals > Hide grand totals to hide the grand totals from the table.

2. Right-click the table, and select Table > Totals and Subtotals > Hide subtotals to hide the subtotals from the table.

Now all the values displayed are proper but are hard for analysis. You can define numerous properties of the table on the Properties tab to improve the way the data is displayed or to adjust the look to your specific needs. For example, you can do the following to organize the data in the table:

3. On the Properties tab, in the Formatting section, click Auto Agent (the traffic lights icon) to have the values marked in different colors: the tints of yellow signify the lowest values and the tints of green are used for the highest values.

NOTE: Clicking Auto Agent again will add another gradation of colors and thus mark out the highest and lowest values: the highest values in this case are marked in red.



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4. Right-click the heading of the Amount column in the table, select Sort to sort the values by amount with the lowest on top. Repeat this step to have the highest values on top.

As a result of these manipulations, the final result looks like this:

FIGURE 6.9 CROSS TABULATION WITH EDITED LAYOUT

Based on the generated cross tabulation, Kevin can see which items made the highest gross margin, ones which were more than others, and to which customers. Based on the acquired information Kevin can make business decisions or build other analyses.

The look of the cross tabulation achieved in this demonstration is not a unique business solution. You can always try to rebuild analyses to view the data from a different perspective. After you click Fetch data on the Toolbar to generate an analysis, the button name changes to Define. Click Define to return to the Data mode and redefine measures, dimensions, and criteria. Also use this button if you are not satisfied with the look of the generated table/report/object and to specify different options.

Building a Chart out of a Cross Tabulation

In a similar way to generating a cross tabulation from an object (chart), objects (charts) can be created out of a cross tabulation. Now, convert the cross tabulation that is created into a chart:

1. On the Properties tab, in the Object type pane, click Bar.

NOTE: Alternatively, right-click the table and select Object > Object type and select an object to create.



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2. On the Properties tab, click Auto Agent to remove the auto agent coloring and let the object legend in the upper-right corner represent the colors that correspond to the bars displayed.

FIGURE 6.10 A BAR OBJECT CREATED FROM A CROSS TABULATION

Building Multiple Analyses

Another powerful feature of Business Analytics is the ability to make live comparisons by building several analyses in the work area at the same time. The work area can comprise several analyses based on any chart (object), a table, a map, or a cross tabulation. Various criteria can be applied either to all the analyses in the work area (using global criteria) or to a specific one (using local criteria).

NOTE: A multiple analysis cannot include a Business Analytics report which is always a stand-alone analysis. For more information on Business Analytics reports, refer to the Business Analytics Reports section.

To make a multiple analysis, add each analysis to the already created one by selecting the appropriate option on the Toolbar. If trying to add a new analysis from the File menu on the Menubar or the New menu on the Toolbar, the program will replace the current analysis, however, suggesting an option to save it.

Now, make a multiple analysis: add a pie object to the already created cross tabulation, and then try changing the global criteria to view dynamic changes on both analyses simultaneously.



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To build a multiple analysis, use the following steps:

1. Switch to the cross tabulation view by clicking the Cross tabulation icon on the Properties tab.

2. On the Toolbar, click Object > New pie. 3. Repeat steps 2-4 from the procedure of creating a cross tabulation. 4. On the Properties tab, in the Formatting section, click Auto Agent

(the traffic lights icon) twice to have the highest values marked in red.

5. On the Properties tab, in the Formatting section, click the Show legend (the traffic lights icon) to have the analysis display the explanation of the colors in the pie.

6. Click Fetch data on the Toolbar to generate an analysis.

The multiple analysis looks like this:

FIGURE 6.11 MULTIPLE ANALYSIS WITH THE SAME CRITERIA

Both analyses in the given multiple analysis are based on the same measures and dimensions. Multiple analyses can be built upon totally different source data if it is necessary, for example, to make different analyses on the same screen.

Try changing the global criteria to view how the results are dynamically changed for both the cross tabulation and the pie.



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7. On the Criteria tab, click Add global criteria > Sales Invoice Line No_ must be and place a check mark next to the following items: 1964-W, 1968-S, 1996-S, 70011, and 1896-S.

8. Click Apply.

The results displayed by both analyses change like this:

FIGURE 6.12 THE MULTIPLE ANALYSIS WITH MODIFIED CRITERIA

NOTE: Adding local criteria applies only to the currently selected analysis. To select an analysis, click the pane in the work area containing the required analysis.

Business Analytics Reports Business Analytics reports are useful for simple analyses when you do not need to build complex hierarchies of measures and dimensions because the data is displayed on the X axis unless a cross tabulation is inserted. The dynamic nature of the components is similar to those in a cross tabulation used to switch measures and redefine dimensions quickly. Additionally, features to a Business Analytics report can be added such as a variable, text, shape, image, and even an analysis object or a cross tab.



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Business Analytics reports can be created in two ways:

• Using the Intelligent Analysis tool. • Manually.

It is recommended to use the Intelligent Analysis tool to build the initial structure of the report and then, in the manual Define mode, make final changes to the report to adjust its layout and content to your needs.

NOTE: Once a report is manually modified, the Intelligent Analysis tool cannot be used for further modifications.

To create a Business Analysis report using the Intelligent Analysis tool, start with the create a report option and then follow the steps of the wizard selecting the report elements to be created.

Manual Design

To create a new Business Analytics report, click File > New Report > New Report.

NOTE: If there are saved report templates, select the template instead of creating a report from scratch, if necessary.

An empty Business Analytics window appears with the default bands: Page Header, Title, Detail, Summary and Page Footer. Except for the Detail band, the bands are optional and can be deleted by selecting the band and clicking Edit > Delete.

The default bands occur only once on a report, which means you cannot add the Detail band if it is already in the report. In addition to the default bands, you can insert the Group Header and Group Footer bands to group the report columns. These two bands can occur more than once on a report. To add a new band, click Edit > New Band and select a band type to add. There is also an option to add a Crosstab tab which actually adds a cross tabulation and this tab is designed in the same way as a cross tabulation.



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The minimum requirement is that a report must have either a Detail band, a Crosstab band or bands with content. To design the report content, drag dimensions, measures, text and graphical components from the relevant pane on the Source data tab in the Smartpad to the report tabs. The rules of designing the tabs are described in the following table:

Band How to Design Repeat

Page Header

Holds information independent of the actual contents of the given page, such as a logo, report title, page numbering, and so on.

Every page. Can be suppressed on the first page.

Title Holds the title of the report. The band can be used as a summary band, which means measures can be added here.

First Page

Column Header

Holds the heading of the columns. This band is printed after the Title band and on top of every new column or page.

Before the first Group Header and on top of the following pages.

Group Header

Marks the beginning of the dynamic content. One or more Group Header/Footer pair can surround the Detail band to structure the layout. By combining several Group Header/Footer pairs it is possible to create complex reports with subtotals for every level of the nesting. Each Group Header band is repeated according to the number of different values of fields in the band containing the field and the previous Group Header bands.

Depending on the context. There can be more than one Group Header for each report.

Detail Holds dynamic content of the report. This band together with the Crosstab bands is on the lowest level in the nesting of bands.

Depending on the context.

Crosstab Hold dynamic content of the report presented by a cross tabulation. Double-click the band to design the cross tabular content. This band together with the Detail bands is on the lowest level in the nesting of bands.


Group Footer

Marks the ending of the dynamic content. The Group Footer band requires a corresponding Group Heading band. When adding a Group Heading band, the Group Heading band is added automatically, though the latter one can be deleted if necessary.


Summary This band is the equivalent of the Title band but is printed on the last page.

Last page.



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Band How to Design Repeat

Page Footer

This band is the equivalent of the Page Header band but is printed on the last page.

Every page. Can be suppressed on the first page.

Demonstration: Design a Business Analytics Report Manually

According to the scenario in the Configuring Business Analytics Database in Microsoft Dynamics NAV, a part of Kevin's analysis is to find out the quantity of items remaining in stock to decide about the necessity of replenishment. Now that Kevin has found out which items are the most profitable, he designs a report to find out the remaining quantity of the sold items for each location.

To create a Business Analytics report, use the following procedure:

1. Click File > New Report > New report.

Delete the Page Header, Page Footer, and Summary bands since they are not necessary for the given report.

2. Click the Page Header, Page Footer, and Summary bands and press Delete one by one.

3. Click the Page Footer band and press Delete.

Name the report.

4. Select the Title band, and then drag a text box from the Text components pane on the Source data tab to the Title band.

5. Click the text box and, in the Text field on the Properties tab, enter "Remaining Items per Location."

Add the columns for analysis.

6. Drag the following dimensions from the Dimensions pane on the Source data tab to the Detail band: Location Code and Item.

7. Drag the following measure from the Measures pane on the Source data tab to the Detail band: Remaining Quantity.

Give names to the columns.

8. Click the Detail band, and then click Edit > New band > Column header.

9. In the same way as in step 4, add a text box above each column and enter the following names: o "Item No." above the Item - Item column. o "Location" above the Location Code - Location Code column. o "Remaining Quantity" above the Remaining Quantity column.



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NOTE: On the Properties tab, if necessary adjust the properties of the report elements for the better readability, such as the background color, text alignment, font, borders, and so on.

The raw unadjusted report looks like this:

FIGURE 6.13 BUSINESS ANALYTICS REPORT IN THE DATA MODE

10. Click Fetch data on the Toolbar to generate a report.

NOTE: After the data is fetched, you can always return to the Data mode to redesign the report or add/remove components by clicking Define on the Toolbar.



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The generated report should look as shown in the following screenshot:

FIGURE 6.14 A GENERATED BUSINESS ANALYTICS REPORT

To switch report pages, click the Next Page or Previous Page buttons on the Properties tab.

Now you can further manipulate the dynamic report data. For example, Kevin decides to view the remaining quantity of only the most profitable items from the cross tabulation in the Designing a Cross Tabulation Manually demonstration of this chapter.



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11. On the Criteria tab, click Add Global Criteria > Item must be and place a check mark for the following items: 1996-S, 1964-W and 766BC-C.

12. Click Apply.

The resulting report looks like this:

FIGURE 6.15 THE BUSINESS ANALYTICS REPORT WITH FILTERED DATA

You can further work with the report if necessary. For example, you can modify the criteria to add different filter(s), or return to the Data mode and change the measures and dimensions for analysis, or enhance the visual presentation by modifying the properties of the elements, and so on.



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Printing, Exporting, Sending, and Saving After finishing working with an analysis, you often need to save a hard copy or an electronic version of the achieved results for further analysis. You can do that in one of the following ways:

• Print the report or analysis. • Export the report or analysis to a different electronic format. • Send the report or analysis by e-mail. • Save the report or analysis.

Printing

To print out a hard copy of an analysis or report, click Print on the Toolbar or click File > Print.

NOTE: The printer setup is done in the standard Windows® setup dialog box.

Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV allows printing out in different ways:

• Printing analyses - a basic method used to print out objects in the work area, including criteria and drills. To print out an analysis, click Print on the Toolbar or click File > Print.

• Printing objects selecting what to include in a printout. Depending on the analysis, you can select to print data only or data and an explanation (general text explaining what is analyzed), a chart only or a chart and an explanation. To print with this method, click File > Printing and select what to print or click the AssistButton next to the Print button on the Toolbar.

Printing Business Analytics reports can be performed both in Define and Preview modes. When printing out a report in the Define mode, the data is fetched before printing.

Exporting

Analyses and reports may also be exported. This can be useful to publish reports or make a print out from a different format.

Exporting Business Analytics Reports

Business Analytics Reports can be exported in the following formats:

• PDF document (.pdf) • HTML document (.html) • Rich Text File (.rtf)



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To export a report, click File > Export to and select the most suitable format.

Exporting Data from a Cross Tabulation or an Object

The data can be exported from a cross tabulation in the following formats:

• .xls • .txt • xml • .csv

To export the data, right-click the table and click Data > Export table data and select the most suitable format. Clicking Data > Export table data > Export Wizard starts a wizard that helps to define additional export options, such as appearance, old version compatibility, number format, and so on.

NOTE: The options available on the pages of the Export Wizard depend on the format that is selected for exporting.

Since all objects in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV are based on a cross tabulation, the data from any object can be exported as well. Exporting data from an object is performed in the same way as from a cross tabulation.

Sending

Business Analytics reports and analyses (both objects and cross tabulations) can be sent by email. The email will include a URL to open the analysis or report in Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV installed on the recipient's computer.

NOTE: Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV must be installed on the recipient's computer to be able to open the URL.

An analysis is attached to the email as a .png image while a report is attached as a .pdf file.

Saving

Alternatively, you can also save your analysis (in the .xview format) or report (in the .trp format) by clicking File > Save as at any stage of your work. Then this saved file can be opened from Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV to complete the work or review the results.

Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV Another provides the ability to save analyses and reports in the virtual file system on the server. You can share analyses and reports saved in the virtual file system or restrict access to them.



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When a report or analysis is saved as Shared, it is available to other users connected to that server both through the use of the Web and a Windows client.

NOTE: The user needs to have developer rights to be able to save in the Shared area on the server.

When an analysis or report is saved as Personal, it is available only to the user who saved it. It still can be opened from any client, but only when the user who originally saved the analysis or report logs on.

To save a report or analysis as Shared, click File > Save as > Select location > Shared Favorites, enter the name of the file, and then click Save.

To save a report or analysis as Personal, click File > Save as > Select location > Personal Favorites, enter the name of the file, and then click Save.

Analyses and reports saved as Shared and Personal are available through the Favorites tab of the Smartpad.

Summary Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a powerful application that provides a user-friendly and intuitive user interface with advanced capabilities to perform business analytics tasks. The analyst decides how deep an analysis is performed, how many aspects it involves, and how the results are displayed. The user can stay with a semi-automatic building of analyses and reports using the Business Intelligence tool or use a manual approach with advanced capabilities.

The achieved results do not end the analysis or report: the dynamic nature of data presentation allows the user to manipulate the criteria or even return to the Data mode to rebuild the analysis with different measures and dimensions.

Flexibility of Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV allows it to stand out among other OLAP clients providing a similar functionality.



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Test Your Knowledge

1. What type of object is a chart (analysis object) based on and what can it be switched to in the work area?

2. Which of the following bands in a Business Analytics report hold dynamic content of the report? (Select all that apply)

( ) Column Header ( ) Detail ( ) Crosstab ( ) Summary

3. What formatting function does the Auto Agent serve?

( ) Verifies whether the calculation formulae used in an object are correct.

( ) Processes an object and adds coloring based on the average, minimum and maximum value of the measure.

( ) Displays the criteria which influence the data presented by an object. ( ) Displays labels on all active graph elements.

4. Which of the following methods for creating a Business Analytics report are true? (Select all that apply)

( ) Specifying the report content on the bands and then fetching the data ( ) Using the Intelligent Analysis tool ( ) Converting a chart into a report ( ) Converting a cross tabulation into a report



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Lab 6.1 - Building a Cross Tabulation In this lab, you will practice building an analysis based on a cross tabulation.

For the scenario in this lab, use the BA database created in the Configuring Business Analytics Database in Microsoft Dynamics NAV chapter and the cubes set up in the lab for that chapter.

Scenario

Kevin wants to analyze the liquid ratio by measuring the liquidity and ability of his company to meet its obligations. Kevin needs this information to see whether the accounts receivable can cover the accounts payable.

Challenge Yourself!

Build a cross tabulation manually to see whether the accounts receivable (total amount for customers) can cover the accounts payable (total amount for vendors) within the domestic market by the end of the year 2010.

Need a Little Help?

1. Create a new analysis. 2. Define measures to see the total amount for customers and vendors. 3. Define dimensions to categorize the results by posting groups (will

allow to filter by the National transactions) and time periods (year and quarter).

Step by Step

1. Click New > Analysis. 2. On the Source data tab of the Smartpad, set the following options:

o Cube - Liquidity

o Measures

- Amount _LCY_C (Represents the total amount for customers.)

- Amount _LCY_V (Represents the total amount for vendors.)

o Dimensions - Gen_Business Posting Group (To be able to discern the

domestic transactions.) - Year (To be able to categorize the results by years.) - Quarter (To be able to categorize the results by quarters.)



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3. Click Fetch data on the Toolbar.

The resulting table looks like this:

FIGURE 6.16 COMPANY LIQUIDITY FOR EACH GENERAL POSTING GROUPAND YEAR

The results show that the company is able to meet its financial obligations on the domestic market for the end of year 2010 because the accounts receivable (616,025.43) exceeds the accounts payable (-210,661.75).



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Quick Interaction: Lessons Learned Take a moment and write down three Key Points you have learned from this chapter

1.

2.

3.



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Solutions Test Your Knowledge

1. What type of object is a chart (analysis object) based on and what can it be switched to in the work area?

MODEL ANSWER:

Cross tabulation

2. Which of the following bands in a Business Analytics report hold dynamic content of the report? (Select all that apply)

( ) Column Header (√) Detail (√) Crosstab ( ) Summary

3. What formatting function does the Auto Agent serve?

( ) Verifies whether the calculation formulae used in an object are correct.

(•) Processes an object and adds coloring based on the average, minimum and maximum value of the measure.

( ) Displays the criteria which influence the data presented by an object. ( ) Displays labels on all active graph elements.

4. Which of the following methods for creating a Business Analytics report are true? (Select all that apply)

(√) Specifying the report content on the bands and then fetching the data (√) Using the Intelligent Analysis tool ( ) Converting a chart into a report ( ) Converting a cross tabulation into a report


Technology

Na2009 enus biip_06