…sometimes to really get to know how a technology works.

I’ve been struggling with a couple of things for the last few weeks. One is understanding where TargIT (the Business Analytics platform) is different from other cube viewers and reports. So I went back to the basics of trying to explain to a prospect who knows nothing about cubes how they work and then how TargIT works. I did this by writing a demo script for myself which is a step by step guide explaining what screens to show by way of example.

And the technique worked. The two key things that I spotted where firstly, when you use the Analysis Wizard to build an on-screen view, it creates mutliple CrossTab tables for each grouping selected as opposed to e.g. Excel or ProClarity which puts everything in one CrossTab. Each CrossTab is linked so when you select one detail element, the other CrossTabs (and Graphs) change to reflect your selection. Thus, even though you have multiple objects on the screen, they’re always in context (unless you choose otherwise).

Secondly, the Report Wizard uses the term Grouping in a slightly different way. The first ‘Grouping’ is actually selected on the Detail lines and further ‘Groupings’ are like the way most report writers treat the subject.

With the fact that objects such as CrossTabs and Reports can be scheduled to run and sent to people in various formats, if people are looking for a better solution than the combination of Reporting Services and Excel then TargIT is it. But it does cost quite a bit more.

I’ll update you with our experiences with ZetaDocs next time around.

If you read my last post you’ll see that I got very wet sailing the 1st weekend in May. It didn’t get any better! The next time I went sailing I was unceremoniously knocked overboard when another yacht hit us astern and I was standing on the foredeck trying to clear a ‘jam’. And then, the Spring Bank holiday had us broaching again although this time the spinnaker pole didn’t break. What’s the problem? My fellow crew members are a bit too gung-ho trying to relive past glories. More thought and less excitement is what’s required. A bit like the IT profession!?

Richard