A Business Analytics solution implementation which is a Web-based decision support solution which collates data from various sources, performs the analysis required on the data which is then presented in a customised format to the end users.

1. Business Analytics System
A Business Intelligence System to monitor the
performance and the health of the business and
the organization.
Mahesh Patwardhan
Digital and New Media Consultant

2. Contents
1. Overview
2. The Architecture
3. The Data Sources
4. The ETL
5. The Reports
6. Monitoring
7. Conclusion

3. Overview
 The Business Analytics solution implementation is
a Web-based decision support solution
 Collates data from various sources that exist
within an organisation (i.e. it builds a data
warehouse)
 Performs the analysis required on the data by
converting it into meaningful information
 The information is then presented in a
customised format to the end users

4. Features
 Gather information from various sources and transform this data into a
management dashboard that will alert key managers of the health of the business.
 View data in the form of graphs or multi-dimensional reports.
 Easy to use drill-down features allow for zooming into any aspect of the business
instantly.
 Review targets vs. achievements of business performance so as to analyse why
certain business areas perform well, while others do not.
 Download graph data and import it directly into Microsoft® Excel®. Graphs can
also be pasted into Microsoft® Word® or Powerpoint®.
 Personalise their dashboards and reports.
 The front-end is a Web browser with an intuitive interface allowing users to
become productive in a short span of time.
 Administrators can set up the system and create user roles, Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs) and multi-dimensional views of KPIs.
 A key role of the administrator is to ensure that data access is limited to the
information needs of a particular user role.

5. Architecture
 The solution has a multi-layered architecture to deliver
a highly secure and performance-oriented environment
for providing information.
 The three layers are
◦ Data Access Layer
◦ OLAP technology layer
◦ Presentation Layer.

6. The Data Access Layer
 The solution has automated the software processes that load
KPIs and their corresponding data into its own warehouse.
 The warehouse stores different KPIs as well as user
information.
 User information includes user views, dimensions and facts,
saved dashboards, and commonly used queries. This
information is stored in the Configuring Tables.
 Every time a user starts to interact with the system an
authentication process is run to ensure the user is valid.
 Users are connected to the engine only after the
authentication.
 If a pre-catalogued query is made, the system displays the
results of the query.
 If a new query is to be created, the system allows the user to
configure the query in the fashion required

7. The OLAP Technology Layer
 The second layer or the high performance
analytical engine layer generates graphs, reports,
tracks KPI, and safeguards information.
 Most commonly accessed information is pre-
catalogued and this can be easily presented with
high speed.
 OLAP services enable a user to create multi-
dimensional views. The Configurator helps to
configure filters, preferences for dashboard and
accessibility of users.

8. Presentation Layer
 The Presentation layer or the User Interface layer
supports several options for access
◦ Web browser
◦ pervasive devices like PDAs
◦ ensures anytime, anywhere access to business
information.
 The User Interface layer and the Technology layer
are separated by a secured firewall.
 Only users with access rights can access the
technology layer.

9. Data Sources
 The data for the Business Analytics
system is provided from two sources
◦ Log files of applications
◦ Through a web service or an XML feed.
 The data is provided on a daily basis after
the entire day’s data is available. The data
feed is scheduled as a batch process.

10. Log Files
 Log files of applications contain application data which
forms the input to the reporting system.
 These applications do not have any data in databases
that needs to be part of the reports, hence the data is
extracted from the log files.
 The required log files are collated and provided to
the system at pre-defined locations.
 Business Analytics ETL process loads the data into its
own database.

11. XML Feeds/Web Services
 Most applications have data in their databases
that requires to be made available for reporting.

 This data is provided to the Business Analytics
system in the form of an XML feed.
 The web services create the XML feed of the
entire days data for particular applications.
 XML feed made available to the ETL process of
the Business Analytics System.

12. Data Sources and ETL

13. The ETL Process
 The data input
◦ The ETL process receives the data which is provided either in the log
files or through the XML feeds from the various applications.
 The staging db
◦ The data is read from the XML files / Log files and verified for
consistency and completeness. This is achieved using the protocol for
the data exchange. The data is then extracted and loaded into the
staging area where it is processed for loading into the warehouse.
 The warehouse
◦ Once the data is loaded into the staging area and transformed, it is then
loaded into the warehouse where it is made available for reporting.

14. Reporting
 The dimensions and the measures for the reports are
configured in the system
 Depend upon the business needs of the online
service for which the business analytics is required.
 The required reports, dimensions and measures are
captured during the business requirements and
specifications stage .
 Configured in the system according to these
specifications.

15. Monitoring

16. Monitoring
 The system has alerts built in that are
designed to help in the monitoring process
 The alerts cover
◦ the data input from the log files
◦ the XML feeds
◦ the ETL process
 The alerts are configured as notification
emails and sms to the monitoring team.

17. Conclusion
 A Business Analytics solution implementation
which is a Web-based decision support solution
 Collates data from various sources that exist
within an organisation (i.e. it builds a data
warehouse)
 Performs the analysis required on the data by
converting it into meaningful information
 The information is then presented in a
customised format to the end users.

18. Business Analytics System
A Business Intelligence System to monitor the
performance and the health of the business and
the organization.
Mahesh Patwardhan
Digital and New Media Consultant