Partner TechTip: Deliver Critical Enterprise-Wide Data to Your Users Quickly and Easily

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Empower users so they can get the data they want to see.

 

How do you deliver the information your users need to do their jobs? Can they answer business questions quickly and correctly? Are they empowered with the tools and knowledge they need to find and access the data spread out across your enterprise?

 

Sadly, for many the answer is, "No, not easily" or "No, not at all."

 

Basic tools can generate lists and reports, but they often require a strong understanding of the enterprise architecture, the various databases, and the technologies required to get at the data. Many people in IT are leery of handing users the "keys to the data kingdom" because of the lack of control and accountability.

SEQUEL Empowers Users

SEQUEL ViewPoint lets you access the data on your IBM i server and extract, analyze, and present data from remote, multi-platform databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL. You can access local or remote databases through common database connections using your favorite interface: graphical, 5250 command line, or the SEQUEL Web Interface. And, it's so easy to access these databases that even non-technical users can build powerful views, reports, and executive dashboards.

Desktop Shortcuts and Executive Dashboards

SEQUEL offers many options to help you get meaningful information—such as query lists, summarized interactive tables, or spooled reports—into the hands of your end users. Desktop shortcuts, executive dashboards, and Web browser links make SEQUEL the easiest and most cost-effective tool for delivering enterprise data.

 

With a simple desktop shortcut (Figure 1), users can easily run a wide variety of requests: simple customer lists; robust, multi-level host reports; interactive, summarized data tables; and CL-like scripts. Add run-time prompts to fill in variable search criteria and the request becomes a powerful data access application.

 

Your sales reps don't need to carry printed information or download data to their laptops. They simply connect securely to the network and run a shortcut to see the data they need.

 

082611FloydFig1

Figure 1: A simple shortcut displays a list of customers. (Click images to enlarge.)

 

You can expand on the shortcut concept by placing different data objects into a single dashboard display. Add views (both detail and summary), Web sites, Windows applications, gauges, and reports to create a single access point to your enterprise data.

 

Dashboards can contain views that run against different databases, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL. Everyone—executives, non-technical management, and end users—can create their own dashboards (Figure 2) to display a variety of important metrics.

 

082611FloydFig2

Figure 2: Design dashboards to display the information you want to see.

 

SEQUEL Web Interface for Zero Client Access

The SEQUEL Web Interface is the easiest, most cost-effective way to work with SEQUEL objects and access your enterprise data. You can use dashboards, views, reports, tables, scripts, and applications—all from a Web browser.

 

Use the SEQUEL Web Interface to create lists of your SEQUEL objects, display results, download data to your PC, print, email, and more—without installing any PC software.

 

082611FloydFig3

Figure 3: Display dashboards containing graphics, charts, and gauges in a separate browser tab.

 

Discover how SEQUEL empowers your users and reduces your backlog of data access and reporting requests. Try SEQUEL for FREE for 30 days. Learn more about SEQUEL and your FREE trial by clicking here.

as/400, os/400, iseries, system i, i5/os, ibm i, power systems, 6.1, 7.1, V7, V6R1

Floyd Del Muro

Floyd Del Muro is Sr. Consultant-Data Access Technologies for SEQUEL Software. He can be reached at 847.273.1046 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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