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Query & Analysis 10.0

Statement of Release
Performance Management
.0

Query and Analysis Statement of Release

Issued: October 2007

Version: 10.0.0

Document Number: P3620A US

File name: InforPM_Query&Analysis_SOR.doc

Disclaimer: Infor PM Query & Analysis is used in conjunction with third party companion products, such as operating systems and database systems. Query & Analysis is only supported for companion products that are in turn currently supported by their respective parent company. Please refer to the Query & Analysis Support Policy for full details. Copyright © 2007 Infor. All rights reserved. The word and design marks set forth herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Infor and/or related affiliates and subsidiaries. All rights reserved. All other trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners. www.infor.com. Important Notices The material contained in this publication (including any supplementary information) constitutes and contains confidential and proprietary information of Infor. By gaining access to the attached, you acknowledge and agree that the material (including any modification, translation or adaptation of the material) and all copyright, trade secrets and all other right, title and interest therein, are the sole property of Infor and that you shall not gain right, title or interest in the material (including any modification, translation or adaptation of the material) by virtue of your review thereof other than the non-exclusive right to use the material solely in connection with and the furtherance of your license and use of software made available to your company from Infor pursuant to a separate agreement (“Purpose”). In addition, by accessing the enclosed material, you acknowledge and agree that you are required to maintain such material in strict confidence and that your use of such material is limited to the Purpose described above. Although Infor has taken due care to ensure that the material included in this publication is accurate and complete, Infor cannot warrant that the information contained in this publication is complete, does not contain typographical or other errors, or will meet your specific requirements. As such, Infor does not assume and hereby disclaims all liability, consequential or otherwise, for any loss or damage to any person or entity which is caused by or relates to errors or omissions in this publication (including any supplementary information), whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Infor Global Solutions 13560 Morris Road Suite 4100 Alpharetta, GA 30004 Tel: 678-319-8000 Fax: 678-319-8682 Web: www.infor.com

www.infor.com

Query & Analysis Statement of Release October 2007

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Installation and Configuration......................................................................................................................... 2 Executive ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 XL.......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 NetEnterprise ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Word.................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Cache ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Product Conversion Utility ............................................................................................................................ 22 EIF Services ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Table of Contents


1

Subject of this Document

This Statement of Release briefly outlines the new features to be included in Query & Analysis 10.0.0.

Scheduled Release

Query & Analysis 10.0.0 was released in October 2007.

Introduction


2

Installing Query & Analysis

Vision has been renamed Infor PM Query & Analysis. The default installation folder has changed from C:\Program Files\Vision to C:\Program Files\ Infor PM QA. It is not possible to upgrade from Vision to Query & Analysis. Previous Vision releases must be completely removed before installing Query & Analysis.

Also see Vision XL Workbooks.

Installation Patches and Minor Upgrades

This release supports incremental software updates including installation patches and sub-releases thus negating the need to distribute a full release. This methodology ensures stability and maintainability of the installation. The primary step involved in implementing this change has been to move from an install script to a Windows Installer (MSI) solution. [VSIX-3942]

A silent install will no longer require the creation of script. Instead configuration settings are made by running setup.exe with command switches.

Workbook Examples

Sample workbook templates can we included with the Query & Analysis installation. Files included in the installation folder Branding\Demo\Query & Analysis will be automatically installed to the Query& Analysis Demo folder. Shortcuts will be created from the Query & Analysis demo group to the folder. [VSIX-4160]

Query & Analysis Cache Branding

Query & Analysis Cache supports Application Renaming. As with all applications in the Query & Analysis suite is it possible to rename the applications. For example, ‘Query & Analysis Cache’ could be renamed to ‘Infor Datamart’. This change will be reflected in the Excel add-in menu item and application dialog boxes. [VSIX-2842]

Duplicate User Profile Options

In Query & Analysis Setup, it is possible to copy Options settings, such as Access Tables, from one Query & Analysis User Profile to another. [VSIX-2784]

Serializing Error Messages

In Query & Analysis Setup, improvements have been made to error messages when serialising DataLink which has not been registered correctly. If a user attempts to serialise a DataLink which has not been registered correctly

Installation and Configuration


3

then the error message "Client Installation Required" is returned. This has been replaced by a message advising that the DataLink has not been registered and so cannot be serialised. [VSIX-2634]

Modifying User Profiles

In Query & Analysis Setup, it is possible to simultaneously make setting changes to multiple Query & Analysis User Profiles. Currently it is necessary to modify each User Profile individually. [VSIX-1866]

Administrators are also able to delete multiple User Profiles at the same time. [VSIX-1645]

User Profile Description

When creating a User Profile without completing the Description box an error message will be displayed. [VSIX-2326]

Query & Analysis Console

The Query & Analysis Console has been enhanced to allow Query & Analysis users to add Query & Analysis Console Applications and save the setup file. [VSIX-2452]

New Centralized Database Types

In Client Setup, the database types MySQL, DB2 and Informix have been appended to the list of databases supported by Query & Analysis for the centralized database. [VSIX-3948, VSIX-4110]

Pre and Post SQL Processing

Query & Analysis supports pre and post SQL processing on Tables and Tasks required by the SmartStream DataLink.


4

Define Criteria

Define Criteria has been enhanced to enable Query & Analysis users to delete a Data Filter Item referenced in multiple query definitions. In previous releases it is only possible amend Data Filter Item values, not remove the Data Item itself. The inclusion of the feature makes it easier to globally change a report comprised of query definitions with a Data Filter Item, such as an analysis code, which is no longer required. [VSIX-3842]

Cross Sheet Referencing

Executive supports cross sheet cell referencing. The Query & Analysis 6 Conversion Tool has been enhanced so that Query & Analysis 5 Executive workbooks that contain cross sheet referencing are carried forward once upgraded to Query & Analysis 6.

Cross sheet referencing is used to reference formulas contained in cells between Executive sheets. A cross reference cannot be used to set a query definition filter criteria value, in this case a Reference Prompt should be used instead.

To create a cross sheet reference:

1. In the original sheet, create a Name for the cell value to be referenced. Typically the cell will contain a number. If not, the cell format (text, number, date etc.) of the two worksheet cells must be matched.

2. Go to the second worksheet.

3. On the Edit menu, click Criteria View. The Cell dialog box appears.

4. Click the Cell Caption assist button.

Executive


5

5. Select the CROSSSHEET name from the list and click OK. The CROSSSHEET formula is inserted into the Cell Caption field.

6. Click OK on the Cell dialog box. The cell value is reference across the two sheets.

[VSIX-1897, VSIX-4072]

Attachment Icon Enhancements

The Attachment’s dialog box in Executive lists files attached to the active workbook. These files are associated with icons easily identify the file type and host application. For Query & Analysis 10.0.0, a new icon with introduced for PDF file and the existing icons improved. [VSIX-3246]

Retain Minimize Breakout in Drill Tree

In the Drill tree, it is possible to perform multiple Breakouts without expanding a previously minimized Breakout. This will make it easier to navigate the Drill tree since minimized Breakout will not obscure the results of the latest Breakout. [VSIX-1964]

Chart Tab

The Chart tab displayed after the extracting the workbook has been renamed to Cube Analysis Chart. [VSIX-3445]


6

Format Table

The Format Table feature in Executive is able to output numerical values in addition to text. The numerical output could be used for outputting extracted results and rounding. [VSIX-2331]

Workbook Title

When saving an Executive workbook for the first time the user is given the option to replace the default Workbook Title displayed in the Drill tree. [VSIX-3387]

Chart Axis

In the chart it will be possible to display chart axis with percentages rather than numbers. [VSIX-3475]

Workbook Limits

The Transaction Limit for the workbook can set by within Executive (Specify setting) or taken from the User Profile setting. In previous releases the default option is to use the Specify setting in Executive rather than the User Profile setting defined in Query & Analysis Setup. From this release, the default setting changes from Specify to the User Profile option. [VSIX-3422]

Filename in Title Bar

The Executive title bar will only display the filename. In previous releases, the filename and file path was shown. [VSIX-1623]

Data Link renamed to Reference Link

In Executive, the Data Link query definition has been renamed to Reference Link. The term Serduct has changed to DataLink. [VSIX-3929]

Auto Row Height

The new option, Auto Row Height, has been added to the Output to Microsoft Office dialog box. Once activated, this option ignores the row heights in the Excel workbook and instead uses Excel’s automatic row heights. Auto Row Height should be enabled when outputting large worksheets to significantly improve performance. [VSIX-4076]


7

Vision XL Workbooks

If you are migrating from Vision XL to Query & Analysis XL, it will be necessary update all existing Vision query definition formulas to the new XL add-in folder location. The XL add-in, LsAgXLB.xla, resides in the folder C:\Program Files\Infor PM QA\. Run Excel, open the workbook and select Links from the Edit menu. Update the link to the Q&A XL add-in location. Please refer to the Query & Analysis Installation Guide.

Data Link renamed to Reference Link

In XL and Word, the Data Link query definition has been renamed to Reference Link. The term Serduct has been changed to DataLink. [VSIX-3929]

Output to PDF

The Output to PDF feature will use a default user folder if the folder to place the PDF has not been specified in the Output to PDF dialog box. [VSIX-3750]

Sorting

The Sort dialog box has been enhanced to distinguish the same Data Output Item that has been selected multiple times with different Extraction Types. The Extraction Type determines whether the Data Output Item value is a summation, average, maximum value etc. [VSIX-2042]

Ranges and Field Totals

In Report Designer, it is possible to select a range of column totals in order to create a total for all columns. Previously each column had to be selected individually so that cell reference could be appended to the field total formula. [VSIX-3277]

Report Wizard and Row Descriptions

In Report Wizard, users can modify the default row description after selecting a contiguous range of values on the rows. In this release, uses will also be able to modify the default row description after selecting a non-contiguous range. [VSIX-4081]

XL


8

Live Refresh

NetEnterprise supports live refresh for Excel worksheets. This enables users to perform basic calculations and change filter criteria in a published page. The new values are displayed dynamically, in the user's Web browser.

The Live Refresh feature requires in the installation of EIF Services. EIF Services is built on the Microsoft .NET Framework and provides access to DataLinks through a Web Service on Internet Information Services (IIS) or through a .NET Data Provider, written especially for reporting over DataLink technology.

When the Excel workbook is published the user can choose between publishing a static or live report.

Static publishing, as with previous NetEnterprise, simply publishes HTML pages that cannot be altered.

When a live report is published it is appended the NetEnterprise tree. The ‘Athena’ icon denotes that it is a live report.

The Portal Helper is used to Preview and generate the Portal URL. Only Microsoft Internet Explorer supports displaying published pages, Firefox is not supported. Below is a published Excel workbook containing XL Summary Links.

NetEnterprise


9

Once an Excel worksheet has been published in Live Refresh mode it possible to:

Tools Options - Perform calculations and recalculate XL query definitions in a range, worksheet or workbook.

Print - Define print areas.

These options area available on a small toolbar located at the bottom of the browser.

Live Refresh calculations can be categorised into four areas:

Basic mathematical calculations.

Updating cell values.

Changing Query filter values stored in cells.

Defining a prompt from an Excel name.

Mathematical Calculation An example of basic mathematical calculation is summing two values together. This can be performed directly within the browser page. For example, consider the computation 20+30 = 50. Typing the in the formula will return the result. However, it should be noted that it is not possible to edit the original formula once resolved.

After clicking Enter result is returned in the cell.


10

Updating Cell Values

If there are existing Sum formula in the worksheet, changing a cell value will be reflected in the returned total. For example, a list of values is summed in a column and one of the values in updated, the total will be amended.

Currently the Bad Debt Provision is $5,475, typing over the value and replacing it with $6,000 will shown the Total Current Liabilities total. During the calculation process the cell is shaded yellow.

The new total is now $887,731.

Query Filter Values

Excel worksheets can be comprised of XL reports. The XL reports are generated by defining Query definitions. In XL there are four Query definition types: Reference Link, Summary Link, Summary Report and Detail Report. The Query definition set filter criteria and items to output in to the worksheets. When setting filter criteria, such as a table or Business Unit, the value can be set within the Query definition form or externally on a worksheet. The latter case applies to the Live Refresh feature.

In the example below as Summary Link contains two Data Filters Item set by referencing values in the cells C7 and C8. When the worksheet is recalculated the query definition extracts the result by setting the filter DEM (Database) and 1991/001 (Period).


11

When the worksheet is published in NetEnterprise, the association between the cell value and original query definition is retained. Hence, when the filter value is updated and a Live Refresh is performed the query is extracted with the new filter criteria. For example, in the published workbook if the Period cell is changed from 1991/001 to 1991/002 the worksheet is recalculated. Using the EIF Services web service, the worksheet definitions are extracted with the revised filter values. The web page displays the new Fixed Assets result for the new period.

Also see the AFL Support section.

Generate Prompts from Excel Names

Excel Names are often used to define parameters for reports. When an Excel workbook is published, the worksheet is scanned for Excel Names. The user is given the opportunity to generate Prompts based on these Names. The Prompt can be defined as a single value or range. Report Prompts, based on Names, can be modified prior to a live refresh over the web so that the report reflects the new parameters.


12

In the Excel worksheet the Name must have the syntax ‘Prompt_myvalue’, where myvalue is the name of the prompt. When defining a range the Name syntax becomes ‘Prompt_myfirstvalue_From’ and ‘Prompt_mylastvalue_To’, where the Name refers to the first and last value.

In the example below the Account Code range defined by two Excel names: Prompt_AccCode_To and Prompt_AccCode_From.

These Excel names define the criteria for the Account Code data filter in the XL Summary Report.

When the workbook is published as a live report the Excel names will be used to create the Prompts in NetEnterprise. The workbook is scanned for Excel names with the pre-fix ‘Prompt_’, any that are found will be listed on the Live Publishing tab.


13

The report should be previewed in Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Prompt is placed at the top of the page.

Changing the values for the Account Prompt and clicking the Execute button will re-extract the Summary Report with the revised filter criteria.

AFL Support An automatic filter lookup (AFL) list is displayed when a driver cell or prompt in the Live Refresh published worksheet is selected. An AFL list is a lookup list for the Data Filter Item. For example, a list of valid Account Codes for the Account Code data item. This functionality mirrors the AFL feature in XL.

In the example below, Database is a driver cell for query definitions in the published worksheet. The query definitions refer to the cell value (DEM) for the Database filter item. When the cell that contains DEM is double-clicked a lookup list is displayed with all possible values for the Database filter. A new value can be selected and the worksheet recalculated.


14

Live Refresh Limitations Below is a list of known limitations of the NetEnterprise Live Refresh feature. These should be considered when publishing Excel workbooks.

General

Live Refresh is only available for Excel workbooks. It does not support Executive workbooks or Word documents. These file types cannot be published as live reports.

It is not possible to create a new report within a web browser. The report must already exist in the worksheet and subsequently be published.

Any changes made to the Excel worksheet displayed in the web browser cannot be saved and retrieved. Data typed into cells is only valid for that session.

Excel 3rd party add-ins are not supported.

Excel and XL Features

The following Excel and XL features are not supported:

Report Designer - reports created using XL's Report Designer will not be updated during a Live Refresh recalculation.

Charts - a published chart will not be dynamically updated as result of new data returned from a Live Refresh request.

Outlines (expand / collapse rows and cells)

Drilldown analysis & Cube analysis within a web browser.


15

Format tables - it is not possible for a published live page to trigger Alerts or send an e-mail.

Macros

Dynamic Page Support

When viewing a page in a browser, NetEnterprise Server serves the page immediate above, below, to the left and right. This provides an optimum viewing experience by ensuring the user does not have to wait for all pages to be sent or only providing a single page on demand. Browser users are able to navigate between pages using the keyboard arrow keys. Scroll bars will indicate the relative position of the displayed page within the large report. [VSIX-4215, VSIX-4219, VSIX-4220, VSIX-4221]

BIRT Web Service

Included with the NetEnterprise server installation is a web service. The web service is used to publish, deploy, and view BIRT reports in NetEnterprise. Netenterprise connects to the web service in order to perform operations on the BIRT Apache server. The web service is provided as a separate installation contained in the NetEnterprise\BIRT folder. [VSIX-4343]

Select All Sheets

Two new options have been added to the selection tab of the Publish window. Available on a short-cut menu, the Select All and Clear All options will simplify the process of selecting sheets or named ranges. [VSIX-3021]

Hide Row / Columns

In live mode it will be possible to show or hide worksheet row and column headings.

Bulk Wizard

Using Bulk Wizard it is possible to publish, delete or save multiple files below the active parent folder. In previous releases only one file could be selected at a time.


16

Folder Import

In addition to importing individual files from the file system into NetEnterprise, the complete contents of a folder and sub-folders can be imported. This can save time by replicating the file structure of a file system folder. However, unlike the file system files stored in NetEnterprise remain secure in a password protected environment.

In the example below the folder C:\Alert Training is imported into NetEnterprise. The folder and all files, including workbooks and Alert tasks, are replicated in NetEnterprise. To be able to launch one of the Excel workbooks the user is required to logon to NetEnterprise and have access to the folder in the NetEnterprise tree (shown below).


17

Parameter Support for BIRT Reports

It is possible to publish BIRT reports in NetEnterprise. The parameter s for a BIRT report will be stored and a prompting lookup list generated using EIF Services. [VSIX-4229]

SSL for Login Only

In previous releases NetEnterprise web interface could be used over SSL, but this is demanding on resources and so impacts on performance. A new option has been introduced to only run the login over SSL to protect username and password details. Once logged on to NetEnterprise communications will operate faster by not having to be restricted by SSL. [VSIX-3351]

Cell Padding

Cell padding has been introduced to improve the appearance of published reports negating the need for user to add spacing columns in the original report. [VSIX-2922]

Rename Option

The Rename option allows users to rename files or folders in the NetEnterprise tree. The feature is currently found on the Edit menu, but will be included on the context menu. [VSIX-2948]

Publish Progress Bar

A progress bar will be displayed when publishing files. [VSIX-2928]

Navigation Pane for Published Pages

A navigation pane has been introduced to enable the user to select and view any of the published pages in the preview window. [VSIX-2605]


18

Send Link

The Send Link feature will allow a NetEnterprise user to easily send the full URL path of a published node to one or more e-mail recipients. Once a report is selected in the tree it will be available as a content menu item. The recipient would simply click the link in the e-mail to open the published node in a web browser. [VSIX-3354]

Publish Wizard

The new Publish Wizard will manage the selection and publication of multiple stored files or documents in the NetEnterprise tree. [VSIX-3400]

Folder Order

After renaming a folder, its position in the NetEnterprise tree will be updated to maintain the folders in alphabetical order. [VSIX-2923]

Web Page Printing

Enhancements have been made to printing browser pages. A cascading style sheet will hide the NetEnterprise tree and any open panes so that the printed page is uncluttered. A new context print menu will have two options: Print Document Only and Print Document with Tree. If the tree is printed it will be possible to choose the position of the tree on the printed page, which may different to its placement on the online page. [VSIX-3352]

Previous Published Sheets

When re-publishing an Excel workbook, the publish dialog retains the previously selected sheets. [VSIX-3114]

File Property Value

In NetEntreprise, the Property window will display file details for the selected Excel, Word or Powerpoint file. Details will include: file type, file size and modified date. [VSIX-3911]

Browser Support

NetEnterprise Server publishes pages compatible with Internet Explorer 6 and 7, and Firefox. [VSIX-4205]


19

Locked Cells

When publishing a live report, NetEnterprise will import Locked Cells from Excel Workbooks. Similarly, web browser users will be able to lock cells. [VSIX-4206, VSIX-4207]

Print and View Areas

Browser users will be able to display a predefined area from the View Area drop down menu. [VSIX-4210]

Save As Functionality

NetEnterprise users are able to save reports to existing and new folders in the NetEnterprise tree. [VSIX-4211]

Publishing Settings

When a file is republished in NetEnterprise the last used option settings are retained. [VSIX-4202, VSIX-4203]

URL Document Handler

URL addresses can be created in the In the NetEnterprise tree.


20

Microsoft Office 2007

Query & Analysis Word supports Microsoft Office 2007. [ VSIX-4196]

Word


21

Hierarchy Order in the Query & Analysis Cache Formula Screen

Hierarchies are treated as a single dimension to ensure that different hierarchy levels are fully supported and displayed in the correct order. [VSIX-3435]

Cache


22

Upgrade Query & Analysis Reports to Different Product

A new Query & Analysis 6 conversion tool upgrades Query & Analysis reports to different Products. With minimal user intervention the Product code is changed as are the designated code paths. This utility is primarily aimed for DataLink developers who wish update reports so they work with a new DataLink that may be similar in structure to the existing DataLink originally used to create the reports, but has a different DataLink code. [VSIX-2031]

Product Conversion Utility


23

EIF Services Query Definition Form

EIF Services includes the common Query definition form used throughout Query & Analysis applications. This familiar user interface makes it is easy to create the DataLink SQL necessary to build BIRT reports. The .NET basic query building window is able to generate and import both SQL and Data Transfer Objects. The common Query definition form can be displayed by running Sample2.exe and clicking the Edit Query… button. As with XL, data items should be dragged from the Selection List to the Filter and Output windows. Data Filter Item criteria can be set by clicking the lookup assist button or by typing the value into the cell. [VSIX-3949]

The resulting DataLink SQL defined by the Query definition form is listed on the SQL tab.

EIF Services


24

JDBC driver for EIF Services

A JDBC driver has been developed to expose EIF Services functionality to BIRT. This enables users to develop BIRT reports comprised of DataLink SQL queries. The driver is included with the EIF Service installation. [VSIX-3935]

EIF Services Web Service

The EIF Services Engine has been converted from ADO.COM to ADO.NET. A conversion parser has been written to convert DataLink VBScript that works with ADO.COM to ADO.NET. [VSIX-3946]

The EIF Services Engine runs under MONO. This process will involve converting APIs to .NET and developing a mySQL version of Client Setup details. [VSIX-3947]

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