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BI Capabilities and Tools PDF
BI Capabilities and Tools PDF
Milinda Vitharana
April 2013
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax
Table of contents
Introduction ................................................................................................ 3
Conclusion ................................................................................................ 22
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Please refer to the Legal disclaimer on use of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Power view for multidimensional models
Community Technology Preview (CTP) on page 23
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For more information about the Microsoft Dynamics Customer Model, go to
http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/5/e/15e9da3f-c3d2-4212-bc2a-
851b8fa25ed7/MS_Customer_0107_LoRes.pdf.
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Identify clusters and Perform simple analysis Slice and dice aggregate Drill down, and compare/
trends. (prioritizing and filtering). data. benchmark with peers and
Use sample data and previous results.
audits.
Take action. Seamlessly access detailed Communicate and share Reorganize, and launch
data. patterns, and take programs and action plans.
proactive/corrective action.
This table embodies the principal of role-based BI and can be applied in choosing tools and capabilities
based on the needs of the role.
A closer examination of the Role Centers that ship with Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 will reveal the
patterns identified for each persona. We will observe this core concept in action later in this paper.
It is possible to enrich the exported dataset by adding additional data fields from the underlying
dataset that was used to populate the form. This capability leverages the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
add-in for Microsoft Office, which exposes data to Excel, subject to the role-based security defined in
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2.
By leveraging the capabilities of Excel 2013, a user can mash up Microsoft Dynamics AX data with
external data sources from other systems, and also with publicly available data from the Microsoft
Azure Marketplace. After the required data is assembled, the user can explore the data and trends by
using Power View, which is built into Excel 2013.
The Microsoft Dynamics AX add-in for Microsoft Word enables the creation of custom documents, such
as collection letters and quotations, that use data from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, thereby
enabling the user to leverage the capabilities of Word.
Although the pre-built Role Centers can be adopted as-is, think of Role Centers as a framework where
the ERP experience can be tailored along with BI. Role Centers are built by using Microsoft Office
SharePoint Server technologies, and they can be extended by adding custom content from partners
and ISV solutions.
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Cues are linked to list pages in such a way that clicking a cue takes the user directly to a list page.
The user can define new cues or modify existing cues from a Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 list page.
Cues can be defined for a users own personal use or shared within the organization.
The task of building and using cues has been built natively into the Microsoft Dynamics AX experience
in such a way that users are not aware that they are building ad-hoc queries by using a query tool.
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As shown in the preceding figure, there are multiple FactBoxes within a specific form or on a specific
list page. The user can open or close the FactBoxes. FactBoxes show relevant information as the user
selects various records.
The user can remove or resize FactBoxes, depending on personal preference or the need.
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Although Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 ships with several list pages that contain the Analyze data
option out of the box, a partner or developer can add this option to any list page in the product.
Because this option leverages the power of Microsoft Dynamics AX cubes, developers can extend this
functionality to suit most scenarios.
Ad-hoc query
Analysis of operational/financial data Excel add-in for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
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Query tools
We have further grouped the query tools into two categories. Predefined queries are the most
frequently used queries. They are defined once and consumed frequently, often by a group of users.
Ad-hoc queries, on the other hand, are mostly situational. They are purpose-built as and when they
are needed.
Cues and list pages A casual business user can define a query by using a list page with a few
key strokes. These queries are known as cues, and they can be pinned to a Role Center for ease of
access. Cues show results immediately as data changes. When selected, cues display detailed data
on the same list page where they were defined. For more information, see the Manage cues topic
on TechNet.
Auto-Report A casual business user can generate a report in one click from any form by using
a wizard-driven approach. The data in the form is shown in a report format, and this report can be
sent as email or printed. Auto-Report is an easy way for a casual user to generate a printable
report that uses the data shown in a form. For more information, see the Create a report by using
the Microsoft Dynamics AX auto-report wizard topic on TechNet.
Excel add-in for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 A business user can generate an ad-hoc
report in Excel that has secure access to data by using the Excel add-in for Microsoft Dynamics AX
2012.
The user can begin by exporting the data shown in a form or on a list page to Excel. Exported data
can be enriched by adding additional fields. It is also possible to create a new report by starting in
Excel.
In addition to ad-hoc reports, a business user can generate documents such as sales quotations
and collection letters by using the Word add-in for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. For more
information, see the Using the Microsoft Dynamics AX Add-in for Excel topic on TechNet.
Reporting tools
Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder v3 with cubes A business user can create robust,
professional-quality reports with the data contained in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 cubes by using
Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder v3. Report Builder leverages the power of SQL Server
Reporting Services server for report processing and distribution. In addition to providing the
capability to author professional-looking reports, these reports enable parameters and conditional
logic to be included in such a way that they can be consumed by a large population of users in the
organization. For more information, see the Create a report by using SQL Server Report Builder to
connect to a cube topic on TechNet.
Excel with cubes A business user can explore Microsoft Dynamics AX cube data and also create
ad-hoc reports by using built-in capabilities of Excel, such as pivot tables and Power View.
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Analysis tools
Business Overview Web Part A business user can pin pre-built KPIs and indicators to Role
Centers by using the Business Overview Web Part. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 provides the
capability to add user-defined filters to existing KPI definitions in such a way that users can pin
the same KPI to Role Centers by adding filters to reflect their area of interest. For more
information, see the Manage business overview information topic on TechNet.
Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Services (PPS) scorecards A business user can define
scorecards and strategy maps by using Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Services and tools which
is a component of Microsoft SharePoint server. These dashboards can be exposed on Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2012 Role Centers or in a corporate portal that is based on Microsoft SharePoint
Server.
SQL Server Power View on list pages and Role Centers Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2
provides the capability to explore data on a list page by using SQL Server Power View. Reports
created by using SQL Server Power View can be exposed on Role Centers or saved as PowerPoint
slides. For more information, see the Create a report by using SQL Server Power View to connect
to a cube topic on TechNet.
Data mash-up with Excel PowerPivot Often, there is a need to integrate external sources of
data to make decisions. Excel PowerPivot is an add-in that is available with Excel 2010 and later
that enables mashing up different data sources for integrated reporting. The PowerPivot add-in
leverages in-memory BI technology and data compression that enables Excel to scale to hundreds
of millions of rows of data.
A power user can extract data from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 either by using cubes (if
aggregate data is required) or via the Excel add-in. (if operational data is required). Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2012 R2 provides another option for exposing data by using the OData protocol in
such a way that operational data can be exposed to Excel users even if they dont have the Excel
add-in installed on their desktop.
After the relevant data sources have been assembled in Excel, the data can be analyzed either
with Excel pivot tables or, in case of Excel 2013, with built-in Power View.
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Cues and list pages Cues and Business Business Overview Web
Overview Web Part (KPIs) Part (KPIs)
Identify clusters and Perform simple analysis Slice and dice aggregate Drill down, and compare/
trends. (prioritizing and filtering). data. benchmark with peers and
Use sample data and previous results.
audits.
List pages, Auto-Report, SQL Power View, Excel, and SQL Power View, Excel,
charting controls, and Auto-Report Business Overview Web
SSRS reports Part, and PPS scorecards
Take action. Seamlessly access detailed Communicate and share Reorganize, and launch
data. patterns, and take programs and action plans.
proactive/corrective action.
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The AR administrator Role Center leverages cues to display operational indicators on past-due and
open invoices. Cues provide the capability to navigate to list pages with a single click. List pages
enable Arnie to take the necessary action for follow-up.
The AR administrator can define alerts (in addition to the alerts triggered by workflows). User
attention is immediately drawn to alerts, and the user can act on alerts by selecting the action button
associated with each alert. Action buttons are context-sensitive and open the form that is relevant to
the corresponding action.
The AR administrator Role Center leverages charting controls to display the Accounts receivable
aging summary chart. The Top past due customers report is an SSRS production report that is
pinned to the Role Center. Together, this chart and this report provide a summary of current status.
The AR administrator Role Center provides links to frequently used operational forms and report menu
items. These links are customizable by the user for easy access.
Users can personalize their own Role Center by including any Microsoft SharePoint Server Web Part on
the Role Center without the help from IT division. The administrator can customize the content of AR
Role Center globally for all users by updating the global version of the AR Role Center.
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The credit and collections manager Role Center leverages cues to display operational indicators.
However, Connie plays a crucial role in the business processes that govern the Average collections
period and the Days sales outstanding KPIs. Therefore, her Role Center contains both operational
indicators (cues) and long-term, high-level indicators (KPIs).
Connie also uses several operational reports to monitor collections. These reports have been pinned to
the Role Center for ease of access. At the lower right of her Role Center are links that Connie can use
to open her most frequently used forms and reports. Connie can personalize these links by adding and
removing links herself.
Connie can personalize her own Role Center by including any SharePoint Web Part on her own,
whereas the administrator can customize content globally for all users by updating the global version
of the Role Center.
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Although the Collections list page provides her with the insights that she requires to complete her
tasks, Connie can also export the data displayed on a list page to Excel for further analysis and
reporting. She can also use the power of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 cubes and SQL Server Power
View to explore collections data for hidden trends.
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As the previous figure shows, Connie can create rich reports by using SQL Server Power View. The
report can then be saved directly to a PowerPoint slide for a presentation or to a folder in Enterprise
Portal for sharing with her team.
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The CFO Role Center leverages KPIs to display high-level corporate indicators. As CFO, Sara focuses
on financial indicators on such as Revenue, Expenses, Margin, and Net income.
Sara can include additional KPIs and trend indicators on her Role Center within the Business Overview
Web Part. She can add any of the predefined KPIs and measures in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2
cubes to her dashboard without requiring IT assistance. She can also slice and filter the KPIs to
explore the source of adverse effects. If required, she can start a chat session or initiate a call with
the owner of a KPI using Microsoft Lync.
Saras Role Center contains several SQL Server Power View reports that she monitors on a regular
basis. She can interact with the categories on the report, and see the impact then and there. She can
also open the report in full-screen mode and make any necessary changes that are required.
Conclusion
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 includes a powerful BI solution, including 45 pre-built Role Centers.
Together with SQL Server 2012 and other Microsoft BI technologies such as Excel 2013, Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2012 R2 offers a comprehensive set of BI capabilities and tools that can be used to tailor
the pre-built content to the specific needs of an Organization.
Role-based BI is a concept that has been adopted in the design of the pre-built BI solution. The role-
based BI concept can be used to provide BI to every user of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2.
If you are a solution architect or systems implementer who is devising a solution based on Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2012 R2, you can leverage the pre-built BI solution as the basis for a BI solution catered
to the specific needs of different personas in your organization.
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Power View is an ad-hoc data exploration and visualization experience in Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services. To use
Power View reports with Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 data stored in Business Intelligence Semantic Model multidimensional
mode, you must have a generally available release of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 that supports Power View for multidimensional
models installed on your system. As of December 1, 2012, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 that supports Power View for
multidimensional models is not generally available. However, the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 that supports Power View for
Multidimensional Models Community Technology Preview (CTP) release is available for download if you want to test the Power View
reporting capability. You should not test or use this CTP in a live operating environment unless Microsoft permits you to do so
under another agreement. Click here (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35822) for more information on
the CTP release. All features and dates are preliminary based on current expectations and are subject to change without notice.
The information herein is for informational purpose only and represents Microsofts current view as of the date of this release.
Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of
Microsoft.
The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the
date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a
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