MIS 271 – The Journey from Intermediate Business Programming to Business Analytics

1. MIS 271 – The Journey from Intermediate Business Programming to Business Analytics Mauricio Featherman, Ph.D. Washington State University

2. Background Info • The number of business analyst, management analyst, business intelligence specialist, and database analyst positions remains strong. • MIS majors will now receive 2 data analysis\business intelligence classes (MIS271/420). These courses along with MIS372 will help to prepare you for one of the aforementioned analyst positions. • MIS271 focuses on delivering business performance management reporting and solutions, and analytics to improve business processes. • Professor Featherman has created all new content for MIS271 – this content is explained in these slides • MIS420 also has new BI content – business intelligence – think of this as an advanced database & business analysis course.

3. MIS271 Course Content - Business Analytics • 40% - Creating databases, and data manipulation using different front-end tools (MS-Excel, MS-Access forms, Visual Studio.NET Windows forms -syntax-based and codeless, ASP.NET web pages, Sharepoint webpages) and using different databases (MS-Access and SQLServer) • 40% - Using reporting tools to analyze data, in support of managerial decision-making (using MS-Access reporting, Crystal Reports, Visual Studio forms, Sharepoint webpages, and SQLServer Reporting Services) • 20% - Using graphing and dashboarding tools to visualize and analyze data, in support of managerial decision-making (MS-Excel Pivot tables, Crystal Reports, and SQLServer Reporting Services)

4. Did this used to be a programming class? • Yes, but now we leverage new codeless point, click, and tailor methods. Some typed syntax is used but not very much. • You can get many types of applications up and running pretty quickly using the new codeless tools made available. Don’t underestimate the power of these tools! • For example using Crystal Reports or Sharepoint Designer requires choosing and clicking pre-built options, rather than hacking out syntax (for example would you use Google Calendar or create your own using ASP.NET?) What if you were tasked to create a calendaring system for a department? • You will learn a ton of useful development and analysis techniques, while the goal is to do this in a fun way

5. But I want to program! • Better take a CS course or do self-study. Here is a link. • We will also write some syntax based expressions and SQL statements to push the limits of Crystal Reports and SQLServer Reporting Services. • Learning how to use codeless development techniques is important however for prototype development and small system rapid application development. • We can develop a lot of very advanced functionality very quickly, by using new codeless techniques

6. Class format • The class is largely a hands-on, lab based course • You will learn from professor-led guided tours • In class assignments will be based on the guided tours • Watch videos and read web content to learn more about the development processes. • Homework expands on class experiences. Exams are based on the homework and readings • This means class attendance and participation are pretty important! • Homework and class exercises are done in 2-person teams, while exams are not (you have to do these on your own)

7. MIS271 content (detail) • Creating Databases, tables, and table relations – MS Access and SQLServerData inputand manipulation – – Wizard-based and code-based VB.NET forms, ASP.NET web pages and Sharepoint Web pages • Datagridviews (tabular based) • Forms based (separate controls) • Databases are MS-Access and SQLServer • Filtering and Sorting data(Access QBE, Windows forms  Access\SQLServer, Sharepoint or ASP.NET form  Access\SQLServer) Analysis and Decision Support- Crystal Reports, SQLServer Reports, Sharepoint Views, derived data, conditional actions • Reporting and Charting - Crystal Reports, SQLServer Reports, Sharepoint Views, MS-Excel pivot tables Taking corrective action – automating SMTP server messages, adding hyperlinks and email links within reports.

8. Database Creation and Data Manipulation • Creating, relating, and populating databases and Tables • Simple database creation - 2 tables (Categories\Products, Customers\Sales, Machine\Rentals • In Access • In SQL Server • Data manipulation – wizards, no-code approach • In Access (table entry, form entry) • In Windows Form using VB and VS.NET (datagridview) • In Sharepoint – DataGridView and DetailsView • Data manipulation – easy code, TableAdapter approach • In Windows Form using VB and VS.NET (datagridview) • In ASP.NET web pages

9. Filtering, Sorting, Grouping Data, and Creating Derived Data • Display filtered and sorted data in a datagridview • Using MS-Excel to sort, group and subtotal data • Using QBE in Access to create a results table • Using Excel’s data filtering and sorting tools • Using QBE facility in VS.NET’s TableAdapter wizard • Windows project, ASP.NET project, Sharepoint web page • Using a DataAdater’s commandtext (Access and SQLServer). • Windows project, ASP.NET project • Using the Dataview’s rowfilter, and sort methods. • Windows project, ASP.NET project • Mast-Detail forms in VB projects

10. Analysis and Decision Support • Analytical Features of VB’s datagridviews and Reporting Systems (Crystal Reports, Access Reports, SQLServer Reports) • Highlighting exceptions (conditional field masks) • Identifying trends • Top Ten or Top 10% records (Stars and Dogs Report) • Drill-down capabilities • Calculated fields using conditional operators (IIF and Select Case processing)

11. Reporting, Graphing, Dashboarding • Tools • Crystal reports – within a VB.NET Windows project • Access reports – with Access database • SQLServer Report Services – within a BI report server project • SharePoint Reporting using dataviews • MS-Excel Pivit tables • Features • Simple, grouped, aesthetically pleasing lists • Selecting fields to report • Parameterized reports • Group summaries • Sorting, grouping, filtering • Formula Fields, Expressions • Master-Detail Reports • Cross-tabs • Pie charts, line graphs, bar charts, etc • In Line reporting, drill-down reporting

12. Taking Corrective Action – if time allows • Emailing employees, vendors or customers based on criteria • Windows forms and ASP.NET page-based bulk emails (from filtered datagridview, or checked rows) • As an alert set up in Sharepoint Reporting • E-mail based Data Collection (surveys) using MS-Access • Hyperlinks and email links within Crsytal reports and SQLServer reports

13. Concluding comments • Guess who’s idea it was to make many changes to the MIS curriculum over the years? • This course is intended to transfer a ton of skills to you in a show-tell-do format • You probably won’t realize the value and unique perspective of this course until your first MIS-internship when you say “I can do that, can’t everyone?” • Lets have some fun!