Reporting from an Oracle Database: A Tiered Approach

1. Reporting from an Oracle Database:A Tiered Approach Presenters: Lucretia Parham Janice Zeigler Armstrong Atlantic State University May 14 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

2. Background of the issue • Slow and ineffective information retrieval methods • Increase in the amount and complexity of information required from the database • Critical role of information management in organizational success • Sheer volume of the data

3. Introduction Armstrong Atlantic State University Savannah, Georgia • Tiered web-based reporting solution for extracting information from Banner • Levels based on the complexity of the reports

4. After this session you will be able to: • Articulate a clear vision for student information reporting at your institution • Design a methodology for meaningful information retrieval from any database • Implement a solution incorporating technology, security and user concerns

5. Multi-tiered approach • Meta application to create standard reports • Web site that allows users to create simple reports • Interface for more sophisticated users to create complex reports using third party software • Web site where users choose reports created by technical staff

6. Meta Application • PL/SQL code generation capability imbedded in Oracle database • Interface to code generation capability created by technical staff • User defined database elements with meaningful, descriptive labels

7. Meta application (cont.) • Criteria for the report selected from user-defined list • Selection criteria used to generate and produce the report • Report criteria saved by users for future use or revision

8. Meta application examples • Registered or joint enrolled students • Financial aid students • Academic suspension/probation list • Honors, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, post baccalaureates,athletes, senior citizens, graduating seniors

9. Meta application user benefits • Generation of tabular or multi-line reports • Creation of letters and labels • Increased comprehension of a complex database • Intuitive (web) interface to data • Immediate access to critical organizational data

10. Meta application technical benefits • Ease of implementation • Non-proprietary solution • Little technical staff intervention • Availability of tools • Cross-platform capability

11. Web site report creation • Uses Oracle’s WebDB and report server products • Allows users to browse and create simple reports • Uses local tables and views • Exploits the data warehouse concept

12. Web site report creation Examples of views created include: • Registration, Admissions, Recruiting, Financial Aid, Accounts Receivable, Academic History, Deans and Department Heads, Student Affairs, Athletic • Design of the views/tables based on the requirements of the different areas

13. User benefits of web site • Immediate feedback to the ultimate consumer of the information • Simplicity of the interface • Views and tables based on user-defined needs • Daily updates of information

14. Technical benefits of web site • Use of non-production database • Authentication via Banner login name and password • Security control through Oracle roles • Ease of modification and maintenance

15. Using third party tools • Crystal Reports or Access used to create reports • More complex reporting capability made available • Users trained by internal or external staff • Examples include cross validation and time series analysis

16. Benefits of top three tiers • Increased knowledge discovery through rapid report development (data mining) • Easy extraction of previously unknown and potentially useful information • True ad hoc reporting capability

17. Web Site Report Retrieval • Mirrors the current practice • Technical staff create reports that users run • Available through web site • Includes the most complex reports • Examples include enrollment statistics

18. Issues and Concerns • Database complexity led to creation of local tables and views • Technical criteria include hardware and software needs • Training must be done • Security is always an issue

19. Software Involved in the Creation and Presentation of Local Reports • Report Builder 6.0.8.8.3 • Oracle Server 8.0.6.0.0 • Acrobat Reader 4.0

20. User only has access to run reports for area Can choose to AutoRun reports Access to Report Output Level One User

21. Level Two User

22. Level Three User Access to Application Development Links

23. Level Four UserTop Level of Access Access to Technical documentation and utilities CIS access to Meta-App Development Links

24. Extra Benefits Users have the option to set preferences for icons and colors.

25. Extra Benefits Pop up help screens are available and are customizable.

26. Extra Benefits The ability for users to add their own help links will be in place soon.

27. Extra Benefits Error messages are incorporated.

28. Extra Benefits Color coded error messages are available as well

29. Summary • Users at all levels can create reports • Information format makes sense to users • Web-based intuitive solution • Comprehensive mechanism to solve the ongoing issue of information retrieval

30. Questions and Answers • Are there any questions? • Thank you for your time. lucretia@mail.armstrong.edu