Designing the right Report Services (RS) dashboard

RS Dashboard Goal

Features to Use on the RS Dashboard

Present a style appropriate for the executive boardroom.

• Use drop shadows, gradients, 3D effects, and rounded rectangles on various parts of the RS dashboard. For an example of rounded rectangles and a procedure to create them, see Adding rectangles to documents. For examples and procedures for the other effects, see Formatting documents.

• Use 3D effects, bevels, gradients, transparency, and curved lines on graphs in the RS dashboard. For examples and procedures, see Formatting documents.

Let users instantly see details in a densely populated RS dashboard.

• Enable tooltips in graphs, so that users can hover the cursor over graph data to see underlying data in detailed form.

• Apply quick switch to Grid/Graphs so that MicroStrategy Web users can switch between Graph view and Grid view, allowing detailed data to be seen in a table. For an example and procedure, see Enabling quick switch for Grid/Graphs.

• Use Grid/Graphs with title bars to allow an area to be enlarged to see details on complex graphs or grids. For more information, see Adding title bars to Grid/Graphs.

Present many layers of data in a single RS dashboard, keeping the layers organized and focused. The layers, or views of the data, must be instantly available to the users.

Use panels and panel stacks to provide the layers of data in the following ways:

• Multiple independent layers within a single RS dashboard page

• Multiple independent RS dashboard pages layered within a single document

For examples and procedures, see Layering data in RS dashboards: Panels and panel stacks.

Allow users to change the context of RS dashboard. For example, a user can change the following for a specified set of graphs or tables:

• •   s

• The focus of the KPI

• The timeframe being viewed

• The subject areas displayed

• Add selectors that target attribute elements so that users can change the context of the data. You can use a wide range of selectors: radio buttons, check boxes, drop-down lists, and so on. For examples and procedures, see Providing interactivity to users: Selectors.

• Define an attribute in a Grid/Graph as a selector that targets a panel stack or another Grid/Graph. Users can then click an attribute element in the Grid/Graph and initiate a context change in related Grid/Graphs on the RS dashboard. For examples and procedures, see Enabling Grid/Graphs to control other Grid/Graphs.

Create RS dashboards in Flash that can be used even when disconnected from the network. These RS dashboards include full interactivity, visualization, and data content.

• Embed Flash RS dashboards within Microsoft Office documents, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. For more information, refer to the MicroStrategy Office User Guide.

• Embed Flash RS dashboards within e-mails and distribute them. For more information on this Narrowcast Server feature, see the Narrowcast Server documentation.

Use interactive Flash graphs rather than static graphs to provide an engaging way to view data and understand relationships.

• Use time series animation to allow users to play graphical "movies", driven by data, that provide rapid insight into business trends. Users can rewind and fast forward through a time series. They can also pause the movie and drill down for more details. See Defining Time Series Slider widgets.

• Use the library of visualization widgets to extend the display of information beyond traditional graphing. Providing Flash-based analysis and interactivity: Widgets.

Unlimited visualization extensibility via Flash uses MicroStrategy's integration with Adobe's FlexBuilder 2 IDE to allow you to:

• Expand your library of visualizations

• Extend the reach of your business intelligence to operational applications

• Build any visualization you need using FlexBuilder IDE integration and add it to your MicroStrategy library of visualizations.

• Customize any Flex-compatible visualization and add it to your MicroStrategy library of visualizations.

• Use the Adobe FlexBuilder integration to add MicroStrategy RS dashboards and reports to any Flex-compatible Rich Internet Application (RIA).

For more information on MicroStrategy's Visualization Framework, the FlexBuilder plug-in, and the visualization editor, see the MicroStrategy Developer Library (MSDL) provided with MicroStrategy SDK. In particular, the Understanding the Visualization Framework section is helpful. The path to this section in the MSDL is Web SDK -> Integrating with an External Application -> Visualization Integration.