reports

STOP Writing Reports – START Delivering Analytics

By in Learning, Technology Tags: ,

Happy_With_Reports

We would like to thank Ray Newton, CFO of System Source, for this article.

NEWS FLASH – the days of delivering static paper, or even electronic reports are gone (or at least should be). Save yourself and the users of your data the pains of obsolete data and manual data manipulation. Instead:

  1. Make it the standard in your organization to deliver data sets that are dynamically linked to databases in real time.
  2. Educate your information users in the use of Pivot Tables, Filtering, Sorting, Subtotaling, Correlations, and Trending tools.

PivotTables

Providing information in this way allows users of data to not only get the information they are seeking, but allows them to (do I dare use the word?) “creatively” analyze their data in real-time. Empower your users to not only find the immediate answers they are looking for, but also to move forward and answer the questions that arise from their initial findings.

It is time to STOP writing reports – and start delivering meaningful, real-time, flexible analytics.

 

Move Over BW! Analysis Is Arriving at Hopkins

By in Finance and Accounting, Technology Tags: , , ,

HappyWorker

My voice has been quiet on the blog over the past few months due to a big project we are feverishly working on – transitioning from BW to Analysis in SAP.

What is SAP/BW/Analysis?

SAP is an enterprise resource planning software that we use at Hopkins to manage business operations.

One of the reasons we use SAP is to have a tool that can run reports. We run reports on everything here at Hopkins. From sponsored projects to HR demographics, we need reports to show us how we are spending and where we can save, and to demonstrate compliance. Therefore, it’s important we use the most up-to-date and robust tool to fulfill all of our reporting needs.

When we started using SAP, we used a front-end interface called BW Report Center to access data and reports in Business Warehouse. Technology has advanced and SAP has been changing their product. With that, they will no longer support the BW interface we are accustomed to using, but instead, have created a much more robust interface – Analysis.

Benefits of Analysis 

We are really excited to transition over to Analysis for several reasons, including:

  • Ability to run and open multiple reports at the same time
  • Drag and drop functionality
  • Universal structured reports
  • Enhanced graphing
  • Pausing the data refresh
  • Custom calculations

What does this mean for users?

Our project team has been creating a multitude of training opportunities for our users here at Hopkins. From FastFacts to job-aids to show-me videos to instructor-led training, we are trying to make sure we provide all of our users with training materials that best fit their personal learning style.

For more information concerning BusinessObjects Analysis and/or the upcoming training, please visit our Analysis resource page: http://finance.jhu.edu/reports_guides/analysis/overview.html

If you are an employee of Johns Hopkins University and have any additional questions, please email the Financial Quality Control department at Hopkins: fqchelp@jhu.edu