Reporting and Analysis Guide¶
Within IFS Cloud we have different solutions for Reporting, depending on the need that should be fulfilled. In this guide you can find all information about these different IFS Reporting Solutions and to help you to understand which one to select we have created below table that will guide you at a glance to which solution is the most appropriate for your situation:
Reporting¶
In IFS, reporting tools enable users to create, customize, and share reports that deliver valuable insights into various business operations. There are several tools available under reporting category.
Analytics¶
Analytics entails the examination of data to uncover critical insights and trends that facilitate informed decision-making for businesses. Within IFS, a variety of tools are available under the analytics category, enabling organizations to leverage data effectively for enhanced operations and strategic planning.
Analysis Models¶
IFS Analysis Models serve as a powerful tool for organizations looking to leverage their data for business intelligence and analytics. By providing a structured approach to data extraction, transformation, and reporting, these models enable users to gain valuable insights and drive informed decision-making across various functional areas.
There are two products within the IFS Analysis Models:
| Criteria | Analysis Models - Tabular | Analysis Models - Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Interactive, self-service analytics provided as Microsoft Tabular Models. | Interactive, self-service analytics provided as Microsoft Power BI Models. |
| Infrastructure (Self-Hosted) |
On-Prem: SQL Server, SSIS, SSAS Azure: Azure SQL Server, Data Factory, AAS |
Azure: ADLS Gen2, On-Premises Data Gateway, Fabric |
| Site-to-Site VPN | Required | Not required |
| Data Sources | Include IFS Information Sources in Online mode, IFS Information Sources in Data Mart mode, and IALs. | Include IFS Information Sources in Online mode, IALs and any table or view. |
| Data Transformation | Utilizes an ELT process to extract, load, and transform data. Transformations are done as a chain of SQL views. | Data transformations are done within the Power BI models provided, using M-Query and DAX. |
| Customization | The customizations can be done through IFS Cloud Web for the SQL Views and Tabular Models. | The customizations can be done through the Power BI models. |
| Data Loading | Data is pulled from the IFS Cloud database into the self-hosted SQL data warehouse by SSIS or Data Factory. Depending on the requirement, the loading process supports full, incremental, or conditional loading. Data loading can be scheduled through IFS Scheduled Jobs or manually triggered. | Data is pushed from the IFS Cloud database into the self-hosted Data Lake, by a Data Pump Service running in the IFS Cloud. The loading process supports full and incremental loading. Data is automatically updated using a Scheduler service and the defined Max Age of data sources. |
| Logging and Monitoring | Supports logging for data loads, processing, and execution of SSIS packages, providing detailed insights. | Logs provide information on Parquet data source load/refresh history and Analysis Model refresh history. |
| Data Security | This depends on SQL Server and Analysis Service user configurations for security and Row Level Security (RLS) is managed within the model. | Utilizes Azure data lake security and allows Row Level Security (RLS) to be defined directly in the Power BI model. |
| SKU Information | Analysis Models - Self Managed - IC10127 | Analysis Models - Power BI - Self Managed - IC10128 |
Power BI Integration¶
Power BI integration allows users to seamlessly embed Power BI reports and dashboards within the IFS Cloud environment, providing access to advanced data visualization and analytics.
There are two ways where Microsoft Power BI can be integrated with IFS Cloud:
| Criteria | iFrame Integration | IFS Advance Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Integration Method | Displays Power BI reports published to Power BI cloud and Power BI report server in IFS cloud web client. | Directly embeds Power BI reports and visuals into IFS Lobby pages. |
| Best for | Perfect for organizations that need an easy way to display existing Power BI reports with minimal customization. | Perfect for organizations that require strong integration, interactive reports, and custom dashboards for their specific workflows. |
| Key features | Can access the existing Power BI reports and view them easily. The platform facilitates the quick implementation and requires minimal setup, making it user-friendly and efficient. | Not every user requires a Power BI Pro license, while still providing full interactivity with reports, customizable dashboards, and seamless integration with IFS security. |
| Access control | Access control is handled through Power BI settings, which may not align perfectly with IFS user roles. | Uses IFS security and user roles to control access to embedded reports. |
| Deployment | Easier to implement by embedding the report URL in IFS Cloud Web Client, making it a faster solution for basic reporting. | Required to establish the BI infrastructure based on the deployment Model, connect to IFS Cloud and configure the environment parameters. |
| SKU Information | IFS Cloud Platform - IC10000 | Advanced Analytics - Self Managed - IC10126 |
Data¶
Data is the foundation for both reporting and analytics. In IFS, data management tools help ensure that users have access to accurate and up-to-date information.