Crytal Report - Xcelsius Dashboard

7/29/2019 Crytal Report - Xcelsius Dashboard

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Crystal XcelsiusDemonstration

Authors: Houston Truong

Date last updated: February 21, 2007

Updates Notes: Version 1


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Crystal Xcelsius Demo Script

Demo purposeThe purpose of this demonstration is to show the core components of Crystal Xcelsius ata high level.

Audience

The audience for this demo is customers and prospects for BusinessObjects XIr2including IT and business users.

High level messages / differentiators

To be added.

NOTE: You will be using demonstration software, so make sure you cache in advance sothat the demonstration runs smoothly.


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Technical requirements and preparation

Environment

You should be familiar with BusinessObjects Enterprise, Crystal Xcelsius, CrystalReports 2008, and Live Office.

Setup

With the current version of the demo image and files, the Xcelsius model we will walkthrough presenting is not in the CMS nor are there any dashboards already created to linkto that model. To use the script below a URL link must be created to the Xcelsius modelon the desktop. Use the following to create the link.

What to do What you should see

Login to InfoView


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Go to the Document List

From Document List navigate to PublicFolders STS Corp


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From New menu option, add a Hyperlink

Give it a title, STS Dashboard and addthe URL as:

/Demos/STS/Content/XCelsius/STSDashboard/STS Master.swf

Click OK to save it.


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To View, either right click and selectView or just double click on the STSDashboard object.

To increase screen space, make thebrowser full screen using the full screen

button or F11.


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This is where the demo below will start.

Using the script

The demo is presented in a four-column format. This format is designed to accommodateyour presentation needs. Note that some of the sections are optional. You should knowyour audience and take them through the sections that best meet the needs of theorganization.

Step What to do What you should see What to saySectiondescription

Step by stepinstructions

Screenshots Marketing messages,positioning and competitivedifferentiators.


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Crystal Xcelsius Demo Script Page 9 of 40

Step-by-step demo script

Workflow 1: Crystal Xcelsius for the Business Audience

Step What to do What you should see What to say

IntroduceCrystalXcelsius

Use the selector to viewdifferent metrics

-

By default, the STS Crystal Xcelsiussample starts at the Sales Overview.This view shows an overview ofmonthly sales by line of product:Electronics, Sports and Telecom.Each month is represented by an alertcolor indicating the status vs thetarget.

Notice how at the bottom left corner,you can change the selected metric:Net Sales, Gross Sales and Profit.

Navigationpaths

Click on the sub tab ByRegion.

This view shows five metrics in asingle screen. It starts with metrics forNorth America: Gross Sales, NetSales, Profits, Quantity Sold andDiscounts.

Notice how you can see therespective values for each series byhovering over the bars within eachchart.

You can create all arrange multiplegraphs on the screen to fit you specific

visual reporting needs.

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Click on Mobicotel Handsets. Crystal Xcelsius allows you to easilyand intuitively navigate and selectacross multiple sets of data. An

intuitive and easy to use interface isimportant for quickly assimilatinginformation. Crystal Xcelsiuscomponents are pre-assembled to beeasy and intuitive for your end user.

Change the chart type fromColumn to Pie

By selecting a different chart type,users can visualize the contribution ofeach sub product on each country.

Tip: Select different countries and

explore different options. You will findinteresting combinations of databased on your selections.

The main message to convey isCrystal Xcelsius will allow for the easycreation of reports in one single pageby leveraging easy to use and

animated menus.


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Click on the third CrystalXcelsius tab: Margins byCountry.

This Crystal Xcelsius sample usesSTS data to create an interactiveanalytic report. It leverages a list

builder component that allows users tocreate their own comparative analysison the fly.

This sample contains three mainareas: A main selector (bottom leftcorner), an output section representedby a chart (center section) and areport section represented by valuesand a progress bar (right bottomsection).

Select different countries fromthe list builder selector bydragging and dropping theminto the countries analyzed list.

You can also double click orclick once, then click on theadd button.

This interactive component allows youto compare two or more countries interms of margins.


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Click Refresh at the bottom ofthe list builder selector.

By clicking refresh, the chart showsmargins for each one of the selectedcountries. On this example, the

orange horizontal line representsoverall STS margin.

Obviously, countries that are belowthe orange line are under performingin terms of margins.

The report section shows the total

STS sales, the sales of the selectedcountries and the percentage ofcontribution of the selected countriesover total sales.

Add a new country from theCountries list to the CountriesAnalyzed list.

Using the list builder you can createyour own comparative analysis on thefly. The list builder is one of the manycomponents that can be assembled tocreate a dynamic interface foranalyzing your data.


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Click Refresh Note how the data gets updatedinstantly. You just added a newcountry into the model.

In this particular model you arecomparing all of the countrys marginsbased on the selections made with thelist builder. In addition you aremeasuring against the overall STSmargin denoted by a horizontalorange line. At a glance you canquickly view and understand how thecountries are performing.

Click on the second sub tabSports.

You can conduct the same type ofanalysis for any of the three mainproduct lines.


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Click on the third sub tabTelecom.

Key message: Crystal Xcelsius allowsyou to create interactive visualanalytics that add value to your

existing databases. It opens the doorto new and interesting businessintelligence tools that are bothpowerful in nature while being easy touse.

Click on the fourth CrystalXcelsius tab ProfitabilityAnalysis.

This model shows one of thetrademarks of Crystal Xcelsius: VisualModeling.

This models contains three main

areas: An Input section representedby interactive sliders and values (left),and output section represented bygauges and values (center and centerright), and a main menu for selectingdifferent regions (top right).


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Open the sliding door forElectronics.

Crystal Xcelsius brings the power ofVisual Modeling to DashboardManager.

On this sample, you can simulatewhat will happen if you can increasethe level of sales, decrease the levelof discounts or control you existingcosts.

Each product line manager can see

first hand the impact that his / herdecision will have on the overall STSperformance.

Open the remaining slidingdoors.

Move the slider

You can see the impact thatdecreasing the amount of discountswill have on the overall profits.

Note how all values are recalculated

and displayed in real time.

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Adjust the values byusing the up and down

buttons or double clickingand typing a value.

Key message: Crystal Xcelsius allowsyou to bring the power of VisualModeling to Dashboard Manager.

All of the modeling is driven from yourExcel formulas. Using Excel skills youcan easily develop and deploy modelsto assist you in analysis orforecasting.

Tip: Explore the different scenarios

that occur when you adjust the slidersand values. Use the Scenarioscomponent to save your findings.



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Workflow 2: Crystal Xcelsius for the IT/Power Users Audience

Part 1:Inserting and mapping data to a column chart

Step What to do What you should see Notes

1.1 On the demo machine, openXcelsius 2008 by going toStart---All Programs----Business Objects XI 3.0----Xcelsius----Xcelsius.

Those of you who have used CrystalXcelsius in the past will see a fewchanges right away.

Xcelsius 2008 has improved the screenlayout to include the Excel model areawithin the same screen as well as keepingthe Properties window open for easyaccess.

1.2 First, lets import an Excel fileinto Crystal Xcelsius by clickingon the ImportSpreadsheet Icon in the toolbar.

A confirmation dialog will comeup; telling you that changes toyour existing spreadsheet willbe lost. Confirm that Yes, youwant to continue.

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1.3 Click on the Browse ()button and browse to

File is: QSWizard Spreadsheet1.xls.

Then press the Open button

We are going to use the samplespreadsheet that comes with theXcelsius Quick Start tutorial.

1.4 Lets add a Pie Chart

From the Components window,choose the Tree tab and findthe Charts folder.

Expand the folder and highlightPie Chart component then clickon the canvas to add thecomponent.

There are two different methods forplacing a component from theComponents window on to thecanvas.

Drag and drop

Click once on the component, thenclick again in the canvas



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1.6 Lets select a data range from yourembedded Excel sheet bynavigating to the Property Window

on the right hand side and clickingon the Data Range selector buttonto the right of the Values box.Note: you might have to resize theproperty window and make it largerto access the range selector button.

When the select a range windowappears, select the cell range thatbelongs to Projected Sales (inThousands)B5:F5

Finally click OK

When the range is selected, the Pie Chartwill change and display the correspondingdata.

1.7 Now click on the data rangeselector to the right of the Labelsbox in the property window on theright.

When the Select a Range windowappears, select the cell rangeB2:F2

Click OK

This selection will match thecorresponding labels to the data rangeyou had previously selected. Notice thatthe labels are immediately represented inthe graphs legend.



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1.8 Located in the top portion of theProperties window, in the Titlessection, click on the Chart title

selector button to the right of theChart title box (where it says PieChart by default).

Select the cell A1 (Projected

Sales)

It is important to use the correct titles sothe targeted end user understands whatdata they are looking at. In this case the

title should read: Projected Sales andthe subtitle should read: in Thousands(000s)

1.9 Next, click on the Subtitle selectorbox.

Type in Thousands (000s)

The values for labels can also be entereddirectly into the design template in steadof linking to a cell though this should bedone only for data that is not changing.

Now click on the Preview button onthe top toolbar to preview yourXcelsius model. Click again toclose.

Xcelsius will generate a MacromediaFlash (SWF) preview.



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Part 2: Creating a simple layer of scenario Analysis with a slider


2.1 Add a horizontal slider by clickingon the Single Value section of theComponents window.

Scroll down and find, then click onthe Horizontal Slider.

Finally, click on the canvas underyour pie chart to add the horizontalslider there.

There are two different methods forplacing a component from theComponents window to the canvas.

Drag and drop

Click once on the component, then clickagain in the canvas

2.2 Next well set the properties for theslider.

To view a demonstration of how theslider component works by clicking

on the Help button next to theData selector button.

These demonstrations are available forsingle value and selector components tobetter explain the components functions

and capabilities.

2.2 Lets link this to our model. Click onthe Data selector button

When the Select a Range windowappears, select the cell F4 (growthrate for Software).

Then clickOK

The slider will allow for a simple layer ofscenario analysis by allowing the user toadjust the growth rates for each of theproduct lines.

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2.4 Next, click on the Title selectorbutton.

When the Select a Range window

comes up, select cell F2 for theSoftware title.

2.5 Now click on the Preview button

Drag the slider to change theprojected growth and reallocate ourpie chart for Software.

When you are finished previewingyour visual model, click on Preview

again.

When you drag the slider, the pie chart

changes dynamically.

2.6 You can now add additional slidersfor each of the other productcategories by adding the sliders andlinking to the other growth rate cell.

Use the Format menu to help alignyour sliders horizontally orvertically.

Using the Copy and Paste functionsallows the user to quickly add multiples ofvarious components just neededupdates to cell references as needed. All

other parameters, formatting and settingscan be duplicated.



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Part 3: Inserting an image or logo


3.1 Lets add an image component byclicking on theArt &Backgrounds category in theComponents window on the left.

Scroll down to find and then click onthe Image Component.

Finally, click on the canvas to addthe image component

We can easily add a company logo byusing the Image component.

3.2 In the Image Component propertieswindow on the right, click on theImport button.

Then click on the skin_bo.gifin the

C:\Program Files\BusinessObjects\BusinessObjects Enterprise12.0\images folder.

Finally click on the Open button

Click and drag the image (logo) tothe desired location within thecanvas.

Xcelsius will embed the image fileonto the visual model.

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Part 4: Formatting and exporting the visual model


4.1 Lets add a background fromAr t &Backgrounds.

Find, then click on Background(the 1

stitem in the list under Art and

Backgrounds).

Finally, click on the canvas to addthe Background component.

Move the background over theother components so thebackground is in the same area(and temporarily hides the othercomponents).

The Background is inserted on the toplayer of the canvas. This will temporarilyhide other components.

4.2 Change the order of the

background component by right-clicking anywhere on thebackground component.

Then click on Send to Back.

The background component will be

placed behind all other components onthe canvas.

Using this layering effect can add depthand visual interest to your models.

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4.3 Click the Fit Canvas toComponents button to crop yourvisual model workspace.

Click on the Increase Canvasbutton to add a small margin aroundyour visual model.

Now click on the Preview button

to view your changes. Click Previewagain to close.

Adding that little touch of pizzazz helpsany model become a super model!

At this point the visual model is completeand ready to be exported.

4.4 Use the single export PDF button togenerate a PDF document. It is the

fourth button in the toolbar below:

Any output from Xcelsius will result in aSWF file format. The output types include

HTML, PDF, Word, PowerPoint, andEmail.

Congratulations on creating your firstXcelsius visual model!



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Part 5: Creating a connected model


5.1 On the demo machine, open Xcelsius2008 by going to Start---All Programs----Business Objects XI 3.0----Xcelsius----Xcelsius. To give more space, selectbelow to only show the spreadsheetview.

We will be inserting data via a Live Officeconnection. This connection will allow us toretrieve content from existing BusinessObjectscontent without having to go against the live datasource. This will help with the performance of ourdisplay. In design mode, screen area sometimesbecomes limited. Xcelsius provides a Quick View

menu option to easily get to a view that is desired.For our case, inserting live content via a Live Officeconnection, we can go into only viewing thespreadsheet.

5.2 From Excel menu, select Live Officeoption.

To insert Crystal Report content, selectCrystal Reports icon fromLive Officeribbon.

To insert the Live Office connection, Select LiveOffice from the menu bar. A ribbon bar with displayfor Live Office. For our Xcelsius model we wouldlike to retrieve content from an existing CrystalReport. Notice we can also retrieve content fromWeb Intelligence or even create a brand new queryagainst a Universe.

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5.3 Enter Administrator and no password.Click OK.

Notice that the user will be authenticated usingyour BusinessObjects security. All rights areautomatically applied.

5.4 Select Public Folders from the left hadwindow.

We will Search for the report we want to

use, enter World Sales into the searcharea and then click the Search button.

A listing of the accessible folders is displayed forthe user. Users can either navigate to the

appropriate folder or use search to find thedocument needed. In our case we will search forthe World Sales report.

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5.9 Select Quick Views

Click Show My Workspace

We now see the data from those fields in thespreadsheet. We will now go back to our model toadd a chart to our Xcelsius model. Select theShow My Workspace from the Quick Views menuoption.

5.10 We will use a Pie Chart to display ourvalues.

Click on Tree tab ofComponentswindow.

Next click Charts.Drag Pie Chart onto the canvas.

There are two different methods for placing acomponent from the Components window to thecanvas.

1. Drag and drop

2. Click once on the component, thenclick again in the canvas

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5.11 Enter WorldSales inChart and clearout Subtitle.

To tell the chart where data values are

located, select next to theValues section.

Chart titles and Subtitles can be manually enteredor can reference a cell within the spreadsheet. Byreferencing a cell in the worksheet, titles can bedynamically updated.

We will now tell the chart where the data valuesreside. Select the arrow next to the Values section.

5.12 Select Cells B2 through B7 of thecurrent worksheet.

Click OK

We now will select the appropriate cells to displayour data values in the chart. Although we haveselected a set number of rows, we could have alsoselect more rows than we had data toaccommodate for more countries being added to

our report. We could then tell the chart to ignoreblank values to see do not have null vales showing.

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5.13 We will now update the labels for thedata values.

Select next to the Labels

section.

As with the data values, labels can alsodynamically reference a set of cells.

5.14 Select CellsA2 throughA7 of the currentworksheet.

Click OK

As with the data values, labels can alsodynamically reference a set of cells toaccommodate for more values being added to ourdata set.

We have now updated our chart to show Titles,data and labels for our Xcelsius model.

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5 17 Click on W ld S l R t d t t


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5.17 Click on World Sales Report datasetLive Office in the left panel.

5.18 We now need to update the SessionURL for our BOE install. Replace with CDI, or whatever isyour machine name, if different.

Next select Usage tab

We must update the machine name for our BOEinstallation. By updating the URL we can easilymove this model between installations. We canalso tie it to a cell in the worksheet to make it moredynamic.


5 19 Select Refresh On Load There are differentoptions forupdating theLive


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5.19 Select Refresh On Load

Click Close

There are different options for updating the LiveOffice objects. For our use, we will refresh theobject on Loading of the model. Once the model isopened, it will get the latest data from our WorldSales report. We could also have the dat

refreshed based on a cell being updated or on aperiodic basis. In the Load Status section we canuse this area to alert the user if the data is loading.This give the user an idea of what is going on if ittakes some time to load the Live Office object.

5.20 Select Preview

Click Ok at the Login window.

Lets see what our model looks like when it will beaccessed by our users. From the menu we canPreview the model.. Notice that we get promptedfor our BusinessObjects credentials. Note thatonce this is published to BOE, we will not get this

prompt in InfoView, since we will already beauthenticated.

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5 21 We see theXcelsius model We nowsee our model You can nowmove your


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5.21 We see the Xcelsius model.

Click Preview to return to design mode.

We now see our model. You can now move yourcursor over the chart to see values associated witheach slice. This is exactly how the user willinteract with the model.

5.22 FromFile menu select, Export, Flash(SWF)

We will now export out model to a Flash file on ourDesktop. This file could also be exported to BOEor to other formats that are listed on the menuoption. This was discussed further when wecreated our original Xcelsius model in the previous

exercise.

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5.23 Type World Sales


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5.23 Type WorldSales

Click Save

5.24 Double-click the World Sales.swf fromthe desktop

Click OK at the login window

So a user could have the model on their Desktopand double-click on it to view and interact with thatmodel. Notice we are prompted for our BOEcredentials to authenticate the user.

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5.25 We have now seen how to create an Xcelsius


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model based on live content, in our case here,based on the data from a Crystal Report withinBusinessObjects Enterprise.

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