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Presenters:Lucretia Parham

Janice ZeiglerArmstrong Atlantic State

UniversityMay 14

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Presenters:Lucretia Parham

Janice ZeiglerArmstrong Atlantic State

UniversityMay 14

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Reporting from an Oracle Database:

A Tiered Approach

Reporting from an Oracle Database:

A Tiered Approach

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Background of the issueBackground 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

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IntroductionIntroduction

Armstrong Atlantic State University Savannah, Georgia

Tiered web-based reporting solution for extracting information from Banner

Levels based on the complexity of the reports

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After this session you will be able to: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

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Multi-tiered approachMulti-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

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Meta ApplicationMeta 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

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Meta application (cont.)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

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Meta application examplesMeta application examples

Registered or joint enrolled studentsFinancial aid studentsAcademic suspension/probation listHonors, freshmen, sophomores,

juniors, seniors, post baccalaureates, athletes, senior citizens, graduating seniors

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Meta application user benefitsMeta application user benefits

Generation of tabular or multi-line reports

Creation of letters and labelsIncreased comprehension of a

complex databaseIntuitive (web) interface to data Immediate access to critical

organizational data

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Meta application technical benefitsMeta application technical benefits

Ease of implementationNon-proprietary solutionLittle technical staff interventionAvailability of toolsCross-platform capability

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Web site report creationWeb site report creation

Uses Oracle’s WebDB and report server products

Allows users to browse and create simple reports

Uses local tables and viewsExploits the data warehouse concept

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Web site report creationWeb 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

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User benefits of web siteUser benefits of web site

Immediate feedback to the ultimate consumer of the information

Simplicity of the interfaceViews and tables based on user-

defined needsDaily updates of information

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Technical benefits of web siteTechnical benefits of web site

Use of non-production databaseAuthentication via Banner login

name and passwordSecurity control through Oracle rolesEase of modification and

maintenance

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Using third party toolsUsing 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

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Benefits of top three tiersBenefits 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

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Web Site Report RetrievalWeb Site Report Retrieval

Mirrors the current practice Technical staff create reports that

users runAvailable through web siteIncludes the most complex reportsExamples include enrollment

statistics

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Issues and ConcernsIssues and Concerns

Database complexity led to creation of local tables and views

Technical criteria include hardware and software needs

Training must be doneSecurity is always an issue

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Report Builder 6.0.8.8.3

Oracle Server 8.0.6.0.0

Acrobat Reader 4.0

Software Involved in the Creation and Presentation of Local Reports

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Level One UserLevel One User

User only has access to run reports for area

Can choose to AutoRun reports

Access to Report Output

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Level Two UserLevel Two User

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Level Three UserLevel Three User

Access to Application

Development Links

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Level Four UserTop Level of Access

Level Four UserTop Level of Access

Access to Technical documentation and utilities

CIS access to Meta-App

Development Links

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Extra BenefitsExtra Benefits

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

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Extra BenefitsExtra Benefits

Pop up help screens are available and are customizable.

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Extra BenefitsExtra Benefits

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

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Extra BenefitsExtra Benefits

Error messages are incorporated.

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Extra BenefitsExtra Benefits

Color coded error messages are available as well

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SummarySummary

Users at all levels can create reports Information format makes sense to

usersWeb-based intuitive solutionComprehensive mechanism to solve

the ongoing issue of information retrieval

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Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

Are there any questions? Thank you for your time.

lucretia@mail.armstrong.edu