Difference between revisions of "Standardising Data Analysis and Information Reporting"

From IMSMA Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Version 6.0)
(22 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{TOC right}}
 
{{TOC right}}
__NOEDITSECTION__
+
Two of most important purposes of an information system are:
The primary purpose of any information system must be to support operational use of the information it collects. That’s why {{IMSMANG}} was designed with a robust reporting and analysis component that supports various reporting options. These options include:
+
* ensure high quality of data and
 +
* support operational use of the information.
 +
One important use of the data is reporting. If it not possible in an easy way to create reports/statistics which reflect the data correctly the credibility of the data is lost. That’s why {{IMSMANG}} was designed with a robust reporting and analysis component that supports various reporting options. These options include:
  
 
<center>
 
<center>
{| class="wikitable" width="800"
+
{| class="wikitable" width="1000"
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" colspan="5" | '''Comparison of {{IMSMANG}} Reporting Options'''
+
| align="center" colspan="7" | '''Comparison of {{IMSMANG}} Reporting Options'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| width="20pt" |  
 
| width="20pt" |  
Line 12: Line 14:
 
| width="195pt" | '''iReport'''
 
| width="195pt" | '''iReport'''
 
| width="195pt" | '''Data export'''
 
| width="195pt" | '''Data export'''
| width="195pt" | '''External reporting tool'''
+
| width="195pt" | '''MINT'''
 +
| width="195pt" | '''Other external reporting tool'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| align="left" | '''Description'''  
 
| align="left" | '''Description'''  
| align="left" | Includes printing data entry forms, summaries and maps
+
| align="left" | Includes printing Data Entry Forms, Summary items and maps
 
| align="left" | Includes building iReport templates for more sophisticated reporting as well as exporting data for use in external tools such as Microsoft Excel
 
| align="left" | Includes building iReport templates for more sophisticated reporting as well as exporting data for use in external tools such as Microsoft Excel
 
| align="left" | Includes exporting data to CSV format for use in Excel as well as cutting and pasting from tables.
 
| align="left" | Includes exporting data to CSV format for use in Excel as well as cutting and pasting from tables.
 +
| align="left" | Web-based reporting and data analysis tool allowing ad-hoc data exploration, creating dashboards for tracking indicators and creating reports.It is best used with the staging area.
 
| align="left" | The most complicated kind of reporting where users connect to backend databases using SQL, Crystal Reports, ArcGIS Desktop, etc., to perform queries and generate reports
 
| align="left" | The most complicated kind of reporting where users connect to backend databases using SQL, Crystal Reports, ArcGIS Desktop, etc., to perform queries and generate reports
 
|-
 
|-
Line 28: Line 32:
 
*Simple cross tabs
 
*Simple cross tabs
 
*Monthly progress reports for internal consumption
 
*Monthly progress reports for internal consumption
*Any report where the data is more important than the formatting
+
*Charts
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
 
*Manipulating data using external tools
 
*Manipulating data using external tools
 
*Pivot tables and charts based on one item
 
*Pivot tables and charts based on one item
 +
| align="left" |
 +
*Creating dashboards targeted to specific audiences
 +
*Ad-hoc online data analysis (reports and charts can be created online)
 +
*Creating reports online or uploading them from iReport or Jaspersoft Studio
 +
*Sharing data and/or dashboards/reports/chart
 +
*Scheduling, executing, storing and sharing reports
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
 
*Linking or exporting {{IMSMANG}} data for use in external tools
 
*Linking or exporting {{IMSMANG}} data for use in external tools
Line 50: Line 60:
 
*Easiest way to get {{IMSMANG}} data into Excel
 
*Easiest way to get {{IMSMANG}} data into Excel
 
*Can manipulate data in common applications
 
*Can manipulate data in common applications
 +
| align="left" |
 +
*Several data sources can be combined or integrated
 +
*Roles and users can be created and permissions managed at a detail level
 +
*The tool can be customised for different organisations/roles/users
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
 
*Most powerful and customisable way of accessing data for reports
 
*Most powerful and customisable way of accessing data for reports
Line 60: Line 74:
 
*Limited to printing and reports provided with the software. No customisation.
 
*Limited to printing and reports provided with the software. No customisation.
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
*Limited customisation of resulting data (formats, conditional display, etc.)
 
 
*Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
 
*Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
 
*Limited customisation of resulting data (formats, conditional display, etc.)
 
*Limited customisation of resulting data (formats, conditional display, etc.)
 
*Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
 
*Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
 +
| align="left" |
 +
*An decent internet connectivity needs to be available
 +
*Requires initial training for administrators (almost no training for end users though)
 
| align="left" |  
 
| align="left" |  
 
*Requires expert level understanding of SQL
 
*Requires expert level understanding of SQL
 
|}
 
|}
 
</center>
 
</center>
 +
[[Image:MINT in context graph.png|center|700px|''The different reporting options in context'']]
 +
<div align="center">
 +
''The different reporting options in context''
 +
</div>
  
 
==Basic Reporting==__NOEDITSECTION__
 
==Basic Reporting==__NOEDITSECTION__
{{IMSMANG}} provides several reporting options that allow users to produce basic reports directly from {{IMSMANG}}. These include printing data entry forms entered into the system, maps from the main navigation window and item summaries. Any of these reports can be sent directly to a printer or to an intermediate format such as rich text format (.RTF) or portable document format (.PDF) for transmitting in electronic format or for further editing.
+
{{IMSMANG}} provides several reporting options that allow users to produce basic reports directly from {{IMSMANG}}. These include printing Data Entry Forms entered into the system, maps from the main navigation window and Summary items. Any of these reports can be sent directly to a printer or to an intermediate format such as rich text format (.RTF) or portable document format (.PDF) for transmitting in electronic format or for further editing.
  
 
{{IMSMANG}} also includes a Map Layout manager that allows users to define map layouts and print high-quality maps with {{IMSMANG}} data. Information managers can define map layout templates that include scale bars, annotations and legends or use more sophisticated tools like ArcGIS Desktop to prepare more complicated map layouts for displaying {{IMSMANG}} data.
 
{{IMSMANG}} also includes a Map Layout manager that allows users to define map layouts and print high-quality maps with {{IMSMANG}} data. Information managers can define map layout templates that include scale bars, annotations and legends or use more sophisticated tools like ArcGIS Desktop to prepare more complicated map layouts for displaying {{IMSMANG}} data.
Line 82: Line 102:
 
{{note|
 
{{note|
 
* Map layouts can be printed and scaled to any size paper. This is a simple way of producing {{IMSMANG}} maps without needing additional GIS software.
 
* Map layouts can be printed and scaled to any size paper. This is a simple way of producing {{IMSMANG}} maps without needing additional GIS software.
* Map layout templates can be prepared and distributed to individual {{IMSMANG}} clients, allowing information managers to prepare templates based on user preference or functional need.
+
* Map layout templates can be prepared and distributed to individual {{IMSMANG}} clients, allowing information managers to prepare templates based on user preferences or functional needs.
 
}}  
 
}}  
  
Line 92: Line 112:
 
===iReports===__NOEDITSECTION__
 
===iReports===__NOEDITSECTION__
 
{{HowTo's
 
{{HowTo's
|[[Use i-Report | Use i-Report]]
+
|[[Use iReport | Use iReport]]
 
}}
 
}}
 
With the iReport tool, information managers have access to an entire suite of report generation functions. iReport provides the ability to design report templates from the desired data elements; add page layout and formatting information including images, colours and text; and import the reports into {{IMSMANG}} for data entry personnel to run. Information managers can also design complex reports to summarise data using sum, count, average, subreports and other statistical reporting functions similar to packages such as Crystal Reports. Being fully integrated into {{IMSMANG}}, iReport can be translated into any language supported by the system. Using this approach, only information managers are presented with the complexity of designing reports while traditional users simply have to select a report (and any preceding search) and run it.
 
With the iReport tool, information managers have access to an entire suite of report generation functions. iReport provides the ability to design report templates from the desired data elements; add page layout and formatting information including images, colours and text; and import the reports into {{IMSMANG}} for data entry personnel to run. Information managers can also design complex reports to summarise data using sum, count, average, subreports and other statistical reporting functions similar to packages such as Crystal Reports. Being fully integrated into {{IMSMANG}}, iReport can be translated into any language supported by the system. Using this approach, only information managers are presented with the complexity of designing reports while traditional users simply have to select a report (and any preceding search) and run it.
Line 104: Line 124:
 
*data quality: number and list of land with incorrect status
 
*data quality: number and list of land with incorrect status
  
Because iReport templates are initiated with a search, they provide a scalable reporting solution that allows one template to be developed for many reports. For example, a report template that shows number of land and size of land by province can produce different reports depending on the search parameters.
+
Because iReport templates are initiated with a search, they provide a scalable reporting solution that allows one template to be developed for many reports. For example, a report template that shows a list of land with associated ordnance details can produce different reports depending on the search parameters.
  
 
[[Image:AdminGuide_ReportUsingNoSearchParameters.png|center|500px|''Report Example Using No Search Parameters'']]
 
[[Image:AdminGuide_ReportUsingNoSearchParameters.png|center|500px|''Report Example Using No Search Parameters'']]
Line 111: Line 131:
 
</div>  
 
</div>  
  
In the first example, no search parameter is applied and all data in {{IMSMANG}} is used in the report. But by adding a search parameter, for example, limiting this to land whose status is Open, a different report is generated.  
+
In the first example, no search parameter is applied and all data in {{IMSMANG}} is used in the report. But by adding a search parameter, for example, limiting this to land whose status is Worked on, a different report is generated.  
  
 
[[Image:AdminGuide_ReportUsingSearchParameters.png|center|500px|''Report Example Using a Search Parameter'']]
 
[[Image:AdminGuide_ReportUsingSearchParameters.png|center|500px|''Report Example Using a Search Parameter'']]
Line 118: Line 138:
 
</div>  
 
</div>  
  
Moreover, if the land are further limited to minefields (excluding UXO and battle areas), another report is generated, all using the same template. In this way, information managers can build templates and searches to fulfil multiple reporting needs.
+
Moreover, if the land is further limited to a specific type, another report is generated, using again the same template. This way, information managers can build templates and searches to fulfill multiple reporting needs.
  
Reports created with iReport can be printed directly within {{IMSMANG}} or saved to an intermediate format such as .RTF, .PDF or .XLS for electronic transmission or additional editing or inclusion in other reports. iReport supports the inclusion of charts, images and headers and footers, and it acts as a complete reporting package similar to Crystal Reports.
+
Reports created with iReport can be printed directly within {{IMSMANG}} or saved to an intermediate format such as .RTF, .PDF or .XLS for electronic transmission or additional editing or inclusion in other reports. iReport supports the inclusion of charts, images and headers and footers, and it acts as a complete reporting package.
  
 
===Data Export===__NOEDITSECTION__
 
===Data Export===__NOEDITSECTION__
Line 132: Line 152:
 
{{note|{{IMSMANG}} searches return information on only one item at a time, and data export is limited to the data returned by the search. Data from linked items (such as victim data linked to accidents) is not available for export.}}
 
{{note|{{IMSMANG}} searches return information on only one item at a time, and data export is limited to the data returned by the search. Data from linked items (such as victim data linked to accidents) is not available for export.}}
  
 +
==Reporting Tools provided for IMSMA==__NOEDITSECTION__
 +
 +
===MINT===__NOEDITSECTION__
 +
The Mine Action Intelligence Tool (MINT) is available as of {{IMSMANG}} version 6.0. It is a web-based tool for reporting, data analysis and indicator tracking. As such, it allows users to create and view digital dashboards, perform ad-hoc data analysis online in a very intuitive way, create reports and charts online, and upload reports created in a report designer tool. MINT is available on a web server managed by GICHD. Each organisation/programme/country can however manage its own space, create roles and users, manage data sources and data domains, etc. MINT is the most advanced and complete reporting solution provided for IMSMA. It is recommended to connect MINT to the [[IMSMA Staging Area]]. A more detailed description, instructions, how-to pages etc. are available on the [[MINT|MINT pages of this WIKI]].
 +
 +
[[Image:MINT_dashboard.png|center|700px|''Example of a dashboard created in MINT'']]
 +
<div align="center">
 +
''Example of a dashboard created in MINT''
 +
 +
</div>
 
==External Reporting Tools==__NOEDITSECTION__
 
==External Reporting Tools==__NOEDITSECTION__
 
{{IMSMANG}} also allows information managers to connect advanced reporting tools such as Crystal Reports or ArcGIS Desktop directly to its relational database for highly advanced report generation. With this capability, information managers can use custom reporting solutions to connect with {{IMSMANG}}, allowing for complete control of {{IMSMANG}} outputs. Or, managers can modify existing reporting solutions to connect to {{IMSMANG}}, which leverages technology already implemented in the programme and limits the need for retraining.  
 
{{IMSMANG}} also allows information managers to connect advanced reporting tools such as Crystal Reports or ArcGIS Desktop directly to its relational database for highly advanced report generation. With this capability, information managers can use custom reporting solutions to connect with {{IMSMANG}}, allowing for complete control of {{IMSMANG}} outputs. Or, managers can modify existing reporting solutions to connect to {{IMSMANG}}, which leverages technology already implemented in the programme and limits the need for retraining.  
  
{{note|Using external reporting tools is a complex activity requiring an advanced understanding of SQL, reporting tools and the {{IMSMANG}} data model.}}
+
{{note|When using external reporting tools we recommend to connect to the '''[[IMSMA Staging Area | Staging area]]''' instead of the {{IMSMANG}} database. It does require knowledge about the IMSMA data model. Contact contact your [[Information Management Team | GICHD IM advisor]] if you have questions.}}
  
===Connecting External Reporting Tools===__NOEDITSECTION__
+
===Connecting other External Reporting Tools===__NOEDITSECTION__
 
The process for connecting external reporting tools is essentially the same for all tools. External tools connect to the {{IMSMANG}} relational database via an ODBC connection. Information managers establish this connection by installing the ODBC driver for PGSQL. When this is complete, information managers can connect any ODBC-compliant tool to the {{IMSMANG}} database, including reporting tools, other database packages and SQL management tools. Examples include:
 
The process for connecting external reporting tools is essentially the same for all tools. External tools connect to the {{IMSMANG}} relational database via an ODBC connection. Information managers establish this connection by installing the ODBC driver for PGSQL. When this is complete, information managers can connect any ODBC-compliant tool to the {{IMSMANG}} database, including reporting tools, other database packages and SQL management tools. Examples include:
  
Reporting tools
+
{| class="wikitable"
*Crystal Reports
+
! scope="col" | Reporting tools || scope="col" | Database packages || scope="col" | SQL management tools
*ArcGIS Desktop
+
|-
*iReport
+
| Crystal Reports || Microsoft Access || PGSQL Query Browser
*Microsoft Excel
+
|-
Database packages
+
| ArcGIS Desktop || OpenOffice Base || Navicat
*Microsoft Access
+
|-
*OpenOffice Base
+
| iReport || Microsoft SQL Server || TOAD SQL
*Microsoft SQL Server
+
|-
*Oracle
+
| Microsoft Excel || Oracle || Heidi SQL
SQL management tools
+
|}
*PGSQL Query Browser
 
*Navicat
 
*TOAD SQL
 
*Heidi SQL
 
  
 
When connecting an external reporting tool to {{IMSMANG}}, it is recommended that information managers build database views within the database to do any necessary data transformations. While it is possible to directly import or connect {{IMSMANG}} database tables in external tools and perform transformations within the external tools, the recommended method is to do transformations within the {{IMSMANG}} database using database views and then import the resulting views into the external tools.
 
When connecting an external reporting tool to {{IMSMANG}}, it is recommended that information managers build database views within the database to do any necessary data transformations. While it is possible to directly import or connect {{IMSMANG}} database tables in external tools and perform transformations within the external tools, the recommended method is to do transformations within the {{IMSMANG}} database using database views and then import the resulting views into the external tools.
Line 198: Line 224:
 
{{note|
 
{{note|
 
* Database views created in {{IMSMANG}} are backed up by the {{IMSMANG}} backup functionality. However, it is important to correctly set the database permissions on views or it will cause problems when restoring the databases.
 
* Database views created in {{IMSMANG}} are backed up by the {{IMSMANG}} backup functionality. However, it is important to correctly set the database permissions on views or it will cause problems when restoring the databases.
* Information managers should maintain separate files containing the view creation scripts so that they can be quickly and easily restored or modified. Using the CREATE OR UPDATE VIEW syntax from SQL is an easy way to build scripts for creating or updating views if they already exist.
+
* Information managers should maintain separate files containing the view creation scripts so that they can be quickly and easily restored or modified. Using the CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW syntax from SQL is an easy way to build scripts for creating or replacing views if they already exist.
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{NavBox Getting started with IMSMA}}
+
{{NavBox IMSMA NG Administration}}
  
 
[[Category:VIE]]
 
[[Category:VIE]]

Revision as of 15:18, 29 May 2017

Two of most important purposes of an information system are:

  • ensure high quality of data and
  • support operational use of the information.

One important use of the data is reporting. If it not possible in an easy way to create reports/statistics which reflect the data correctly the credibility of the data is lost. That’s why IMSMANG was designed with a robust reporting and analysis component that supports various reporting options. These options include:

Comparison of IMSMANG Reporting Options
Basic iReport Data export MINT Other external reporting tool
Description Includes printing Data Entry Forms, Summary items and maps Includes building iReport templates for more sophisticated reporting as well as exporting data for use in external tools such as Microsoft Excel Includes exporting data to CSV format for use in Excel as well as cutting and pasting from tables. Web-based reporting and data analysis tool allowing ad-hoc data exploration, creating dashboards for tracking indicators and creating reports.It is best used with the staging area. The most complicated kind of reporting where users connect to backend databases using SQL, Crystal Reports, ArcGIS Desktop, etc., to perform queries and generate reports
Uses
  • Navigating data in IMSMANG
  • General summaries of pre-provided data
  • Lists and summary reports of single items
  • Simple cross tabs
  • Monthly progress reports for internal consumption
  • Charts
  • Manipulating data using external tools
  • Pivot tables and charts based on one item
  • Creating dashboards targeted to specific audiences
  • Ad-hoc online data analysis (reports and charts can be created online)
  • Creating reports online or uploading them from iReport or Jaspersoft Studio
  • Sharing data and/or dashboards/reports/chart
  • Scheduling, executing, storing and sharing reports
  • Linking or exporting IMSMANG data for use in external tools
  • Building customised reporting tools for IMSMANG data
  • Linking data to ArcGIS Desktop, Crystal Reports and other tools
Benefits
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Requires little or no training
  • Can limit data using searches
  • Can be preformatted and available on a network
  • Backed up and stored
  • Users can simply run these reports as opposed to building them
  • Supports charts
  • Easiest way to get IMSMANG data into Excel
  • Can manipulate data in common applications
  • Several data sources can be combined or integrated
  • Roles and users can be created and permissions managed at a detail level
  • The tool can be customised for different organisations/roles/users
  • Most powerful and customisable way of accessing data for reports
  • Can manipulate data in advanced or custom reporting applications
  • Can be linked with external databases
Challenges
  • Reports are simplistic
  • Limited to printing and reports provided with the software. No customisation.
  • Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
  • Limited customisation of resulting data (formats, conditional display, etc.)
  • Not ideal for incorporating multiple reports together within a larger report
  • An decent internet connectivity needs to be available
  • Requires initial training for administrators (almost no training for end users though)
  • Requires expert level understanding of SQL
The different reporting options in context

The different reporting options in context

Basic Reporting

IMSMANG provides several reporting options that allow users to produce basic reports directly from IMSMANG. These include printing Data Entry Forms entered into the system, maps from the main navigation window and Summary items. Any of these reports can be sent directly to a printer or to an intermediate format such as rich text format (.RTF) or portable document format (.PDF) for transmitting in electronic format or for further editing.

IMSMANG also includes a Map Layout manager that allows users to define map layouts and print high-quality maps with IMSMANG data. Information managers can define map layout templates that include scale bars, annotations and legends or use more sophisticated tools like ArcGIS Desktop to prepare more complicated map layouts for displaying IMSMANG data.

Example of a Map Layout Template

Example of a Map Layout Template

Note.jpg
  • Map layouts can be printed and scaled to any size paper. This is a simple way of producing IMSMANG maps without needing additional GIS software.
  • Map layout templates can be prepared and distributed to individual IMSMANG clients, allowing information managers to prepare templates based on user preferences or functional needs.

Embedded Reporting

IMSMANG supplements the basic reporting options available to all users with several more sophisticated reporting tools that are embedded within the system. In addition to reporting on individual elements, these embedded tools allow for statistical and aggregate reporting of data within the database. Instead of reporting the contents of a single report, statistical reporting allows information managers to produce reports about multiple items and to use functions such as sum, average and count to summarise data.

There are two options for embedded reporting: iReports and data export. Both functions rely on IMSMANG searches to filter data. Using iReports, information managers can build reporting templates to visualise data in a specific and repeatable format. Using data export, managers can export search results to an external tool such as Microsoft Excel and perform aggregation and statistical analysis.

iReports

With the iReport tool, information managers have access to an entire suite of report generation functions. iReport provides the ability to design report templates from the desired data elements; add page layout and formatting information including images, colours and text; and import the reports into IMSMANG for data entry personnel to run. Information managers can also design complex reports to summarise data using sum, count, average, subreports and other statistical reporting functions similar to packages such as Crystal Reports. Being fully integrated into IMSMANG, iReport can be translated into any language supported by the system. Using this approach, only information managers are presented with the complexity of designing reports while traditional users simply have to select a report (and any preceding search) and run it.

Typical uses for iReport include producing reports commonly required by multiple users within a programme. These reports can include:

  • clearance: monthly progress reporting
  • education: number of people trained by type of training
  • land: sum of hazardous area by province or type of land
  • accidents: number of accidents by type or by province
  • data quality: number and list of land with incorrect status

Because iReport templates are initiated with a search, they provide a scalable reporting solution that allows one template to be developed for many reports. For example, a report template that shows a list of land with associated ordnance details can produce different reports depending on the search parameters.

Report Example Using No Search Parameters

Report Example Using No Search Parameters

In the first example, no search parameter is applied and all data in IMSMANG is used in the report. But by adding a search parameter, for example, limiting this to land whose status is Worked on, a different report is generated.

Report Example Using a Search Parameter

Report Example Using a Search Parameter

Moreover, if the land is further limited to a specific type, another report is generated, using again the same template. This way, information managers can build templates and searches to fulfill multiple reporting needs.

Reports created with iReport can be printed directly within IMSMANG or saved to an intermediate format such as .RTF, .PDF or .XLS for electronic transmission or additional editing or inclusion in other reports. iReport supports the inclusion of charts, images and headers and footers, and it acts as a complete reporting package.

Data Export

IMSMANG also provides data export functionality designed to allow users to export data to external tools such as Microsoft Excel for additional reporting and analysis. This lets users take advantage of functionality in these tools such as sums, counts, charts, pivot tables and other data manipulation functions to format and present data. Users access this functionality by performing a search in IMSMANG and then exporting the results to .CSV format. Users can choose which columns to export, and the data can be manipulated in any external tool that supports .CSV.

Because data export is initiated with a search, it provides a flexible approach for getting data to an external tool. However, once the data is used in a tool outside of IMSMANG, it is impossible to control how this data is manipulated which may limit the consistency of reports produced in this way.

Note.jpg IMSMANG searches return information on only one item at a time, and data export is limited to the data returned by the search. Data from linked items (such as victim data linked to accidents) is not available for export.

Reporting Tools provided for IMSMA

MINT

The Mine Action Intelligence Tool (MINT) is available as of IMSMANG version 6.0. It is a web-based tool for reporting, data analysis and indicator tracking. As such, it allows users to create and view digital dashboards, perform ad-hoc data analysis online in a very intuitive way, create reports and charts online, and upload reports created in a report designer tool. MINT is available on a web server managed by GICHD. Each organisation/programme/country can however manage its own space, create roles and users, manage data sources and data domains, etc. MINT is the most advanced and complete reporting solution provided for IMSMA. It is recommended to connect MINT to the IMSMA Staging Area. A more detailed description, instructions, how-to pages etc. are available on the MINT pages of this WIKI.

Example of a dashboard created in MINT

Example of a dashboard created in MINT

External Reporting Tools

IMSMANG also allows information managers to connect advanced reporting tools such as Crystal Reports or ArcGIS Desktop directly to its relational database for highly advanced report generation. With this capability, information managers can use custom reporting solutions to connect with IMSMANG, allowing for complete control of IMSMANG outputs. Or, managers can modify existing reporting solutions to connect to IMSMANG, which leverages technology already implemented in the programme and limits the need for retraining.

Note.jpg When using external reporting tools we recommend to connect to the Staging area instead of the IMSMANG database. It does require knowledge about the IMSMA data model. Contact contact your GICHD IM advisor if you have questions.

Connecting other External Reporting Tools

The process for connecting external reporting tools is essentially the same for all tools. External tools connect to the IMSMANG relational database via an ODBC connection. Information managers establish this connection by installing the ODBC driver for PGSQL. When this is complete, information managers can connect any ODBC-compliant tool to the IMSMANG database, including reporting tools, other database packages and SQL management tools. Examples include:

Reporting tools Database packages SQL management tools
Crystal Reports Microsoft Access PGSQL Query Browser
ArcGIS Desktop OpenOffice Base Navicat
iReport Microsoft SQL Server TOAD SQL
Microsoft Excel Oracle Heidi SQL

When connecting an external reporting tool to IMSMANG, it is recommended that information managers build database views within the database to do any necessary data transformations. While it is possible to directly import or connect IMSMANG database tables in external tools and perform transformations within the external tools, the recommended method is to do transformations within the IMSMANG database using database views and then import the resulting views into the external tools.

Note.jpg Building database views to transform data before importing it into other tools significantly reduces the performance hit associated with connecting external tools.

Building Database Views

Building database views is the primary way of transforming data to support external reporting. Information managers can use SQL editing tools to build and save database queries as views that can be used to format data for easier reporting. Using database views, information managers can join data together into flat tables that allow for easier incorporation into reports or other analysis tools. Database views act like database tables and can be imported or queried from external tools. Moreover, views automatically refresh as data is added to IMSMANG and provide an up-to-date data source for other applications.

Using database views, information managers can perform statistical and other operations on the IMSMANG set for reporting purposes including sum, count and average or more complicated functions available in SQL. These operations can be combined with search criteria to provide a highly precise mechanism for providing data to reports. For example, information managers can create a view that returns the name of each clearance and a sum of the hours worked, AP mines found and area cleared on all progress reports linked to each clearance.

Clearance ID Area cleared AP mines found Hours worked Number of progress reports
CL-1022 23,400 45 120 4
CL-1239 22,330 42 160 6
CL-2345 1,920 4 20 1

This view could then be pasted into Excel, linked with additional IMSMANG data or external data or linked with a map to provide additional analysis. As such, database views provide a powerful way of formatting and analysing IMSMANG data.

Note.jpg
  • Database views created in IMSMANG are backed up by the IMSMANG backup functionality. However, it is important to correctly set the database permissions on views or it will cause problems when restoring the databases.
  • Information managers should maintain separate files containing the view creation scripts so that they can be quickly and easily restored or modified. Using the CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW syntax from SQL is an easy way to build scripts for creating or replacing views if they already exist.