From: mis_student@mentorg.com (Arjan van der Valk)
Subject: Management reporting tools
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1992 09:31:33 GMT
Organization: Mentor Graphics (Netherlands) B.V.
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac.apps


I have a couple of questions regarding Management reporting tool(s) and 4D
databases. First the story:

We are currently in the process of implementing a 3rd party Sales
management tool, developed in 4D, across Europe.

The tool which is targeted at all levels of our European Sales
organisations, automates the sales processes such as maintaining info about
company/prospect/contacts, creating quotations, creating forecasts,
performing mass mailing, printing address labels, organising agendas (To
do lists, etc.) and last but not least management reporting.

The software house that developed the packet proudly boasts about it being
the biggest 4D application on gods earth and I can well believe that.

And now the questions:
I am very well aware that the success of the product, both at the countrys
level and at the European level, hinges on its capability of getting the
right info. (i.e. what are we going to sell in the coming months, when we
are going to sell it and how) in a timely fashion and in readable format to
the decision makers within our organisation. These are the European board
of management (European vice president, European financial directors,
European marketing director, etc.) and the country managers.

At the moment there are some standard reports built in to the product, at
our request, that, more or less, gives us the info. that we want. 

Unfortunately, in many cases this proves to be less rather than more. This
prompts me to go back to the software house with new requests about
reports. It may take anywhere between 1 week to 1 month before these are
implemented, depending on the going priorities.

So, regarding management reports, I want to grow completely independent
of our software house. I want to design the reports the way I want them
(with 3 dimensional pie charts, bar charts, etc.), when I want them.and
have them ready in the shortest possible time.

At the same time, I do not want to program the sources. I have neither the
time nor the resources for that, especially if you are talking about 8 MB
4D source line which is what our product is.

1- The question is, how can I achieve my objective????

I do realise that we, within our organisation, need to have an in-depth
knowledge of the product tables and the way they are linked together. But
hopefully that does not mean programming.

2- How should I negotiate with the software (what should I ask for)????
Is the structure of the database (the way tables are linked) enough???

3- Very important...what management tool should I consider ??? I have heard
some good remarks about Power Play but have very little information on
it. I know that it is pretty good working with ASCII files and can create
impressive graphics. In 4D, you can export ASCII files. Does anyone have
more info.????

Looking logically at the whole issue, I dont think I am asking for the
moon on a silver plate.

The fact is that, using our 3rd party software, we are rapidly gathering an
immense amount of forecasting info. from all over Europe in the database.
The only question is the presentation of the info in the best possible
form, to the right people at the right time. 

The question is how????


Thanks in advance,
Arjan.
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