To deliver that data, the development team made sure all back-end data structures were robust enough to respond to diverse queries. For example, information can be sorted or re-ranked on the fly, according to user requests. This means that the system was required to deliver user definable data snap shots to each desktop. Accurate information from the past day, week or even several months is instantly retrievable providing data for executive and sales decisions. It provides analytical tools like graphs, alarms and a complete report writer to help users understand source data.
Users can schedule queries to execute on a regular basis.
Many built-in features like scheduling, alarms and triggers require no programming. The ADA would like to see space limits removed for data manipulation capabilities when viewing retrieved data in very large database applications. The simple but powerful front end also minimizes training time and increases comfort levels while using the application. Reprinted with permission from Data Management Review , August 1997. Inc. All rights reserved.