• Improved data collection and writeback functionality. New techniques employed allow for faster retrieval and loading of data to Microsoft’s Analysis Services.
• Improved budgeting and forecasting techniques. New functionality added to o2olap for Excel allows for users to quickly model, create, allocate, update and consolidate budget and forecast information. Also included, are improved techniques in managing and controlling this whole process.
• Improved multiple hierarchy control. New techniques available allow for a more controlled and streamlined approach to the maintenance of multiple hierarchies within an OLAP environment. This is particularly pertinent within a financial reporting environment where it improves data integrity and reduces reconciliation.
• Extended modelling capabilities. New functions have been added to extend the modelling functionality within o2olap for Excel. You do not have to be limited to a static matrix approach for OLAP reports. As always, you can model and browse information from more than one cube in a report.

Key Features:

• An Excel based browser that provides highly flexible analysis and exploration capabilities including ad hoc summarisation, which is optimised for financial users.
• Provision of modelling capabilities through the inclusion of spreadsheet writeback and input journals.
• Ability to easily produce customised storybooks without coding that enables non technical users to view and manipulate data in an attractive and intuitive manner.
• Rapid report production incorporating text, tables and graphics with consistent formats using templates.

Benefits to Users:

• Provides the fastest way to deliver Microsoft Analysis Services (OLAP) solutions, information and reports to an enterprise. No MDX is required to generate a data view.
• Provides business intelligence out of the box with the power of improving business knowledge management.
• Integrates and streamlines the management, consolidation, budgeting, planning, forecasting and data analysis reporting environments for a competitive advantage.
• Helps in successfully producing and analysing enterprise data and using that data to make key business decisions.
• Provides an Excel objects development environment that requires no Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros. Executive information systems (EIS) are a cinch with this rapid application development environment (RAD).
• Enables data capture (writeback), entry and analysis through power Excel objects for the Microsoft's SQL Server and Analysis Services (OLAP) cubes.
• Helps data mining and presenting your data warehouse solution information for data analysis. Enables Finance to develop applications without high levels of technical knowledge or coding.
• Completely consistent with a Microsoft centric IT strategy and enables IT to have an appropriate level of control over Finance activities, without inhibiting effectiveness.
• Low cost through the use of Microsoft technologies.
• Enhanced openness and integration with existing applications such as the Microsoft SQL Server and Office suite.