Query, Reporting, and Analysis 

With this variant, business experts can use the BEx Query Designer to make queries available that can be used to analyze BI data in a flexible, user-oriented way.

This variant shows how queries can be made available using Web applications created with the BEx Web Application Designer. BEx Web Applications can be modified to meet the requirements of different user categories. For example, BI data can be presented in a concise form for information consumers, or in complex and interactive applications for business analysts.

Business experts create formatted reports using the BEx Report Designer. This tool provides various functions, for example, for selecting formats, fonts, and data layouts and for adding header and footer rows to reports. These reports are optimized for displaying and printing.

The BEx Report Designer is integrated into the BEx Web Application Designer. This means that reports can be integrated into BEx Web Applications using the Report Web item.

You access BEx Web applications and reports in the portal. You can then convert these into PDF files and print them.

Architecture of the Scenario Variant

The following figure provides an overview of the architecture:

You create queries using the BEx Query Designer. You can use them as data providers in the BEx Report Designer to create reports and in the BEx Web Application Designer to create Web applications. You publish the Web applications from the Web Application Designer to the portal. From there, users can access the BI applications and analyze the data, or use various Knowledge Management services, for example.

IT Processes of the Scenario Variant

This scenario variant comprises the following IT processes:

Process	What You Need to Know...
Designing a Query	In this process, you generate queries for InfoProviders. You restrict the data to be evaluated in the InfoProvider by selecting and combining InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) in a query. Defining queries allows you to evaluate the data in an InfoProvider quickly and specifically. Queries form the basis of the analyses and reports that you create with other tools in the Business Explorer.
Designing a Report	In this process, you generate formatted reports (reports). Using the Report Web item, you can insert the formatted reports into Web applications.
Designing a Web Application	In this process, you generate the Web applications and publish them to the portal. You can make Web applications available with comprehensive analytical options or simply provide information consumers with the information they require at a glance.
BI User Interaction	In this process, users call Web applications in the portal and work with them. For example, they analyze the BI data and navigate in the Web application and print the Web application or distribute them to other recipients.