What makes MIK-BIS different from other BI solutions?
MIK-BIS is the fourth product generation by MIK; it has undergone complete redevelopment to run on the latest software platform Microsoft .NET. The vast experience amassed by MIK in developing Business Intelligence solutions for thousands of satisfied customers combined with up-to-the-minute technology has created the most powerful BI software currently available.
Apart from handling all the requirements of a high-performance BI solution, MIK-BIS provides further crucial advantages:
1. A universal solution for all BI users (consolidation of analytical islands)
Top Management cannot work with the same interface as Controlling or those receiving occasional reports in individual departments. While company management requires informative analyses that are easy to retrieve, Controlling demands highly flexible analyses with high functionality, and must always be able to create new reports and analyses quickly and easily.
In the process, all user groups need to work from a consistent database to ensure that every decision is based on comparable and traceable data.
In order to cover the widely differing requirements of BI users with a single solution, MIK-BIS provides ten modules or user interfaces for analysis, planning and reporting. The problems created by multiple, heterogeneous solutions are thus avoided by employing a universal, consistent product approach.
The MIK-BIS modules share a universal and standardised user interface for consistent user navigation and a common look and feel.
2. Short project durations and high utility by covering all necessary business performance management (BPM) functions
BI solutions are created in three stages:
Data modelling and data preparation based on OLAP cubes, Definition of an interface system to front-end systems, and Implementation of user interfaces (analyses, reports, etc.).
MIK solutions slash implementation times at all three stages because they include a full range of immediately useable BPM functions, the result of MIK's 20 years' experience in this area.
Frequently used functions, including various comparison functions, variance analyses, ABC analyses, traffic lights, currency conversions, and periodic functions such as rolling views, are provided as standard and do not need to be programmed. MIK-BIS also includes numerous analysis objects such as charts, tables, dashboards, maps etc. with a high level of off-the-shelf and immediately usable "intelligence".
A comprehensive range of ready-made BPM functions significantly increases the usefulness of an application because it is so easy to view data from numerous different perspectives during analysis (just at the press of a button), and hence recognise previously hidden relationships or discover the cause of a problem.
Thus an MIK system is ready for use in the minimum of time, delivering a measurable return on investment (ROI).
3. OLAP database and front-ends from one source for maximum functionality and performance
BI solutions normally comprise an OLAP database and one or several front-ends for reporting. MIK-BIS is one of the few BI solutions in which the database and front-ends were actually developed by the same manufacturer. The consequent perfect integration of both elements provides major benefits in terms of functionality, performance, ease of administration and flexibility. In addition, MIK can respond very quickly to customer requirements and problems, because improvements can be implemented easily in both areas.
4. Charts and tables of unrivalled performance
Reports presented as charts are far easier to understand than tables. With the MIK-BIS Graphics module, MIK-BIS has by far the most powerful graphics component currently available on the market. It is designed both for power users, with high expectations in terms of analysis functions and versatility, and for users who only require occasional graphical reporting. MIK-BIS charts are also ideal for use as presentation graphics, satisfying the high standards of both appearance and content demanded by presentations to the Management Board, for instance. Twenty types of charts and hundreds of options cover every requirement.
Charts are not always required or even the ideal form of representation. That is why MIK-BIS Table provides practically the same high-power functionality for tabular analytical reporting as for graphical reporting. An extensive range of display and content options ensures that tables are clearer and more attractive than ever before, even in the portal environment.
5. Rapid creation of high-quality custom user interfaces
Many BI users in a company want simple user interfaces for their work, custom designed for them. The working environment should be geared towards the user, not the other way round. MIK-BIS Presentation is the ideal solution for developing tailor-made user interfaces in the minimum of time, applying the strategy of "intelligent" objects to achieve this. Typical objects include charts, maps, tables and dashboards. Each of these objects boasts hundreds of functions and options, dispensing with the need for programming in most cases. If programming should still be required, then this can be done using Visual Basic .NET; compared with proprietary solutions, not only is the programming language largely familiar (e.g. from Excel VBA) but it provides far more powerful functions.
6. Flexibility, openness and extensibility by employing industry standards and the latest technology
A comprehensive range of off-the-shelf functions is not incompatible with flexibility at MIK. Actually, high functionality also means high flexibility. Should the off-the-shelf functions not cover all one's requirements, the experienced user of MIK-BIS can enjoy the option of creating new functions based on the industry standard Visual Basic .NET. In addition, external add-ins also based on Visual Basic .NET can be used beside the MIK-BIS modules. The power of Microsoft .NET is therefore supported in MIK-BIS, providing far-reaching flexibility and a high degree of openness.
7. State-of-the-art, future-proof user interface offering high level of customisation to company standards
MIK-BIS has the most up-to-date user interface currently available in the BI market, based on Microsoft products that will not be available until the end of 2005. At the press of a button, however, the MIK-BIS user interface can also be converted to earlier standards such as Office XP or Windows 2000, so that company users can opt for a trusted look and feel that is familiar from other applications.
Furthermore, the MIK-BIS user interface can be customised extremely quickly and comprehensively to match the corporate design of the business, without the need for programming. This includes colours and fonts, and extends across logos to background images, login screen, menus, windows, attribute dialog boxes, charts and report tables: almost everything can be customised. Practical experience with MIK-BIS has shown that this harmonisation with the corporate design increases product acceptance significantly.
