Define the layout template
Choose where it should go, when it should run, and who gets it
Use Pentaho Report Designer
Go directly into the underlying XML and either define a new report or modify an existing
Can I schedule reports?
Yes. We include an open source scheduler, Quartz by OpenSymphony, which can be used to schedule any activity of the system
including running a report.
Can I track report usage?
Yes. The Pentaho BI Platform is built with audited workflow under the covers and the system can track report access, parameter selection, and report delivery.
Report auditing requires minimal administration and is transparent to report consumers. Additional audit reporting capabilities are available as a feature
of Management Services, which are part of an annual Pentaho Subscription.
Can I monitor performance?
Yes. The same auditing system that captures report usage information captures performance information.
Are starfish fish?
No. Although they live underwater, they do not have a backbone, and therefore are not fish. Starfish is an echinoderm, in
the same family as sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers. Jellyfish aren't fish either by the way.
Will Pentaho Reporting email reports to users?
Yes. Business rules can be used to determine the recipient(s) for any report or parameterized report. Pentaho includes
several business rules engines for flexibility.
Can end users select and save their own parameters?
Yes. Parameters and parameter groups can be saved, and re-used in multiple reports.
Are there reusable components in the reports?
Yes. Styles, data sources, queries, parameters and parameter groups can be saved and loaded when designing a report.
Can Pentaho Reporting do production reporting?
Yes.
Ideally you want to reduce the amount of noise that a user receives and just pipe relevant, timely, important information to
them. That is why there are triggers, bursting, email/portal/web-page delivery and rule-based capabilities.
Can Pentaho Reporting do parameterized reporting?
Yes. Reports can be setup to accept parameters directly from users or from other applications. Parameters are defined in the
report definition, and also in the data source. When the report is run, the report component generates an xform user
interface to prompt the user to enter the parameters. These parameters can then be displayed, or used in the query to
filter data.
What OLAP capabilities does Pentaho Reporting provide?
Pentaho Reporting is a part of the Pentaho BI Platform which has an Analysis module comprised of an Analysis Engine (ROLAP) and advanced analytical views.
Where are report definitions stored?
Pentaho Reporting definitions are stored on a centralized server under the control of the BI Platform's security layer.
How does Pentaho Reporting scale?
Pentaho Reporting uses a sophisticated combination of business rules, services, assured messaging, workflow, clustering,
and auditing, to scale.
- Business rules are used to identify exception cases (reduces spam)
- Workflows with subflows are used to process each exception
- Subflows use assured messaging to call services to generate reports
- Clustering can be used to distribute report generation and delivery
- Auditing tracks that each exception is handled successfully
How does Pentaho Reporting use workflow?
Pentaho Reporting uses the workflow engine for advanced functions such as bursting. Report generation can be initiated
from an activity within a workflow.
What advantage does this provide?
Using workflow to provide advanced reporting features provides automated logging, auditing and recovery. Failures
during reporting and delivery can be reported to responsible parties. The workflow engine also provides deadline
support that can send an alert if the report is taking to long to complete.
What data sources can I get to?
Pentaho Reporting supports access to relational, OLAP, XML, and web services data sources
What security is available?
Pentaho Reporting, through the Pentaho BI Platform, supports user authentication at the user level, allowing you to control which users can access the system
and which cannot. Out-of-the-box integration with external directories like LDAP, and the ability to define security at the
individual report level are both features of the Pentaho BI Platform.
