Glossary
analytics layer
The middle level of technology infrastructure commonly known as the "business intelligence stack." The analytics layer is where data is turned into information by applying various formulas and analytical processes, usually related to predictive analytics, data mining and KPI formulation. This layer sits between the presentation layer above and the data layer below.
annotations
In dashboarding, annotations are comments attached to individual data visualizations intended to add context or otherwise communicate with other dashboard users. An example is when a user adds a personalized remark to a data point on the dashboard to provide background information or to raise concerns.
BI stack
The business intelligence (BI) stack refers to a broad group of technologies designed to work together to produce BI solutions. The stack often includes three layers: a database on the bottom layer (e.g., SQL, Oracle, spreadsheet, OLAP, unstructured data), a middle layer offering analytics technology (including predictive analysis, data mining and KPI formulation) and a presentation layer on the top (producing dashboards, scorecards, reports, etc.).
business intelligence (BI)
Business intelligence encompasses many different concepts and technologies that help facilitate a better understanding of an organization's place within its commercial context. Its general goal is to gather, store, analyze and share data in order to help make better/smarter business decisions.
business analyst
A role/function that's responsible for identifying business problems, analyzing them and then proposing business solutions. With Dundas Dashboard, a business analyst typically defines KPIs and may also be involved in the dashboard-design process.
check in/out
In Dundas Dashboard, "check in" saves changes made to a dashboard, while "check out" retrieves a dashboard for modification. Furthermore, "undo checkout" will discard any changes, saved or otherwise, that were made to the dashboard while it was checked out.
comma separated value (CSV)
A file format that consist of fields separated by commas and rows separated by new lines. CSV files are a common format used in many applications, including Microsoft Excel.
dashboard (or digital dashboard)
A business tool that displays a set of performance indicators, KPIs and any other relevant information to a user in a visual manner. There are many different types of dashboards with different goals (operational, tactical, strategic), but ultimately, their role is to provide information at a glance.
Dashboard Designer
The Dashboard Designer is a key part of the Dundas Dashboard framework where data visualization components are introduced into the dashboard-creation process. Visually, the Dashboard Designer resembles a blank canvas with data controls (charts, gauges, labels, etc.) and KPIs that can be dragged onto the canvas in a straightforward and simple manner.
DashFlow™
DashFlow™ is Dundas's streamlined development process. It was created to save dashboard developers time by allowing them to build dashboards without connecting to actual data. The process includes Dundas Dashboard's unique KPI stubbing feature, which facilitates a parallel-track development process, so DBAs and BI professionals who design dashboards can concurrently work on dashboard projects or proof-of-concept dashboards.
data caching
Used for fast retrieval, a data cache is generally data (that does not change frequently) stored on disk or in memory.
data connector
A data connector encapsulates all of the information necessary to connect to and query a specific instance of a physical data source. The information may include the name of a database server, the type of data provider to use and the credentials required for access.
data layer
The bottom level of technology infrastructure commonly known as the "business intelligence stack." The data layer is where corporate data is stored, usually existing in a variety of databases such as Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008, Access, Oracle or in flat files. The analytics layer and presentation layer sit atop the data layer.
data schema (database schema)
A database structure that defines data relationships, tables, fields, functions and many other elements.
data sets
A data set (or dataset) is a collection of data, usually organized in tabular form.
data source
A resource of formatted digital data (e.g. data files), usually in the form of a database or data stream.
data structure
A method of organizing and storing data. Dundas Dashboard recognizes tables, virtual tables, views and procedures.
data type
A set of values and their operations. Dundas Dashboard recognizes a wide variety of data types, from simple decimal and string information to more complex SQL and Oracle data.
data visualization
Data visualization is the visual representation of data, which (for dashboarding purposes) is represented by charts, gauges, maps, grids, state indicators, etc.
data warehouse
A data warehouse is used to electronically store data. They are generally designed to enable an organization to provide reports and analysis on various topics including but not limited to: forecasting, budgeting, and resource efficiency.
DundasScript™
A script engine that lets developers make distinctive changes to data visualization components and handle UI component interaction (like the dashboard designer's text entry field and drop-down menu controls) at runtime.
dimension
A dimension is a collection of categories which can be used to group, filter, sort and label KPIs. To allow for both detailed and general data views (i.e., drilling down and drilling up), these categories are typically arranged in a hierarchy of dimension levels. For example, with Dundas Dashboard, you can define a dimension that has a single hierarchy with three levels: product category, product subcategory and product. Dundas Dashboard supports two types of dimensions: standard and time.
full join
A type of data relationship used to combine two or more data structures. A full join creates a new table by combining every row from both the "left" and "right" tables. Rows on either side that have no match are included in the new table with missing (null) values.
inner join
A type of data relationship used to combine two or more data structures. An inner join creates a new table by combining the column values of two tables when there is at least one match in both tables.
key performance indicator (KPI)
A measurable value used to monitor the performance of an organization's strategic goals. KPIs differ depending of the nature of the organization and its strategy and goals; they usually have contextual values to be compared against (for example, a target set by the organization, a historical comparison or a value calculated by various analytical processes).
KPI
See "key performance indicator."
KPI stubbing
Key performance indicator stubbing is a critical element of Dundas Dashboard's DashFlow collaborative process. KPI stubbing allows business professionals to build KPIs without the requirement of connecting to actual data (random data is generated for them until real data is hooked up). This helps them to focus on "the bigger picture" of KPI creation while others worry about data-connection details.
left join
A type of data relationship used to combine two or more data structures. A left join creates a new table by combining every row from the "left" table. If a row in the "left" table has no match, it is still included in the new table with missing (null) values for all the right columns.
mashup
In dashboarding, mashups relate to the "mashing together" of individual dashboard parts/elements (e.g., data visualizations). The advantages of mashups include the ability for dashboard viewers to create their own dashboards without having to rely on their IT dept.
measure
A measure is an element of a KPI that represents the numerical value that needs to be monitored, analyzed and managed. Examples are: sales revenue, operational expenses and units sold.
OLAP
Online analytical processing (OLAP) is an element of business intelligence that deals with relational reporting and data mining. OLAP databases use multidimensional data models typically displayed in a matrix format (the dimensions form the matrix's rows and columns and the measures form the values).
open API
An application programming interface (API) is an interface for extending and customizing a software application. Open means "public" or "accessible." Dundas Dashboard's APIs include: Data Provider API, Dashboard Control Plugin API, Navigation API, Export API and Authentication Provider API.
presentation layer
The top level of technology infrastructure commonly known as the "business intelligence stack." The presentation layer delivers visual information, mainly in the form of dashboards but also in the form of scorecards and reports. This layer sits atop the analytics layer (and can also sit atop the data layer).
rich internet application (RIA)
A web application that typically looks and functions like a desktop application, usually delivered via web-browser plug-ins or virtual machines
right join
A type of data relationship used to combine two or more data structures. A right join creates a new table by combining every row from the "right" table. If a row in the "right" table has no match, it is still included in the new table with missing (null) values for all the left columns.
Silverlight
Microsoft's cross-browser and cross-platform browser plug-in that helps companies design, develop and deliver applications and experiences on the web.
standard dimension
One of Dundas Dashboard's two types of dimensions (see "dimension").
stored procedure
In a database management system (DBMS), a stored procedure is a subroutine that's available to applications for accessing the database. Typical uses include data validation (integrated into the database), access-control mechanisms or in the case of Dundas Dashboard, data retrieval. All major database platforms support stored procedures, including SQL Server, MySQL and Oracle.
time dimension
A special type of dimension, as Dundas Dashboard allows time dimensions to have more than one hierarchy. The levels for a time dimension hierarchy are well-known, being based on calendar standards such as Gregorian and ISO 8601.
user experience (UX or UE)
The experience a user has from using a service, product or a related feature - as per its designer.
user management system
A system for managing users and personal profiles, often controlling access, authentication and security.
user interface (UI)
The visual and auditory information presented to a user, usually via a computer monitor. The two most common UIs include (1) graphical user interfaces (GUIs), which offer graphical elements/icons on a desktop monitor and (2) web-based or web user interfaces (WUI), which are transmitted using the internet and viewed with a web browser.
virtual data structure
A virtual data structure refers to a virtual cube/table within Dundas Dashboard. These elements reside in the "virtual layer" and are used to separate Dundas Dashboard users from actual data sources. Data in the virtual layer can come from a myriad of different data sources (e.g., analysis services, Access, Excel, SQL Server) and once these elements are in the virtual layer, those who define business metrics don't have to think about how they connect to data.
virtual table
A uniform, tabular view of physical data.