True business intelligence solutions simplify the complexity of massive data sets while rendering the behind-the-scenes work invisible. Sometimes, you'll see the misconception that this means trained data analysis professionals can leverage business intelligence software to create meaningful reports, but that perception fails to grasp one of BI's key concepts: data should be able to be processed by everyone, be it a database administrator, an account executive in the sales department, or the CEO.
Microsoft's newest release of SQL Server, code name "Denali," will feature a new reporting service with that concept at its very core - provide meaningful business intelligence to anyone who needs it.
Project "Crescent," one of Denali's key features, is an interactive web-based tool designed for data visualization, exploration, and presentation. Based in Silverlight, it boasts a dynamic yet easy-to-use interface in which data can be manifested through charts, graphs, tables, etc. with a simple click in a matter of seconds. True to Microsoft form, its interface is a familiar one, sharing many properties with other applications in the Microsoft Office suite.
Crescent's drag-and-drop interface is targeted at users who need access to powerful data but lack the technical expertise to write queries. It may look similar to SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), but make no mistake about it - Crescent integrates with PowerPivot for SharePoint and SSRS itself to deliver functionality that SSRS can't match.
One of the most user-friendly features boasted by Crescent is "storyboarding," a feature that leverages the drag-and-drop interface to imbed charts, graphs, tables, etc. onto a PowerPoint slide to create simple, yet interactive renditions of complex data. Meta data is selected from a series of drop downs and tabs, and parameters are inserted via multi-select boxes. This data is immediately linked together. For example, if you'd like to see why your business experienced a dip in sales in January, all that's required would be to click the "January" bar or column on one graph in order for the others to adapt and show you January-centric data.
Beyond that, graphs and charts on Crescent can be animated; displaying sales trends over a time line is just one example of this powerful tool. A software development company may wish to track projects by discipline over the course of a few years. Using Crescent, decision-makers can follow multiple trends over one timeline, perhaps showing that while.NET application development has decreased, SQL Server development and Android development have increased simultaneously. This can gauge the effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts or identify industry trends.
All of this may sound confusing, but a look at this official demonstration of Project "Crescent" demonstrates how powerful but simple the tool really is. Remember that Crescent is based on PowerPivot and requires SharePoint and SSRS integration, so it may behoove interested parties to find a capable member of the Microsoft Partner Network to get the ball rolling prior to its actual release.
For those who wish to see the technology ahead of time, the Community Technology Preview (CTP) is available for download from Microsoft. Testing it out ahead of time may be a good plan for enterprises looking to take their SQL Server and business intelligence solutions to the next level, as an early test-run can place you ahead of the curve when the actual release occurs.
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