Bringing External Data into ReportsNow
ReportsNow empowers you to transcend data silos and gain a unified perspective of your business by incorporating external data sources. This functionality streamlines reporting processes, enhances decision-making, and fosters a deeper comprehension of business operations.
Unleashing the Power of Combined Data Analysis
ReportsNow enables you to bring a wide range of external data sources into your reports, so you can break down data silos and transcend the limitations of working solely with JD Edwards data.
Creating reports that incorporates information from various external systems improves your understanding of situations while reducing risk of both error and unintended bias.
This practice also improves credibility and reliability. Imagine generating a comprehensive financial report that seamlessly integrates sales figures from your CRM system combined with invoice data from JD Edwards, or inventory data from your warehouse management system combined with customer details from your marketing platform – all within a single ReportsNow report.
How To Connect External Data Sources In ReportsNow
Connecting to external data sources in ReportsNow is a user-friendly experience.
In this video Anne Thiele uses the common example scenario of connecting to a SQL Server database and shows you how to;
- Set up a SQL server connection
- Connect to other database types
- Connect your cloud products
- Combine external information with your JDE Data, into a single report
Connecting External Data Sources In ReportsNow
In this shortened recording Anne shows you what you can do with ReportsNow and JD Edwards after external data sources are connected.
Steps Involved in Connecting ReportsNow To an External Data Source
Using the common example of connecting to a SQL server database, these are the steps involved:
- Initiate the Connection
- Select the Data Source
- Provide Connection Details
- Confirm and Establish Connection
- Explore and Utilize External Data
Upon successful connection, you’ll be able to view all the tables residing within your SQL Server database. This empowers you to leverage these external tables alongside JD Edwards tables. Through table joins, you can create powerful reports that combine data from both sources, providing a more holistic view of your business operations.
Beyond SQL Server: Expanding Your ReportsNow Connectivity Options
ReportsNow caters to a diverse range of external data sources beyond SQL Server databases. Possibilities include:
- Excel Spreadsheets: Directly integrate data from your Excel spreadsheets, eliminating the need for manual data entry and ensuring consistency within your reports.
- Oracle Databases: If your organisation utilizes Oracle as its primary database platform, ReportsNow allows you to seamlessly connect and retrieve data for your reports.
- Cloud Products: The evolving landscape of cloud-based applications necessitates flexible data access. ReportsNow bridges this gap by enabling connections to various cloud products, keeping your reporting process in sync with your cloud ecosystem.
CDATA & ReportsNow: Your Gateway to Additional Data Sources
For situations where the desired external data source isn’t natively supported by ReportsNow, worry not! ReportsNow offers a pre-built integration with CDATA, a third-party platform that acts as a bridge to a vast array of additional data sources. Through CData, you can connect to various cloud products and other data sources, further extending the reach of your ReportsNow data analysis capabilities.
The Advantages of External Data Connections in ReportsNow
The ability to connect to external data sources in ReportsNow unlocks a multitude of benefits for your organization:
- Unified Reporting: Eliminate the need for juggling reports from various systems. Consolidate data from disparate sources into a single, comprehensive report, providing a clear and unified view of your business performance.
- Enhanced Insights: By incorporating external data, you can gain a deeper understanding of how different aspects of your business interact. Identify trends and correlations that might not be evident when analysing data from isolated sources.
- Improved Decision-Making: With access to a broader range of data, you can make more informed and data-driven decisions. External data connections empower you to consider various factors that influence your business operations, leading to more strategic choices.
- Streamlined Reporting Process: By consolidating data from various sources into a single report, you can significantly reduce the time and effort required to generate comprehensive financial reports. This translates to increased efficiency and productivity for your reporting team.
ReportsNow’s external data connection capabilities transform your reporting process from a siloed exercise to a unified analysis of your entire business ecosystem. As your organisation’s data landscape continues to evolve the adaptability and diverse connection options in ReportsNow ensure you’ll always have the tools necessary to unlock the power of your data and gain a holistic view of your business performance.
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