IntelligentApps is extending the capabilities of Excel spreadsheets
in forthcoming versions of its Olap-enabling technology, writes
Eric Doyle.
The 4Excel and 4SQL Server packages are designed to bring advanced
multidimensional Online Analytical Processing (Olap) features down
to the desktop. They will allow these spreadsheets to be
transferred to the Microsoft SQL Server database for wider access
as conventional Olap cubes.
Paul Martin, IntelligentApps' CEO, said the addition of 4Excel's
Wizards will help users to unlock the power of the multidimension
capabilities of Excel more rapidly.
The package also contains analytical software from Proclarity to
allow users to drill down and graphically display different views
of the data. Apart from allowing the development of new
applications, existing spreadsheets can be converted into
cubes.
"The complexities of designing a multidimensional spreadsheet often
requires the help of a company's IT department. Changes are
therefore slow to implement and the results cannot be transferred
to SQL Server's Olap environment for wider access and more powerful
analysis," Martin said.
"IntelligentApps addresses this problem by empowering users to
design and view their own spreadsheets, cutting the time taken to
reap the benefits of business intelligence and allowing changes to
be made instantly."
There is a discontinuity between Microsoft's Excel 2000
spreadsheets and the SQL Server 2000 environment. 4SQL Server
addresses this problem by automating the transfer of data to the
server. This transfer means that the data becomes more readily
available to other users across the company or via the
Internet.
4Excel will be available in three versions. The Standard Edition is
a personal Olap product for SMEs that starts at £99 per user, or
free if downloaded from the Internet. The Professional Edition
offers greater scalability, for £299 per user. The Special Edition
allows access to server-based applications, prices start at £499
per user.