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Prometheus Business Intelligence - Whitepaper The Prometheus BI system is a fully integrated suite of five major software components:
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Prometheus Automated Data Processing The Prometheus Automated Data Processing (ADP) software is an extremely powerful and flexible ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) system. Data files drawn from the corporation's various data warehouses are deposited into the ADP input area. The ADP system automatically recognizes the presence of new data, and processes it into new information that is then deposited into the Prometheus BI data repository. The processing is able to:
The extensive processing capabilities are controlled by a Prometheus Business Logic Module, which expresses the complex business logic specific to a vertical market segment. The input data files will conform to a specification established with the client. These specifications are designed for the input files to be extracted simply and directly from the corporation's various data warehouses. The client is free to modify the design and structure of the warehouse databases. Such modifications will typically require only straightforward adjustments to the extracting of the input files. When the input data has been processed and deposited into the Prometheus BI data repository, it is then registered with the Prometheus BI server. The new information is immediately available for analysis using the Prometheus Desktop Client or through Prometheus Web Access. With the Prometheus ADP software running on a server, a corporation can update their Prometheus BI system data on whatever schedule is appropriate for that company. Nightly or weekly updates are the most common scenarios. The Prometheus BI system stores and maintains its processed data using highly efficient compression techniques. The compressed data is typically 10% to 20% the size of the same data stored in standard database formats. This means that a standard server with stock hardware components can run a Prometheus BI system handling a volume of data that would otherwise require terabytes of storage and specialist hardware. This can provide substantial savings to an organisation in terms of hardware and maintenance costs. The compressed Prometheus BI data format also means that a single CD-ROM can hold Prometheus BI data that would otherwise require a stack of CDs. This makes it practical for an organisation to distribute key Prometheus BI data on CD-ROM to users who do not have network access to the central corporate data holdings. Distributing Prometheus BI data on CD-ROM is particularly effective because the Prometheus Desktop Client performs well even when reading data directly from CD-ROM.
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Prometheus Business Logic Modules A Prometheus Business Logic Module (BLM) is a software module written in a high-level language specially developed for the Prometheus BI system. This high-level language, combined with the capabilities of the Prometheus BI software, enables the succinct expression of complex corporate business logic. Business Logic Modules control the processing of input data and determine the structure and interrelationships of the information stored in the Prometheus BI data repository. Business Logic Modules are created specifically for vertical market segments. A BLM encapsulates expert knowledge of that market segment and its business processes. When a BLM is deployed for a particular client, it is configured to match the specifics of that client. These customisations require only a modest consultancy.
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The Prometheus BI server software comprises middle-tier servers and backend servers. Backend servers access the Prometheus BI data repository to run queries, build tables of statistical information, and return results and metadata. Middle-tier servers handle client connections, load-balance queries across multiple backend servers, and perform intelligent caching of queries and results. All query results are transferred in compressed format to minimise network traffic. The design of the Prometheus BI client/server technology also enables the system to be used effectively across a Wide Area Network (WAN). The backend servers are given a fast connection to the Prometheus BI data repository. Middle-tier servers are distributed across the WAN so that all clients have fast access to a middle-tier server. The distributed middle-tier servers communicate among themselves and ultimately with the backend servers in a way that minimises network traffic while maximising throughput of queries and results. The net result is that a corporation can provide effective access from its dispersed field offices to a Prometheus BI data repository maintained in a central office.
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The Prometheus Desktop Client empowers the user to explore the data through tables, maps and graphs in an Integrated Analysis Environment. The sophisticated Graphical User Interface enables users to work across the full range of data in a flexible and consistent fashion. The design of complex queries is made easy through an entirely menu-driven system. The powerful classification capability adds value to the stored data by providing informative groupings of the data elements. Metadata and documentation on all data and elements are available at all times. Complex statistical calculations are available at the click of a mouse. The correct relationships between the disparate pieces of data are maintained at all times by the business logic encoded into the system. The user interface has been carefully designed to facilitate rapidly modifying queries and views to enable effective exploration, mining and analysis of all the available corporate data. Tables, maps and graphs are only a single click away, with many features for easy customisation and manipulation of the views to give maximum intelligence from the information. The user can readily export tables, maps and graphs to other third party software packages. The user's work can be saved and managed in a convenient 'User Workspace', which features drag-and-drop file manipulation. A similar 'Corporate Workspace' can be used to share Prometheus BI reports across an organisation's LAN. A query and the views built on it are stored as a specification in a single compact text file. This means that queries and views can readily be copied or transferred. For example, a user can email a specification file to another user. That second user can then open that specification file using Prometheus to see the same query and the tables, maps and graphs as they were specified by the first user. The Prometheus Desktop Client typically operates in connection with a Prometheus BI server across a LAN. However, the client is fully capable of communicating with a Prometheus BI server across the Internet. The design of the Prometheus BI client/server technology means that communication across the Internet provides acceptable performance on line speeds as low as 128 Kbps. Thus the system works well over ISDN or ADSL connections. As well as operating as a network client communicating with a Prometheus BI server, the Prometheus Desktop Client can also operate in standalone mode when it reads its data directly from stored Prometheus data files. This means that Prometheus data can be copied onto a laptop for analysis away from the office with just a Desktop Client installed. Further, a Desktop Client performs well even when reading data directly from a CD-ROM.
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Prometheus Web Access operates as a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) application in conjunction with a standard web server to provide interactive access to Prometheus BI data via a web browser. The system adheres to the policy of zero-footprint on the client and requires no plugins or additions to the browser. The system makes advanced use of Javascript and Dynamic HTML, but remains compatible with the majority of browsers. Supported browsers include Internet Explorer 5.0 and up, Netscape 6.0 and up, and Mozilla 1.0 and up. The user can explore the full range of data and view and manipulate tables, maps and graphs. Queries are designed through an entirely menu-driven system using expandable trees and other interactive controls. Options for views of tables, maps and graphs are chosen from dropdown lists and buttons. Naturally, however, the browser-based client cannot provide all the high power features of the Prometheus Desktop Client. A special feature of the Prometheus Web Access system is its handling of predefined reports. Reports can be created using the Prometheus Desktop Client and then simply copied into an appropriate folder on the web site. The system presents these reports to the user as an expandable tree of folders and stored reports. A single click on a stored report presents the user with a tabbed display showing a description of the query, notes associated with the data, and the multiple tables, maps and graphs specified in the report. The repository of predefined reports provides an excellent way for corporations to disseminate key analyses and information across the entire organisation.
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