Beyond 20/20 Insights - Spring 2006

In this edition:

1. Beyond 20/20 Debuts New Publishing and Administration Capabilities for WDS
2. STAT-USA Uses Beyond 20/20 Vista Server to Offer Subscribers Port -level Data
3. Beyond 20/20 Vista Technical Tip
4. French and Spanish Content to be Added to the Beyond 20/20 Website

Beyond 20/20 Debuts New Publishing and Administration Capabilities for WDS

Data disseminators have always valued Beyond 20/20 Web Data Server (WDS) for its ability to quickly publish large quantities of data in a dynamic, easy-to-use setting that meets the needs of a highly varied user population.

With the release of WDS 7.4, new administration and publication features provide greater flexibility for data providers in designating not only who can publish information, but what formats and information types can be included.

Release highlights:

• Online Publishing and Administration
  
  This new feature improves the management of publisher and administrator tasks and separates each into its own web-based component. By modularizing tasks over the Web, administrators can make publishing capabilities accessible to multiple users while maintaining control over administrative functions. Greater flexibility is provided since each publisher is able to create, publish and delete reports on their own and no longer need to request these services through the administrator. This feature will particularly benefit organizations with geographically dispersed operations and multiple publisher groups.
  
• Creation and Publication of Blended Reports
  
  Blended reports provide a method for managing and presenting multiple information types - such as charts, tables, and text - within a single report. Publishers define an HTML or XML template and include references to multiple WDS tables and charts as well as supporting text within the template. By separating the display of information from the underlying WDS tables, publishing becomes completely independent of WDS presentation formats.
  
  Data publishers are free to format data in any way they desire and can tailor information delivery to the specific needs of their audience. Information can stand alone or be linked back to WDS tables and charts.
  
  As well, data users no longer need to know anything about choosing dimensions within WDS since its presentation formats are completely transparent. They access data based on the method specified within the template. This can take any form the data provider wishes - drop-down menus, tabs, or pick lists - for example.   This greatly simplifies data manipulation especially for casual users who interpret reports and perform data analysis on an occasional basis.
  
  To gain a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of this powerful feature, click here to view some examples of blended reports.
  
  In addition, WDS 7.4 includes the following enhancements:
  
  Support for Firefox browser
  
  WDS 7.4 supports the use of Mozilla Firefox version 1.0.7 and later.
  
  E-Commerce API
  
  For data providers that employ cost recovery mechanisms, WDS 7.4 can support both subscription-based and data point-based charging models through an e-commerce API.
  
  E-Mail password
  
  This administrator-enabled feature lets end-users access their password if they forget it. When requested, the user's password is sent to the e-mail address listed within their user account facilitating password administration.
  
  Useful links
  
  An optional 'useful links' dropdown list box is available on the top toolbar which allows administrators to bookmark important links for further access.
  
  Searching improvements
  
  Searches are now language specific by default and geography specific within mapping.

STAT-USA Uses Beyond 20/20 Vista to Offer Subscribers New Port-level Data

STAT-USA has long been a user of Beyond 20/20 products and services for electronic dissemination of information. They currently use Beyond 20/20 Vista to provide subscriber access to U.S. Merchandise Trade data. Their informational database service - called USA Trade Online - reports detailed trade data between the United States and other countries in the world. The site includes 18,000 export commodities and 24,000 import commodities which are typically placed on the Internet within 30 minutes of their official release.

In February, STAT-USA in conjunction with the Bureau of the Census added port-level data to USA Trade Online. This major addition to the database lets users monitor and track imports and exports by specific port and by transportation method. Previously, data was only available in aggregate at the district level.

By using Beyond 20/20 Vista , STAT-USA provides an interactive site that allows its users to access and navigate trade data for both imports and exports. Users can search, sort, rank and filter data, highlight relationships, and monitor trends in specific products, markets and countries. With the addition of port data, users are now able to isolate how events, such as the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes, affect specific ports.

The Vista solution is particularly well suited to handling the sheer volume and complexity inherent in such multidimensional and hierarchical data settings. Because of Vista 's clever use of OLAP technology, there is virtually no limit to the size of dimensions available.

As STAT-USA continues to add to its trade data offerings, they have peace of mind knowing their Vista solution can easily grow with them, capable of handling additional volumes and increased data complexity.

Beyond 20/20 Vista Server Technical Tip

Take advantage of powerful member selection options in Vista 3.0. To select members within a dimension, users can choose individual members, pick groups of members ,  or mark entire levels of members for inclusion in a chart or table.

In addition, users can search for members within a dimension.  New functionality in Vista 3.0 allows users to review which items have been selected by using the show selected button - an invaluable tool when working within a large dimension.

If you have any questions about this tip, please email us at insights@beyond2020.com

French and Spanish Content to be Added to the Beyond 20/20 Website

The Beyond 20/20 corporate website is expanding! We are adding language selection options to our website. In addition to English content, users will be able to access product and company literature and brochures directly through dedicated French and Spanish portals. Stay tuned for more details.

If you have any questions or comments about the Beyond 20/20 site, send us an email at insights@beyond2020.com.