Administrative Information Services

Using the Software

The new EIS software makes exploring multidimensional data easier and better because of the following.

The Table of Contents displays an Index Tab and Content Frame. This interface provides a friendly and intuitive point-and-click listing of models, search functionality, customization options, on-line help, and more.
The Personal NewsBox is a self-managed NewsBox that allows you to add URLs, customize a report or model, and publish the report or model to your NewsBox. It provides a NewsBox whose contents can be viewed only by the owner. Get detailed instructions on how to use the Cognos PowerPlay Personal NewsBox.
Rollover filtering allows you to skip levels in filtering. In the previous version, filtering (or the selection criteria for your data) was performed one level at a time (with a refresh in-between), showing intermediary pages you may or may not have wanted. The new EIS software allows you to skip levels when filtering on dimensions by selecting only what you want.
It has context-sensitive menus that list the commands available depending on where you are in the view. To open the menu, pause the mouse over a category. You will immediately see the drill-down options. You will also see an action category, which will allow you to complete calculations, hide rows, and utilize and explain window that shows details about the current cube data.
The interface has a new look, offers new features, and allows you to access the most common commands using the toolbar. The new features are most visible when used with Internet Explorer 4.x or later and Netscape Navigator 4.x. At this time, context sensitive menus do not work with Netscape Navigator 6.x.
Interface Changes Using Different Web Browsers. The interface changes slightly when viewed with different Web browsers. If viewed with a Web browser other than Internet Explorer 5.x or later, note the following changes:
- The drop-down menus are replaced by a toolbar of icons.
- To select an entry, you must click the check box beside the icon and not the icon itself.
The Printing features have been upgraded. Printing can now be done via PDF, producing an improved printout of reports.
The Graphing features have been enhanced. Charts and graphs (pie, bar, stacked-bar, etc.) have been enhanced to display in three-dimensions, improving the appearance and clarity.
The "Return to Source" feature provides quick navigation to other EIS models without being required to leave and return to the EIS.
Report titles can now be added to the top of the EIS reports you generate.
Rows and columns can be removed as desired. Removing or hiding rows and columns enables you to display only the information that you want. The remove or hide option is available via the 'Action' option found in the context-sensitive menu.
Rows and columns can be added as desired. Adding a new calculation by manipulating information can now occur by selecting "Insert Calculation" via the "Action" option. An example would be creating a new column SUMMER AND FALL by adding Summer + Fall together.

Table of Contents & Personal NewsBox

Screenshot of table of contents, personal NewsBox, index tab and content frame

Context Sensitive Menus

Context sensitive dropdown menus

New Toolbar Features

EIS toolbar

A three-dimensional graph bar has been added to the graph options. This display shows trends across columns by plotting the cell values of a cross-tab in a three-dimensional bar. One bar is created for each column, with the top of the bar representing each row value. Use this display to analyze large quantities of data that are difficult to interpret otherwise.

You can export reports to a CSV file for use in other applications. Data tables are presented in comma delimited, CSV text file format. Although this file format allows for the data table to be easily retrieved into a variety of applications, they are best viewed within an application that will allow easy manipulation of data in a column format. Common examples of such applications are those used to create spreadsheets and databases.

You can print your reports using the PDF file format by clicking the export to PDF button. This allows you to take advantage of better print quality rendition of your report. Once you export the report, you get a view of the printed pages with report criteria as a header. Then, select file and print.

An optional drill through capability will be available based on the model. In other words, not all models will take advantage of the drill through function. Drill through allows you to move to a predetermined report, model, or the Data Warehouse without leaving your current model based on the data you have selected in the model.

Using this icon will display the 'Explain' box to assist with definitions, general information, and various functionality--pertaining to the report currently being viewed.

Depending on how the report was published, reports can be customized, saved as "special view" and displayed on the Web Viewer.

Using the 'Return to Source' icon returns you to the Upfront Interface (main page).

Using the NewsBox

EIS allows you to save particular views of models--similar to bookmarking a favorite Web page. This feature is called your personal NewsBox.

When you login to EIS, you will see your NewsBox at the top of the list in the left-hand frame of your screen, which will contain your name. Clicking on your name will display the contents of your NewsBox in the right-hand frame. The first time you do this, your NewsBox will be empty. The following instructions demonstrate how to save views in your NewsBox for easy future access.

An empty NewsBox

Create & Save a Report View

To create and save a report view:

Select a model to create the report view that you wish to save (i.e. Undergraduate Admissions, Undergraduate Current Admissions Year)
Next, drill down through the desired levels, such as Summer 2003 -> University Park -> Freshman -> Offers and Paid Accepts -> Non-PA Residents

If this is a statistic that you want to track on a weekly basis (each time the model is updated), you can save this view in your NewsBox.

Click on the diskettte icon (Save As) in the lower right-hand corner of your screen
Enter the name of the view (e.g. Summer 2003 Out of State Freshmen) and a more detailed description of what's included in your view.
Click the "OK" button
Select the "Return to Source" icon in the lower right-hand corner of your screen
Click on your NewsBox (the one displayed at the top of the left-hand frame containing your name). You will now see the view that you just created
Click on that view to be immediately taken to your report

Delete a Report View

If you need to delete one of the views in your NewsBox:

Highlight the view by clicking on the cube icon to the left of the view title. The view should now be surrounded by a blue box.
Click on "Edit"
Press "Delete"

Change View Name or Description

In order to change your view name or description:

Highlight the view by clicking on the cube icon to the left of the view title. This will turn the view blue.
Click on "Edit" and choose the "Properties" option. Make the desired changes.
Click the "OK" button

Change Home Page from NewsIndex to NewsBox

When you login to the EIS, the first screen that appears is the general NewsIndex containing all of the models to which you have access.

The EIS NewsIndex screen

If you would prefer that your personal NewsBox appear first:

Click on your personal NewsBox to open it
Select "View"
Click on "Set This View As Home"

Add Web Page Links

In order to add Web page links to your NewsBox:

Open your personal NewsBox
Click on "New" and choose the "URL" option
Enter the name of the Web page, a description if desired, and the full URL of the Web page
Click the "OK" button

Change the Name of Your Personal NewsBox

You can change the name of your personal NewsBox by selecting "NewsBox Properties" and making whatever changes you want to the existing NewsBox name.

Content Questions: AIS Support | Support Questions: AIS Support

The Pennsylvania State University - Administrative Information Services, a unit of Information Technology Services