Stacked Cells using FreeDashboard

Dear Readers,

With the release of FreeDashboard version 3, we provide developers with a Wysiwyg studio to develop user-friendly Dashboard, Performance Dashboard and Forms. We recently had a request to add a new feature for FreeDashboard : possibility to stack cells, to drill down & drill up on a cell.

Well, purpose is not to discuss if this is an easier method to display data on a Dashboard, compare to standard drill between graphs available in different cells, we delivere this feature as a new way to develop a Dashboard. It can be usefull if you want to have a large “1 cell dashboard”, with different representations

This is an early version of the Stacked Cells package, where you can also see the new  co-branded “Vanilla Fusion Chart”

Stacked Cells Definition using FreeDashboard

Stacked Cells Preview

Stacked Cells from Vanilla Web Portal (another exemple with a list box filter)

Stacked Cells from Vanilla Web Portal (second level, after drill down)

Have Fun,
Patrick

Vanilla for Android, second edition

Dear Readers,

It’s time to go for mobile with Vanilla for Android, second edition ! We learnt a lot with the first release of the package, 2 months ago, especially with providing features using the Android standard menu or very simple interface for data exploration. Feedback from early adopters is so valuable for us.

Vanilla for Android, workspace for Apps

Now, in addition to providing access to any kind of reports, Vanilla for Android is abble to display olap cubes (multiple dimensions and measures) and contains a search interface on document content (to display all the reports that contain specific keywords)

Vanilla for Android, Olap browser

We have also revamped the connexion interface (server definition) to allow users to define multiple server connexion (easy when you deploy your Vanilla server on a cloud)

Vanilla for Android, Report browser

To use Vanilla for Android, second edition, you need the latest version of the Vanilla Platform (version 3.1+, development branch), but if you want to test it immediatly, we provide a server on the cloud,

Vanilla for Android, Search for Keyword in document interface

Mobile Bi should unlock access to any kind of information, in sectors such as hospital, universities, police & administration. Using Vanilla for Android, you can now have instant access to your favorite reports & cubes using a tablet or a Smartphone.

Vanilla for Android, Olap Views Rolodex

It required us a couple of minutes to deploy & run a Birt + FusionMaps report … WOW !!!

Vanilla for Android, Birt Report with FusionMaps

Personnally, I’m running the Samsung Galaxy Tab & Htc Desire (Smartphone) … manipulation is very easy, and tablet is solid and not that heavy.

Have Fun !
Patrick

Vanilla – Birt & Flash integration

Dear Readers,

2011 starts as a good year for the Vanilla dev team, with innovative new subjects such as Tablet Apps or Flash integration, along with some new module for our Vanilla Platform (I should post later on this subject).

We just delievered a Birt – Flash integration, to come along with our existing Birt – GoogleMaps integration. Basically, this plugin allows you to add FusionMaps objects (Flash Maps) into your Birt Report, with dynamic color coding for Map’s cells.

Development from Eclipse Birt Designer

Web Preview

Birt + Flash is not only a simple Flash integration, it’s a Vanilla integration that leverage our FreeMetrics Kpi database along with our new geolocalisation module (address & Maps repository). All in one, it allows developers to use Birt to easilly build customs interface that displays Kpi on Maps. We add various options, such as color interaction, drill through to details, Pdf creation for report

Running Birt Flash Reports from Vanilla portal

Last but not least : the PlugIn is Open Source … no need to buy any licence or complementary product for this (in different words : we didn’t turn a Flash development contest into a payable product). It’s true : you need a minimum of Vanilla knowledge to use 100% of the Plugin facilities (such as Maps repository management, kpi definition, …) … this is part of delivering a full functional Platform, not a single standalone package.

To finish this post : a special thanks to Pallav, the founder of Infosoft, who is leading the FusionChart & FusionMaps projects, who kindly provided us with the set of co-branded Maps “Vanilla – Powered by FusionMaps”

Have Fun !
Patrick

Happy New Year 2011

Dear Readers,

I wish everybody an happy New Year, safe life and success in business. Starting a new year with Family & Friends is a must …

2010 was a great year for me & the Vanilla project : I would like to thank all the people who have turned the Vanilla project into a success story : developers, partners, customers and promoters. Be certain that all your support & exchange have value for us.

2010 was a human year, I still have in mind some late meetings, especially in Kuala Lumpur … Men : the way you shared those moments with me are so important, because you offered Time. And Time has no value. We have different culture, and I still have a lot to learn from you … be certain we will accelerate our presence in your country in 2011.

I would also like to thank all the persons who have voted for Vanilla on the recent december survey on LegrandBi : 48% for Vanilla is a non-contest recognition for the Vanilla project, coming from real Bi specialists & daily Users /System Integrators !

Last but not the least, in 2010, we won one of the most important study in the Bi space. Customer study, from people who want to deploy real Open Source Bi Platform. I hope soon we can make this information public, but this is not the most important … most important – again – is that we got the recognition of our human investment!

Be certain in 2011 we stay onboard to delivere you with new functions & modules that make Vanilla one of the most innovative Open Source platform for Global Information Management.

Have Fun with Vanilla !

Patrick