Superficially, using spreadsheets for MIS reporting may seem attractive….
- By Ashwin Dedhia
However, actually delivering a secure, robust, appropriately functional and reliable solution is considerably more complex (and therefore expensive / time-consuming) than it seems at first sight. We know…. we developed 1KEY Framework to develop robust MIS reporting solutions!
Why spreadsheet based heavy data solutions with MIS reporting should be avoided in principle?
MIS Reporting involves many users. Spreadsheets are essentially single user productivity tools. 1KEY Reporting is designed from the ground up as a multi-user system.
Spreadsheets MIS do not naturally handle hierarchical voluminous data. 1KEY is designed from the ground up to handle forecasting reports at any level, hierarchies, with no need for manual consolidation, ever. It can therefore be performed, more powerfully, in less time.
Spreadsheets MIS cause data duplication and fragmentation. 1KEY gives all users a single, consistent view of the truth.
Spreadsheet MIS systems are inherently insecure. Formulae can be overwritten or changed; it is hard to protect sensitive data. Also, spreadsheets can ‘walk’, together with all that sensitive data!
Spreadsheet MIS systems require extensive manual maintenance. 1KEY Solution will allow you to automate all maintenance of your MIS reporting system, saving you time, hassle and minimizing the chances of errors.1KEY is a robust and proven application, with far more functionality than it is possible or cost-effective to deliver via home grown developments. Why spend considerable time and effort to re-invent a less effective wheel, when this one already exists and provides clearly proven benefits to existing customers? Why delay the benefit stream? You can implement 1KEY and start saving money far earlier than by developing, testing, debugging, re-testing, and documenting a home grown spreadsheet based MIS solution, only to end up with something which is much less functional than 1KEY, and more heavily dependent on key internal developers, who may ‘up and leave’.
1KEY framework allows a remote user who is not connected to the data warehouse to get the report loaded with data and enable him to slice and dice the data. This flexibility of remote viewing is possible due to XML technology to export and import the reports with its metadata to the remote user who is not connected to data warehouse.
“Open your ears to the fact that Spreadsheets are human dependent are not designed for strong analytical and secure MIS”
Posted on March 20th, 2008 by Ashwin Dedhia
Filed under: View Points & Perspective
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