Version 11 Release Notes
Last Updated December 20, 2010
Introduction
Version 11 is a major release. Feature enhancements were made over 10.2 in the following areas:
Desktop Tool Integration
We merged the Report Designer, Data Modeler, and Asset Composer into a single desktop application called
Style Studio. This new application uses the Netbeans GUI framework, which allows you to customize the layout
and arrangement of the various panes to better suit how you work. As part of this work we have also
implemented many usability improvements to make the development process more efficient.
Better Table/Section Binding
We have streamlined the data binding process for table and section elements in reports. This includes
supporting drag-and-drop of fields, more control over the layout, and a seamless transition from regular
tables to formula tables.
Chart Calculations
Viewsheet charts now support some common data manipulations, like contextual percentages, running totals,
moving averages, period-over-period deltas, and more. Additionally users can group values together on the fly
(this part is also available in crosstabs).
Query Trap Handling
When a database schema contains fan and chasm traps, the burden of avoiding them is either on the data
modeler or the ad hoc user. In prior versions, the Logical Model designer had to choose between the redundant
effort of creating separate models, and allowing the users to potentially create incorrect queries. Now we
determine the connectivity between tables in the Physical View, and alert the user when they have created a
problematic query that would result in double counting.
Viewsheet Scripting
We added a complete scripting environment to viewsheets, similar to that of reports. Now more customization
than ever before is possible. We exposed many more element properties, and your business logic can be
centralized in one place.
Scheduler Improvements
Now you can schedule a viewsheet to run regularly and automatically deliver an export via email, or save it
to the archive. Also, a new JavaScript hook allows the scheduled task's actions to be suppressed, enabling a
normal task to become a data-driven alert. Since this hook is available via JavaScript, the triggering
criteria can be as simple or complicated as you need.
Offline Viewsheet
The new Snapshot export format is for those who have ever wanted to make a viewsheet portable for offline
use, or to share with others. The VSO file that you download can be imported into another environment,
including Style Scope Free Edition for local use.
Other Enhancements
We have also made the following enhancements:
- A new SAP Data Source type allows out-of-the-box support for querying your ERP system
- Viewsheets can now be based on a query or data model directly, without an intermediary worksheet
- Worksheets can be more easily understood and navigated with the structural view in the Worksheet Explorer
- Calculated fields (aka Formula or Expression columns) are now defined in the report context. Note that
existing reports that have multiple expression columns with the same name and on the same data asset will
have to be modified before being upgraded
- EJB and CORBA data source types have been removed. Use the Object type instead
- Viewsheet text components can now be positioned independent of the grid.
- Cluster nodes can be paused to prepare for scheduled downtime without affecting the users, and a broadcast
message can be sent to all users to warn them of scheduled maintenance
- Data Model creation has been streamlined, making it easier to create a logical view for your ad hoc users
and developers.
- The Relative Path option has been removed from the Image Properties dialog, and may be removed from
runtime logic in the future
- The Join option on report element Data Binding has been removed. For backward compatibility we will
generate a report-scope Data Worksheet that defines this cross-domain join and update the binding
appropriately.
- Viewsheet output and data view components (chart, table, gauge, etc.) can now have a condition defined.
This supports use cases like having a separate gauge for each region, or multiple charts showing this month,
this quarter, and this year.
- Single Sign-On can now include the Roles and Groups for the user in the SRPrincipal, and these will be
used instead of getting them from the AuthenticationProvider.
- Charts with multiple measures now have a GUI option for using a secondary Y-axis, so you do not have to
resort to scripting.
- Viewsheet Selection Lists now have a substring search capability, making very large lists more usable.
- Chart axis labels can be aliased to display different text using a GUI dialog.
- Viewsheets now have a toolbar button for one-click printing.
- Chart axis properties for categorical scales include options to Ignore Nulls and Truncate
Labels If Too Long.
- Charts and crosstabs that use an OLAP cube now support derived measures and changing aggregation formulas.