FSS

Ad Hoc Reporting

What is Ad Hoc Reporting?

Direct query or ad hoc access provides a specially trained user with the ability to directly access the underlying data structures on which the CREW reports are written and independently create their own custom reports.

Who can get this Level of Access?

Candidates for direct query access have the following basic qualifications:

  • An advanced understanding of the available suite of standard reports in CREW and their capabilities
  • A comprehensive understanding of the subject area that will be queried (e.g., Harvard's General Ledger, Grants Management, or Human Resources data)
  • Training or experience in relational database structures
  • Training or experience in query tools like SQLPlus, Hyperion/Brio, Powerbuilder (Infomaker), etc., as well as best practices in constructing SQL-based queries

Getting Started in Financial Ad Hoc Reporting

Candidates for direct query access to the financial reporting structures in the Harvard Data Warehouse will need to perform the following actions to begin writing reports:

  • Attend the Analyzing Data in the Data Warehouse course at Harvard's Center for Workplace Development (CWD) [see training section for link]
  • Attend Brio/Hyperion Basic training offered by CWD (see training section for link)
  • Based on the data you wish to query, request the appropriate access from your tub's security authorized requestor
  • Contact your local desktop support to have the Brio Explorer 6.6.4.4 software installed on your University computer. See the Supported Query Tools section below for additional details
  • Attend the appropriate training for the financial subject area you wish to query
  • Set up open catalog extension(s) or OCEs within Brio to connect to the appropriate database
  • Contact local experts in your tub for assistance as you begin your querying, or the other resources listed in the Support section

Supported Query Tools

Brio Explorer 6.6.4.4 is the supported ad hoc reporting and querying tool, though direct SQL access through Oracle tools like SQL Plus and TOAD are also supported. Other query tools (e.g. Infomaker, Filemaker Pro, Access, or Paradox) can be used to access ad hoc data, but are not supported by the HDW.

Brio licenses may be obtained from UIS Enterprise Licensing at or by calling 617-496-SITE (7483). Contact your local desktop support and have them purchase and install a licensed version of the Brio Explorer 6.6.4.4 software. The initial cost for new Brio users is $300, which covers purchase of the software ($150) and an annual maintenance subscription for the fiscal year ($150). No pro-rating for a partial year subscription is available. The annual maintenance subscription will be charged each fiscal year as long as the software resides on the user's desktop.

Note on the Brio 6.6.4.4 product: Brio was purchased by Hyperion a few years ago and Hyperion has recently phased out the Brio brand name. As part of this conversion, Hyperion has "desupported" the Brio Explorer 6.6.4.4 product to move customers over to its Hyperion Intelligence 8.3 product. The two products are fundamentally identical: standard queries written in the Brio product can be brought into the Hyperion product the same way one might upgrade from MS Word 2000 to MS Word 2003.

Further information on the upgrade to Hyperion 8.3 will be communicated to the ad hoc community once the project plan is finalized

User Information

How to Obtain Access to the Ad Hoc Reporting Application

For help determining whether you are a candidate for direct query access, use the contacts listed below:

  • For Financial reporting, contact your tub's local point of contact for ad hoc reporting or Financial Ad Hoc Reporting Support at .
  • For Sponsored reporting, contact the GMAS team at .
  • For Human Resources reporting, contact your HR authorized requestor.

Once it has been determined that you are a candidate for direct query access, request the appropriate access from your tub's security authorized requestor. For more information, see the Client Services page.

Training

Brio/Hyperion - Training in using the Brio/Hyperion product is offered on a routine basis through the Center for Workplace Development. Registration for other subject area classes and other courses is available on the Center for Workplace Development pages on HARVie. NOTE: A request can be made to hold additional classes for a department and/or subject area. Courses include:

Documentation

See the Direct Query Access/Ad Hoc Reporting documenation on the ABLE site.

Support

Ongoing additional support is available through the following mechanisms:

  • Contact the UIS Help Desk (6-2001) or via for assistance with Ad Hoc Reporting. Your request will be managed by the appropriate member of the FSS Reporting team
  • Users can submit questions and inquiries to the email account. The Financial Ad Hoc Support Team can also provide assistance and review of problematic queries. Complete one of the Problem Queries Templates and submit as an attachment to
  • The ABCD-Brio user group is a peer-to-peer support group comprised of Brio/Hyperion users from across the University. It meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday during the academic year (September to June) to share tips and tricks for working with Harvard's ad hoc query structures and the Brio/Hyperion query tool. Members also may subscribe to a listproc , to which they may submit their questions and problems to the group list for potential solutions and workarounds. The following procedures describe how to sign up for this email support group. At the ABCD-Brio site, select Membership, then the Signup link. Provide the information required at the prompts and click the submit button. An email will be sent to confirm the information entered and further instructions to complete the membership registration to participate in any of the mail list groups
  • Users are also encouraged to network with their peers. Much of the process of building queries involves finding creative solutions to constraints either in the query tool, the available data, or the reporting structures. There are times when a quick check-in with a peer can save you from "reinventing the wheel."
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