Overview of QMF features

The QMF™ solution offers a robust set of functions that enable enterprise-wide access to business information across end-user and database platforms.

QMF is offered for a one-time charge price, and it is cost-effective because it is not priced per user. This pricing structure allows you to deploy content to as many users as you want at no additional cost, thus reducing your total cost of ownership.

The following features are provided by QMF:

Relational and multidimensional queries
Creation of both relational and OLAP queries is facilitated by a variety of different query interfaces that are tailored to different skill and knowledge levels. Multidimensional analysis capabilities allow you to drill down through an unlimited number of levels of detail, exposing underlying information with each click.

For more information, see Query functions.

Reports, charts, graphs, and maps
QMF offers an extremely flexible design environment for reports, allowing you to group, aggregate, and summarize data, add calculation expressions, and conditionally format the report depending on the query results. Dozens of visual elements can be embedded in reports by simply dragging the elements onto the report canvas, allowing you to create reports that are rich with graphical content, including charts, graphs, and maps. You can also save report formats as templates, applying them to different sets of query results to maximize reuse.

For more information, see Data display and analysis.

Dashboards
Dashboards provide a dynamic means of reviewing critical enterprise data. Unlike reports, which tend to contain a fixed amount of information, dashboards have the ability to deliver real-time information on demand, as needed by the dashboard user. QMF provides built-in methods of displaying query results, capturing user input, passing information to and from the dashboard, implementing and streamlining navigation, defining relationships between visual elements, and pointing to underlying data sources.

For more information, see Dashboards and visual applications.

Analytical functions
QMF offers over 140 analytical functions, providing the repertoire of capabilities that you need to allow users with divergent needs to analyze trends and obtain summary-level information.

For more information, see Analytical functions.

Data editing capabilities
QMF provides built-in table editing capabilities that allow you to intuitively add, delete, and change entire rows or individual cells within a table.

For more information, see Data editing capabilities.

Application development interfaces
QMF offers a variety of application interfaces to allow you to seamlessly integrate QMF functions with either new or existing applications. You can also create, edit, and run sophisticated procedures to carry out a variety of tasks.

For more information, see Application development interfaces.

Performance, resource control, and auditing functions
QMF provides governing capabilities that allow you to set resource consumption limits by user or group, which allows role-based versus individual restrictions to be created. Activity logs provide built-in usage auditing capabilities, including several ready-to-use reports, so that you have a snapshot of each user's system activity at any given time.

For more information, see Performance and resource control.

Multiplatform access to data
You can configure QMF access to a wide variety of data sources, allowing you to create a unified business intelligence solution for your organization no matter how disparate your data sources may be. Additionally, after you create queries, reports, and dashboards, these objects can be deployed on virtually any platform.

For more information, see Portability and multiplatform access.

Ease of use and administration
The cost and complexity of implementing business intelligence solutions often results in a one-size-fits-all design for reports, dashboards, and other content. QMF stands out in the business intelligence market because it allows you to precisely tailor these objects to the operational needs as well as the security privileges of specific individuals or groups across your enterprise. Built-in wizards and other user assistance make QMF easy to learn and use, while drag-and-drop operations simplify the creation of objects.

For more information, see Ease of use and administration.

Multilingual capabilities
QMF supports many national languages, speeding deployment of your content and giving your business a global edge.

For more information, see Multicultural support.

The QMF solution contains the following tools: