iServer Express Report Server

Features: Data Access

Out-of-the-box, iServer Express supports data drivers for the most popular data source types. It also provides methods to develop access to custom data sources as needed. Options are available to create a metadata layer to hide data complexity from end users and to integrate data from multiple sources in real time before serving the data to a report.

Multiple Data Access Methods

iServer Express provides out-of-the-box data drivers for popular data source types and tools to develop access to custom data sources.

• Out-of-the-box Data Drivers -supports JDBC, XML, flat files, POJO, and scripted data sources.
• Open Data Access (ODA) - supports the Eclipse Data Tools Open Data Access (ODA) to extend iServer Express data access to additional and custom data sources.
• Web Services API - supports additional data source access via the iServer Express Web Services API.

Optional Metadata Layer

An add-on product called Information Objects is available for iServer Express to create a metadata layer to help end users develop their own reports using BIRT designers or BusinessReport Studio. Information Objects present the data in plain business language, shielding users from the complexity and detail of the physical data structure. This gives IT control over queries while providing easy data access to non-technical users.

• Integrated Data Security - Information Objects can leverage the iServer Express security model and any security embedded in the data source.
• Global Programmable Query Governors - queries can be configured for extra safety and control; for example, to abort any query that delivers more than a specified number of rows or takes more than a certain length of time to process.
• Data Presented in Business Terms - end users can view the data described in business terms independent of how it is stored in original sources, and create their own reports by dragging and dropping the desired data from an Information Object onto a report template created by a developer.

Optional Multiple Data Source Integration

An add-on product called Enterprise Information Integration (EII) is available for iServer Express that can integrate multiple data sources in real time as a result of powerful developer tools, automatic data caching and the ability to access virtually any data source. This product integrates the data from the disparate sources in memory and then presents it to a report as though it were from a single data source.

• EII Technology - creates virtual metadata views in business terms for use in reports.
• Powerful Data Integration - provides real-time access to multiple data sources so they appear as a single source.
• Automatic Data Caching - maximizes report performance by integrating the data in memory and caching it instead of physically storing it.
• Open Data Access Framework - supports developing access to any data source.
• Graphical Development Environment - allows easy development of data integration procedures and business rules.

Features Overview Next: Administration