2.1 Applications

2.2 Components

2.3 Elements

2.4 Language

Analyses

2.2 Measures, dimensions and analyses

Unify components: Measures, dimensions, and analyses

In this instance, the components of reports and presentations to be unified concern measures, dimensions, categories, and analyses.

2.2.1

Unify measures: values and volumes, flow and stock

Value-based measures with flow character are sales and period costs, value-based measures with stock character are balance sheet items such as equity and receivables. Quantity-oriented measures with flow character are output quantity in unit and energy consumption in kWh; quantity-oriented measures with stock character are staff levels with headcount and stock levels in units. It is a challenge to capture not only the multitude of individual measures, as well as the numerous combinations thereof in the form of key data and to consolidate it into a uniform language and representation concept.

2.2.2
Unify standard dimensions: time periods, e.g. years, months, etc

These time periods are a component of nearly all reports and presentations in the business field. Due to the small number of varying period types, they are easier to standardize than other components. Moreover, they are implemented quite similarly in the most diverse sectors. More...

2.2.3

Unify standard dimensions: categories, e.g. actual, budget, etc.

What is said for period types also applies to data categories: One on hand, they are important for most reports and presentations and, on the other, the small number of varying data categories makes standardization easy in general, thus across various business sectors. More...

2.2.4

Unify individual dimensions: entities, e.g. products, companies, and customers

Individual dimensions – as well as the measures used – are varied amongst individual business sectors. If three to five different individual dimensions, such as products, sales areas, or locations, are involved, a good distinction can be made among them with symbols (icons).

2.2.5

Unify analyses: accumulations, differences, averages, etc.

Analyses are considered to be typical basic business analyses, such as the formation averages and rankings. More...

2.2.6

Unify analyses: comparisons and deviations 

Due to their special meaning, deviations are examined separately here as a special form of analyses. More...