Abstract: A business intelligence system comprises a business intelligence interface system that enables users to interface with a business intelligence system and an electronic learning system that delivers electronic learning related to the business intelligence system. The business intelligence interface system enables one or more portions, such as folders of reports, individual reports, metadata or other business intelligence objects, or a report definition, of the business intelligence system for use by a user based on information related to whether the user has engaged in electronic learning associated with the one or more portions. A user may self-provision access by earning a privilege based on reviewing a lesson, passing a test, and/or other activities relative to the business intelligence object. Upon meeting electronic learning criteria, the electronic learning system updates privileges to enable access to the business intelligence object or class of objects.

Abstract: A system and method for indexing non-uniquely indexed entries in a report generated with a business intelligence system, such as, for example, an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system. A dummy index is added to each index element returned in the report. Non-unique index elements receive different dummy indices to distinguish otherwise identical row elements. The dummy index is added to a base template and optionally also to a view template of a report generator of the OLAP system.

Abstract: An report system that incorporates prompt objects in a report definition to enable a user to specify answers to questions to customize a reporting system (e.g., decision support system, business intelligence and OLAP) report at execution time. A prompt object contains a single question to be answered, validation values for the answer, and attributes indicating how the prompt object is to be processed. A report is thus defined by selecting prompt objects in place of templates, filters, or any of the aspects of a template or filter. As a separate object, a single prompt may be issued once and the answer supplied to each reference to the prompt object in a report.

Abstract: A multi-level interface client for business productivity clients such as spreadsheet, word processor, presentation, database and email clients. The multi-level interface client provides backend functionality permitting a business intelligence server, such as an OLAP system to be accessed directly from the productivity client. Reports displayed in the documents native to the productivity client can be updated directly in the client by executing operations on the business intelligence server through the interface client. Layout and formatting information specific to the client is stored as persistence information by interface client in the productivity client document file and is used to refresh the displayed report in the file without a loss of formatting or layout properties.

Abstract: A reporting system that incorporates prompt objects in a report definition to enable a user to specify answers to questions to customize a report at execution time. A prompt object contains a single question to be answered, validation values for the answer, and attributes indicating how the prompt object is to be processed. A collection of answers is built up in a resolution object. A report is thus defined by selecting prompt objects in place of templates, filters, or any of the aspects of a template or filter. As a separate object, a single prompt may be issued once and the answer supplied to each reference to the prompt object in a report. A resolution object may be created and saved before the execution of a report. The saved resolution object can then be used to answer prompts at the time of the report execution.

Abstract: A technique for project partitioning in a cluster of servers is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for partitioning a plurality of projects among a cluster of servers. The method may comprise determining a status of project partition among the cluster of servers. The method may also comprise generating a partition plan for re-partitioning the plurality of projects among the cluster of servers based at least in part on the status and a partition policy, wherein the partition policy comprises one or more rules selected from a group consisting of a user specified project-server association rule, a weighted balancing rule, and a project redundancy rule. The method may further comprise communicating the partition plan to each of the cluster of servers. The method may additionally comprise causing the plurality of projects to be re-partitioned among the cluster of servers based on the partition plan.

Abstract: A voice page directory system for enabling users of a voice page delivery system to locate voice pages of interest. A database system stores location identification information and description information regarding a plurality of voice pages available to users through a voice page delivery system. Users then input voice page identifying information whereupon the system outputs a directory or searches voice pages based on keywords provided to output voice pages of interest.

Abstract: A system that incorporates prompt objects in a report definition to enable a user to specify answers to questions to customize a reporting system, decision support system, business intelligence and OLAP report at execution time. A prompt object contains a single question to be answered, validation values for the answer, and attributes indicating how the prompt object is to be processed. A report is thus defined by selecting prompt objects in place of templates, filters, or any of the aspects of a template or filter. As a separate object, a single prompt may be issued once and the answer supplied to each reference to the prompt object in a report. A prompt object may also contain another prompt object nested within it, in which the answer to an inner prompt object is used by the system to validate the answer to an outer prompt object.

Abstract: A layered architecture for communication of reporting system reports to users connecting via a web server. Users communicate via HTTP with web servers without download of plugins or executable files to the user system. The web servers are clustered to balance requests and transmit the requests. The web servers pass report requests via XML to the business intelligence servers to perform the work with the databases. The business intelligence servers convert reports into XML and provide the XML-based version to the web server. The web server then transmits an HTML or DHTML report back to the client over the web.

Abstract: A remote client interface to manipulate OLAP and other reports is described. A Web client or other thin client may access an intelligence server via an intermediate network server. The network server may translate between HTML or other code supplied by the client, in order to access a database serviced by the intelligence server in all its functionality. For instance, a user may clink onto a linkable URL to access a stored report run against the remote database, and perform operations on that report, such as doing a table pivot, page down, running totals or averages, or other functions. Multiple users may access the report and other data resources using different interfaces.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for exchanging information over a computer network. A network server computer system receives a query request from at least one client computer system over a computer network. The query request is formatted into an extensible markup language query document according to an extensible markup language document application program interface. The extensible markup language query document is transmitted to at least one business intelligence server computer system. The at least one business intelligence server computer system retrieves the information requested in the extensible markup language query document from at least one data storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for generating revenue from a personalized intelligence network which outputs personalized and timely informational and transactional content from an OLAP-based system to individuals through use of a high-speed processing and output delivery system to email, Excel, pager, mobile phone, fax, telephone, personal digital assistants and other output devices. Affiliates may enlist subscribers and receive a share of revenues generated from subscription fees, advertising fees, bundling fees and transaction fees.

Abstract: A web interface system and a method for use with a business information system are provided. The web interface system provides an interface to a user and comprises a first set of HTML interface tools located on a business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including spreadsheet tools, graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools. The web interface system additionally includes a second set of HTML interface tools located on a web server, the second set of HTML interface tools including navigation tools and internationalization tools. The web interface system also includes a communication link between the business intelligence server, the web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tools.

Abstract: A system and method for personalizing an interactive voice output of a voice service based on determinations about the caller or call, the output containing information derived from on line analytical processing (OLAP) systems, where content stored in the database can be readily obtained by a requester on the fly and in a personalized, interactive manner. The system and method include a call server for receiving an incoming call from a caller, an inference module for determining information about a voice service to be provided to the caller, a control module related to the information determined and for facilitating the interactive voice broadcast with the caller, and a personalization module for passing determined information to the control module.

Abstract: A technique for handling server session requests in a system having a plurality of servers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique includes receiving a request to create a session on one of the plurality of servers. In response to the request, a primary session is created on a first of the plurality of servers. After the primary session is created, at least one other of the plurality of servers are notified that the primary session has been created. Such notification allows for a backup session on the at least one other of the plurality of servers to take over for the primary session upon a failure on the first of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: A system and method granting permission to transmit interactive voice broadcasts of a voice service over a voice network, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems is disclosed. The system and method include a call server and a method for generating interactive voice pages related to product and service offerings, and for transmitting the voice pages to a user based on the user's permission. A permission module is provided for receiving user permission information from the user indicating the user's permission for telephone-based marketing.

Abstract: The invention provides a configuration tool to allow a user to build a custom-selected data object hierarchy, for business intelligence or other purposes. Under conventional data storage technologies, the physical layout of the disk drive or other media has dictated what logical views and searches a user could run on the underlying data. For instance, levels could not be readily skipped or many-to-many data object relationships were difficult to maintain. In the invention, a user may select and connect a set of data objects into a hierarchy of their choosing, to permit desired reports and other manipulations on the data to be performed. The hierarchy may be edited, and entry points may be defined. Different levels of security may be applied to the different levels of the hierarchy. Multiple hierarchies or representations may be built for one database or other data source.

Abstract: A system for collaborative processing, comprising a controlling module with access to at least one relational database capable of performing a first set of functions on the data in the database and at least one external analytical engine, the external analytical engine being external to the relational database and being capable of a second set of functions on the data in the database. The controlling module is capable of iteratively processing a multi-step calculation including generating SQL statements to the relational database, passing preliminary results to an external analytical engine and saving data back into the relational database for further processing until the multi-step calculation is performed.

Abstract: A method and system for generating TML (an XML based language) and formatting reports is disclosed. The method and system of the present invention operate in conjunction with an interactive voice broadcasting system and are used to develop active voice pages—TML documents that are to used generate dynamic voice menus that drive the interaction between a user and an interactive voice broadcasting system.

Abstract: A content provider system for enabling content providers to create voice pages with audio files included for use in a network for voice page delivery through which subscribers request a voice page and a voice page server system delivers the voice page audibly to the subscriber. A content provider selects a voice page into which the audio file is to be incorporated, selects the audio file and the content provider system then transfers the audio file to a voice page server system which generates a voice page with the audio file included using XML-based tags designated for audio files. The audio files are uploaded from a number of user devices including a telephony device, a web-based system and a PDA.