Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects having those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects having those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A query generator is operable to generate a query for retrieving data that satisfy a conditional expression from a database, and/or perform an arbitrary calculation on at least part of the retrieved data. The query generator can receive an input query and analyze the query to ascertain whether it contains a replaceable token. If the query contains a replaceable token, the query generator can replace that token with user input specifying a parameter of the conditional expression and/or the arbitrary calculation, thereby generating an output query for retrieving the data that satisfy the conditional expression and/or performing the arbitrary calculation on the retrieved data.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in business intelligence and reporting. The method and system are able to implement one or more definable actions when presented with data. The data may be produced by a business intelligence application. The actions may relate to activities performed by a user or an agent. The system comprises an action manager, a repository, a data association manager and an implementation engine. In one embodiment a data mining engine is provided. The system enables the availability of an action in response to the execution of analytic queries to be determined based on a relationship defined by the data association manager. If an action is available, an action definition is used to invoke a target in response to selection of the action by an entity, the invocation of the target including propagating data produced by an analytic engine into the target based on metadata to perform the action.

Abstract: A query generator is operable to generate a query for retrieving data that satisfy a conditional expression from a database, and/or perform an arbitrary calculation on at least part of the retrieved data. The query generator can receive an input query and analyze the query to ascertain whether it contains a replaceable token. If the query contains a replaceable token, the query generator can replace that token with user input specifying a parameter of the conditional expression and/or the arbitrary calculation, thereby generating an output query for retrieving the data that satisfy the conditional expression and/or performing the arbitrary calculation on the retrieved data.

Abstract: A query generator is operable to generate a query for retrieving data that satisfy a conditional expression from a database, and/or perform an arbitrary calculation on at least part of the retrieved data. The query generator can receive an input query and analyze the query to ascertain whether it contains a replaceable token. If the query contains a replaceable token, the query generator can replace that token with user input specifying a parameter of the conditional expression and/or the arbitrary calculation, thereby generating an output query for retrieving the data that satisfy the conditional expression and/or performing the arbitrary calculation on the retrieved data.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in business intelligence and reporting. The method and system are able to implement one or more definable actions when presented with data. The data may be produced by a business intelligence application. The actions may relate to activities performed by a user or an agent. The system comprises an action manager, a repository, a data association manager and an implementation engine. In one embodiment a data mining engine is provided. The system enables the availability of an action in response to the execution of analytic queries to be determined based on a relationship defined by the data association manager. If an action is available, an action definition is used to invoke a target in response to selection of the action by an entity, the invocation of the target including propagating data produced by an analytic engine into the target based on metadata to perform the action.

Abstract: A method of retrieving data from any one of a plurality of data sources is disclosed. The data stored by each data source are arranged according to an associated data format. The method comprises: issuing a retrieval request for data stored on a designated one of the plurality of data sources to a control process; passing the retrieval request from the control process to the one a plurality of retrieval processes that is associated with the designated data source, said one of the retrieval processes retrieving the requested data from the designated data source and rearranging the retrieved data into a common output format, if it is not already in the common output format; and passing the data in the common output format to the control process.

Abstract: A query generator is operable to generate a query for retrieving data that satisfy a conditional expression from a database, and/or perform an arbitrary calculation on at least part of the retrieved data. The query generator can receive an input query and analyze the query to ascertain whether it contains a replaceable token. If the query contains a replaceable token, the query generator can replace that token with user input specifying a parameter of the conditional expression and/or the arbitrary calculation, thereby generating an output query for retrieving the data that satisfy the conditional expression and/or performing the arbitrary calculation on the retrieved data.

Abstract: A query generator for generating a query for retrieving a desired set of data from a relational database is disclosed. The query generator is adapted to: a) receive an input query adapted to retrieve a superset of the desired set of data from the database; b) analyse a default filters table comprising one or more filter application criteria, each associated with a default filter condition that refers to data contained in the superset of data; and c) for each filter application criterion that is satisfied, modify the input query in accordance with the associated default filter condition to produce an output query adapted to retrieve the desired set of data only.

Abstract: A method of retrieving data from any one of a plurality of data sources is disclosed. The data stored by each data source are arranged according to an associated data format. The method comprises: i) issuing a retrieval request for data stored on a designated one of the plurality of data sources to a control process; ii) passing the retrieval request from the control process to the one a plurality of retrieval processes that is associated with the designated data source, said one of the retrieval processes retrieving the requested data from the designated data source and rearranging the retrieved data into a common output format, if it is not already in the common output format; and iii) passing the data in the common output format to the control process.

Abstract: An hierarchical data retrieval method for retrieving an hierarchy of data from a first store is described. The hierarchy of data comprises one or more items of data of a first level, at least one of which is associated with one or more items of data of a second level. The method comprises: i) retrieving from the first store the items of data of the first level only; ii) displaying the items of data of the first level to a user; iii) retrieving from the first store the items of data of the second level associated with one of the items of data of the first level in response to a user request indicating that item of data of the first level; and, iv) displaying the items of data of the second level retrieved in step (iii) in addition to the items of data of the first level.

Abstract: A data storage method is described which comprises receiving a store command issued by a user in respect of a data object, and in response: 1. ascertaining whether an auxiliary function is associated with the data object; 2. storing the data object; and 3. executing the auxiliary function ascertained in step (a) to be associated with the data object.