Differences in Reporting Requirements
Each user’s information requirements typically depend on his/her role within the organization. Factors that need to be considered for each user including data access rights, level of detail (e.g., summarized or detailed transactions) and the format of the reports.
The type of Report Tool a user needs will depend on the simplicity or complexity of data extraction. Simple reporting users can utilize out of the box pre-configured report templates with minor adjustment capabilities. A more sophisticated user may find benefit using a reporting toolan Excel based plug-in tooldynamically connected to application data base for slice and dice capability.
The following describes 5 types of reporting requirements.
Standard Reports – Electronic
| Purpose: | To provide users with an electronic document containing information they request or need. |
| Usage: | Reports that do notrequire frequent changes and are easily distributed through e- mail or Web viewing. |
| Issues: | If the system does not have pre built report templates, these reports must be developed or enhanced by a programmer. |
| Examples: | P&L reports, expense variance reports, and management accounting reports |
Structured Queries
| Purpose: | To provide users with the ability to select parameters for a given query, which will generate a document containing the information that they have requested. |
| Usage: | Creating new report formats. research and analysis. |
| Issues: | If there is no simple to use tool available, must be developed by a programmer. |
| Examples: | Revenue by sales representative. |
Ad Hoc Queries
| Purpose: | To provide users with the ability to generate any query they wish. |
| Usage: | Research, analysis and reporting. |
| Issues: | If there is no simple to use tool available must be developed by a programmer. |
| Examples: | Listing of the top-selling products by customer. |
OLAP Analysis
| Purpose: | To provide users with an electronic document containing information they request or need. |
| Usage: | Reports that do notrequire frequent changes and are easily distributed through e- mail or Web viewing. |
| Issues: | If the system does not have pre built report templates, these reports must be developed or enhanced by a programmer. |
| Examples: | P&L reports, expense variance reports, and management accounting reports |
Exception-Based Reporting
| Purpose: | To alert users to predefined conditions or events that have occurred. |
| Usage: | Notification without the need to perform detailed analysis. |
| Issues: | A standalone “alert” application requires more resources to maintain. Best would be to have alert functionality within the accounting or ERP system |
| Examples: | Alert if inventory levels fall below a certain point, and cash management alerts. |