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I use it for supplying and developing business intelligence (BI) solutions, data management and reporting applications, and for the development of complete web-based applications. It's a versatile and very powerful toolset that covers a lot of ground.
We focus on empowering businesses to unlock their data to support productivity, efficiency, managing risks, and informed decision-making. WebFOCUS is ideal for that. It provides a scalable data and analytics software platform.
We use it for all sorts of applications - data analysis, data capture, reporting applications. Most of our clients have intricate needs, and that's why they went with WebFOCUS. Simpler tools just wouldn't suffice.
WebFOCUS goes beyond just dashboards. It's also used for operational reporting, making it crucial for mission-critical systems. In fact, a core strength is that it's not "just" a BI tool; it can be used to build complete applications.
It is the best tool because of its all-in-one nature. Data integration, ETL, data migration, everything is handled within the same platform. Then, on the front end, it offers portals, reporting, distributed analysis, and more.
For customers who have data in the right structure and right format, the WebFOCUS Designer tool is very powerful. It allows them to create self-service reporting applications.
Documentation could definitely be improved.
I have been using software from ibi (Information Builders) since 1987.
I would rate the stability at least a nine out of ten.
I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. It's highly scalable and can handle significant data volumes.
Our customers in southern Africa range from medium sized businesses to large enterprises.
WebFOCUS handles growing data volumes in terms of scalability. In this aspect, I would rate it a nine out of ten because it does ultimately depend on the scalability of the underlying data source.
We don't always reach the right person. Sometimes, we get junior-level reps who aren't as knowledgeable as we are.
Additionally, when we log calls, they usually involve advanced requirements, and the resolution timeline isn't always fast enough.
Neutral
I would rate my experience with the initial setup an eight out of ten, with ten being easy.
While the actual installation and configuration might take only a few hours, the real work lies in connecting to and understanding data sources, which can vary depending on complexity.
The majority of our clients opt for on-premises deployment.
I would rate the pricing a five out of ten, with ten being expensive.
Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.
I work for an insurance company, and we are currently managing four major projects. These projects are distinct solutions designed to serve both internal and external purposes. Internally, they cater to our marketing department by helping them assess potential sales opportunities and evaluate ways to offer more cost-effective insurance options to customers. We also have projects focused on financial analysis, where we scrutinize the costs associated with incentives provided by insurance companies to doctors, healthcare providers, and facilities for encouraging individuals to undergo preventive health measures like blood tests and check-ups. The goal of these internal projects is to gain a better understanding of whether we should continue offering these incentives and, if so, how we can optimize them.
Our primary focus is on handling large amounts of summary data, and in that regard, WebFOCUS serves us well. Having used it extensively for many years, I've witnessed its evolution and what it can achieve.
It stands out for its ability to work across different platforms, support mainframe data, offer cloud integration, automate report scheduling, and provide a robust scripting language. It also excels in generating large, customizable PDF reports and offers versatile output format options. Its multiple report design methods make it a versatile choice for organizations with various reporting and analytics needs.
The challenge lies not in what the tool can do but in how you use it and understand the data. The key isn't just the capabilities of the tool but how well it's used, the understanding of the data, and the relevance of the analysis to the situation at hand.
I have been working with it for thirty five years.
In our experience, we have witnessed instances where we've had major applications serving banks, and federal agencies, and handling massive amounts of data seamlessly. We've successfully managed systems dealing with billions of transactions per second, and it demonstrated its ability to handle such large-scale operations effectively.
It provides standard support that is typically included with the license purchase. You can access the details of their service level agreement requirements by downloading their documentation. They also offer an option called "gold support," which is available for an extra cost, usually a percentage of your license fee. This premium support package provides more extensive assistance, including dedicated customer support. We currently use this service, as it offers a higher level of support.
Positive
The installation process typically involves setting up two key components: the reporting server, responsible for data access, and the client, which provides the front-end HTML and connectivity. Installing the reporting server takes around fifteen minutes, and the client installation consumes approximately twenty minutes. There are additional configurations that may be needed, depending on your specific requirements. These can include database connections, and setting up security through mechanisms like Active Directory, LDAP, SAML, or Ping Identity, among others.
These tools require users to seek out training on their own or rely on the training provided by the tool vendors. The availability of training materials and courses can vary, and it's essential for individuals to invest time and effort in mastering these tools. As for how WebFOCUS stands in this landscape, it's challenging to provide a precise rating, but I would say it's in the running alongside other popular BI tools. I would rate it around an eight out of ten, acknowledging that there's always room for improvement.
