How can I analyze my data using TraceGains?
To increase the value of your data, you need to be able to analyze it. TraceGains provides a tab called Analytics to do just that. Within this tab, you can create graphical charts such as pie charts, bar charts, gauges, etc. The pages containing these charts are called "Dashboards" on the Analytics page. There is also a set of "Reports" pages, each of which has predefined, configurable templates for displaying data in table form.
Understand these first
UDD – User Defined Dashboard. UDDs are found on all tabs except Market Hub, and allow you to create custom grid views. Read this article on Managing & Editing UDDs in SM to learn more about UDDs.
Attribute – An Attribute represents a type of data, such as "Supplier Name", "Status", "Length", and so on. A UDD is built by choosing several Attributes that you want to view on your grid. Please see Overview of Attributes for more information.
Charts for Analytics Dashboards are built using a UDD and an attribute that you have previously set up in your system. Before you begin creating charts for your Analytics Dashboard, ensure that one or more of your UDDs has been built with the attribute you want to report on.
Analytics Dashboards
Analytics Dashboards are tools to create customized, real-time reports. Whether you are creating high-level diagrams for stakeholders or readouts for real-time production data, Analytics Dashboards can be customized for your individual business needs.
You won't have any charts on this page unless you've been given Reports Permissions in your User Role. Click this article title if you need more information on Creating a New Role.
Navigating Analytics Dashboards
- Move your cursor into the pie-chart box, and a set of controls will appear in the corners. Put the cursor ON any of the controls, and you'll get a brief explanation of it.
- Move your cursor into any of the chart sections (a wedge, a bar, etc.), and you'll get more information about that section.
- Click while your cursor is in that section and a new browser tab will open, with the appropriate TraceGains tab-page visible in it.
- Add a new chart by clicking the blue Add Chart button at top right within the Dashboards panel.
Create a new Analytics Dashboard
Step 1: Hover over the Analytics Icon and select Dashboards.
Step 2: Click 'New Dashboard' at upper left to create a new Configurable Dashboard.
Step 3: Title your Configurable Dashboard.
Step 4: Select Role(s) that can view the Dashboard.
Hold down 'Ctrl' while clicking to select multiple rows; hold down 'Shift' while clicking to select a range of rows.
Step 5: Add a report chart by clicking 'Add Chart'. Make a selection from the drop-down ('From UDD' will probably fit most of your needs).
Step 6: Choose a tab. (Your tab must have a UDD created that contains the attribute you want to report on.)
Step 7: Select a User Defined Dashboard. (Your UDD must contain the attribute you want to report on.)
Step 8: Select the attribute that you want to report on.
Step 9: Give your chart a title. You can also add a subtitle if desired.
Step 10: Choose a chart type to display your data.
Step 11: Sort data in a specific way (optional).
Step 12: Determine how often your reports will refresh. If you do not set a refresh rate, the data in the chart will be unchanging, from the time at which you created the chart. A refresh rate will update the chart's data at the end of each period you choose.
Step 13: Select 'Add Chart'.
Analytics Reports
The tabular Report templates are preconfigured by TraceGains as typical analyses you'll probably want to do. For the moment, you cannot add reports to the list, though if you do need a new type of report, please let us know. Here's an example of a preconfigured report.`
- You'll need to fill in each of the boxes before you can run the Report.
- Most boxes are drop-downs with checkbox lists in them, so you can select multiple entries. Each time you set any entries in a box, click anywhere in the blue area outside the box/drop-down to close the drop-down. The next box will come alive for further choices.
- When all the boxes are set, use the View Report button at far top-right to run the report.
- Some reports may take several minutes to run, depending on the amount and variety of data you're requesting. It's good to get accustomed to using filters, to speed things up.