FAQ: Your Questions
Introduction
What does DigDash mean?
Digital Dashboard. Additionally, “Dig” means “to dig” and “Dash” means “quickly.”
What products does the DigDash data platform offer?
DigDash DataStack, DigDash BI, and DigDash AI
Which product category does DigDash BI belong to?
DigDash BI is first and foremost a decision-support tool.
It helps improve performance management within the company by providing users with dynamic dashboards. It is a tool focused on real-time data visualization rather than the generation of static (paper) reports. It therefore allows users to interactively navigate the data.
What is DigDash BI used for?
DigDash BI is a tool for creating dynamic, “fully web-based” reports and dashboards. They can be viewed on a wide variety of electronic devices, including mobile phones. DigDash BI handles both structured information (databases, tables, etc.) and unstructured information (document repositories, text, etc.).
I already have a decision-making system—do I need DigDash BI?
DigDash BI is very often used as a complement to existing decision-making systems. In fact, it can leverage the data structure and security measures already in place in various data environments (SAP/Business Objects, an IBM/Cognos framework, an Oracle/Hyperion cube, etc.).
DigDash BI offers new data exploration features, whether on the web or on a mobile device.
Does DigDash BI include ETL capabilities?
DigDash BI allows you to combine data sources and modify them so they can be analyzed together.
What is DigDash BI's sales model?
DigDash BI is available for purchase as a perpetual license or an annual subscription.
How do you view a DigDash BI dashboard on your phone?
DigDash BI is available on mobile devices—simply log in to the web application. You don’t need to install anything; it’s automatically included in the solution.
Function - Product
Who is DigDash BI designed for?
DigDash BI is designed for all businesses—from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations—that need simple and intuitive reports and dashboards .
What are the benefits of DigDash BI?
DigDash BI lets you view and analyze your company’s key metrics to monitor your strategy. It’s compatible with your existing system, and you can set it up and start using it very quickly.
What technology is used to develop DigDash BI?
DigDash BI is developed entirely in Java for the data engine component. The visualization component is based on W3C standards (HTML/AJAX).
Is Digdash 100% proficient in the DigDash BI code?
DigDash has been developing this software for over 20 years and owns 100% of it .
Why aren't all DigDash BI modules web-based?
The information portfolio administration console is a Java application. It is deployed on the client computer via a web browser (using Java Web Start technology), which simplifies installation. It is thus similar in design to a client application, allowing users to work in a familiar environment regardless of the operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux).
Can a DigDash BI end user create their own dashboard?
Yes, depending on the permissions assigned to them in the application, a DigDash BI end user can create their own dashboard or simply view it. DigDash BI includes a feature— natural language querying—that allows end users to create new charts by querying the data model.
Platform
On which platforms can DigDash BI run?
DigDash BI can run on Windows, Unix, AIX, and other platforms using a J2EE server (Tomcat is included with the product).
On what types of web servers can DigDash BI run?
DigDash BI supports a wide range of web servers as front-ends. Simply connect it to the J2EE server (Supported web servers: Microsoft IIS, Apache HTTPD, etc.).
Does DigDash BI use in-memory technology?
DigDash BI stores data in memory to ensure fast processing.
How often are the data models updated?
Data refresh can be configured in DigDash BI. Depending on your needs, this can be set to occur daily, every 10 minutes, or even in real time.
Which browsers are supported by DigDash BI?
DigDash BI dashboards can be viewed in all major browsers: Internet Explorer (version 8 and later), Opera, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. DigDash BI is also compatible with browsers on mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile).
On the client computer, do we need to install any extensions or plug-ins?
No, DigDash BI uses a “zero-plug-in” approach .
On the client computer, should we use Flash?
No, as explained earlier, DigDash BI uses a “zero-plugin” approach. We rely solely on the full capabilities of web browsers.
Can DigDash BI dashboards be viewed offline?
Yes, DigDash BI allows you to view data offline by retrieving the charts stored in the browser cache. You can still navigate through the data even when offline.
Dashboard Design
How are DigDash BI dashboards built?
DigDash BI dashboards are built by dragging and dropping data streams onto a dashboard page.
Can dashboards be exported?
Each visualization can be exported in PDF, PPT, or Excel format .
Can I create my own maps with DigDash BI?
DigDash BI uses a proprietary, optimized map format. We provide an integration tool that allows you to create custom maps.
Does the DigDash BI solution include mapping capabilities?
Yes, DigDash BI includes card decks as standard features that are fully integrated into the product.
What broadcast features are included in DigDash BI?
DigDash BI allows dashboards to be refreshed and published via email or on a website.
Can document generation be automated in DigDash BI?
Yes, DigDash BI supports exporting and automated document generation (PowerPoint, etc.).
Does DigDash BI allow you to send SMS alerts?
Just like email, DigDash BI allows you to create SMS alerts.
Can external data be imported into a DigDash BI dashboard?
Yes, DigDash BI allows you to insert URLs, text, images, and more…
Integration of Data Sources
What types of data sources can DigDash BI connect to?
DigDash BI can connect to any type of data source, whether structured or unstructured.
What are structured and unstructured data?
Structured data comes from databases, data marts, OLAP cubes, BI reports, and Excel, CSV, and HTML files.
Unstructured data includes text documents, websites, emails, and RSS feeds.
Does DigDash BI offer an integrated database?
DigDash BI does not rely on an external database to function. For performance reasons, the data used in the dashboards is stored in data cubes proprietary to DigDash.
What are the "flat" data sources that can be used by DigDash BI?
DigDash BI supports many “flat” file data sources: Excel, CSV, HTML, etc.
Can DigDash BI cross-reference different data sources?
DigDash BI offers a data source aggregator that enables the cross-referencing of heterogeneous data and multi-source analysis.
Which databases are supported by DigDash BI?
DigDash BI natively supports a JDBC connection that allows you to retrieve data from the following types of databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, ODBC, Oracle, DB2, QSL Server, DBS (AS400), and Sybase.
How can DigDash BI be integrated into an existing decision-making system?
DigDash BI can integrate with many types of existing information systems and can retrieve data from a wide range of sources (Cognos, Business Objects, etc.)
Can we log in to an SAP production system?
DigDash BI can connect to the SAP system at several levels: either to the underlying database or to an SAP/BW cube.
How do I log in to SAP/Business Objects?
DigDash BI allows you to natively retrieve data from Business Objects while maintaining the security measures in place for that data.
How do I log in to IBM Cognos?
DigDash BI allows you to natively retrieve data from Cognos while maintaining the security measures in place for that data.
How do I connect to Microsoft Analysis Services?
DigDash BI allows you to natively retrieve data from cubes using the MDX language.
How do I connect my data if the connector doesn't exist in DigDash BI?
DigDash has developed a methodology and tools that make it possible to create connectors very quickly based on user needs.
Is DigDash BI suitable for a multilingual environment?
DigDash BI offers a centralized system that allows for the translation of individual metadata entries or the entire dataset. The metadata is stored in a (.properties) file that a translator can use to add translations in the required languages.
Can DigDash BI connect to a directory?
DigDash BI can connect to various directory services used within the company: LDAP, Active Directory, etc.
Can DigDash BI connect to a single sign-on (SSO) system?
DigDash BI can retrieve data from NTLM, Kerberos, and other types of SSO systems…
Using the Dashboard
Can you run simulations with DigDash BI?
Yes, you can run simulations by creating calculated variables based on parameters that users can adjust in their dashboard to analyze their impact on other metrics (“What-If Analysis”).
What features of DigDash BI make data analysis easier?
DigDash BI includes a system of automatic or manual hierarchies that enables drill-down data exploration. In addition, advanced filters allow for a more detailed analysis of the information.
Does DigDash BI offer collaborative features?
DigDash BI allows you to add comments to dashboard charts. Comments can be displayed on the dashboard or linked to the specific chart. The ability to add comments can be open to everyone or restricted to certain users.
Are DigDash BI dashboards accessible on mobile devices?
DigDash BI is natively designed for mobile users and works on any type of mobile phone or tablet (J2ME, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iPhone, iPad, etc.).
Do you need to set up your device again, just as you did for the web, in order to view the dashboards on your phone?
No, DigDash BI includes a library of devices, allowing it to generate feeds tailored to various devices and viewing tools: web, phones, tablets, etc.
Contact us for assistance
For any support requests, please send your inquiry to support@digdash.com or create a ticket on Redmine using your user credentials.
Contact us by email