Quadbase

Version 6.2

New features

1. Animated Flash Charts - Take data visualization to a new level by utilizing the sleek and stylish flash option for charts. Create impressive presentations by incorporating animation in dashboards, integrating flash using the URL generator, and exporting flash directly from menu page. All the while maintaining a rich set of features such as mouse over hints, drilldowns, and hyperlinks.
2. 2D and 3D Doughnut Charts - Highly customizable doughnut charts are here. Configure the data order, labels, exploding sectors, sector gaps, and more, as well as position, scale and rotate 3D doughnuts in true 3D.
3. Improved 3D Curve Surface Rendering - The new rendering algorithm delivers smooth color gradients and realistic light shading making it the best looking 3D Pie and Doughnut charts to date.
4. Internationalized by Default - Make internationalization a core feature rather than an after thought. With version 6.2, the entire ERES system will by default support all international characters using UTF-8 encoding. This includes all XML files used, all export formats, all filenames, all text data, all parameters, usernames and passwords, and more.
5. Administrative Convenience - The administration console has been revamped to include more options and a more organized user interface. Now setting up the Google map key and enabling secured parameters are done by simply filling in a few fields.
6. Optimized Libraries and Installers - All client side jars files have been optimized and compressed to allow for faster load time for applets. We have also reorganized the system to make the entire installer smaller and quicker to download.
7. Windows 7 Support - Fully tested and ready to go on the Windows 7 Operating System.
8. Custom Date Formats - Parameters mapped to columns and data view conditions are traditionally displayed in the raw database format making it difficult to read and choose from. The new feature allows users to build a custom date format using the new format builder. As such, all future parameter prompts and dataview conditions for date and time fields will be displayed using this format.
9. Scheduler Enhancement - In addition to attaching the report or appending a link, the scheduler now includes a none option. This allows designers to set it such that users have to log in to view the latest scheduled report or chart.
10. No Data Message in Charts - A convenient new option has been added to give designers a way to set the no data message in the chart designer.
11. Cut Corners - A new "cut corners" style as been added to chart legends and annotations. The legends can be modified in the chart designer as well as API and the annotations can be set via API only.
12. Symbol Border Color - Users can now select a data point symbol border color in the chart designer.
13. Finer Gradient Control - Users can now specify to display gradients for chart data only. For example, draw the bars in a bar chart with gradient but leave background gradient turned off.

Version 6.1

New features

1. Improved Performance
   1. Enhanced Paging Algorithm & Data Structure for Large Reports - The enhanced vitural memory/paging algorithm allows users to run very large reports with millions of rows of data without any concern of running out of memory.  The system automatically adjusts memory usage based on given quota and maintains performance for even high traffic servers.  On-disk data structure is optimized for storage space as well as performance.  A new set of configuration options is available to provide detailed control over system memory usage.
   2. Paging for DHTML Viewer - The DHTML Viewer commonly used to preview reports prior to export has been updated as well.  The new version uses paging to display the first page as soon as it is available even while the rest of the report is still being run on the server side.
   3. DHTML Viewer User Interface Improvements - New glass pane, progress bar, and page navigator greatly enhance the user-friendliness.
2. Parameter Value Validation - New parameter validation will alert users when they enter a value of the wrong format for unmapped parameters.
3. ERES Using JNDI Data Source - Now administrators can connect ERES to a JNDI data source to increase portability across various testing and deployment environments.
4. Scheduler Support for Secure FTP - The ERES scheduler can now deliver reports and charts to Secure FTP servers.
5. User Friendly Column Mapping Dialog - The column mapping dialog in report designer has been updated with auto resize, auto select aggregation type, and improves default mapping features.
6. Export GIF to Excel - Excel export now supports JPG, PNG, and GIF image formats.
7. Multilevel Undo & Redo - Now, it is even easier to design reports and charts.  New multilevel undo and redo in both Report and Chart Designer gives users the freedom to try different layout and styles without losing the previous settings.
8. New Gauge Templates - A new set of circular, semicircular, and quarter circular gauges featuring realistic metalic covers in different shades and curvatures is now available.
9. Flexible Translucency Setting - A new sliding scale gives designers added precision to creating elegant semi-transparent charts.
10. Aggregated Charts - Rather than having to modify the database query for aggregation, this handy feature will perform a specified aggregation on the data before plotting the chart.
11. Improved Gradient Controls - A new set of gradient options is available for all chart types.  Designers can now control the direction as well as the start and end locations for the gradient.  They can also fine tune the gradient range by specifying a start color and either an entirely different end color or a different shade of the same color.
12. New Chart Label & Ticker Options - Even with label step intervals, large sets of data could clutter the x-axis with labels and tickers.  Now designers can specify a maximum number of labels and tickers so that no matter what range their end users set, the chart will always look perfect.
13. New Dial & Gauge Chart Pointer Options - Four new pointer options (Pointed Blade, Round Headed Blade, Triangular Pointer, and Step Pointer) add elegant options to any dial and gauge chart.
14. Stack Bar & Stack Column Chart Enhancement - New option allows users to enable or disable padding for a better looking chart.
15. Crisp HLCO & Candle Stick Charts - New option is available to add a border to HLCO and Candle Stick Charts for a crisp clean look.

Version 6.0

New features

1. Introducing Maps
   1. SVG Maps - An SVG map allows users to define areas on the map and associate them with data points. It supports parameter options, customizable color code based on data ranges, and drilldowns to reports, charts, and dashboards.
   2. Google® Maps - Users can take advantage of Google® Maps' rich functionality and ease of use while viewing their own data.  The new Map Designer makes it simple to embed Reports and Charts directly into Google® Map tooltips and allows users to add parameters and drilldown.
   3. Flexible Map Publishing - Present the maps by themselves in the menu page or publish alongside other reports and charts within executive dashboards.
2. Drilldown to Dashboards - Now users can drilldown from dashboard to another dashboard, allowing for even more control over flow and detail.
3. Improved Schedules & Archives
   1. Create Packages - Schedule multiple reports and charts into a single package.  Send a single email with multiple attachments or links to the recipients.
   2. New Interval Options - Now users can specify time intervals for fixed day schedules.  For example, run a report every hour between 9AM - 5PM, or specify the exact export time for irregular schedules.
   3. Informative Error Handling - In case a problem occurs when running the schedule (perhaps the database is down or network connection is faulty), users can send an alternative email to recipients notifying that they're on top of the situation.  ERES can also send the error logs to an email address of their choice.
   4. Send Emails Based on Parameter Set - Users can now send a single parameterized report to multiple users based on the parameter set values.  For example, a report with a region parameter can be scheduled to deliver each region's report to a different set of email recipients.
   5. Export Now - New option to run schedules immediately at the click of a button.
   6. Enhanced UI - The Scheduler is now shown with tabs allowing for easier back and forth navigation and improving functional clarity.  A new email recipients page is added to give users further control over schedule delivery.
   7. Scheduler Logs - Admins can view past schedules, status, errors, recipients, parameter options, and much more with the new detailed scheduler logs.
4. Intelligent File and Data Registry Node Locking - The ERES file and data registry node locking system has been updated to allow the same user to override their own locks from different locations, but still maintain proper concurrency control.
5. Limit ERES Organizer Browse Directory - Adding a single parameter to the ERES Organizer restricts users from navigating away from the specified directory.
6. Forward Compatibility - Starting in version 5.5, files created in later version can be opened in previous version.  So now users can share v6.0 reports with their colleagues who are still using v5.5.  Note that newer features will not be available in earlier versions.
7. SalesForce® and WSDL SOAP - The new version includes two new SOAP datasource implementations to support WSDL Standards and the SalesForce® SOAP format.
8. Multiple Databases in MS SQL Server® - Create a single query or dataview that retrieves data from multiple Microsoft SQL Server® databases on the same server.
9. Scripted Image URLs - Add complex logic to Image URLs to display specific images under various scenarios in a single report.
10. Chart Gauges - ERES provides dozens of gauge templates of various styles for the dial chart.  Users can even create their own gauge template and add it to the designer options.
11. QuickDesigner Aggregation Alias - Provide user-friendly names to aggregations that accurately reflect the purpose of each fields.
12. Pie Chart Text Placement - New algorithm is included to improve pie chart text placement to minimize overlap and enhance readability.
13. 3D Add On Charts (API Only) - Now users can display 3D charts on top of another 3D chart.
14. Legend Enhancement for Line Charts (API Only) - A new method allows users to show the line within the legend icons.
15. Scatter Chart Point Size (API Only) - A new method allows users to change the size of scatter chart point size to as small as a single pixel.

Version 5.5

New features

1. Exciting Dashboard Features
   1. Radio Buttons and Check Boxes - Add radio buttons for single value parameters and check boxes for multivalue parameters.
   2. Parameter Ranges - Create ranges for dates, numbers, and strings.  Range options can be customized to the user's needs.  Using this feature, dashboards designers can create a simple to use drop down list with options such as "Last Month", "This Year", "Next Quarter".
   3. Folders - Pack more information into a single dashboard by adding reports and charts into folders.  Users can quickly scan through the contents by clicking on the customizable tabs.
   4. Linking - Aside from drilldowns and parameters, the new verion allows even more interactive dashboards.  ERES now provide a new feature where reports and charts can be linked together on a dashboard.  Clicking on a linked report or chart will pass the values from the link as parameter values to other elements.
2. Cascading parameters enhancement - Cascading parameters are now supported in subreports and drilldowns, cascading parameters can even be used in conjunction with linked sub-reports.
3. LoginListener - The LoginListener is a flexible API tool which attaches information to each user when they log in.  For instance, by attaching database credentials to each user, report designers can create a single report or chart, and have the database connection swapped on the fly when users view it from Dashboard Builder and Menu Page.  The connection information will also be used when the user creates ad hoc reports in the QuickDesigner.
4. ERES API Enhancement - A new set of API's has been added to ERES allowing developers to build custom UI for admins to manage users and groups directly through code.
5. Report Designer Enhancement - Opening a report and canceling will no longer close the previous report.
6. Script Management Enhancement - Users can now delete scripts that has been applied to elements in the report without having to remove the applications first.
7. Chart Color Mapping - Colors are now mapped to category, data series, and sum by names.  Setting green for "YES" will always appear this way regardless of how the data is structured.
8. Dynamic step interval - User can now specify label step units for dates as dynamic, which will automatically calculate the interval based on the data range.
9. Chart Zooming Enhancement - In chart viewer, changing the range will dynamically change the scale as well.
10. Pie Chart Enhancement - New option is available to hide 0% elements in pie charts.
11. Relative Background Images - Chart background images can now be saved with a relative url.