Rapid Business Analysis With Information System

EFI has launched its Executive Information System (EIS), described as a breakthrough business 'workspace' that provides a visual tool for business analysis for its print management information system.

EFI has launched its Executive Information System (EIS), described as a breakthrough business 'workspace' that provides a visual tool for business analysis for its print management information system.

EIS is an interactive data analysis command centre that instantly recaps the state of the business and links to other key data.

The web-based EIS will be integrated with the foundation suite of EFI Hagen, Logic and PSI print management information systems, helping to improve processes and profit potential by giving users complete and instant visibility in to real-time business information, said EFI.

Michael Henderson, EFI's EIS product manager, said: "EIS is more than a report generator, more than a dashboard display, it is an interactive analysis tool that gives the printer a visual recap of the state of the business, with the ability to ask questions and drill down to more detail.

This is a revolutionary advance over the current process of exporting data to a spreadsheet or printed report for tedious evaluation.

Management teams can work with EIS to present information critical to key business decisions on the fly.

The ability to refine the data by asking questions makes EIS an excellent working tool." Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus of the RIT School of Print Media, commented: "EIS is a unique and robust 'dashboard' and will have a significant impact on the efficient management of a printing business." The EIS technology takes advantage of an OLAP (On-line Analytical Processing) analysis service as well as new data analysis and query tools built by EFI so that printers can master EIS to take advantage of its intelligence.

Rather than requiring customers to learn complex tools like SQL or Crystal Reports, they just need to know their business, said the company.

EFI said that with EIS the user is presented with a workspace of visuals pre-selected from a library.

The workspace provides snapshots of the state of the business from many angles.

Unlike a typical 'dashboard', EIS provides a dynamic view.

The user can drill down to more detail or ask questions creating a new view, using historical data and real-time information.

That capability makes EIS a tool for addressing the challenges of print management, making it easier to recognise trends and forecast effectively.

EIS is delivered with a library of foundation visuals developed with input from printing executives and managers.

The user can modify the visuals to address their individual business needs.

Modifications can be made to the foundation visual (stored for future review) or be made on-the-fly, instantly providing results based on the new query conditions.

The user can build custom visuals expanding the scope and value of the EIS library, added EFI.

David Bennett, the president of Bennett Graphics, said: "We're excited about EIS.

The powerful visual presentation of critical business information will be an excellent addition to our management process.

With EIS, a user just needs to know their business and the data that is important to them - not complicated report writing programs - to receive a wealth of information and insight." Marc Olin, Vthe vice president and general manager for EFI commercial print systems, said: "Collecting information is only part of the equation, EIS helps printers exploit the value of the information they've collected, providing a solid foundation for important business decisions.

We believe EIS will become the printer's 'GPS', providing a high-level view of the business landscape while helping to map the path to success." EFI said that the Beta cycle for EIS is beginning now and the tool is expected to be available in Q4.

The EIS foundation module will be included, at no cost, in the next enhancement package for Hagen, Logic and PSI.

EIS will be on display at Print 05, stand 8315, from September 9-15 at Chicago's McCormick Place (USA).

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