Next-Generation Business Intelligence Software with Silverlight 3

Business Intelligence (BI)
software aims to bring together different pieces of a business into
views that can make comprehending mountains of data easier. BI is
everywhere. Applications that include reports, analytics, statistics,
and historical and predictive modeling are all examples of BI
applications. Currently, we are in the second generation of BI
software, called BI 2.0. This generation is focused on writing BI
software that is predictive, adaptive, simple, and interactive.

As computers and software have evolved, more data can be presented
to end users with increasingly visually rich techniques. Rich Internet
Application (RIA) technologies such as Microsoft Silverlight can be
used to transform traditional UIs filled with boring data into fully
interactive analytical applications to deliver insight from large data
sets quickly. Furthermore, RIA applications include 3D spatial design
capabilities that allow for interesting layouts of aggregated data
beyond a simple list or grid. BI 2.0 implemented via an RIA technology
can truly bring out the power of BI and deliver it to an average user
via the Web.

Next-Generation Business Intelligence Software with Rich Internet Applications
provides developers, designers, and architects a solid foundation of BI
design and architecture concepts with Microsoft Silverlight. This book
covers key BI design concepts and how they can be applied without
requiring an existing BI infrastructure. The author, Bart Czernicki,
will show you how to build small BI applications by example that are
interactive, highly visual, statistical, predictive, and most
importantly, intuitive to the user.

BI isn’t just for the executive branch of a Fortune 500 company; it is for the masses. Let Next-Generation Business Intelligence Software with Rich Internet Applications show you how to unlock the rich intelligence you already have.

What you’ll learn

• Design rich BI solutions for the masses
• Discover tips for using engaging BI designs for application presentation
• Consume BI data as a service
• Understand and create SaaS models in BI
• Craft BI solutions using the most advanced Silverlight 3.0 technology through C# 3.0

Who is this book for?

There are four core audiences for this book:

• Business intelligence professionals/developers: Cube
  designers, report writers, SharePoint administrators, and others in
  this group are looking for a resource to gain additional wisdom on
  cutting-edge BI concepts. These readers will gain ideas that go beyond
  the capabilities of the traditional BI tools they are used to
• Senior
  developers or architects: Developers who are familiar with writing
  traditional software applications and want to broaden their
  understanding of concepts in order to include BI fall into this
  category. Some may have never written any BI applications in their
  careers but are interested in what BI has to offer. These readers will
  understand the core BI concepts and how to apply them using application
  techniques
• CTOs/BI directors: These are senior managers
  who make strategic decisions with BI. The technical examples will
  probably be overly technical for these readers. However, the numerous
  visual aids within this book will help these strategic managers make
  better decisions after seeing next-generation BI concepts implemented
• BI
  consultants: These readers may be any combination of the preceding
  three categories. The BI consultant can use this book as a resource for
  ideas and examples of next-generation BI designs