Data Reporting Pattern

This solution presents multiple options for data reporting at NIH. An NIH user can access NIH data repositories including individual databases (Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, etc.) and data warehouses such as n-Vision and report from them through either a non-Web reporting tool on a desktop, a reporting tool running on a Citrix server, or a Web-based enterprise reporting tool (highlighted in gray). Access by NIH users to either the non-Web reporting application, the reporting tool running on a Citrix server, or the Web-based enterprise reporting tool requires authentication as specified within the Security Architecture.

The non Web-based reporting tool uses a database connection mechanism such as ODBC, OLEDB, or DB2 COM to directly access NIH data and create or view reports. Reporting tools running on Citrix servers require access through a web browser and directly connect to the NIH data repositories using the same mechanisms.

A Web-based enterprise reporting solution can be accessed through a standard Web browser and Web server. A typical Web-based enterprise reporting platform includes a canned reports repository and a real-time reporting and ad-hoc querying component that accesses data directly from the NIH data repositories through database connectors. 

Heavyweight enterprise reporting tools also include the ability to do multi-dimensional online analytical processing (OLAP) from data in the NIH data repositories. Database connection mechanisms used by the enterprise reporting tools include ODBC, OLEDB, DB2 COM, Web services, etc.

Please view the Data Reporting Pattern below: