BI Publisher (Business Intelligence Publisher) in Oracle Fusion is a powerful tool for creating and distributing highly formatted reports. Here are its key features:
1. Pixel-Perfect Reporting :
- Precise Layout Control: BI Publisher allows for meticulous control over the report's layout, ensuring that reports look exactly as intended, even when printed.
- Template-Based Design: Reports are designed using templates (often in Microsoft Word or PDF format), which separate the data from the presentation, enabling easy modifications without altering the underlying data.
2. Data Source Flexibility :
- Multiple Data Sources: BI Publisher can extract data from various sources, including:
- Oracle Fusion applications
- Databases (Oracle, SQL Server, etc.)
- XML files
- Web services
- Data Model Creation: BI Publisher utilizes data models to define how data is retrieved and structured for reporting.
3. Output Format Versatility :
- Wide Range of Output Formats: BI Publisher supports a broad spectrum of output formats, including:
- PDF (for print-ready reports)
- Microsoft Word (DOCX)
- Microsoft Excel (XLSX)
- HTML
- RTF
- XML
- Customizable Output: Output formats can be tailored to meet specific requirements.
4. Scheduling and Distribution :
- Scheduled Report Delivery: Reports can be scheduled to run automatically at specific intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
- Multiple Delivery Channels: Reports can be distributed through various channels, including:
- Email
- File servers
- Printers
- Web services
- Bursting: BI Publisher can "burst" a single report into multiple output documents, each containing data for a specific recipient or entity.
5. Security and Access Control :
- Role-Based Security: Access to reports and data can be controlled based on user roles and permissions.
- Data Security: BI Publisher respects the security settings of the underlying data sources.
6. Interactive Features :
- Interactive PDF Reports: BI Publisher can create interactive PDF reports with features such as hyperlinks, bookmarks, and form fields.
- Drill-Down Capabilities: Reports can be designed to allow users to drill down into more detailed data.
7. Localization and Globalization :
- Multi-Language Support: BI Publisher supports multiple languages, enabling the creation of reports for a global audience.
- Date and Number Formatting: Reports can be formatted to comply with regional date and number formatting conventions.
8. Integration with Oracle Fusion :
- Seamless Integration: BI Publisher is tightly integrated with Oracle Fusion applications, enabling easy access to Fusion data.
- Oracle Fusion Security Model: utilizes the same security model as the rest of the fusion application.
