Documentation

For definitions or descriptions for specific reports, tables or fields, please use Data Cookbook.

This material is general documentation or training materials for REX users and developers. Materials include links to public tutorials, as well as documentation specific to the REX environment at UMBC. Some materials are kept in BOX for UMBC users only, due to proprietary information related to Blackboard Analytics.

  REX Audience *
  Training Modules  User  Exploratory
User
 Report
Developer
 DW     Developer  External
  Introduction to Data Warehouses

General information defining a data warehouse and its uses.

R R R R R
  Introduction to REX

What is REX? Explains how REX can be used and why REX should be used for reporting.

R R R R R
  Guided Reports

General information about the reports.

R R
  Pyramid

General information.

R
  Setup Instructions for Report Developers

The steps necessary for report developers to get started.

R
  Reporting Services for Developers

Includes Training exercises, Style Guides and additional help

R U
  Security

Instructions for the setup and audit of user security.

O
R – Recommended
O – Optional, depending on duties
U – Useful, but not necessary
B – Current or potential BbA customers only

 

 

 

* What role will you play when using REX? You could be playing multiple roles, so be sure to check out the training materials for all your roles.

User The users on campus that are consuming reports produced by other people. This role will be specific to those that are using the “Guided Reports” in REX. This is the majority of people in the REX community. This role is expected only to know basic web browser functionality.
Exploratory User A limited number of users will have the access and training to do more ad hoc “Exploratory Analysis” of REX data. These users will use a different tool, currently called ProClarity or Pyramid. These users must take additional training from a REX trainer.
Report Developer Report developers are a limited number of users charged with creating “Guided Reports” in REX. These users are typically located in back offices to write reports for their back office, or their customers. This role is expected to learn SQL and Reporting Services tools.
DW Developer Data warehouse developers are responsible for the maintenance of the REX database and the processes used to load data into REX. This role is limited to staff in DoIT or IRADS. This role is expected to have a strong knowledge of SQL.
External These are any persons external to UMBC that may want to learn about the UMBC data warehouse and the REX reporting environment.