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Using Omniscope with SalesforceVia the free Viewer, and directly (Professional/Enterprise 2.5+ only) |  |
Omniscope integration with Salesforce provides a low-cost, low-risk roadmap for business intelligence reporting and data quality initiatives involving data hosted in Salesforce. Omniscope .IOK files open offline, are highly-visual and easily shared with others. Downloaded .IOK files contain all the data, and the default templates for each report and data object can be modified to suit different classes of user, then uploaded and added to the download options for each report/data object.
Install Omniscope and the Web Connector from the AppExchange
Start by installing the free Omniscope Connector for Salesforce (a certified, AppExchange-listed application) into your Salesforce user accounts. Salesforce Administrators can do this automatically from the AppExchange if your organisation has the Professional, Enterprise or the Unlimited editions of Salesforce. If you are running Group Edition, as most smaller organisations are, you can install the Connector tab by following these directions.
Installation adds a new Visokio Reports tab to selected user accounts. From this tab, users with the free Viewer installed can download, view, filter and query the data in their reports and data objects. Users without the free Omniscope Viewer installed cannot open local copies of their data, but can still use the interactive Flash DataPlayer 'dashboards' that can be added to their web tabs. See this section for more details on using the AppExchange-listed web Connector.
Install Omniscope 2.5 (beta) to use the Direct Connector
If you install the beta version of Omniscope 2.5, and you have Professional, Enterprise or Unlimited editions of Salesforce, you can not only modify templates, edit/merge data offline and save secured copies, you can also access reports and data objects directly using the File > Open online source > Salesforce.com login and download option, and also synchronise your offline changes back to Salesforce using the File > Export > Synchronise with Salesforce wizard. See this section for more details on accessing Salesforce directly from Omniscope 2.5.
Once your 30-day free trial period has expired, upgrading your Omniscope from free Viewer to the Professional Edition enables you to continue modifying and uploading customised templates and DataPlayer 'dashboards', integrating/merging in data from other non-Salesforce sources, saving and sharing secured Omniscope files offline, and synchronising changes back to Salesforce.
Roadmap to 'the best of both worlds'
Installing the free Omniscope Viewer and the free web Connector AppExchange service enables any organisation to embark on a simple, low-cost, low-risk, ‘tiny-steps' progression of continuous improvements, while delivering users live working reports with many useful visualisations of their data from Day One:
1. Install free Omniscope Viewers and add the free web Connector service to user accounts
a. Download key reports/data objects from each user's account tab using the standard templates, enabling users to see, filter and sort all their data to find alert conditions, data errors & inconsistencies.
b. Ask users to start flagging incomplete, out-dated and erroneous data records/fields online in Salesforce using the "!" character.
c. Download key data objects as Omniscope files and consult the Flagged Errors tab to view all the records which have been flagged for online correction/completion either online via Salesforce, or offline using an activated Omniscope Professional (see below).
d. Create custom reports containing the most useful joins...users can then download and view standard template versions of these reports using Omniscope.
e. File refresh & security- the data in .IOK files downloaded in standard templates cannot be exported or copied (not even cut-and-paste). Users of free Viewers cannot save the files...they must always return to their Salesforce account tab to download fresh copies of the data.
2. Upgrade to Omniscope Professional 2.5 (requires activation)
a. Contact Visokio (http://www.visokio.com/) for a licensed activation key to upgrade from free Viewer to Omniscope Professional.
b. Now you can save and modify files downloaded from your Salesforce account tab to fit the needs of your organisation- adding/changing report tabs to highlight key messages, introducing corporate branding, etc. Make multiple versions of each report/data object template to suit the needs of different classes of users.
c. Save your changed .IOK file(s), then upload one or more of your modified files from the Connector tab in your Salesforce account. Note: data in the uploaded template file(s) will not be synchronised with the online data.
d. Modify the standard Flash DataPlayers shown in the DataPlayer View tab of each template file downloaded, then export your new customised DataPlayer ‘dashboard' to web pages (including Salesforce tabs) and/or internal documents such as PowerPoint, Excel or .PDF.
e. The custom templates/DataPlayer configurations uploaded will be selectable for future downloads from the Connector tabs of authorised users, whether using the free Viewer or a Professional.
f. Data integration projects: download custom versions of your reports/data objects and then use Omniscope to merge in related data from other sources (spreadsheets, ERP databases, etc.) to create combined reports that can be circulated to users with the free Viewer.
g. Using Omniscope 2.5 or later, you can also login from inside Omniscope, connecting directly to reports or data objects using File > Open Online Source > Salesforce Table / Report
h. Use the powerful data cleansing/scrubbing and editing capabilities of Omniscope to make changes to your data and save local copies of files.
i. Using Omniscope 2.5 or later, use the File > Export > Synchronise with Salesforce command to make changes to both your local copies and the corresponding user-editable fields within your Salesforce organisation.
j. File refresh & security- Users with Professional Editions will be able to refresh directly from source on opening. Offline files sent to users with the free Viewer show configurable opening screen ensuring they do not use stale files.
k. Continue to optimise the configuration of templates for all your reports and data objects based on user feedback and the evolving needs of your business...enjoy the total flexibility of the hybrid solution you have created.
3. Automate refresh and distribution with Omniscope Enterprise Edition
a. Omniscope Enterprise edition is designed to automate the entire process of refreshing and distributing Omniscope reports and Flash DataPlayer inserts from a central ‘always on' server with access to all the required data sources, including the Connector for Salesforce.
b. A single Enterprise Edition allows automated refreshes of files with data from Salesforce and other sources, plus distribution (via e-mail or FTP) of refreshed .IOK files and DataPlayer dashboards either according to a defined schedule or on-demand using the Scheduler or the Generator, two automation tools included with Enterprise Editions.
c. File refresh & security- Enterprise installations offer the full range of file security options, including domain-locking of files (files will not open if user is not logged into specified site and download page e.g. Salesforce).
User Guide Top
Installed Account Tab
Using Your Web Connector for Salesforce TabInstall this free service in any edition of Salesforce, including Group Edition | |
The Visokio Web Connector for Salesforce is a certified, AppExchange-listed free service that can be installed by your Salesforce Administrator in any Edition of Salesforce. Once installed, it appears at the right-most end of your opening tabs, with the label 'Visokio Reports'.
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Installing in Group Editions
If you are running the Group Edition of Salesforce, follow these directions to install the free Omniscope web connector tab into your account tabs:
Login to an account with a System Administrator profile
Click "Setup" at top of screen
In left side panel under APP Setup click "Create"
In expanded section under "Create" click "Tabs"
In main Custom Tabs screen, in the Web Tabs box, click the gray "New" button next to "Web Tabs"
In New Web Tab > Step 1. Choose Tab Layout, choose "2 columns with Salesforce sidebar"
Click "Next"
Step 2. Define Content and display properties > Tab Content definition > In "Tab Type" choose "URL"
In "Tab Label" type "Visokio Reports" or whatever label you want to appear on the new tab
Click on the magnifying box next to "Tab style" to open a list of icon/style choices
Choose any style, for example, a desk indicating desktop reports
Change "Content Frame Height" by typing "2000"
Click "Next"
Step 3. Enter the URL Details
In the big white box with the title "Button or Link URL" paste:
https://salesforce.visokio.com/index2.jsp?sid=={!User.Session_ID}&apiurl={!API.Partner_Server_URL_70}
Click "Next"
Step 4. Add to Custom Apps ...make sure all options are ticked and click "Save"
You will now have a new tab visible at the top right called "Visokio Reports" or whatever name you gave it
Due to limitations imposed by Salesforce, the Connector service installed in Group accounts will not allow customised templates to be uploaded, and will not display the custom "My reports" linked tab.
Back to Using Omniscope with Salesforce.com
Download Configured Files
Downloading Configured Reports and Data Objects
Download and view pre-configured reports/data objects
(in progress)
Back to Using Your Salesforce Account Omniscope Tab
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Modify/Upload Templates
Modifying & Uploading Templates
Changing the default templates for future downloads and refresh
Using an activated Omniscope Professional, anyone can modify the defualt donwload file, then upload it back to the Salesforce Visokio Reports tab to serve as a template for all subsequent downloads of that report/data object.
Back to Using Your Salesforce Account Omniscope Tab
Direct Connection & Synch
Direct Connection & Synchronisation with SalesforceOmniscope 2.5 or later...not available with Group Editions | |
Omniscope 2.5 is available for free download here. During the free 30-day trial period, you can access your Salesforce reports and data objects directly. Extended trial keys are available to implementers and other beta trial participants. The data objects can be edited and your changes synchronised back to Salesforce.
You will need to set your security token in order to access your data. This is done from your Salesforce account, and Salesforce will send you the digital text string via e-mail. Save your token in a Notepad file , as you will have to paste it into your direct Salesforce login-screen in Omniscope.
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Direct Data Access
Direct Access to Salesforce Reports and Data Objects/Tables
Starting with Omniscope 2.5: Connect directly to Salesforce (not available with Group Editions)
(in progress...)
Back to Direct Connection & Synchronisation
Synchronising Changes
Editing Data Locally and Synchronising Changes with Salesforce
(in progress...)
Back to Direct Connection & Synchronisation
User Guide Top
Roadmap & Best Practices
Making the most of Omniscope and Salesforce
(In progress...)
Back to Direct Connection & Synchronisation