For updated information on DataHabitat products please visit DataSelf.com

January 2006 – DataHabitat’s sales and technical support teams are now part of DataSelf Corporation.   Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main benefits of DataHabitat?

It provides you powerful reporting and data analysis capabilities because it employs data warehousing technology. Dynamic online analysis lets you explore your database and quickly find the information you need. You can easily find and export any data to Excel and other applications. Integrating data from different sources and higher reporting performance are among the benefits of a data warehouse.

2. What is a data warehouse?

In simple terms, a data warehouse is a copy of one or more transactional databases optimized for reporting and data analysis.

3. Is DataHabitat built only for specific accounting systems?

DataHabitat integrates with any ODBC data source, but we do provide  pre-packaged business intelligence for the following systems:

• AccountMate for MSDE

• AccountMate for SQL

• ACCPAC Advantage Series (Pervasive SQL and SQL Server)

• ACCPAC Pro Series

• MAS 90

• MAS 200

• MAS 500  

• Microsoft Great Plains Edition

• Platinum for Windows by Best

These solutions can be extended to include information contained in other databases (CRM, MRP, ERP, etc.).

4. Can I access data outside of my accounting system?

Yes. DataHabitat can extract data from any ODBC compliant data source (in other words, virtually all databases). This means you can integrate third party applications and legacy systems.

5. What databases are supported?

DataHabitat supports any database that has an ODBC driver available. Examples are Pervasive SQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Informix, dBase, DB2, Sybase, etc.

6. What is the largest database DataHabitat has worked with?

Currently DataHabitat is working with a Baan system with a 14 GB database containing 3.8 million sales line item records. This database grows an average 3.6 GB per year.

7. Does DataHabitat query my live data?

No. DataHabitat extracts data into a data warehouse. The data can be refreshed automatically on a schedule or on demand. This approach optimizes performance and allows you to query your data when you database is under maintenance.

8. Can I restrict data access?

Yes. DataHabitat allows you to assign certain rights to users regarding data access and software functions.

9. How does DataHabitat differ from traditional reporting tools such as Crystal reports, FRx, etc.?

Traditional reporting tools are good for accessing data, but they require an understanding of the underlying database structure in order to modify and create new reports. DataHabitat has mapped and pre-linked the database tables, so users do not have to understand the data structure. Besides, DataHabitat allows the user to easily navigate the data and quickly create dynamic reports. Also, since DataHabitat creates a separate database for analysis purposes, it does not overload the accounting system while improving reporting performance.

10. If I have Crystal Reports, do I need DataHabitat?

DataHabitat is a powerful tool for online, dynamic analysis. Crystal is a good tool for report writing, but it requires knowledge of the database structure (the links between the tables). DataHabitat has mapped the database links so you don’t have to remember them every time you need a new report. DataHabitat dynamic queries give you information immediately. Most of the time you will not need to go through the whole process of creating a report to have the information you want. DataHabitat has its own report designer as well, which leverages the mapped database links.

11. How long does DataHabitat take to implement?

It can take anywhere from 3 hours for a 5 users system “out-of-the-box” implementation to 2 weeks for a large setup built around the users’ specific requirements.

12. Can I access DataHabitat from anywhere and get at my information?

Yes. You can use DataHabitat web-based interface (DH Web) to get to your information using a web browser.

13. How long does it take to learn the product?

3 hours to run all pre-defined queries and reports and to learn how to query the data. 16 hours to learn every feature of the product.

13. What maintenance is involved to the DataHabitat system when I upgrade my accounting system?

DataHabitat will automatically identify any database changes that may have occurred and will prompt you to accept or reject the changes.

14. Can I do the implementation myself?

DataHabitat implementation requires a basic knowledge of how to set up ODBC connections and the Windows Task scheduler. You should contact your accounting system reseller if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Technical Questions

1. What are the procedures required to link and access any database?

The database type is not important. The procedures for linking any two different data sources are. After importing any table from any database, the tables will become DataHabitat tables. You just have to find two (or more) fields (like Customer Number) that can be related to each other and define sort orders and relationships. For example, if in one database you have a Customer table and in another database you have Customer Transactions, both should have at least Customer # as a common field. But if the fields are different in type or size, adjustments will probably be necessary.

2. What are the default passwords?

To log in as administrator, user id = dba, password = dba. To log in as browser, user id = browser, password = bro. Refer to the Readme file (Readme.txt in the DataHabitat root directory) for more information about other users.

3. Can the dba see other users' passwords?

No. If the user does not remember his/her password, delete the user and define the same user again. The new password will be the same as the user id and the new user will be able to change his/her password at any time.

4. Some reports and queries show no information or only zeros. What should I do?

You probably refreshed the tables but not the formulas.

5. The application shows information about company A. What should I do to see information about company B?

Modify the ODBC System Data Source to connect now to the data provider for company B. Refresh tables and formulas.

6. What should I do to see information about companies A and B without having to change the ODBC and refreshing tables and formulas every time?

Changes in sort orders, relationships, graphs, formulas, queries and reports may be required.   Assuming an ODBC Data Source Name is already pointing to company A, setup a new ODBC System DSN to point to company B (you may name it anything you want). Modify the Importing properties of each table, joining the same tables in each database (give each table a different Table ID). If the IDs (i.e. Customer ID, Salesperson ID, etc.) are not the same for different companies, you may define filters for Table ID and place them in all queries, reports and everywhere else you think is necessary. If same IDs are used in different companies, you will have to define sort orders and relationships using ID + Table ID (company ID). All other objects (graphs, queries, etc.) may have to be analyzed and modified. Filters can still be used for some analysis.

7. Sales Amount is defined just as Subtotal Amount. How do I change that to reflect Taxes and discounts?

Using the Define Formula dialog, change the formulas for Sales Amount in the tables the field is defined. Remember to Refresh Formula again.

8. Can the queries that are standard with a DataHabitat product be selectively locked out, in order to limit user options?  Can we define custom queries and then lock out some or all of the standard queries?  If so, how?

Yes, this is possible. You can define a user profile that will "see" only some queries (this also works for reports, tables, etc.). Then you will Define Users for each profile. If you define a query as "dba" (user login), only "dba" can change this query. For example, if you log in as "browser" and try to save a query created by dba, you will have to save it under another name.

9. How do we correct the error message "there is a blank line in the expression" after clicking the Confirm function during Define Formula?

After entering an operand, you have probably clicked again on the +- column. Therefore there is another line in the expression. To delete the blank line, click on it, select the Delete Operand function, and then click on the "Operand" title in the formula expression window.

10. Why are the Refresh Table and the Refresh Formula taking too long?

Make sure you execute these procedures on the server computer. The server computer is where DataHabitat server and data warehouse are installed. Executing these procedures from a workstation causes extra network traffic that slows down the process. Make sure you check the User Guide to see how to schedule automatic refresh.

11. What should be the Current and the Prior Start/End Dates in the Refresh Formula dialog?

Current and prior start/end dates are formula parameters that define two periods of time. They are user-defined date values that should be informed every time formulas are refreshed, so DataHabitat can calculate fields that will tell how your sales were in these two periods, for example. One can enter:

Prior start date as 01/01/1999, Prior end date as 05/31/1999,  Current start date as 01/01/2000, and Current end date as 05/31/2000 in order to compare the first five months of each year, for example.

12. I have installed DataHabitat and am able to see the sample data. What should I do to see my data now?

After installing DataHabitat, you have to Refresh Tables and Formulas in order to see your real data. Before Refresh Table, you have to create the ODBC System Data Source used by DataHabitat. See the Installation Guide for your DataHabitat application.

13. I have installed a DataHabitat 30-day trial version. It has expired and does not allow me to refresh tables anymore. I have developed some queries and reports, imported new tables, and defined lots of new things. I want to purchase DataHabitat now. Am I going to lose everything I did?

No, you will not. When you purchase DataHabitat, we will send you a registration application that unlocks the version you currently have.

14. Can Refresh formula and data be run by more than one user?

Not at the same time. When Refresh Table and Refresh Formula dialogs are running, none of the tables can be accessed. A message saying "The table is not available now. Please try again later." will be displayed.

15. I need to edit data but the option is not accessible when I right-click on the table. Is there any other way to edit data?

Clicking on the respective icon in the Function bar will activate the Edit Data function.

16. How do I delete a line in a formula?

Open the Define Formula dialog, select the table that has the field with formula, and click on the field title. Click on the line you want to delete, select the Delete Operand function, and finally click on the "Operand" title in the formula expression window. Confirm the formula.

17. When I refresh tables using the batch file, DataHabitat stops and asks for user and password for the database (ODBC). I have set up the ODBC with user and password already. What should I do to avoid that?

Under the profile you use to refresh tables, define a new user that has the same ID used in the ODBC DSN setup. After defining the new user, make sure you log in to DataHabitat as the new user and change the password to be the same as the one used by the ODBC DSN.

18. I am trying to create a report and every time I try to edit or run the report I get “No Disk Space Available”. Is DataHabitat creating a temp file and my hard drive does not have enough disk space? I have 2GB available.  Any suggestions?

Yes, DataHabitat creates temp files. To check how large is the data mart/encyclopedia in the DataHabitat root directory, highlight the folder Mod, Pub, Sys, and Wrk, right-click and select Properties. If the data mart is larger than half of the free disk space you have available, you will need to add more resources to your computer. If there is plenty space on the disk where DataHabitat is installed, but drive C: has not enough space for DataHabitat data mart and  processing, choose the hard disk that has bigger available space and create a folder called DHTMP. Then edit the file called Config.fpw under DataHabitat folder, and replace all “C:\DHTMP” references by the path for the folder you have just created.

19. If the Server is running on NT4, what service pack is required?

SP3+.

20. When the Data Mart is updated, can other users be actively using the data? Will this affect the accuracy of the data (will files be skipped if they are in use)?

Yes, users will be able to use the data. The files will not be skipped. The ODBC will wait until the file is released.

21. Does the scheduling system run on the server or does it require a dedicated workstation?

DH Scheduler does not require a dedicated server. In fact, it must run on the server where DataHabitat server is installed. 

22. Does DataHabitat require a dedicated server?

No, DataHabitat does not require a dedicated server either.

23. How can I get an "empty" constant in a filter expression?

When defining a filter, select the Constant function. Then please enter " " (double quote, no space, double quote).