Pyramid Analytics

Pyramid 2020.10 Release Notes

Pyramid 2020.10, the latest release from Pyramid Analytics, introduces over 150 enterprise-grade features including asymmetric and ragged queries, enhanced "current member" logic, a calendar slicer for SQL data sources, a printable data catalog viewer, shape-based data point differentiation, add and swap menus for hierarchies, advanced formatting options, an upgraded filter wizard, drag-and-drop background chips, new visuals like lollipop and multi-measure pie/donut charts, and customizable map features to significantly enhance complex report design, self-service analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

Feature Listing & Notes

Pyramid 2020.10 is the latest release from Pyramid Analytics, adding more than 150 new enterprise-grade features and capabilities to the previous version. This release aims to improve data-driven decision-making within organizations.

Discover & Queries

  • New Asymmetric and Ragged Queries: Users can eliminate combinations of elements and measures within reports, resulting in asymmetric or 'ragged' queries. This enables more complex report designs without complex coding.
  • New “Current Member” Logic: The "current member" function allows calculations to access the current data point in a report, enabling more complex analytic logic scenarios and expanding calculated solutions.
  • New Calendar Slicer: For SQL data sources, the calendar slicer allows date selections based on a calendar visual, supporting multiple dates, ranges, and formula-based selections (e.g., YTD) without complex setups or code.
  • New Data Catalog Viewer: Provides a printable document of the data catalog behind a data model, including all dimensions and measures, for up-to-date documentation.
  • New Shape Drop Zone: Differentiates data points in graphs using shapes, providing additional visual cues.
  • New Add and Swap Menus: Context menu options to add and swap hierarchies directly from visuals, expanding self-service capabilities.
  • New Formatting Options: Includes background fill gradients, patterns, outline colors, and settings for all visualizations.
  • Upgraded Advanced Filter Wizard: Now supports statistic, numeric, and label filter functions, enhancing flexibility in data analysis.
  • New Drag-and-Drop Background Chips: Background chips can now be dragged and dropped onto other drop zones for easier report manipulation.
  • New Visuals: Lollipop charts and multi-measure pie/donut charts have been added for more flexible and attractive graphs.
  • New ‘Blank’ Maps and Map Labels: Offers a blank map type and new options to hide/show mapping data labels.
  • New Text Parameters and ‘Quick’ Parameters: Enables dynamic free-text filters and a quick parameter wizard for easier parameter use.
  • Upgraded PQL Functions: Functions like MTD, QTD, WTD, YTD, ParallelPeriod, Caption, AllMembers can now be applied to regular hierarchies on SQL data sources.
  • New PQL Functions: Added Cousin, Uniquename, Levels, Level, Ordinal, Ancestor, Rank, Loop, and LoopVector for expanded formula and logic options.
  • Support for Named Measure Sets: Extended capabilities for Microsoft Analysis Services, allowing use of named measure sets.
  • SAP BW Info-areas and Technical Names: New options to show SAP BW Info Areas and toggle hierarchy/measure technical names and captions.
  • Upgraded Handling of SAP BW/Hana Parameters: Additional options for saving SAP BW and HANA parameters, including report-specific settings.

Model

  • Datavard Glue Integration (For SAP): Seamless integration with Datavard’s Glue tool for extracting raw SAP ERP data for analysis.
  • New Data Flow Tools: Multi-select, lasso, node duplicate, and copy/paste tools for easier editing and layout in Data Flow.
  • New Data Sources: Added support for Exasol, Greenplum, MemSQL, MariaDB, Netezza, and Impala for both read and write operations.
  • Improved Azure Blob and AWS S3 Capabilities: Supports reading multiple files and writing files back to AWS S3 and Azure Blobs.
  • New Unpivot Tool: Converts cross-tabulated data into a structure suitable for analysis using a point-and-click wizard.
  • New Date Table Builder: Generates a set of dates for a given period, aiding in creating complete time dimensions.
  • Upgraded OData Authentication: Now includes basic and custom authentication for OData sources.
  • New Data Flow Documentation Tool: Exports documentation for all elements within a data model into a PDF with URL links.
  • SalesForce SOQL and Custom Domains Support: SOQL scripts can drive data extractions from Salesforce, with support for custom domains.
  • Excel Named Table Support: Excel named tables and ranges can be individually addressed in the data model.
  • New Command Line Support: Developers can execute commands from a shell-like feature within data model projects.
  • “ALL” Level Support for SQL Data Source Hierarchies: Enables an “ALL” level for SQL-based regular hierarchies, matching OLAP functionality.

Formulate

  • New Text and Quick Parameters: Enables dynamic free-text filters and quick parameter wizard for easier parameter use.
  • Upgraded Function Menu and Search with Intellisense: Functions menu now groups and organizes all functions with tooltips, usage instructions, and improved Intellisense for scripting.

Illustrate

  • New Dynamic Tooltips: Tooltip editor allows static and dynamic text messages in presentations, including context-sensitive data.
  • New Dynamic Text Functions for HTML Markup: Expands content creation with dynamic web links, lists, and images.
  • Upgraded Formula Editor: Enhanced with new function trees and better tools for advanced logic and testing.

Content Manager

  • New Content Migration Wizard: Easily migrate content between Pyramid instances using a wizard.
  • New Content Audit Trail: Comprehensive audit trail framework for all content items, tracking dates, users, and actions.
  • Jump to Folder via URL: Access folders directly from a unique URL.
  • New Save All: Save all open content items with a single click.
  • Major Performance Improvements: Improved performance for Data Source Changer, Structure Analyzer, Copy/Paste, and Import/Export, including folder structure retention.

Admin

  • Audit Trail for All Objects: Comprehensive audit trail for all key objects, including content and deleted items.
  • Custom Fonts and Manager: Administrators can add/register web fonts or upload custom fonts, accessible throughout the app and secure by tenant.
  • Custom Maps Options: Non-secure option for custom shape maps, improving performance by avoiding multiple loads.
  • R and Python in Offline Server Environment: Developers can use R and Python code in offline environments.
  • Resource Alert Engine: Notifies administrators when server resources are low.
  • SAML Authentication for SAP Hana: Authenticate to SAP HANA sources using SAML assertions.
  • SAML and Azure Proxy Login for Mobile: New mobile client supports SAML and Azure Proxy authentication.

Infrastructure

  • Upgraded SAP BW Engine Options: New options to switch SAP BW query framework to alternate engines for improved performance.
  • Upgraded Mobile Apps: New mobile clients for iOS and Android support new login options.

Embedding

  • New Embed API Interface: JavaScript library for embedding Pyramid content, available direct or via NPM, with support for React and Angular components.

Help

  • Major Upgrade to Online Help: Topics related to Discover, Admin Console, PQL/MDX functions, and the new Embed API library have been rewritten and restructured with more details and examples.