Entrinsik's Informer is a solid, versatile, and powerful reporting tool.
Updated November 11, 2015
Entrinsik's Informer is a solid, versatile, and powerful reporting tool.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
4.4.1
Overall Satisfaction with Entrinsik Informer
Ohlone needed a flexible reporting tool that supported multiple database platforms and we chose Entrinsik's Informer in late 2011 and were up and running in January 2012. What was initially a limited roll-out to specific departments quickly turned into an enthusiastic campus-wide implementation: everyone wanted to use this new, easy-to-use reporting tool.
We have over 1000 reports, with some scheduled and others setup as quick links for individual users. Most of the reports are written by the Applications Team in Information Technology, but we engaged with tech-savvy and power-user employees around the campus, training and encouraging standards in writing their own reports for themselves and their departments. The Informer product has helped departments "own" their reports through the ability to quickly review, audit, and verify data specific to their area.
We have over 1000 reports, with some scheduled and others setup as quick links for individual users. Most of the reports are written by the Applications Team in Information Technology, but we engaged with tech-savvy and power-user employees around the campus, training and encouraging standards in writing their own reports for themselves and their departments. The Informer product has helped departments "own" their reports through the ability to quickly review, audit, and verify data specific to their area.
Pros
- Files and fields can be mapped and linked in Informer without the need to create computed columns within the Colleague environment, alleviating ad hoc requests to the I.T. department.
- Scheduled reports can be created that will run if a range of criteria are met: users are not receiving scheduled reports that contain null/empty/blank values.
- Quick links and Live Excel reports give users instant access to their most used and favorite reports.
- Dashboard views give instant aggregate information essential during peak times: registration headcount, outstanding receivables, payroll tax deposits, enrollment and financial aid verification, etc.
Cons
- If the reporting dashboard included a column on reporting sharing, if the report is public or restricted, would be very helpful. One must detail into each report to see if there are restrictions, which is not efficient.
- It would be helpful to be able to modify the columns that are displayed on the reporting dashboard: add a column for last modified, add a column for sharing (report is public, shared, private), etc, at the global level, and ideally, at the user level.
- Help information could be expanded, particularly on mapping and auto suggest type.
- Helpful option to be able to selecting/view specific multi-values without normalizing the report view.
- Include a list of common script samples within the application versus posting them to Entrinsik's forums.
- Informer has helped us pull more timely and more accurate data, with the flexibility of multiple formats (Excel, PDF, .CSV, etc).
- Informer audit reports created for the HR/Payroll office has decreased monthly payroll processing time by at least a full business day. Informer reports have assisted institutional research and student service reporting needs, decreasing the number of days needed to generate for cyclical mandated reports by several business days. We have increased employee efficiencies in departments across campus because of Entrinsik's Informer.
- Informer has had a very positive impact and return on investment, helping the campus fulfill our business objectives and college goals.
Entrinsik Informer Feature Ratings
Entrinsik Implementation
- Implemented in-house
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