DataParts for SharePoint 2.0: Add Business Intelligence, Data Visualization and Analysis to your SharePoint Portals.

Quickstart

DataParts FAQ

Does this work with all versions of SharePoint , including the free version (WSS)?
A:Yes, DataParts works with both WSS and MOSS.
Can DataParts be installed on 64-bit MOSS?
A: Yes.
Is there a mobile support to access the dashboards from mobile devices?
A: Since all these objects are rendered as images, you will be able to see them in any device capable of displaying images.
Does this work just as well on a Mac? Firefox or Safari? All features, editing etc.
A: DataParts works with any browser that supports SharePoint properly.
Is this a separate product or it runs under SharePoint ?
A: DataParts runs directly inside SharePoint . No additional servers or designers are required.
Will this be compatible with SharePoint 2010?
A: We are working to make DataParts compatible with SP 2010. We expect to release a 2010 compatible version close to the new version release.

Can this solution be used to create reports from a SharePoint lists?
A: Yes, you can create reports and dashboards from SharePoint lists.
Can you use outside databases as the data source for the data parts?
A:Yes.
What versions of SQL server are supported?
A:All versions of SQL Server are supported.
Can DataParts consume a stored procedure in SQL server?
A:Yes.
Can you access a BDC?
A:Yes, support for BDC is in the product and available to all of our web parts.
Does reporting work across both portal data AND my site data, pulling in data from both concurrently?
A:Yes, you can report portal your data concurrently.
Do we need Excel Services to work with the DataParts?
A:No, Excel Services is not required.
Do all users need to have access to the external database to view data included in the chart?
A:Not necessarily. The credentials will be provided by a single user and presented in the parts without requiring additional credentials from the user viewing the charts. If you decide to use Windows Authentication as the mechanism to access the external database, then the user must have access to the external database.
Does reporting work across multiple sites and multiple site collections?
A:At this time DataParts only supports connecting to lists within the same site. However, we will be releasing a service pack in the next few weeks that will support multiple sites and site collections.
Can we use other than SQL Server as the Database (for example Oracle, Teradata, etc.)
A:At this time we support SQL Server only but our developers are working in a service pack that will support Oracle and any data source that supports OleDB. That service pack will be available in the next few weeks.
Is there a direct connectivity to SAP?
A:At this time you can connect to SAP via SQL server, but we are expanding on our data providers’ architecture to accommodate other data sources.
Is connecting to Access or Excel an option?
A:You can connect to Access or Excel via BDC. We are expanding our data source support to include ways to access many other sources, including Access and Excel.
When you get the next version, have you had requests to combine data from lists across site collections such as my tasks from different lists?
A:Yes, this is a requirement we plan to support.
Can the charts show data from SQL Server Analysis Services cubes?
A:No, unfortunately we support only regular SQL at the time. We support Analysis services in our Chart FX OLAP Extension for developers and we will eventually add it to DataParts, but there is no specific timeframe for that. More information here: http://www.softwarefx.com/Extensions/featuresOLAP.aspx.

Is it loaded on the server side or portal side?
A:There is an installation package you must run on the SharePoint Server.
Do we need to install the software on the SharePoint farm or just upload the web part to my site only and it will work?
A:You need to install DataParts in the SharePoint farm. An installer is provided that will perform all the necessary actions within the SharePoint server to make DataParts accessible to the websites of your choice.
Does DataParts install as a solution file, i.e. WSP and features can be activated across the farm and various site collections?
A:You will basically run an installer package on your server which will install and license DataParts and then any SharePoint users can add them to any page, depending on their permissions.
The development tool is web based or is there any desktop client for development?
A:All of DataParts' UI (both design wise and run time) are web based. You basically add the web part in a web part zone and use the Tool Pane to configure the part with no additional designers or Visual Studio.
Any coding effort is needed to show DataParts?
A:No, integration is made via the Web Parts Zone and then customization is made via a Tool Pane Wizard.
What if we don't have access to SharePoint server box? What if it is hosted outside of the organization?
A:Access to the server is required in order to generate and add the license, as well as to properly register the web parts and features in SharePoint . We can provide the host company with the details of the changes and additions we make to the server, if required.
Can we customize the data sources on and/or the web parts on installation time? Let's say we have a customer and we want to install a site with a dashboard that connects to our database. Can we do that?
A:Not at the time. However, this is a requirement we plan to implement in an upcoming service pack, allowing you to specify the default connection setup through a configuration file.

Is the pricing based on user base or server based? If it is based on user base, what happens if we have a server farm (e.g. with 5 servers)?
A:DataParts is offered in 3 different packages according to the number of users in your organization: Small Business (0-100 users), Medium Business (100-1000) and Enterprise (1000+ users). Once you license a particular version (Small, Medium or Enterprise) you can install on all the servers on your farm.
Is your licensing concurrent or named?
A:DataParts is licensed per named user.
I might have 10,000 users on my farm but I want to use your charts for a site with 100 users only. Can I do that?
A:Yes, if that is your case, you can license the appropriate DataParts version for the amount of users you have. Send an email to sales@softwarefx.com and they will explain the licensing specifics.
Is there a difference in licensing for users to view the web parts and creating/editing them?
A:No, you basically license the product based on named users in your SharePoint implementation and that will cover all users for creating/editing or viewing the web parts.
Are there upgrade packages available? (For example, from Small to Medium)
A:Yes, moving from one version to another is possible by simply paying the price difference between one package and another.
Is the pricing a yearly price or a onetime purchase for the current version?
A:DataParts is licensed on a perpetual basis, this means a single payment will get you a license of the product.
Do you provide evaluation copy to test?
A:Yes, you can download a fully functional 30-day trial version at http://www.softwarefx.com/dataparts.
Are your product license fees listed publicly on your website?
A:Yes, please go to http://www.softwarefx.com/dataparts for pricing details or contact sales@softwarefx.com if you have any additional questions.
Do you have non resale version for consulting companies?
A:Yes, we have an Affiliate program for DataParts, please visit http://www.softwarefx.com/SharePoint /affiliate/default.aspx or email sales@softwarefx.com for more information.

Is the support team available during the trial period?
A:Yes.
Is there a product technical support by phone 24/7?
A:There is a support subscription you can buy for $400/year that will give you access to our support on regular business hours 9-5 EST.
How much is maintenance for upgrades?
A:Our products are sold on a perpetual license basis for one specific version. You can then upgrade to the next version for a sensible upgrade fee. We normally don’t charge for service packs that include bug fixes and small feature improvements.
If we purchase the software, would you help us deploy or give best practices suggestions?
A:Our technical support team will gladly assist you with any question you may have. We are currently working on a series of free professionally made training videos that will help you reduce the learning curve and maximize your DataParts investment.
If we do implement the software how does your organization handle system fixes, upgrades to the software?
A:Free within the same version number through a support subscription.

How many field text characters can the advanced list web part display?
A:unlimited, only limited by the SharePoint and browser real estate.
How many SQL characters can the advanced list web part display and can the text be formatted?
A:We support multiple rows of text and there is no specific limit on the characters you can display in a given cell. Yes, the text supports all sort of formatting (font, colors, etc).
What is the maximum number of rows a report can handle?
A:Unlimited as pagination is provided. You basically control how many items show up on a page and then navigate using the pagination controls. You can also deactivate paging if desired.
May the dashboards be exported to different image formats to be used in presentations?
A:You can export the data in the advanced lists as well as the chart image, so you can use it in your presentations.
How is printing handled in advanced list?
A:you can print directly from the toolbar. It allows the user to select the printer and the range, whether it’s the current page only or all elements in the list.
Can you drill down to more detailed information from a graph. Say select a point on the graph and drill down into the information supporting that data point?
A:this is only available in the advanced list at the time, but we will be supporting that feature in a service pack in the upcoming months.
Are the web parts localizable, for instance to Portuguese?
A:Yes! We are in the process of localizing the Tool Pane Wizards to over 8 different languages. As an addition, these will be offered as language packs with the product, not as different versions. This means you can download language packs from our site.
If my language is not localized by you, can I do it by myself?
A:Yes, we can provide you with all the necessary resources for you to create your own language pack. Please contact us at support@softwarefx.com for further details.
Are the charts themselves interactive?
A:Yes, all web parts provide an AJAX based interface that makes them fully interactive.
Can you have multiple charts data visuals on one page? Is there a max?
A:Yes. There is no limit in the number of charts or any other DataParts web part on a page.
MOSS uses Kerberos to manage security and access to data in external database sources. How does DataParts application manage data access and security?
A:DataParts allows you to specify whether you want to use a specific SQL user or use Windows Authentication instead. If you use the latter, you can enable single sign-on in your SharePoint server and use the same credentials for your SQL server. If you need assistance with this option, please contact our support team at support@softwarefx.com.
Can we have DataParts not allow user to select their own color scheme?
A:DataParts automatically adapts to the current theme by default. If you set a specific color scheme to any of the web parts, such scheme will be used regardless of the current theme.
Is there a way to print out multiple web parts at once as a single report?
A:You can print multiple parts using the native browser printing capabilities.
Can I change the description for the charts for example density to something else?
A:You can change the series name to anything you want using the Tool Pane Wizard. You can also give the charts a title.
Are you Microsoft partner?
A:Yes, for 15 years.
Can I change the color for the graphs?
A:The charts respond to the SharePoint theme, if you change the theme all the web parts will change automatically, but if you want to set specific color schemes for the chart you can also do that.
Can we add state name to the map?
A:Yes, you can add labels to the map.
When displaying real time data and data is to be updated every few minutes, will the chart be automatically updated with new data without reloading entire page? Also, can gauges be automatically refreshed?
A:At this time, real-time updating is not available in the product. However, we plan to support this feature in an upcoming service pack in the next few months.
Looking online I get the impression that this product is new. When was it released?
A:DataParts was released in Q1-2009. However, the core elements it's based on, Chart FX and Grid FX, have been around for more than 15 years.
Is it possible to change the way the font displays in the advanced list? For example, make the last name bold and larger?
A:Yes, you have complete control over formatting and colors for every column independently.
With the advanced lists, can you customize the view if how I want to display it isn't in one of the predefined layouts?
A:You can fully customize the way you display the information in the advanced lists and card views.
Can you create a custom theme?
A:You can select built in color schemes different from the current SharePoint theme. Creating a custom theme is possible but is not a documented feature. Please contact support@softwarefx.com for further details.
With regard to maps, does your service offering a custom web part to allow for a local map of an office location, for facilities utilitarian purposes. Like a physical office move, or a major RIF?
A:We support an open SVG specification and we can build maps for you for an additional charge. Please contact sales@softwarefx.com for further details.
Can DataParts produce all functionality of Reporting Services, mainly parameters/prompts?
A:DataParts supports parameters connecting to other DataParts and SharePoint filter web parts.
Can I implement nested parameter scenarios, for example a state filter that needs input from country filter?
A:Yes, something like this scenario can be setup with DataParts. You can create a Country advanced list with the list of countries, and a State advanced list that refreshes with the current country.
Do you include calculation functionality for things like averages, percentages, etc?
A:We have Extensions to our products that provide more vertical functionality. One of them is a Statistical extension that we plan to make available in SharePoint , although there is no specific timeframe for that.

New DataParts 2.0 Now Available

This version adds full compatibility with SharePoint 2010 to DataParts, chart and map drilldown and selection, enhanced data connectivity, and custom code support, along with many other great features.

View Details