Knowing everything you can about each click to your Web site can help you make strategic decisions regarding your business. This book is about the why, not just the how, of web analytics and the rules for developing a "culture of analysis" inside your organization. Why you should collect various types of data. Why you need a strategy. Why it must remain flexible. Why your data must generate meaningful action. The authors answer these critical questions—and many more—using their decade of experience in Web analytics.

Get expert advice and learn how to master Microsoft® Office Visio® 2007—from the inside out! This book packs hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds, all in concise, fast-answer format. Includes a companion CD.

What makes seasoned IT professionals run for cover? Answer: Forecasting Oracle Performance! Craig Shallahamer is an Oracle performance expert with over 18 years of experience. His book is the first to focus not on the problem of solving today's problem, but squarely on the problem of forecasting the future performance of an Oracle database. Other Oracle performance books are good for putting out fires; Craig's book helps you avoid all the heat in the first place. If you’re an IT practioner who appreciates application over mathematical proofs than you’ll be pleasantly surprised! Each chapter is filled with examples to transform the theory, mathematics, and methods into something you can practically apply. Craig's goal is to teach you about real-word Oracle performance forecasting. Period. There is no hidden agenda. This book is a kind of training course. After reading, studying, and practicing the material covered in this book, you to be able to confidently, responsibly, and professionally forecast performance and system capacity in a wide variety of real-life situations. If you are more management-minded (or want to be), you will be delighted with the service level management focus. Forecasting makes good business sense because it maximizes the return on IT investment and minimizes unplanned down time. To those who think forecasting is a waste of money: well...obviously, they’ve never been on the evening news because their company lost millions of dollars in revenue and brand destruction because of poorly performing or unavailable systems. Without a doubt, you will be equipped to deal with the realities of forecasting Oracle performance. But this book gives you more. Not only will you receive a technical and mathematical perspective, but also a communication, a presentation, and a management perspective. This is career building stuff and immensely satisfying! What you'll learn This book is a “how-to” book filled with examples to transform theory and mathematics into something you can practically apply. You will learn how to use a variety of forecasting models, which will enable you to methodically: Help manage service levels from a business value perspective Identify the risk of over utilized resources Predict what component of an architecture is at risk Predict when a system will be at risk Develop multiple risk mitigating strategies to ensure service levels are maintained Characterize a complex Oracle workload Who this book is for IT professionals who must ensure their production Oracle systems are meeting service levels, in part, through forecasting performance, identifying risk, and developing solutions to ensure systems are available without wasting budget. Readers include database administrators, IT managers, developers, capacity planners, systems architects, systems integrators.

Whether you're designing a network, a business plan, or an office building, Visio 2007 can transform your vision into sophisticated diagrams and drawings and this comprehensive reference shows you how. You'll discover how to use Visio for IT, architecture, engineering, and business projects; explore the new features of Visio 2007; learn to publish Visio diagrams to the Web; and much more. If you want to develop your skills in Visio, this is the book you need to succeed.

Need help understanding the SAS macro facility? You will find all the answers that you need in this easy-to-follow book! Michele Burlew puts her decades of macro programming experience to work for you as she guides you through the basics, as well as the more complex features of the SAS macro facility. Updated extensively for SAS 9, this book includes plenty of examples and step-by-step instructions. You will learn the elements of the macro facility (macro variables, macro programs, macro language), how to write a macro program, macro programming techniques, tips on using the macro facility, how the macro facility fits into SAS, and about the interfaces between the macro facility and other components of SAS. New topics for the second edition include using SAS 9 macro and SAS language features, debugging macro programs, adding error checking to macro programs, and building a library of utility macro programs. Beginning macro programmers will learn to write SAS macro programs quickly and efficiently. More experienced macro programmers will find this book useful to refresh their conceptual knowledge and expand on their macro programming skills. It is also important to note that the macro facility is a highly popular part of SAS and found in the job requirements for many SAS programming jobs. In addition, macro facility concepts are tested on the SAS Advanced Programming Exam. The book assumes some SAS programming experience, including knowledge of how to write a DATA step and how to use SAS procedures.

The Internet is bigger and better than what a mere browser allows. Webbots, Spiders, and Screen Scrapers is for programmers and businesspeople who want to take full advantage of the vast resources available on the Web. There's no reason to let browsers limit your online experience-especially when you can easily automate online tasks to suit your individual needs. Learn how to write webbots and spiders that do all this and more: Programmatically download entire websites Effectively parse data from web pages Manage cookies Decode encrypted files Automate form submissions Send and receive email Send SMS alerts to your cell phone Unlock password-protected websites Automatically bid in online auctions Exchange data with FTP and NNTP servers Sample projects using standard code libraries reinforce these new skills. You'll learn how to create your own webbots and spiders that track online prices, aggregate different data sources into a single web page, and archive the online data you just can't live without. You'll learn inside information from an experienced webbot developer on how and when to write stealthy webbots that mimic human behavior, tips for developing fault-tolerant designs, and various methods for launching and scheduling webbots. You'll also get advice on how to write webbots and spiders that respect website owner property rights, plus techniques for shielding websites from unwanted robots. As a bonus, visit the author's website to test your webbots on sample target pages, and to download the scripts and code libraries used in the book. Some tasks are just too tedious-or too important!- to leave to humans. Once you've automated your online life, you'll never let a browser limit the way you use the Internet again.

Learn to program SAS by example!

If you like learning by example, then Learning SAS by Example: A Programmer's Guide makes it easy to learn SAS programming. In an instructive and conversational tone, author Ron Cody clearly explains each programming technique and then illustrates it with one or more real-life examples, followed by a detailed description of how the program works. The text is divided into four major sections: Getting Started; DATA Step Processing; Presenting and Summarizing Your Data; and Advanced Topics. Subjects addressed include: Reading data from external sources Learning details of DATA step programming Subsetting and combining SAS data sets Understanding SAS functions and working with arrays Creating reports with PROC REPORT and PROC TABULATE Learning to use the SAS Output Delivery System Getting started with the SAS macro language Introducing PROC SQL

You can test your knowledge and hone your skills by solving the problems at the end of each chapter. (Solutions to odd-numbered problems are located at the back of this book. Solutions to all problems are available to instructors by visiting Ron Cody's author page for details.) This book is intended for beginners and intermediate users. Readers should know how to enter and submit a SAS program from their operating system.

This book is part of the SAS Press program.

Ready to put Intuit's QuickBase to work? Our new Missing Manual shows you how to capture, modify, share, and manage data and documents with this web-based data-sharing program quickly and easily. No longer do you have to coordinate your team through a blizzard of emails or play frustrating games of "guess which document is the right one." QuickBase saves your organization time and money, letting you manage and share the information that makes your business tick: sales figures, project timelines, drafts of documents, purchase or work requests--whatever information you need to keep business flowing smoothly. QuickBase: The Missing Manual shows you how to choose among QuickBase's dozens of ready-made applications (mini-databases, essentially) and how to customize one to fit your needs exactly. You'll also learn to assign people different roles within the application. The guide also shows you how to: Capture and modify data: Whatever kind of data you need to store--sales leads, catalog listings, project milestones, workflow checklists--you can use QuickBase's forms to record and organize that data so it makes sense to you. Filter, sort, and group data: Easily find the records that match your criteria, and then sort those records into groups that make their relationships clear. Display your data: QuickBase uses different views (Table, Grid Edit, Summary/Crosstab, Calendar, Chart, and Timeline) to display and summarize data. Switching between them is easy, like taking tasks listed in a table and displaying them as a timeline. Create reports: Print out a hard copy, embed charts in the annual report, or email this month's sales numbers. Because Intuit frequently introduces new features to QuickBase, you'll find updates to this book at our Missing Manual web site so you can benefit from the latest technology and user suggestions right away.

“I believe that this book will fill a great need for both full-time competitive intelligence practitioners, and those looking to add analytical skills to their managerial tool kit.” --Bill Fiora, Partner and Founder, Outward Insights “All practicing managers and business decision makers should be grateful to Fleisher and Bensoussan for showing them how their analysis work can become more rigorous and their approach less casual. Accept no imitations. This is the genuine article.” --Sheila Wright, Director of the Competitive Intelligence-Marketing Interface Teaching and Research Initiative (CIMITRI) at Leicester Business School, De Montfort University The Definitive How-To Guide for Business and Competitive Analysis Transform raw data into compelling, actionable business recommendations Answer the questions executives ask–“What?” “So What?” and “Now What?” Today’s 24 most valuable techniques: how to choose them, how to use them For everyone who performs analysis: managers, consultants, functional specialists, and strategists A completely new book by the authors of the popular Strategic and Competitive Analysis Business success begins with deep clarity about your competition and your business environment. But, even as data gathering has improved dramatically, few business professionals know the state-of-the-art techniques for analyzing their data. Now there’s a comprehensive, immensely practical guide to today’s best tools and techniques for answering tough questions and making actionable recommendations. begins with end-to-end guidance on the analysis process, including defining problems, avoiding analytical pitfalls, choosing tools, and communicating results. Next, the authors offer detailed guides on 24 of today’s most valuable analysis models: techniques that have never been brought together in one book before.They offer in-depth, step-by-step guidance for using every technique–along with realistic assessments of strengths, weaknesses, feasibility, and business value. Business and Competitive Analysis You are flooded with data. This book will help you transform that data into actionable insights and recommendations that enterprise decision makers cannot and will not ignore. Craig S. Fleisher and Babette E. Bensoussan begin with a practical primer on the process and context of business and competitive analysis: how it works, how to avoid pitfalls, and how to communicate results. Next, they introduce their unique FAROUT method for choosing the right tools for each assignment. The authors then present 24 of today’s most valuable analysis methods.They cover “classic” techniques, such as McKinsey 7S and industry analysis, as well as emerging techniques from multiple disciplines:economics,corporate finance, sociology, anthropology, and the intelligence and futurist communities. For each, they present clear descriptions, background context, strategic rationales, strengths, weaknesses, step-by-step instructions, and references. The result is a book you can rely on to meet any analysis challenge, no matter how complex or novel. The fundamentals of business and competitive analysis Goals, processes, pitfalls, deliverables, and benefits Competitive analysis techniques Nine Forces, Competitive Positioning, Business Model, SERVO, and Supply Chain Analyses Enterprise analysis techniques Benchmarking, McKinsey 7S, Shadowing, Product Line, and Win/Loss Analyses Environmental analysis techniques Strategic Relationships, Corporate Reputation, Critical Success Factors, Driving Forces, and Country Risk Analyses Evolutionary analysis techniques Technology Forecasting,War Gaming, Event/Timeline, Indications and Warning Analyses, and more Financial, probabilistic, and statistical techniques Basic Statistics, Competitor Cash Flow, Analysis of Competing Hypothesis (ACH), and Linchpin Analyses Table of Contents: Preface 1. Business and Competitive Analysis: Definition, Context, and Benefits 2. Performing the Analysis Process 3. Avoiding Analysis Pitfalls 4. Communicating Analysis Results 5. Applying the FAROUT method 6. Industry Analysis (The Nine Forces) 7. Competitive Positioning Analysis 8. Business Model Analysis 9. SERVO Analysis 10. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Analysis 11. Benchmarking Analysis 12. McKinsey 7S Analysis 13. Shadowing 14. Product Line Analysis 15. Win/Loss Analysis 16. Strategic Relationship Analysis 17. Corporate Reputation Analysis 18. Critical Success Factors Analysis 19. Country Risk Analysis 20. Driving Forces Analysis 21. Event and Timeline Analysis 22. Technology Forecasting 23. War Gaming 24. Indications and Warning Analysis 25. Historiographical Analysis 26. Interpretation of Statistical Analysis 27. Competitor Cash Flow Analysis 28. Analysis of Competing Hypothesis 29. Linchpin Analysis Index

The smart way to learn the latest version of Microsoft® Office Visio® 2007—one step at a time! Build exactly the skills you need by working at your own pace through easy-to-follow lessons and hands-on practice files on CD.

Pharmaceutical Statistics Using SAS: A Practical Guide offers extensive coverage of cutting-edge biostatistical methodology used in drug development and the practical problems facing today's drug developers. Written by well-known experts in the pharmaceutical industry Alex Dmitrienko, Christy Chuang-Stein, and Ralph D'Agostino, it provides relevant tutorial material and SAS examples to help readers new to a certain area of drug development quickly understand and learn popular data analysis methods and apply them to real-life problems. Step-by-step, the book introduces a wide range of data analysis problems encountered in drug development and illustrates them using a wealth of case studies from actual pre-clinical experiments and clinical studies. The book also provides SAS code for solving the problems. Among the topics addressed are these:

drug discovery experiments to identify promising chemical compounds animal studies to assess the toxicological profile of these compounds clinical pharmacology studies to examine the properties of new drugs in healthy human subjects Phase II and Phase III clinical trials to establish therapeutic benefits of experimental drugs.

Additional features include a discussion of methodological issues, practical advice from subject-matter experts, and review of relevant regulatory guidelines. Most chapters are self-contained and include a fair amount of high-level introductory material to make them accessible to a broad audience of pharmaceutical scientists. This book will also serve as a useful reference for regulatory scientists as well as academic researchers and graduate students.

This book is part of the SAS Press program.

You have more information at hand about your business environment than ever before. But are you using it to “out-think” your rivals? If not, you may be missing out on a potent competitive tool. In Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning, Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris argue that the frontier for using data to make decisions has shifted dramatically. Certain high-performing enterprises are now building their competitive strategies around data-driven insights that in turn generate impressive business results. Their secret weapon? Analytics: sophisticated quantitative and statistical analysis and predictive modeling. Exemplars of analytics are using new tools to identify their most profitable customers and offer them the right price, to accelerate product innovation, to optimize supply chains, and to identify the true drivers of financial performance. A wealth of examples—from organizations as diverse as Amazon, Barclay’s, Capital One, Harrah’s, Procter & Gamble, Wachovia, and the Boston Red Sox—illuminate how to leverage the power of analytics.

Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists, Third Edition, is an essential guide to MATLAB as a problem-solving tool. It presents MATLAB both as a mathematical tool and a programming language, giving a concise and easy-to-master introduction to its potential and power. Stressing the importance of a structured approach to problem solving, the text provides a step-by-step method for program design and algorithm development. It includes numerous simple exercises for hands-on learning, a chapter on algorithm development and program design, and a concise introduction to useful topics for solving problems in later engineering and science courses: vectors as arrays, arrays of characters, GUIs, advanced graphics, and simulation and numerical methods. The text is ideal for undergraduates in engineering and science taking a course on Matlab. Numerous simple exercises give hands-on learning A chapter on algorithm development and program design Common errors and pitfalls highlighted Concise introduction to useful topics for solving problems in later engineering and science courses: vectors as arrays, arrays of characters, GUIs, advanced graphics, simulation and numerical methods A new chapter on dynamical systems shows how a structured approach is used to solve more complex problems. Text and graphics in four colour

Reveal your inner business artist with Visio Turn your ideas into diagrams and drawings with Visio's stencils and templates If you have an idea you want to get down on electronic paper, Visio 2007 is for you, and so is this book! They're both flexible and user-friendly. Here's how to use Visio to capture ideas from simple to intricate, update data in a drawing with a single click, add and manipulate text, work with connectors, and more. Discover how to Create business, engineering, software, or network diagrams Format an entire drawing using themes Analyze "what-if" scenarios with PivotDiagrams Produce layered multipage drawings Save drawings to publish on the Web

A practical, step-by-step approach to making sense out of data Making Sense of Data educates readers on the steps and issues that need to be considered in order to successfully complete a data analysis or data mining project. The author provides clear explanations that guide the reader to make timely and accurate decisions from data in almost every field of study. A step-by-step approach aids professionals in carefully analyzing data and implementing results, leading to the development of smarter business decisions. With a comprehensive collection of methods from both data analysis and data mining disciplines, this book successfully describes the issues that need to be considered, the steps that need to be taken, and appropriately treats technical topics to accomplish effective decision making from data. Readers are given a solid foundation in the procedures associated with complex data analysis or data mining projects and are provided with concrete discussions of the most universal tasks and technical solutions related to the analysis of data, including: Problem definitions Data preparation Data visualization Data mining Statistics Grouping methods Predictive modeling Deployment issues and applications Throughout the book, the author examines why these multiple approaches are needed and how these methods will solve different problems. Processes, along with methods, are carefully and meticulously outlined for use in any data analysis or data mining project. From summarizing and interpreting data, to identifying non-trivial facts, patterns, and relationships in the data, to making predictions from the data, Making Sense of Data addresses the many issues that need to be considered as well as the steps that need to be taken to master data analysis and mining.

Written for anyone involved in the data preparation process for analytics, Gerhard Svolba's Data Preparation for Analytics Using SAS offers practical advice in the form of SAS coding tips and tricks, and provides the reader with a conceptual background on data structures and considerations from a business point of view. The tasks addressed include viewing analytic data preparation in the context of its business environment, identifying the specifics of predictive modeling for data mart creation, understanding the concepts and considerations of data preparation for time series analysis, using various SAS procedures and SAS Enterprise Miner for scoring, creating meaningful derived variables for all data mart types, using powerful SAS macros to make changes among the various data mart structures, and more!

A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0321580303 ISBN-13: 9780321580306 The second of a two-book series about business intelligence and reporting technology, introduces programmers to BIRT architecture and the reporting framework. Built on the Eclipse platform, this exciting technology makes it possible for programmers to build and deploy customized reports using scripting and BIRT APIs. In addition, programmers can extend the BIRT framework by building new plug-ins using the Eclipse Plug-in Development Environment. Integrating and Extending BIRT This book describes the key components of BIRT architecture, applications, and engines, including installing, deploying, and troubleshooting the Reporting and Charting engines in an Enterprise Java application-server environment.For developers who wish to incorporate custom business logic in their reports or access data from Java objects, the book describes BIRT's extensive scripting capabilities in JavaScript and Java. For developers who want to extend the BIRT framework, the book describes the key extension points to use in creating customized report items, rendering extensions for generating output other than HTML or PDF, and Open Data Access (ODA) drivers for new data sources. The book provides extensive examples of how to build plug-ins to extend the features of the BIRT framework. Topics discussed include Installing and deploying BIRT Deploying a BIRT report to an application server Understanding BIRT architecture Scripting in a BIRT report design Integrating BIRT functionality in applications Working with the BIRT extension framework

The second edition of Business Statistics, continues to retain the clear, crisp pedagogy of the first edition. It now adds new features and an even stronger emphasis on practical, applied statistics that will enhance the text's ability in developing decision-making ability of the reader. In this edition, efforts have been made to assist readers in converting data into useful information that can be used by decision-makers in making more thoughtful, information-based decisions.

You'll gain a world of knowledge through Phil Mason's inventive tips and techniques. Updated and expanded to cover the breadth of functionality offered in SAS 8 and SAS 9, In the Know...SAS Tips and Techniques From Around the Globe, Second Edition, is packed with timeless classics and plenty of new material addressing such popular topics as the DATA step, SQL, macros, functions, ODS, and much more. Each tip is presented in a self-contained format that is both informative and easy to use. Every chapter contains a collection of related tips with frequent use of code and log examples to help improve productivity. Users of all levels will discover how to save time and effort by incorporating the wisdom found in these practical tips.

The authorized guide to the latest edition of the #1 business intelligence software product - Crystal Reports. More than 16 million licenses of Crystal Reports have been shipped to date. This book is a reference designed to provide hands-on guidance for the latest release of the product suite. The latest version of Crystal Reports and the Business Objects enterprise reporting suite delivers vast product enhancements and a tighter integration that will drive upgrades from licensees. Brand new features (e.g. Dynamic and Cascading Parameter Generation) will also appeal to new audiences. Over 1 million new Business Intelligence licensees will be migrating to the Crystal Enterprise Reporting platform, as this is the first release of the software with the existing Business Objects (BO) products being integrated into the Crystal infrastructure. As Business Objects insiders, the authors bring unique and valuable real-world perspectives on implementations and uses of the Crystal Reports product. The book also includes content, tutorials and samples for reporting within the Microsoft Visual Studio.NET and J2EE development environments and also on top of the SAP Business Information Warehouse (BW) and the Peoplesoft platform. Advanced content on report distribution and integration into the secured managed reporting solution known as Business Objects Enterprise XI, is also now included in this definitive user guide with coverage on the new Web Services SDK.

A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0321580273 ISBN-13: 9780321580276 The first in a two-book series about Business Intelligence and Reporting Technology, introduces reporting to a broad base of users. Built on the Eclipse platform, this exciting technology makes it possible for programmers and non-programmers to build and deploy complex reports with minimal effort. BIRT: A Field Guide to Reporting presents information about how to develop and customize reports of progressive complexity using BIRT Report Designer. This tool was designed from the ground up for Web applications and uses a Web page-oriented design metaphor in contrast to older banded report writers that were developed before the advent of the Internet. This unique approach to report creation makes BIRT an approachable and effective tool for developers of all levels. BIRT: A Field Guide to Reporting Report designs discussed include Listing reports that include sorting, grouping, and totals Summary reports, such as top N reports Charts, including pie, line, bar, and gauge charts Master-detail reports Other topics discussed include Understanding the technology Planning report designs Accessing data Laying out and formatting reports Building charts Enhancing reports with interactive viewing, shared libraries, and localized text Preparing reports for international data

The field of statistics is broad and complex, but this Infoline will help training professionals use statistics to execute their jobs even better. Why statistics? First, they allow you to make better decisions because data can be analyzed using proven mathematical principles and logic. Second, data are generated each moment across all business functions, and statistics allows the trainer quickly relate to business processes. Third, repetition is important for learner comprehension, and incorporating statistics and measures into training delivery helps learners acquire knowledge better and faster. And finally, the judicious use of statistics in presentations is a powerful way to support your case at higher organizational levels

Learning to use SAS Enterprise Guide has never been easier! With The Little SAS Book for Enterprise Guide 4.1, Susan Slaughter and Lora Delwiche help you quickly become familiar with the SAS Enterprise Guide point-and-click environment. A series of carefully designed tutorials help you master the basics of the tasks you will want to do most frequently. The reference section of the book expands on the tutorial topics, focusing on specific features. If you are new to SAS or new to SAS Enterprise Guide, this book will be an invaluable tool on your way to becoming an expert.

The essentials of regression analysis through practical applications Regression analysis is a conceptually simple method for investigating relationships among variables. Carrying out a successful application of regression analysis, however, requires a balance of theoretical results, empirical rules, and subjective judgement. Regression Analysis by Example, Fourth Edition has been expanded and thoroughly updated to reflect recent advances in the field. The emphasis continues to be on exploratory data analysis rather than statistical theory. The book offers in-depth treatment of regression diagnostics, transformation, multicollinearity, logistic regression, and robust regression. This new edition features the following enhancements: Chapter 12, Logistic Regression, is expanded to reflect the increased use of the logit models in statistical analysis A new chapter entitled Further Topics discusses advanced areas of regression analysis Reorganized, expanded, and upgraded exercises appear at the end of each chapter A fully integrated Web page provides data sets Numerous graphical displays highlight the significance of visual appeal Regression Analysis by Example, Fourth Edition is suitable for anyone with an understanding of elementary statistics. Methods of regression analysis are clearly demonstrated, and examples containing the types of irregularities commonly encountered in the real world are provided. Each example isolates one or two techniques and features detailed discussions of the techniques themselves, the required assumptions, and the evaluated success of each technique. The methods described throughout the book can be carried out with most of the currently available statistical software packages, such as the software package R.

Do you want to learn and ultimately master Google's web and software tools beyond what information can find through their help files? Well Googlepedia shows both casual end-users and professional web developers how to get the most out of the Google search site and Google's powerful tools. For web searchers, Googlepedia describes how Google indexes web pages and ranks search results, and provides step-by-step instructions on conducting both basic and advanced queries. All types of searches are presented, including searches of specific government and university web sites. Finally, webmasters and website developers learn how to submit their pages to Google for indexing, increase their search rankings, incorporate Google searches on their Web sites, and use Google's Adsense service to make money from any sized website. For all web users, Googlepedia shows how to use and master Google's web-based and software-based tools. Readers learn how to enhance their PC's operation with the Google Pack and Google Toolbar; map destinations, get driving directions, and find nearby businesses with Google Maps and Google Earth; find the best online bargains with Froogle; instant message other users with Google Talk; view web pages in other languages with Google Translate; create their own blogs with Blogger; use Google on their mobile phones; and much, much more.