Which API or framework to use for building dashboards using Pentaho?

Question

I want to build an dashboard for which back end will be Pentaho community edition. I am using Mondrian and MDX queries.

I have tried to use Pentaho CDF for building dashboard but it seriously lacks documentation and without proper documentation its not possible to build dashboards. I am facing problem with lot of small things.

For example, I wrote one MDX query which returns sum of sales and expenses for each of the department. This MDX query works fine in Analysis view .

In Analysis view I am able to see bar chart different bars for sales and expenses. Then I used same MDX query in datasource of type MDX over MondrianJNDI CDE dahboard type and attached this datasource to CCC Bar Chart but CCC Bar Chart is displaying values for only sales.

So I would like to know how can I display same bar chart as I get in Analysis view?

Also, I would like to know how to create parametrized MDX query in Pentaho CDF? How to use Dashboard Chart Java API?

I am finding it difficult to use Pentaho CDF, so I want to try other API or framework for building dashboards. What are other options available in this kind of scenario?

Please enlighten,

Thanks in Advance !!!

Answer 1

(disclaimer: I'm the lead developer for the CTools in general, and CDF in particular)

You'll find that CDF is indeed the most popular choice within the Pentaho community, and that in turn means that it's what the community itself will have the easiest time helping you with. Since your issue is documentation, I'm not sure how much you've explored what's already there. If you have Pentaho installed, from the Pentaho User Console head to the BI Developer Examples solution folder, and under CDF you'll find the CDF Documentation.

Alternatively, I suggest you give CDE a try (CDE is an editor that builds dashboards on top of CDF and CDA). You'll find a great tutorial for it here.

Answer 2

(disclaimer:I'm working for icCube).

If you're keen going for a no free solution you can try icCube OLAP server and their GVI library. It's on the starting blocks but interesting if you want to build your own solution. You can see some examples here.

If you need support, paying for a little support it's a money and time saving solution (this for any solution you take). Community is nice, but there is a limit on the time people can spend helping other for free.