SEQUEL - 60 Minutes to ROI

Editor's Notes

• #2: ============ (on-line….notes) Mike -- Host -- Hello everyone and welcome to today’s webinar – 60 Minutes to ROI with SEQUEL, During today’s 30 minute presentation you will learn how to get started and be productive within an hour with SEQUEL --notes…. Goal: 30 minute or less webinar (PPT – Less than 20 minutes + Live Demo 10 minutes) ……………………………………. NO POLLING for this event Abstract: Title: 60 Minutes to ROI with SEQUEL  Sub-Heading: Get started and boost your productivity within an hour  Copy:  Your business intelligence software should help you move faster and get more done, but all too often the setup process becomes a major slowdown—hijacking your productivity and delaying your ability to actually get the data you need to make better business decisions.    It’s a different story with SEQUEL. Quick installation, simple setup, and easy data access means you can start pulling reports from your IBM i server within an hour of setup.   In this hour-long webinar, Senior Data Access Consultant Heath Kath shows you how to see ROI from SEQUEL immediately. You’ll learn how to: ·            Install SEQUEL ·            Import Query/400 definitions ·            Add runtime variables ·            Export and distribute data to text, PDF, and Excel Spend just an hour with us and see how quickly SEQUEL allows you to access live data when and how you need it, helping you dramatically increase your productivity.
• #3: Mike: Hello, My name is Mike Stegeman. I will be your host for today’s webinar. I am a Senior Data Access Consultant with Sequel Software working in the Schaumburg, IL office outside of Chicago. Today, we have another DB expert that has joined us, Heath please tell us a little bit about yourself? Heath: Sure thing -- Hello Name is Heath Kath. I am also a Sr. Data Access Consultant with Help Systems working for Sequel Software out of US office, but I am located in Eden Prairie, MN. I have been working on the IBM i, data access for over 24 years, over 13 years with HelpSystems, and I am excited to show you how quick and simple it is to get started with SEQUEL. Mike: The Sequel product started back in 1987 and since than, we have grown to meet the needs of our users… and one need is for a quick and simple installation and a solution that is easy to use. We have the ability to let the users build powerful queries from a nice and easy to use GUI interface and users can access key information all so easily from a browser within an hour. About today’s session, if you have questions during the session, please use the CHAT feature and send a message to All Panelists, and we will address those questions during our Q&A at the conclusion of the webinar. I am also recording the webinar and we will include a link to the recording in our follow-up email usually within a day. < Mike you have the next 2 overview slides…>
• #4: Mike - SEQUEL is a complete tool set-- use a single product like SEQUEL that allows you do to most everything – from creation to the distribution of information. You can create the views/queries, do drilldowns, pivot data, built custom reports and dashboards and even see data in charts.
• #5: Mike: What you find is that SEQUEL is a Powerful tool, a viable solution for Data ACCESS and DISTRIBUTION. Users will be able to access data from a greens screen maybe its from a command line, a menu option, or from a scheduled job. Also to be able to access data from a browser or a mobile device. Let the users securely access the data they need, how they need to. Now, let’s go ahead and get started
• #6: HEATH – As for our agenda, in the next 25 minutes or so, we will be discussing and showing how 1 hour spent with us,, from helping your install the SEQUEL software, import existing queries, add a runtime prompt,, and see first hand how users can access and export the needed business information. You do not need to plan several days, weeks, and months to install and setup the SEQUEL software like other products. With SEQUEL software, click a few buttons, drag and drop, using your basic window skills; you and other users are usually seeing a benefit within 60 minutes.
• #7: HEATH – Before I dive into the installation process for SEQUEL, we do have some attendees that are new to SEQUEL. I have just a quick overview of SEQUEL that I am going to cover.
• #8: Heath: Step One… - is to download the software. Navigate to our website and to our download section. For SEQUEL, we have 3 objects that we need to download… (quickly explain each)
• #9: Heath: Next is to install the PC software. The Product Maintenance Wizard is only needed for the admin who will be installing SEQUEL onto the IBM i. VP can be install by all your users if needed. This process takes about 5 minutes.
• #10: Heath: Now using the Wizard, we can easily upload the software to the IBM I (iSeries/AS400), this usually takes just a few minutes.
• #11: Heath: Once the SEQUEL software has been uploaded, run our Start Load command to bring up our installation window. (shown in bottom left) Select SEQUEL and press the enter key. Once installed, you can quickly insert the authorization codes by running the listed commands. This may seem like a lot, but usually takes less than 10 minutes.
• #12: HEATH – SO, in about 35 minutes, the SEQUEL software is install and you can start using it. No PTFS to apply, you do not need to IPL the system, and no special setup that could takes days or months. Next, a great way to get started with SEQUEL is by importing your existing Query Definitions.
• #13: Heath: Why import existing queries… it will save time. Someone spent a lot of time creating those queries, they have selected the files, the joins, the fields… so import them so you don’t lose all that work. You can run the old queries side by side with the new SEQUEL Views, thus, you can be assured the data is correct. Modify and enhance the queries is easy from data representation, logic, runtime prompts and more. By importing, you will quickly learn how the view looks in design mode, and you will learn the files and fields that are defined to the view. And once you have imported them, they are ready to go! you can now run those Views from the green screen, PC, and from a browser or mobile device.
• #14: Heath: Next, lets talk about enhancing the SEQUEL View (or the query definition as some would like to call it)
• #15: Heath: Why enhance them… what do you gain…. You will see more on this during the demonstration
• #16: HEATH – Then let the users access the information when and how they need it.
• #17: Heath –SEQUEL software- is a data access and distribution solution.   A tool that is just the right size for all needs for all types of users and businesses.  A complete tool set that lets you see information in dashboards, graphs and charts, customized reports, and allows user to access key information from their desktop to mobile devices.
• #18: Heath: A PC file is only a click away. If you still need to get your data to a PC file, you have several options. Select from interactive or from a scheduled job, from ViewPoint on a PC, or in a browser. Your choice of PC files is large. Excel, PDF, RTF for Word, CSV, TXT, and more. You can even create a custom formats in SEQUEL if needed.
• #19: Heath- It’s time for quick demo, I will shoot for 10 minutes but my guess, I may run just a few minutes longer than that. <when sharing the screen> Also during the trial or anytime working with SEQUEL -- If you get stuck or have questions regarding our software, we have world class support to assist you along the way any way we can from a phone call, email, and online chat. Time for a quick demo.. walk through of how easy it is for SEQUEL to convert your existing queries. [RUN RECORDED WALK-THRU; Heath/MIKE TALKS OVER IT LIVE] Jump back after showing the last Surfboard dashboard that is shown just as an example… (10 minute demo) ==== 60 Minutes to ROI with SEQUEL Live Demo Break-down   1) SEQUEL’s Graphical Interface ·         Start with VP open (taking up full scree) ·         Explain the 3 tabs ·         Existing Tab - Navigate to SEQUELEX – library full of examples, list all objects, search, and then just reports, use these to learn from… open – make changes, etc… ·         New Tab – create new View – over SEQUELEX / CUSTMAST File, select 3-4 fields ( cname, cusno, amtdu ) quickly, and run it… it’s that quick… save into HKDEMO as VIEW1. That is one way to start working with SEQUEL, another way is by Importing existing Query Definitions…   2) Import Query Objects ·         Existing Tab – HKDEMO – Insert Query dfns. Import all queries in QRYLIB as VIEW ·         Run the PAYDATE VIEW (leave results open) ·         With VP, we do see color coded lines…makes it easier to read. ·         TO point out…. CUST TYPE, State Column, and Balance Due… many times with IBM query’s you would have to modify the selection each time or create a new query if you want information for a different state or a date in time. What I will do show next is how quickly I can enhance this view around these 3 columns. Take the data converting it into meaningful information.   3) Enhance the view (query) ·         Open PAYDATE in design ·         Break down the View sections ·         Change CUST to CUSTOMER … and other headers ·         Add formatting to AMTDU – number to currency ·         Add derived field o   Top CASE: CT – Contract, RG – Regular, - Special… (call it CTYPE 2) o   Move column over (drag and drop), remove old field ·         Where Clause: explain and use PARENTHESES ·         Set CSTTE to compare to a runtime variable: CSTTE = &CSTTE ·         Run – enter in CA or MN, reprompt for IL… notice that I have to type… what if you want the user to be able to select from a list…. ·         Variables Tab: DBLIST – File: SEQUELEX / STATE* o   Field: State Show LIST o   Now add Text: Desc o   Run the view CA then reprompt for MN o   SAVE IT ·         Goto HKDEMO2 / PAYDATE2 – run display results (go back to 2013)   4) Distribution Options -last thing that I want to demonstrate ·         Right click on PAYDATEP2 – show options including scheduling ·         Create shortcut to email and run it ·         Next show SWI Explorer – HKDEMO – run PAYDATE that was just modified. o   Right click for options o   Display the view: California o   Export result options – quick overview o   Add in Grand Total o   Run SEQUELEX / ACCUM – show subtotals and grand totals ·         Last thing… create a link to run a SEQUEL objects directly… views, reports, tables and even dashboards. Desktop: YTD Dashboard – explain it…. F11 to enlarge window  
• #20: Mike - - Thank you Heath. In about 60 minutes you can download and install the SEQUEL software, import and build SEQUEL views, enhance the view with calculations and runtime prompts. See the results from a command line or scheduled job, from your PC with ViewPoint, and also from the web or mobile device with SEQUEL Web Interface. Don’t waste time fumbling with solutions that take months to install and setup, we have heard from customers that have spent several months with a solution to find out that it just doesn’t work for them. With SEQUEL you will see a quick ROI, you will see results in about an hour. Users will be able to get the information they need, when they need it, and how they need it. SEQUEL is the solution! ================= notes from To review what you should look for in a business information query tool. <<use pointer>> No longer do you have to struggle with those query limitations, you query tool should be: Flexible to handle scenarios from simple to complex. Allow the users to get the information they need, when they need it, and how – from display, print, email, ftp, or even export the data as a PC document such as Excel or PDF. Affordable – taking into consideration the costs in terms of hardware, setup, deployment. Users can access the information quickly from their PC , from their smart phone or tablet. Should have an easy to use graphical user interface, a solution that is easy to download and configure, be up and running in hours verses days, weeks, or even several months. Is efficient with processing, allows runtime variables – making sure the users get the business information they need, when they need it, and quickly. SEQUEL Is a tool that has many advanced functionality, for when you need them.
• #21: MIke – One last slide before we move into Q&A. Today with SEQUEL, we are offering some pretty good promotional deals that run through the end of the year. Act now by giving us a call for more detail and to schedule a time to assist with the installation and get you started with accessing your needed business information.
• #22: Mike - If you have any questions please feel free to send them to ALL Panelists in the chat window on the right hand pane. Heath, please let me know if you see any questions… Sample QUESTIONS: (Host reads the questions and Expert to answer them… unless the export has a questions that was sent to him via a chat) Can SEQUEL be used by ALL type of users from basic or your end user to a power user ? Yes…. With the SEQUEL software you will find that all users, managers, CEO’s can use SEQUEL to get the data that they need. Do you need a separate license between the users and administrators or designers? No, with SEQUEL licensing we only look at the jobs being run, not so much on who is doing the request. Can you assist even the novice type of user with the SEQUEL installation. Yes, absolutely. The user will need to download and install PC software, need access to their IBM i, along with the correct authority (security officer type) to run the actual installation. How SECURE is SEQUEL and your SWI? You have full control of security. We do support IBM’s object authority, if someone does not have authority to the object, they can not access or query that data. You can define what users can run SEQUEL object or do both Run and Design SEQUEL objects. Does the GUI interface come with SEQUEL? Yes, SEQUEL ViewPoint is the Thick Client or the GUI front end that your users can use. With VP, users will be able to design Query objects just by dragging and dropping and double clicking. They do not need to know SQL to build a view, just the files they want to get information from.
• #23: Mike : We hope that you now have a good feel for how SEQUEL can address your business needs with a simple and quick installation and how you can start accessing your data; thus, to be able to see important business information the way you need to. It is a solution that has a very quick ROI. If you have any further questions, or would like to see more of SEQUEL, give us a call, or email Mike or I – we would be glad to schedule a demonstration with you or your team. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing you in futures Webinars. This concludes our session on: 60 Minutes to ROI with SEQUEL  Thank you, and have a great day! ** STOP RECORDING