FASTER Web Semantic Layer provides a Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) based schema with views, stored procedures, functions, and related database objects. It is built on the SSAS Tabular Model and pulls data from existing tables, views, stored procedures, and functions managed in the FASTER Web database deployed at each client fleet agency.
The Semantic Layer provides tables and functions for the following areas of FASTER Web:
· Assets
· Parts
· Maintenance
· Fuel
· Accounting
· Vendors
· Setup
· Motor Pool
The Semantic Layer is an analysis tool which does not provide a user interface (UI) through FASTER Web. To maximize the Semantic Layer’s output potential, customers will need to run tools such as Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Report Builder, or Power BI in conjunction with FASTER Web to access the Semantic Layer. For assistance with accessing the Semantic Layer or using a tool such as Report Builder or Power BI, it is best to consult that product’s Help.
Microsoft includes SSRS and the associated version of Report Builder with SQL Server. Microsoft offers some individual and trial versions of Power BI free-of-charge. (For more information, consult Microsoft download and pricing websites directly.)
Note: The Semantic Layer is designed to provide up-to-the minute data from the FASTER Web database. Most SSAS based applications only update the data in the SSAS application once a day. While there is a great benefit to getting real time data, accessing the Semantic Layer with Power BI can render data unavailable within Power BI itself at some points during processing. In testing, data was available for about 70-80% of the processing time (processing times for Asset Acquisition and Fuel Transaction tables averaged 45 and 60 seconds, respectively). Power BI does not provide an error while refreshing during processing; however, it displays a ’refresh’ icon during this process so the user is aware data is being refreshed.
The Semantic Layer is built in the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Tabular Model. The Tabular model is not supported by all versions of Microsoft SQL Server. Refer to the FASTER Web system requirements for supported versions of Microsoft SQL Server that are required to run SSAS.
· To maximize the utility of the Semantic Layer, stakeholders will need a basic to intermediate-level understanding of the following:
Business analytics
Reporting and data access
Charting for dashboards
· To query the Semantic Layer, stakeholders will need experience with at least one of the following UI based tools:
SSRS
Power BI
Query Analyzer
Excel
· FASTER Web 6.4.61 and above