Does your system provide the ability to update report sorts and execution frequencies without the need for programming changes?
WebFOCUS reports can be constructed with variables coded for the sort field(s), and default values specified for standard execution. These variables can then be overridden at report creation time if the user wants to change the sort field, without requiring programming changes. Because execution frequencies can be automated using a rules-based scheduling component of WebFOCUS, execution frequencies also do not require programming changes.

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Is the report writer intended for use by non-technical end users?
WebFOCUS was in fact originally designed to be used by non-technical end users.

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Which query language does the report writer use?
SQL. In addition, WebFOCUS itself, which enables syntax, which performs queries on relational and non-relational data, sources (over 85 in total) with no knowledge of the native data structure required. Either WebFOCUS’ own query capability, or SQL can be used to query data.

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Can the reporting or query language call routines written in a different programming language
(e.g. VB, C++, SQL Server Stored Procedure)?
WebFOCUS can call routines written in different programming languages, such as VB, C++, SQL Server Stored Procedures, etc.

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Can the data structure of your system be accessed by external report writing tools?
There are no limitations to the accessing the data structure of the system by external writing tools.

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Can reports be queued to run unattended in batch mode at night, and be able to be dependent on an event such as the existence of a file and not just a time of day?
These capabilities are provided by WebFOCUS Report Caster. Report Caster is a powerful and flexible solution for scheduling and distributing reports generated with WebFOCUS. It gives incentive compensation administrators exceptional control over when reports are run and how they are distributed. Control over scheduling can be concentrated in the hands of a single administrator, or spread among any number of pre -authorized end users. The content, timing, frequency, format, and even the method of distributing reports can all be easily managed and customized to meet individual needs. WebFOCUS Report Caster has been newly architected for optimum performance, scalability, and end-user functionality.

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Does the system warn the user of the number of records selected or the approximate time needed to run the report before processing?
WebFOCUS Resource Governor lets you optimize control over critical areas of your business intelligence system by acting as an intelligent agent for performance management rules. You define the parameters and WebFOCUS Resource Governor will determine which WebFOCUS reports can pass through its preemptive governor – even before the reports run. And, unlike conventional reactive governors that stop requests only after they exceed a certain limit, WebFOCUS Resource Governor stops queries before they reach the database. The bottom line? Problem queries are stopped before they ever start, resulting in better control over resource consumption, prevention of Web browser time-outs, and exceptional system performance and availability.

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Can CATS restrict access to compensation data at the user defined levels?
There is an extremely robust Role Based Security module in CATS that allows a central Administrator the ability to delegate permissions to individuals restricted to specific data sets, plans, organizational units…down to the row level of specific tables and within specific transaction amounts.

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Does CATS provide role-based security (i.e. users functionality can be limited based on role) throughout the entire product?
There are 30 separate functions that can be assigned to a specific role in CATS, including the ability to set parameters around payment amounts that can be processed by individual administrators. This security is precise in that it permits the CATS administrator to limit access to incentive compensation administrators down to a specific row in a specific table. All of the role-based security is controlled through the 'Properties' functionality and is within the customer users' control. Additional options can be added if required with minimal programming.

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Can CATS restrict access to compensation data at the user defined levels?
There is an extremely robust Role Based Security module in CATS that allows a central Administrator the ability to delegate permissions to individuals restricted to specific data sets, plans, organizational units…down to the row level of specific tables and within specific transaction amounts.

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Provide a detailed description of the CATS control and security features.
CATS permits a multidimensional set of user roles, defined and controlled by a 'Super Administrator' that will prevent users from seeing/using/interacting with any data, incentive plan designs and/or participant information outside of their defined security controls. Further, the 'Super Administrator' may define parameters in terms of payment amounts that will restrict the user from forcing values outside of specific targeted amounts. CATS can determine security levels from a network sign in. Similar functionality resides with the CATS Portal in terms of permissions to access/view/interact with data based on that individual's position and/or entitlements.

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Can CATS maintain organizational charts and pull information regarding employees from an HR system for maintenance of security?
CATS can read organizational hierarchy data from external HR software applications and automatically assign an individual the rights described for that position.

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Does CATS offer a copy feature of security settings that facilitates using existing users to create new users?
Users are assigned to roles thereby eliminating the need to implement each individual separately. Roles may be customized by individual CATS user.

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Can CATS create, modify, or delete worldwide organization hierarchy for variable date ranges?
CATS can store, deploy and uninstall hierarchies based on specific dates provided by an authorized administrator.

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Describe your security practices and data encryption methods.
CATS maintains its own internal security database or, alternatively, will support LDAP integration with directory service applications. CATS does not utilize encryption for any part of the communication process.

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