Home

Business Intelligence

Products Overview

Why It’s Better

Technical Overview

How It Works

Solution Levels

Security

FAQs

FAQ’s

What kind of files can I use?
Can you upload databases to Birst?
Can you automate and schedule data uploading?
How much data can I upload at once?
Do reports and dashboards update automatically?
Is my data secure?
Is it scalable? Can Birst grow with my business?
How much does it cost?
Do I have to download anything?
Does Birst replace Excel or Access?
How is this different from Excel?
Which browsers do you support?
Can you help me get more sleep?
 

What kind of files can I use?
Birst handles all types of data, including data in spreadsheets and databases, or data exported from popular applications like CRM, ERP, and financial accounting software programs. Birst supports Oracle, SQL, MySQL, and ODBC databases, delimited files (commas, tabs, etc.), Microsoft Access database (.mdb or .accdb) files, Excel (.xls or .xlsx) files, and cvs files. You can also upload a set of files as a zipped (.zip) file.

Can you upload databases to Birst?
Yes, using Birst Connect, you can upload databases or database tables to Birst.

Birst Connect uses WebDAV as a secure method of transferring files from either a file system or data from a database to Birst. The following database types are currently supported: MS SQLServer, Oracle 11g, MySQL and ODBC.

When pulling data from a database or ODBC data source, users can select entire data database tables and views for upload or pull subsets of data via custom SQL select statements.

Can you automate and schedule data uploading?
Yes, using Birst Connect, you can automate data uploading and set it to a particular schedule. So if you want to refresh your reports on a weekly basis, you can set Birst Connect to do this for you. Your dashboards and reports will automatically update with the new information.

Birst Connect can pull data from several different sources and can be scheduled either directly using a built-in scheduler or externally using Windows Scheduler or a Unix Cron job.

How much data can I upload at one time?
Birst can upload up to 250 MB of data at one time. If your data source is larger than this, simply contact us and we will work with you to get it done.

Do reports and dashboards update automatically?
Yes. If you upload new information to your Birst space, the existing reports and dashboards are updated automatically. This saves significant time and effort over manual recalculation that is often required with spreadsheets.

Is my data secure?
Absolutely. Data security is one of our highest priorities; we have built Birst with the strongest security protections available. Your data is always private and safe. Click here for a document describing Birst's data security.

Is it scalable? Can Birst grow with my business?
Birst can scale from a single user to thousands of users, from megabytes to terabytes of information. It's a solution that can meet an individual, group, or company's needs, even as they grow.

How much does it cost?
Birst has a solution for every size customer, from individuals to large enterprises. Click here to see our packages and pricing options. If you want to have more features, increase your application size, or invite more members, then you can upgrade to a version that better fits your needs.

Do I have to download anything?
No. Birst is an on-demand service, so you don't have to download or install anything on your computer. You access Birst over the internet.

Does Birst replace Excel or Access?
By making it easier to analyse information and create charts and reports, Birst is complementary to Excel, Access, or other applications that store information. You will quickly find that it's easier to load your information into Birst and analyse it, than to do analysis and charting manually with Excel or Access.

How is this different from Excel?
Excel is great as a spreadsheet solution. For analysing small amounts of information, it works fine. However, as your data sets get larger, it becomes awkward, unwieldy, or just too small. Since analysis and report creation are entirely manual in Excel, it can take a significant amount of time to get the insights and results you need. Sharing Excel insights via e-mail makes it hard for everyone to review your reports -  especially if you have to send the same report week after week. Birst easily handles large amounts of data and analysis. It saves you lots of time and energy over trying to hack out analysis in Excel.

Which browsers do you support?
We recommend the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox v3. The ideal screen resolution is 1280x1028.

Can you help me get more sleep?
I'm tired of spending all night creating reports using Excel and Access, and waiting for IT to get me reports with our fancy, expensive BI system that has taken years to build and still doesn't get me the answers that I need. Can you help? Click here.