You can learn the basics about the MFG BI application and reports by going through this training. Or you can also install the Demo on your PC and get a hands on experience of the MFG BI application and reports.

The MFG BI application can run as a stand alone program on your computer, or as a client/server application, where it would connect to your corporate databases.

Getting started
After the MFG BI application is installed on your computer, follow these steps.

Flash example: Login and Change Password - length 3:17
Details...
To launch the application, either double click the "MFG BI" icon on your desktop or select "MFG BI" from your Windows Start menu. You will then be prompted for a password. Enter Username: "reports", Password: "reports"
* You can change the login account, by going to "Tools/Options/Miscellaneous/User Management".
GUI features...
- The password is encripted when it is saved.
The application can be modified to use a password stored on a server or database.

Flash example: Update Center - length 4:36
Details...
(new): MFG BI Version 2.2v1 now includes a Update Center module, that allows users to easily update the client application by selecting "Check for Updates" from the Help menu, or by selecting "Plugins" from the Tools menu the user will have additional options for updating.
GUI features...
- The application notifies the user when updates are available. The user can simply click the notification dialog to update the application.
- The user can use the Tools menu to adjust update settings, to omit or select specific MFG BI modules, or to download new modules from different locations.

User Interface windows

Flash example: User Interface Basics - length 3:55
Details...
After you launch the application, two windows will open. These are the "Modules" Main navigation window and the "Report Viewer" window. The application also includes a Tool Bar that has menus to launch miscellaneous admin windows, similar to what you have seen in other rich client applications.

After selecting a specific module from the modules navigation window, another Main window will open that includes fields to enter parameters for the reports, a button to select your report and a button to launch the report.

Also, after selecting a specific module from the modules navigation window, a Record Editor button will appear in the Left Sliding location and a Select Record button will appear in the Bottom Sliding location.

Flash example: Report Viewer window - length 3:34
Details...
Running reports in the MFG BI application is similar to running reports in the iReport designer application, because the MFG BI Report Viewer module includes the open source iReport viewer. And both were developed on top of the NetBeans Platform.
GUI features...
- Same Save/Print report functions in the iReport Viewer, to .pdf, .rtf, .html, etc.
- Same Page Navigation and Zoom In page size functions in the iReport Viewer.
- Can view reports in a static single report window or in multiple report windows.

Flash example: Module Specific Main window - length 2:58
Details...
Each module includes a Module Main window where parameters can be adjusted for the reports to be run. The reports are updated seamlessly in the Report Viewer window, when changes are made to the parameters.
GUI features...
- Select report file chooser.
- Select static single report window or multiple report windows.
- Launch report based on parameters selected, or database record selected.

Flash example: Module Specific Select List pop-up window - length 3:21
Details...
Each module includes a data List View window, where the user can select a specific database record. The reports are updated seamlessly in the Report Viewer window when a user selects a record.
* When a user clicks on or moves their pointer over the Select Record button, a pop up window will appear. This window can also be slid into a specific location so it is always visible.
GUI features...
- Select record, to open Data Editor window to allow for data entry.
- Select record, to update Report Viewer in static window or a new window.
- Filter records. Current example filters on Status, Type or text entered.

Flash example: Module Specific Data Editor pop-up window - length 3:42
Details...
Each module includes a data Editor window. The reports are updated seamlessly in the Report Viewer window when changes are made to a record.
* When a user clicks on or moves their pointer over the module record Editor button, a pop up window will appear. This window can also be slid into a specific location so it is always visible.
GUI features...
- Create, Edit and Delete database records.
- View as pop-up menu or dock window into a specific location in the application.