Pyramid 2023—
a unified end-to-end
Decision Intelligence Platform

Tabulate & Tabulate Lite

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Designed to bring the power of a spreadsheet interface to the Pyramid platform to further support business modeling use cases. With its huge library of functions and tight compatibility with Excel, Tabulate lets users build and manage business models that are driven by live, hydrated data; save and share the spreadsheets inside Pyramid’s governed content management system; and deploy business model insights to non-technical users though embedded content in presentations or publications.

Tabulate Lite further extends the Tabulate app and provides a simplified, wizard-driven approach to creating and using spreadsheet functionality inside the Pyramid platform.

• Speed up time-to-insights with live connections to direct-queried data in a familiar spreadsheet-like experience
• Easily and quickly combine data from multiple data sources and queries
• Eliminate risk around data security and governance
• Seamlessly build and share business models, logic, and visualizations in a single platform
• Access to the entire library of 500+ familiar Excel formulas
• Tabulate Lite joins our series of simplified apps for ease of use with users who have less experience in data analytics.

Solve

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An enhancement and add-on for the Tabulate app to enable users to design an optimization or decision model that can prescribe solutions to business problems. By extension, Solve supports what-if capabilities.

• Lowers the bar for non-technical decision makers with no-code/low-code prescriptive analytics and what-if simulation modeling.

OpenAI and ChatGPT integration

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Integration and access to ChatGPT is enabled at various points in the Pyramid platform, including within Model, Tabulate, Present, and others

• Speeds time-to-value, lowers the bar for users to edit their data models via a no/low-code interface, and improves business model accuracy.

Hub

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The Hub capability allows users to build a collage of existing content for the home page of the main client interface. The same option is available in the administrative console with the ability to create Hub templates for other users. Separately, Hubs can be embedded in other applications, allowing end users to self-build their own content pages in another hosting app without significant effort from developers.

• Pro and Analyst users can create a personalized landing page. This can contain links to favorite Pyramid content (Discover, Present, etc.), live reports, and dashboards
• Admin user: same as Pro user but (from an administration perspective) can include a usage dashboard to monitor usage across the entire Pyramid platform
• The Hub provides a multi-tab experience—this means users are not restricted to a single-page personalized view
• The Hub is also available for the Embedded user so customers who embed Pyramid can use the Hub framework to display Pyramid content within the embedded solution

Custom Columns and 100 new associated PQL functions

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Custom Columns allows end users to extend an original data model with new row-level column calculations that will be appended as new attributes or measures to an existing model.

• Lowers the bar for end users to create self-service direct query models (no SQL required), reduces the need for technical support and/or skill (no-code interface), reduces risk in business decisions, and improves shared semantic models.

Virtual Column Calculations

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Virtual Column Calculations allows data modelers to add or edit new row-level logical columns to tables through calculations, without editing the underlying database or writing custom SQL views with the required logic. The virtual columns are not materialized and can be used as either attributes or measures.

• Speeds time-to-value, lowers the bar for users to edit their data models via a no/low-code interface, and improves business model accuracy.

Personal Bookmarks for saving presentation state

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A new option for end-users to save their presentation selections (slicers and parameters) allowing them to reload the state at a future date.

• Allows users to further personalize their dashboard experience by saving favorite views of dashboard pages for later viewing and continued exploration
• Reduces the time needed to select relevant filters to get desired dashboard views

Aggregate Tables

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New capability to define “short-cut” aggregate tables of attributes and measures to be used in queries, rather than the formal tables in the “master” semantic model.

• Improves query performance for large tables. With certain types of database technologies, the use of aggregate tables can have a significant impact on query performance.

Execute on-demand schedules

New option to run a Model schedule once, recurring, or on-demand. Data models now have the option to also update all attached on-demand models. This capability can also be called from the API.

• Enables secure updates and simpler on-demand scheduling through a standardized, programmatic interface for faster insights.

Support for custom MDX and DAX queries

New option to manually connect to Microsoft analytic data sources and write custom MDX or DAX queries for extraction.

• Previously, connecting to SQLServer Analysis Services OLAP or Tabular for data extraction and processing in Model required a Pyramid Discover view as the source. Users now have the option to write their own custom MDX or DAX queries as a Model data source, extending the flexibility and custom capability of those queries.

New built-in data sources

Support for new data sources: Starburst Data Lake (ingest, direct query) and ClickHouse open-source database management (ingest, direct query, write).

• Expands Pyramid’s connector library, allowing users to easily connect to these new data sources.

Tabular Relationship Editor

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Provides a semantic view of the relationship model similar to the SQL Server Management counterpart.

• Reduces complexity when managing many table relationships simultaneously.

Text aggregations

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Text concatenations that apply aggregation rules for numerical values to text values. This feature lives in Model (to define a field as text-aggregated) and is surfaced in Discover.

• Allows users to slice and dice text via a simple drag-and-drop interface. For example, you can aggregate customer complaints into one object, allowing you to treat the text as an aggregated measure.

New security-enforced “model” data sources

New option to assign the Pyramid semantic model security definitions to data sources used in Model.

• Extending the defined user data security to Model data sources now applies the Pyramid security framework to all areas of the product, eliminating any potential bypass of user-level data security.

Inline filtering for select operations

New option when adding tables to a model data flow to specify query filtering conditions to return specific data selections only.

• Improves performance of data extraction into data flows by pushing the filtering into the database query rather than filtering in the data flow itself.

Window functions

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New options in Discover when using context calculations to allow finer control of how those calculations are performed.

• More control and granular functionality allow users to derive context calculations aligned to their requirements more easily and quickly—for example, by being able to define dynamic break points in cumulative calculations.

Remove a Hierarchy menu option

A new option in the right-click context menu has been added to remove hierarchies from the analysis, complementing the Dice, Add, and Swap menu items.

• Additional formatting option that allows users to display data exactly the way they want.

Data Extractions

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Provides the option to run off value-based filters when using a Discover view as a source in Model, or when exporting data directly from a Discover view.

• This allows for rapid, flexible creation of data extraction views in Discover without returning all the data while building the view. After the required data structure is defined at runtime for the extraction, filters can be turned off so that all the data is returned.

SAP BW Structures support

An optional switch on the SAP BW Data Card will turn on support for SAP BW Characteristic and Key Figure Structures in Discover views.

• This enables closer and simpler control and usage of the original underlying SAP BW Key Figures in conjunction with the Characteristic Calculated members of the Structure.

Revamped context menus

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The right-click context menus in Discover have been revamped to provide a cleaner, less overwhelming list of items. A switch in the user settings allows each user to change between the old or new menu design.

• Provides a cleaner, more streamlined list of menu items in Discover.

Improved Multi-Select Slicer functionality

Improvements in how Multi-Select Slicers behave, particularly when searching and filtering Slicer content.

• More functionality in Multi-Select Slicers makes searching for and selecting multiple items easier and quicker.

IBCS chart types

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Five new IBCS chart types have been added to the standard visualization library.

• Five new charts that visualize financial data in a specialized way following the IBCS design standards

Adjustable tree slicers

New option for end users to stretch the tree slicers when the content doesn’t fit into the default slicer size.

• Allows users to easily customize their view.

Quick chart styles in Smart Discovery

New options to apply different chart formatting in Smart Discovery using quick chart styles.

• Speeds up the creation of data visualizations with pushbutton chart formatting.

Visualization upgrades: shape fill color editing; new segment chart label options; “shrink-to-data” grid column resizing

Upgraded visualization formatting choices have been added:

• The shape and fill color of data points in all relevant charts can now be customized
• A new option to shrink grid column widths to the size of data in the column
• Improved labeling capabilities on segment charts, with options for overlapping

• Expands end-user ability to customize visualizations.

Explain the Difference

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This feature extends the original Explain feature (which automatically deconstructs and explains numbers). Explain the Difference deconstructs and explains the difference between two numbers.

• Accelerates time-to-insight by simplifying the discovery process. This feature is accessed via the context menu and explores across the entire data model to determine influencers and drivers for the differences between two selected values.

Fill the Blanks

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Leverages random forests to fill in nulls and gaps in your data. This can be useful for completing a times series to enable forecasting to be performed.

• Accelerates self-service time-to-insight for various statistical analyses and improves forecasting accuracy.

Recommended Queries—upgrades to natural language tools and Chat Bot

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The NLQ and Chat Bot tools in both Discover and Present now fully track previous questions asked by users. This, in turn, allows a user to see the most commonly asked used questions from all users in their organization, as well as their own most used questions. Other new language capabilities for clustering and geospatial distance have also been added.

• Supports faster, more use-case-relevant queries, improves time-to-insight, and lowers the bar for augmented self-service analytics.

New option in Publications to trigger printing from presentations

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New option to configure presentation actions to immediately launch and run a specified publication, with slicer integration between Present and Publish.

• This new action in Present allows users to trigger the execution of a publication with a single click. Users can now create a publication with the same content as your dashboard but formatted for pixel perfection.

Copy/paste of action and cross-model definitions

A new option to copy one or all actions and cross-model definitions from one presentation to another.

• Improves efficiency by allowing users to copy filters and other model mapping elements from an existing dashboard to a new one.

Hidden slicer reordering

A new ability to reorder the presentation of hidden slicers in the fly-out panel of presentations.

• Speed up your time-to-insight by using this new slide menu in the Present module, allowing you to set the order of hidden slicers via drag and drop.

New Scale and Position tools for content

New ribbon-based boxes to see and set precise position and sizing values for content in a presentation. Includes a new tooltip to show these values on content in the designer.

• Provides users with the exact location and size of the content on the canvas in both Present and Publish.

OData linking from presentations

New option for end users to grab the OData URL link for any content in a live presentation for consumption in any other OData-compliant tools.

• Users can read OData links from anywhere on screen. Users can pull live data into Excel by dropping the link into their spreadsheet.

Revamped context menus

The right-click context menus in Present runtime have been revamped to provide a cleaner, less overbearing list of items. A switch in the user settings allows each user to change between the old or new menu design.

• Provides a cleaner, more streamlined list of menu items in Present.

Publish Lite tools

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New Lite version of the Publish tool for less technical users who want to author publications without all the sophistication of the Pro version.

• This completes Pyramid’s lineup of Lite tools for novice users who want to be guided via UI wizards.

“Link Back” hotlinks option in published content

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New option allowing users to click on rendered visualizations in published documents and launch the live, interactive version of the visualization and query in the platform.

• Speeds time-to-insight by opening self-service analytics to a wider audience
• Eliminates the time-suck of requesting access to, or further analysis of, otherwise statically presented content
• Elevates the ability for presentation consumers to self-serve and prevents additional ad hoc analysis by the presenter

Publication expiration date

New option to set the expiration date for publications and subscriptions.

• Saves time by eliminating manual work and improves publication automation.

Copy/Paste of cross-model definitions

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A new option to copy one or all cross-model definitions from one publication to another.

• Improves efficiency by allowing users to copy filters and other model-mapping elements from an existing dashboard to a new one.

New scale and position tools for content

New ribbon-based boxes to see and set precise position and sizing values for content in a presentation. Includes a new tooltip to show these values on content in the designer.

• Provides users with the exact location and size of the content on the canvas in both Present and Publish.

New capability to drive infographics and dynamic text from Tabulate spreadsheets

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Tabulate lets users combine results from multiple queries and multiple data sources. The resulting tabulation spreadsheet can now be used to drive dynamic text or infographics—effectively broadening the existing capabilities to consume the composite query results in the same logic.

• Enables easier, faster sharing of insights and visualizations from composite queries and lowers the barrier for non-technical users working in a familiar spreadsheet-like interface.

Hub templates

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New option for admins to create Hub templates for users by tenant so they have a predefined initial experience with the new feature.

• Hub templates make it easier for users to engage with the new feature since it will be prepopulated with default content.

Upgrade in Profiles with profile support for Analysts and Viewers

User Profiles have been expanded to support the new Analyst user type and the existing Viewer user type.

• New profile options for Analysts and Viewers will let admins tailor the experience for these seat types beyond the current Pro profile option that exists today.

Hub APIs in the embed API client package

Allows control of the Hub (e.g., adding tabs, widgets etc.) programmatically through the API from external programs.

• Enables easier administration, content customization, and reduces development costs through a secure and standardized programmatic interface.

Upgrade to the licensing engine to support new user seat types: Analyst and Basic

New user types added to the platform:

• Analyst: a user who can create Discover, Tabulate (where licensed), Present, and Publish content using the Lite tools
• Basic: a named, secured user who can consume embedded content, Publish Link Back and OData feeds (where licensed)

• Additional user types allow for more flexible licensing options geared toward the functional requirements of different user personas.

Report bursting templates

New option to create and attach a set of email templates for each tenant in the system to deliver email messaging from the system with a curated and branded design.

• Elevates the user’s ability to create custom report bursting templates that align with their company’s branding guidelines.

OAuth SSO Support for Snowflake, BigQuery, and Azure Synapse

Allows user-level authentication against the relevant database source. Each user’s queries will only return the data for that user's permissions.

• Improves security via implementation of OAuth SSO support for major data storage providers.

Proxy 2 account setting for split SSO authentication options for different data sources

An additional Proxy account for each user is now available. This permits single sign-on between disparate systems. For example: Azure and Snowflake using OAuth SSO, plus SAP BW using the account defined in the Proxy 2 setting.

• Enables users to securely and easily access data across SAP and cloud data sources with single sign-on, reducing risk and increasing speed to insights.

Usage dashboards

Pyramid usage stats and dashboards. Prebuilt Model, Analytics, and Dashboard.

• Prebuilt data model and dashboard that surfaces information and stats on Pyramid usage at no additional charge. Customers can modify and enhance these dashboards as desired to further explore how their organization is leveraging and benefiting from the Pyramid Platform.

Constrained domain access for Domain Admins

New options for limiting the search capability of Domain Admins to their sub-tree of Active Directory users.

• Enhances the run-time security for multi-tenant solutions by limiting access to Active Directory for Domain Admins to their AD sub-tree of users.

SAP BW database listing alternatives

New options to manage the appearance and functionality of initial database and cube listings for selection in SAP BW.

• Administrators can choose the level at which SAP databases and models are initially listed and define how those listings appear, giving more governance control over users’ ability to see and select SAP BW models.

New API methods to update model dates and trigger on-demand schedules

The API methods surface a new option to run Model schedules once, recurring, or on-demand. Data models now have the option to also update all attached on-demand models.

• Enables secure updates and simpler on-demand scheduling through a standardized, programmatic interface for faster insights.

Deeper support for Kubernetes on GCP

Changes and adjustments to the Pyramid installation process around the Metrics Server on GCP.

• Elevates embedding use case scenarios by providing users with the ability to initiate an alert action via outside (API-connected) prompts that are received via a triggered data event. Also permits alert triggering when a data source updates.

Helm Charts support

Pyramid now supports Helm Charts as an alternate installation method for Kubernetes on the Google Cloud Platform.

• Widens the choice of installation for Kubernetes on GCP. This improves overall support for GCP for more customers.

User management tools for OAuth data access

Extended dialogues in the Data Source card for those data sources enabled with OAuth security, capturing the OAuth parameters to allow user-level data security on OAuth sources.

• Improves data security and reduces risk.

New “on-demand” schedule option

New on-demand option for schedules for publications, subscriptions, and data alerts. These schedules will only run when triggered by API and/or through a data source update.

• Elevates embedding use case scenarios by providing users with the ability to initiate an alert action via outside (API-connected) prompts that are received via a triggered data event. Also permits alert triggering when a data source updates.

Improved Lineage Diagram with export option

Upgrades to tooltips for lineage tools for more details as well as a new option to export the diagram as a JSON file.

• Improves time-to-value by adding additional details to the lineage tooltips and allowing for the sharing of data diagrams via JSON.

Upgraded Help documentation

Online Help has been upgraded for new components, including the new 500+ spreadsheet function library.

• Streamlines the end-user experience via additional help documentation.

List reordering

New option to adjust the ordering of selected elements in the Formulate graphical tools.

• Expands end-user ability to customize the semantic visualizations within Formulate.

New semantic PQL functions

Several new PQL functions make it easier to determine the types of members in a hierarchy.

• Lowers the bar for self-service direct query models (no SQL required), reduces the need for technical support and/or skill (no-code interface), reduced risk in business decisions, improved shared semantic models.

New standalone NLP service

Natural Language Processing will be executed in a new standalone service, rather than embedded in the “AI” data science service.

• Provides more flexibility and options for natural language processing.

Support for Python 3.9

Updated Python libraries for Pyramid’s machine learning environments.

• Provides support for Python 3.9 and associated libraries.

Support for Ubuntu 22.04

Support for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Linux operating systems.

• Provides additional OS/infrastructure options for more flexibility.

Upgrade to .NetCore6 for in-memory database on Linux

The in-memory database has undergone an upgrade to address performance. For Linux, it will also operate on .NetCore6 to broaden its compatibility with newer Linux OSs.

• Compatibility with newer operating systems with some performance improvements.

Upgrade to Java 17

Upgrading the Java in the platform from version 15 to 17. Java 17 itself has numerous upgrades and improvements. Java 17 also has long-term support (LTS).

• Provides user access to all Java 17 upgrades, improvements, and capabilities.

Support for Face ID on iOS

New options to allow users to log in to Pyramid using Face ID instead of username and password.

• Improves the end-user experience and reduces the time and friction needed to access the Pyramid Platform.

Mobile improvements

General improvements in UI and authentication experience for SAML and OpenID.

• Improves the experience of using Pyramid on a mobile device.