New in 4.3, Web Report Studio users can directly report on data from OLAP cubes and data tables without the previously required information map. However, by default advanced users can only access OLAP cubes and information maps. Allowing direct access to data tables requires a change to user roles (defined in SAS Management Console).
Open the properties for the appropriate Web Report Studio role in SAS Management Console's User Manager and click the Capabilities tab. Check the 'Allow Direct Access to Tables' box to allow users with this role to report directly on data tables.
Note that this skips information maps altogether, which might not be preferred for individuals who are not already familiar with the data tables and structure. Information maps provide a translation layer from data variable raw names into actual business terms.
Therefore, I would recommended that this change be made only to the Advanced role which is then given to those report creators who understand the data base.
More information about the predefined Web Report Studio roles is available in the SAS Documentation at: http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/biwaag/63149/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a003279136.htm
3 Comments
Frank & Barry,
Thankfully this modification can be implemented in the opposite way as well. Going into the Advanced user properties and removing the "Allow direct access to" option for cubes and tables.
~ Angela
I am a bit surprised that no attention is given to the fact that Information Maps often are the point where authorization is applied, sometimes identity driven or including row level security.
I therefore prefer to strip all users of the capability to access tables or cubes directly.
From a user/admin view, strange that the developers have gone down this route. As:1. WRS is a busines reporting tool and the information maps are the business layer.2. Makes the security layer more complex.