Semantic Layer

The FASTER Web Semantic Layer provides reporting and analytic tools to chart progress, identify challenges, and make decisions. It makes it easier for organizations to customize reports, graphs, and dashboards.

Data in FASTER Web can be accessed by using a naming convention easy to understand by business users. You can use a number of products to mine data out of the Semantic Layer including SQL Report Builder, Power BI or any standard query tool.

The Semantic Layer provides a schema with views, stored procedures, functions, and related database objects. It is built on the Tabular Model from Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). It pulls data from existing tables, views, stored procedures, and functions managed in the FASTER Web database deployed at each client fleet agency.

• • Note: Microsoft’s MS SQL SSAS Tabular Model is only available with MS SQL 2012 and above. In MS SQL 2012 and MS SQL 2014, the Tabular model is only available with the Business Intelligence or Enterprise editions of MS SQL. In MS SQL 2016, the Tabular model is available in Standard and Enterprise editions but the Standard edition has limitation on the amount of Memory that can be used.

Semantic Layer Data Sets

The following areas within FASTER Web are available for use in the Semantic Layer include:

• Assets
• Parts
• Maintenance
• Fuel
• Accounting
• Vendors
• Setup
• Motor Pool

Accessing the Semantic Layer

Semantic Layer is deployed as an add-on to the customer’s database and does not provide a user interface (UI). To maximize the Semantic Layer’s output potential, customers will need to run tools such as Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) or Power BI in conjunction with FASTER Web.

Microsoft includes SSRS with SQL Server versions released after 2012. Microsoft offers some individual and trial versions of Power BI free-of-charge. (Please consult Microsoft download and pricing websites directly for details.)

Accessing the Semantic Layer with Power BI renders data unavailable at some points during processing. In testing, however, data was available for about 70-80% of the processing time.

Power BI does not provide an error while refreshing during processing; however, it displays a ’refresh’ icon during this process until data is accessible. During performance testing, processing times for Asset Acquisition and Fuel Transaction tables averaged 45 and 60 seconds, respectively.

Prerequisites

The Semantic Layer is built in the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Tabular Model. The Tabular model is not supported by all versions of Microsoft SQL Server. Please see the FASTER Web system requirements for supported versions of Microsoft SQL Server that are required to run SSAS.

• To maximize the utility of the Semantic Layer, stakeholders will need a basic to intermediate-level understanding of the following:
  • Business analytics
  • Reporting and data access
  • Charting for dashboards
• To query the Semantic Layer, stakeholders will need experience with at least one of the following UI based tools:
  • SSRS
  • Power BI
  • Query Analyzer
  • Excel
• FASTER Web 6.4.61 and above