Interactive business data visualization system

TL;DR: In this article, a system for visualizing business data organized according to the dimensional model allows to combine data from more than one data source and present the data in the form of a graphical, multi-metric data visualization.

Abstract: An interactive system for visualizing business data organized according to the dimensional model allows to combine data from more than one data source and present the data in the form of a graphical, multi-metric data visualization. The visualizations are hierarchically structured and built from visualization elements including, in ascending order of hierarchy, charts, panels, scenes and sheets. The system provides a large variety of two- and three-dimensional visualization elements, mostly predefined charts, which can be combined in any number into fully customized visualizations. In a preferred embodiment, a visualization is built by the system, which prompts the user to select data sources, data items to be visualized, and certain features of the presentation layout. In response to the user input, the system generates a number of candidate visualizations and presents them to the user for selection in descending order of preference, based on numerical scores assigned to the candidate visualizations by a scoring algorithm. The data to be visualized can be filtered, drilled down for details, or presented in a series of consecutive visualizations, to create an animation effect.