Local data sources

Files, although normally not the optimal choice, can be used to directly feed the reporting tools and Universes. Most reporting tools can directly access file sources, such as CSV and XLS file types. In addition, Universes can get data from files and then feed the reporting tool indirectly.

We have seen many customers use this option in combination with other data sources (such as DW, SAP HANA). A typical use cases is reading the actual sales figures from data mart, whereas the target values are read from spreadsheets.