The University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, recently upgraded its reporting capabilities with the adoption of SplashBI. Known for its extensive academic departments, 39 colleges, and four permanent private halls, Oxford required a sophisticated reporting system to manage its intricate and high-volume data needs. Previously using EiS eXpress for reporting with Oracle EBS 12.1, the University faced challenges when Oracle discontinued Discoverer and performance demands grew.
In 2013, EiS eXpress had met the University’s initial needs but by early 2020, it became clear that a more modern and versatile solution was necessary. The University sought a reporting platform that could handle multiple data sources, avoid dependencies on Financial Statement Generators (FSGs), and manage about 200 custom-built reports efficiently. Additionally, requirements included custom project security, user management, pixel-perfect templates, and advanced distribution features.
After evaluating various BI platforms, SplashBI emerged as the optimal choice. It provided a smooth migration from EiS eXpress using its migration utility and supported reporting across multiple data sources. Notably, SplashBI offered pre-built EBS content, Excel integration, and an intuitive interface. The implementation process, starting in January 2020, included weekly progress meetings and daily stand-ups. SplashBI went live in June 2020, with full migration of custom reports completed by November 2020, and subsequent upgrades to EBS 12.2 and legacy data reporting.
The University’s transition to SplashBI has been marked by efficiency and success. Over 1,500 users now benefit from enhanced reporting capabilities, with functionalities such as scheduling, bursting, and distribution proving invaluable. Ongoing developments include exploring dashboards and advanced features to further refine financial reporting and data visualization. Overall, SplashBI has significantly streamlined Oxford’s reporting processes, supporting both current needs and future expansions.
