Imagine that you could easily tap into all those spreadsheets and databases. Suppose you could also view relationships previously hidden within the data. With those capabilities you could transform raw data into organizational insight to support comprehensive analysis and decision-making. Imagine further that you could do this without any coding in an easy-to-use drag-and-drop environment. That's exactly what the netViz Database Interface offers.

Using this interface, you define connections between netViz objects and database tables. Key-to-key mapping associates an object with a specific record, and field-to-field mapping embeds data from that record in the object. Multiple sources can supply data to a single object, with data from one table serving as the key to another. (The interface requires SQL-compliant databases for which ODBC drivers are available.)

After defining connections, put your data to work. Populate diagrams with new objects -- one per record -- using a single command. Refresh data for a single object. Or synchronize an entire project with a database using one command: add new objects, delete obsolete objects and update data embedded in the rest.

This simple, elegant interface gives you the power to visualize data maintained by a variety of different programs. You could, for instance, click on an object and see in one place information covering assets, network/system management and procurement, or marketing, customers and production schedules. Other users can create their own views that show different kinds of relationships, while simultaneously pulling data from the same sources.

If your organization uses Microsoft's System Management Server (SMS), you'll find netViz to be especially useful. SMS accumulates huge amounts of data about almost every aspect of every network component. Unfortunately, SMS doesn't provide much help in making sense of that data. netViz can access -- through its Database Interface -- data in tables generated by SMS. You can then use that data to create and update graphical network documentation.

Using the Database Interface
Working with databases involves two simple steps:

Three tables supply data to this object

1. Define connections to a database. Select a database, choose one or more tables, then drag and drop to define connections between object fields and table fields. For links, also define starting node and ending node.

If information is available in the database, you can also:

• Map objects to diagram names. netViz can then create objects in multiple diagrams throughout a multilevel project.
• Map objects to X/Y positions. netViz can position objects at specific locations within a diagram. Or use latitude/longitude data to position objects over the supplied U.S. or state maps.

2. Use the data in your documentation. You can:

• Populate a diagram with new objects. A single command tells netViz to read a database table and create a new object for each record it finds. netViz also embeds data from the table in the object.
• Refresh data in individual objects. Select a key value in the Inspector or data display and netViz automatically fills in object fields from the corresponding record in the table.
• Synchronize the entire project to a table. After the database changes, you can simultaneously carry out any or all of the following operations through a single command:

  • Add new objects. netViz creates objects -- with embedded data -- that are in the table but not in a diagram.
  • Delete obsolete objects. netViz removes objects that are in a diagram but not in the table.
  • Update data. netViz refreshes embedded data from the table.