The Pentaho Business Analytics Suite download includes samples of reports and dashboards, and a sample database called Steel Wheels so that you can begin learning the software and explore the suite.
The following table outlines basic tool uses and provides links to additional information.
| Explore Pentaho tools | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Reports | Analyzer Reports | Dashboard Designer | |
| Summary | Interactive Reports is a web-based design interface which is used to create both simple and on-demand operational reports without depending on IT or report developers. | Analyzer Reports is an intuitive analytical visualization tool that filters and drills down into business information contained in Pentaho analysis data sources. | Dashboard Designer is a data visualization tool that allows you to create dashboards with little or no training. A dashboard is several different reports brought together in one common visualization, such as graphs, charts, and tables. |
| Expertise | Knowledge of basic computer functions, such as operating systems and web browsers. | Knowledge of basic computer functions, such as operating systems and web browsers. | Knowledge of basic computer functions, such as operating systems and web browsers. |
| Recommendation | Use Interactive Reports if you want to create a tabular report that answers an immediate business question, looks professional, can be printed quickly, and provides significant control over formatting elements such as fonts, column width or sorting, background colors, and more. | Use Analyzer Reports if you want to compile data quickly while visually exploring your data, perform advanced sorting and filtering of your data, and see chart visualizations that include detailed stop-lighting. | Use Dashboard Designer if you want to create an interactive interface to view many different reports at once, have quick access to web pages that you visit often, or view dynamic charts and graphs within a space while you create reports in another. |