- Image embed in document
- PDF export with HTML tags embed
At last week’s MicroStrategy World Conference in Miami, Senior Executive Vice President and CTO Tim Lang announced some features to expect next month. However, I’m sure there might be a few surprise late entries at GA time.
- Easy import of D3 visualizations directly into the Desktop tool
Previously, you had to download, unzip and then upload the D3 visualizations to a special folder on the web server before they could be used. Now, it’s just a simple click-to-import operation that will be available to all users of the Desktop tool.Take a peek at the D3 viz library here: visualizations.microstrategy.com
- Multi-Threaded Data Import
This one sounds pretty cool. Although we didn’t get a demo at the conference, it sounds like this feature will greatly improve ad-hoc data imports into the Desktop tool. Rather than reading a file sequentially / one record at a time, it appears as though MicroStrategy is slicing the dataset up into individual pieces and then importing each in parallel pipelines – Very nice! - Embed Images Into Documents
Love this one. Instead of having an Administrator upload images to the image folder on the Web / Mobile and Intelligence servers, the end user can now do an image import directly into the document / dashboard being worked on. No need to beg your already over worked MSTR Admin to upload images for you. How awesome is that?? - PDF Export Enhancement
You can now export a PDF from MSTR with embedded HTML tags. This was a much requested feature from a lot of customers I hear.
- Better Android and IOS Parity
MicroStrategy is trying to bring these two mobile app platforms closer together as far as functionality, look and feel are concerned. This parity is especially important for the APAC geographic region where Android device usage far exceeds IOS usage (from personal experience)
- This is my Favorite – Simplified “Express” Install
Anyone who has done a MicroStrategy install knows that the process is probably one of the most painful parts of the tool. In the ‘old days’ an install could take a day or two to complete. Now, with the release of 10.3, the install wizard will allow you to select a “Custom Install” or an “Express Install”. The Express method promises to be a one-click and you’re done feature. Time will tell if this is truly an “Express Install”… Stay Tuned…
- Last, but not least, Zero-Click Mac Login
We got to see a video demo of how this will work. And, might I say… it’s pretty darn fantastic. Using the Bluetooth communication protocol, your MAC can detect when your Blue Tooth enabled device (IOS I assume?) is close to your MAC. If it is close, then your MAC auto-unlocks and permits access. Once you leave the vicinity of your desk, your MAC will auto-lock because it no longer detects your IOS device close by. As a security fanatic, I like this feature a lot.