Excel integration add-in

[mperrine]

I have been involved in helping create an Excel integration add-in at Metric-X, http://www.metricx.com, and it is called XLhub, http://www.metricx.com/xlhub-excel-integration.

This tool allows information to be written to a database so it can be shared easily between other users, without the hassle of sending emails, cutting and pasting, and having to save multiple versions of the same file. This works because data from Excel is saved into a database where multiple users can connect, save, and retrieve information that has been stored. Each time a version is saved to the database, or hub as we call it, it is immediately available to all authorized users, so the most up-to-date information is available, eliminating the worries that a change will be made and not known right before a deadline.

This data, along with other sources (SSRS, Crystal Reports, etc.) can be pulled into an Excel file, or other BI tool so that forecasting, budgeting,and status reports are up to the minute.

To see more information go to the http://www.metricx.com/xlhub-excel-integration. A free trial is now available to start using, you can download it at http://www.metricx.com/xlhub-excel-integration/demo.

What are everyone’s thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Martin Perrine

[Ken Puls]

I'm curious to have a look at this one in a little more detail. Sounds kind of like what I've been doing for years with VBA, Access databases and Excel templates, but I'm curious on the "Version control" part that is listed in your graphics.

I'm a few weeks away from having the time to look seriously at this though. If I don't ping back in it within 3 weeks though, feel free to post back and revive the thread.

[mperrine]

The version control in XLhub is pretty slick. Have you had a chance to take a peak at it yet? We had been using it here for timesheets. It works really well for forecasting scenarios as well. It's nice to be able to edit the source data, view changes and save a new scenario and always be able to revert back to orginal data or compare several different scenarios with a few clicks.

[Ken Puls]

Haven't had a chance as yet, no.