Cinnamon Reporting Technological Architecture

“Web-first”

• using JavaScript technologies and libraries allows for isomorphic code that can run on the server as well as in the user’s browser

• chart engine is based on d3.js / vega.js and all charts are rendered exactly the same way for online reports (in the brower) as for PDF reports (on the server)

• Cinnamon’s reporting logic (segmentations, translations) is written in TypeScript and therefore can be run both on the server and in the browser as well

Scalability

• using node.js as our server platform allows for scalability

• our reporting services are designed to run as microservices

  • separating the services for general reporting productions, word/pdf rendering and portal services

  • use of streaming software to decouple services

• use of caching for all data sources to improve performance

• PM2 or kubernetes clusters

• redis streams

• redis caching

Open source

• all features are based on open-source libraries (where enterprise-grade is available)

• only mandatory comercial software is Aspose.Words for PDF-reporting

• node.js, express.js

• redis

Independence of data source technologies

• main access to data sources is via REST API’s

• preference for document databases as data/document store

• mongoDB

• Mass-customisation of reports through flexible report types defined on the basis of intelligent, re-useable building blocks & powerful parametrisation

• Supports business users to manage report types, translations, product/client group parameter profiles, etc. via diverse UI’s

• Node.js based microservices leveraging vast universe of open source packages:

• Multiple options for document / object persistency:

• Code-base in TypeScript allows sharing code between backend and browser:

• Scalability through streaming and caching:

• Data-driven report scheduling (based on availability of required data quality in data sources)

• Can be triggered by external job scheduler

• User security & session handling

• User specific report catalog dynamically built from matching report executions

• High-end chart visualisations rendered as vector graphics (SVG)

• Customisable charting library ”machinata”

• Leveraging best-of-class open source charting engines (d3.js, vega)

• Code-base in JavaScript allows sharing same visualisations between backend and browser

• High-end document (pdf) rendering based on flexible templates leveraging the full layout power of Microsoft Word

• Currently supported output formats are Microsoft Word (.docx), Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and PDF documents

• Java microservice based on Aspose.Words multi-platform word rendering engine

Web components for integration into custom portals supporting

• catalog navigation (along portfolios, report types, reporting dates)

• report visualisation, printing, full-screen presentations

• user-defined dashboards showing report excerpts

• React web components allowing for single page web applications

• Code-base in TypeScript allows sharing code between backend and browser