Billboards

A billboard presents MineMarket information and metrics in a tabular format. The data included in a billboard is sourced using a SQL query, external DLL or script.

Billboard layouts can be enhanced by formatting cells, columns and column layouts, adding labels and column summaries, and pivoting data. You can extend basic billboard configuration with billboard charts, which present billboard data visually in chart or graph format.

Standard Billboards and Billboard Charts

Several standard billboards are included with all MineMarket installations. These may be used as is or as samples for customised billboards.

The DLL and XML files for the standard billboards are included with the MineMarket installation. They must be imported into MineMarket to be used.

Billboard Schedules

A billboard schedule allows you to a run billboard automatically at a defined time period or interval (for example, daily, weekly, or monthly) with the results saved to a file or sent via email.

Billboard Execution Statistics

The Billboard Execution Statistics report displays one record for each combination of billboard (or chart); user who has run that billboard; and execution method (via the MineMarket Client or via a billboard schedule). Each aggregated record displays:

  • The name of the billboard
  • The billboard schedule name if applicable
  • The user who ran the billboard
  • When the record was created; that is, the first time the user ran the billboard
  • The parameters with which the billboard was last run within the search date range
  • The number of records returned in the billboard when it was last run within the search date range
  • The start and end time of the last run within the search date range
  • The difference of those two times; that is, how long it took to run the billboard
  • The average time it has taken to run the billboard for that user within the search date range
  • The number of times the user has run that billboard within the search date range
  • Scheduling information if applicable
  • Any error message applicable to the last run within the search date range

The statistics can be filtered by date range, billboard type and billboard.

A full history of individual records for each time any user has run a billboard is also available.

Billboard SQL Security

When MineMarket is installed, the billboard SQL queries are run through the primary connection to the database.

Using a primary connection to the database means that any SQL statement can be run via a billboard, effectively compromising the security of the database. To force the user to only run read-only SQL statements, a read-only user connection needs to be set up. See Create a Report Connection.