INTERACTIVE BUSINESS DATA VISUALIZATION SYSTEM

An interactive system for visualizing business data organized according to t he dimensional model allows to combine data from more than one data source and present the data in the form of a graphical, multi-metric data visualization. The visualizations are hierarchically structured and built from visualization elements including, i n ascending order of hierarchy, charts, panels, scenes and sheets. The system provides a large variety of two- and three-dimensional visualization elements, mostly predefined charts, which can be combined in any number into fully customized visualizations. In a preferred embodiment, a visualization is built by the system, which prompts the user t o select data sources, data items to be visualized, and certain features of the presentati on layout. In response to the user input, the system generates a number of candidate visualizations and presents them to the user for selection in descending order of preference, based on numerical scores assigned to the candidate visualizations by a scoring algorithm. The data to be visualized can be filtered, drilled down for details, or presente d in a series of consecutive visualizations, to create an animation effect.