Name: FOCUS
Availability: InStock

Question 1

What does FOCUS do?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS is a fourth-generation programming language (4GL) designed for data access, reporting, and application development. It allows users to query databases, generate reports, and build applications using a high-level, English-like syntax. FOCUS simplifies data manipulation and reporting tasks, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users.

Question 2

Is this a system, application, or tool?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS is primarily a programming language and a reporting toolset. It provides a comprehensive environment for data extraction, transformation, and presentation. While it can be used to build applications, its core strength lies in its reporting and data analysis capabilities.

Question 3

What types of organizations use this?

Accepted Answer

Organizations that require robust reporting and data analysis capabilities, especially those with mainframe systems, benefit from FOCUS. It is suitable for businesses of all sizes that need to generate complex reports, perform data mining, and develop data-driven applications. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and government often rely on FOCUS for their data processing needs.

Question 4

When should we consider FOCUS?

Accepted Answer

A company should consider using FOCUS when they need to generate complex reports from various data sources, including mainframe databases. It is particularly useful when organizations require a high-level language that simplifies data access and manipulation. FOCUS is also a good choice when portability across different platforms is needed.

Question 5

What are the alternatives to FOCUS?

Accepted Answer

Alternatives to FOCUS include SAS, COGNOS, and Business Objects. SAS is a comprehensive analytics platform, COGNOS focuses on business intelligence and performance management, and Business Objects provides reporting and data visualization tools. FOCUS distinguishes itself with its strong mainframe integration and 4GL capabilities.

Question 6

What infrastructure is required?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS runs on a variety of platforms, including z/OS, z/VM, UNIX, System i, HP NonStop, OpenVMS, and Windows. On the mainframe, it typically runs in an LPAR under z/OS. It supports major mainframe databases such as DB2, IMS, CA Datacom, CA IDMS, SQL/DS, and Adabas.

Question 7

For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

Accepted Answer

On z/OS, FOCUS typically runs within an LPAR and is dependent on the z/OS operating system. It leverages z/OS subsystems for data access and system services. FOCUS requires access to the databases it will be querying, such as DB2, IMS, or CA Datacom, and appropriate security configurations to access these resources.

Question 8

What are the most common commands?

Accepted Answer

Common commands include TABLE (for generating reports), FILE (for defining data sources), JOIN (for combining data from multiple sources), DEFINE (for creating computed fields), and PRINT (for displaying data). These commands are used to manipulate and present data in various formats.

Question 9

What is the syntax for basic operations?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS uses a proprietary syntax for its commands. For example, to generate a simple report, you might use the following syntax:
TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT NAME AND SALARY
END
This would print the name and salary fields from the EMPLOYEE data source.

Question 10

How does FOCUS integrate with other systems?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS can integrate with other systems through various methods, including APIs and data connectors. It supports data exchange using protocols like TCP/IP. FOCUS can also expose data through web services, allowing other applications to access and use the data it manages.

Question 11

What is the business value of FOCUS?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS provides significant business value by enabling organizations to generate timely and accurate reports, perform in-depth data analysis, and develop data-driven applications. It simplifies data access and manipulation, allowing users to make informed decisions based on reliable information. FOCUS also improves productivity by automating reporting tasks and reducing the need for manual data processing.

Question 12

What happens if an organization does not use FOCUS?

Accepted Answer

By using FOCUS, organizations can improve their decision-making processes, gain insights into their data, and streamline their reporting workflows. Without FOCUS, organizations may struggle to access and analyze their data efficiently, leading to delays in decision-making and missed opportunities. They may also face challenges in generating accurate and timely reports.

Question 13

What types of reports can be generated with FOCUS?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS can be used to create a wide range of reports, including financial reports, sales reports, inventory reports, and customer reports. It can also be used to perform data mining, identify trends, and develop predictive models. FOCUS supports various output formats, including PDF, Excel, and HTML, making it easy to share reports with others.

Question 14

How does FOCUS help organizations stay competitive?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS helps organizations stay competitive by providing them with the tools they need to analyze their data, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions. It enables them to respond quickly to changing market conditions and gain a competitive edge. FOCUS also helps organizations improve their operational efficiency by automating reporting tasks and streamlining data workflows.

Question 15

What security features does FOCUS offer?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS supports various authentication methods, including user IDs and passwords, as well as integration with external security systems like LDAP. It uses an access control model based on roles and permissions, allowing administrators to control access to data and resources. FOCUS also supports encryption to protect sensitive data both in transit and at rest.

Question 16

What access control model is used?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS uses Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to manage user permissions. Administrators can assign users to specific roles, and each role has a defined set of permissions. This allows for granular control over who can access what data and resources. RBAC simplifies user management and ensures that users only have the access they need.

Question 17

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS provides audit logging capabilities to track user activity and system events. These logs can be used to monitor security, detect unauthorized access, and troubleshoot issues. The audit logs capture information such as user logins, data access attempts, and report generation activities. These logs can be integrated with SIEM platforms for centralized security monitoring.

Question 18

How does FOCUS integrate with enterprise security systems?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS can be integrated with enterprise security systems such as LDAP directories and SIEM platforms. This allows organizations to leverage their existing security infrastructure to manage user authentication and monitor security events. Integration with LDAP directories simplifies user management, while integration with SIEM platforms provides centralized security monitoring and threat detection.

Question 19

How is FOCUS typically deployed?

Accepted Answer

FOCUS is typically deployed on-premise, but it can also be deployed in a hybrid environment. The implementation requires technical expertise in data access, reporting, and system administration. Ongoing operational requirements include monitoring system performance, maintaining data connections, and managing user access. Common implementation challenges include data integration issues and security configuration.

Question 20

What level of technical expertise is required to implement it?

Accepted Answer

Implementing FOCUS requires expertise in data access, reporting, and system administration. Administrators need to be familiar with the FOCUS syntax, data modeling techniques, and security best practices. They also need to have a good understanding of the underlying data sources and the organization's reporting requirements.

Question 21

What ongoing operational requirements exist?

Accepted Answer

Ongoing operational requirements for FOCUS include monitoring system performance, maintaining data connections, managing user access, and troubleshooting issues. Administrators need to ensure that the system is running smoothly, data connections are reliable, and users have the appropriate access. They also need to be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Question 22

What are common implementation challenges?

Accepted Answer

Common implementation challenges for FOCUS include data integration issues, security configuration, and performance optimization. Data integration can be challenging when data is stored in different formats or systems. Security configuration requires careful planning to ensure that data is protected. Performance optimization may be necessary to ensure that reports are generated quickly and efficiently.

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FOCUS

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What does FOCUS do?

Is this a system, application, or tool?

What types of organizations use this?

When should we consider FOCUS?

What are the alternatives to FOCUS?

What infrastructure is required?

For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

What are the most common commands?

What is the syntax for basic operations?

How does FOCUS integrate with other systems?

What is the business value of FOCUS?

What happens if an organization does not use FOCUS?

What types of reports can be generated with FOCUS?

How does FOCUS help organizations stay competitive?

What security features does FOCUS offer?

What access control model is used?

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

How does FOCUS integrate with enterprise security systems?

How is FOCUS typically deployed?

What level of technical expertise is required to implement it?

What ongoing operational requirements exist?

What are common implementation challenges?

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