R365 Intelligence: Attributes v. Metrics

This article covers the differences between Datasets' Attributes and Metrics in R365 Intelligence, an R365 add-on feature. 

Attributes and Metrics are the specific Data Items that Users can add to their Dashboards to configure Visualizations. Attributes and Metrics differ greatly and are each used for different circumstances. Together, they are used to build specific Data outcomes on Visualizations. 

Attributes

Data items labeled with teal/blue colored iconsare called Attributes. These are the business concepts reflected in the Data. Attributes provide context in which to report on and analyze business calculations.

On a Dashboard, Attributes are labels for groups of Metrics. Attributes can also be thought of as fixed variables that provide the parameters necessary to analyze and understand selected data. These fixed variables, Attributes, are concepts such as:

• Dates

• Months 

• Years

• Quarters

• Locations Dats

• Weeks 

• ID Numbers

• Times

• Accounts 

• Menu Items

• Order Mode

• etc.

When only an Attribute is selected, only the Attribute and its Elements will be displayed on the Visualization.

Attribute Elements

Attributes are made up of Attribute Elements that are Values of the Attribute.

Attribute Forms

Attributes also have different Forms, depending on the Attribute. Attribute Forms are additional descriptive information about the Attribute. Users can select the Attribute Form to include in a Visualization.

Attributes are automatically created when Data is imported. However, Users can also create their own Attributes. To learn more about creating an Attribute, click here. 

Metrics

Data items labeled with orange/yellow colored iconsare called Metrics. Metrics are used to measure and are the calculations performed on the Data selected, the results of which appear on the Dashboard Visualization that they were selected for.

The system applies the Attributes to the Metrics to apply parameters and context to the calculations being made. These metrics calculate across the Data that is Grouped. Types of Metrics include:

• Gross Sales

• Guest Count

• Forecasted Sales

• Sales/Hour

• SPLH

• Labor Hours

• etc.

When a Metric is added to a Visualization that already contains an Attribute, the Metrics will calculate against the Attribute selected. 

Metric Calculations allow Users to display Data that has both simple or complex levels of analysis. They can be utilized to calculate sales trends, growth patterns, profit analysis, and much more. 

Metrics are automatically created when Data is imported. However, Users can also create their own Metrics. To learn more about creating new Metrics, click here.