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by egeria_planning 2205 days ago
I don't think a multidimensional spreadsheet (like Lotus Improv) makes sense for a single user. Multidimensionality introduces a lot of complexity and it is only justified by very complex models. Apart from some special cases this complexity is only there when at least 5-10 people are entering the data. Web application is much easier to rollout in a corporate environment. And I don't see any drawbacks. I don't have MS Office for example and use only Google Sheet for a long time already.
2 comments
qubex 2205 days ago
As a single power user of such software, I assure you that multidimensionality is a characteristic of the data and not a feature that’s convenient only once one has multiple users.

The classic product/channel/geography relationship is one of those. There’s a myriad others.

Besides, Improv had many other positive features beyond multidimensionality (including the separation between data and formula).

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korijn 2205 days ago
It's usually a company-specific interpretation of software validation requirements (imposed by regulators) that software cannot be changed (ie updated) outside of the company's control. Web apps are fine as long as the company can host and perform upgrades/maintenance themselves.
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qubex 2205 days ago
Uhm, no. I assure you the powers-that-be in my firm would totally lose their marbles if highly reserved data were crossing out into some web-app hosted who-knows-where and viewable by who-knows-who.
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egeria_planning 2205 days ago
If you choose the on-premise options no data will ever leave your company. Administrators will install the software on a server inside your company and will be responsible for updates, backups and security of the server.
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qubex 2205 days ago
That’s a “more workable” solution.

Still, again, as a power user... native applications are hard to beat.

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korijn 2204 days ago
It's what I meant by "host".
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qubex 2204 days ago
A native application is a stand-alone, non-electron application whose entire stack (runtime, business logic, data engine, and information store) resides on the user’s machine.

‘Hosted’, to me at least, means that you’ve got an augmented web server somewhere on your intranet that you connect to, and that displays its interface through a browser on the user’s machine.

The two terms are mutually exclusive, in my understanding (except of course when one is speaking explicitly of “hosting a web server”, but I’m sure you catch my drift).

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korijn 2204 days ago
Still sounds company-specific to me! Not every company is like that.
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