Managing launch pads

Launch pads consolidate various application data points into a dashboard presentation on the application’s Home page. You view important information immediately when you log into the application, instead of navigating through several areas of the application. The launch pad platform simplifies configuration by using a drag-and-drop designer to easily place standard, reusable widget components in a layout that addresses your business requirements.

System administrators and developers can use the flexible launch pad framework, which uses reusable JSP and Cognos components, to create custom launch pads. Custom launch pads can be created to meet the needs of different user roles.

When creating launch pads, consider these points:

• The employee groups that can access a launch pad

  Only users with access to the desktop application can use launch pads.

• Information types

  Only provide information that is relevant to the user.

• Launch pad widgets

  If the required widgets do not currently exist, then new ones must be created.

• Information class

  The importance of the information and where it should be displayed.

The layout of your launch pads is very important. Typically, the most relevant and frequently desired information should be placed at the top of the launch pad. This placement ensures that when you log into the application you do not need to scroll down to see information that you most frequently require.

Consider usability when adding content to your launch pad. Too much content will make the launch pad cluttered and difficult to navigate. In some cases, you may want to use header menu links or a quick link widget to link to the required information.