Understanding the value of, and more importantly the risk associated with, any mortgage-backed asset starts with a clear and thorough understanding of the underlying collateral behind that asset. MIAC Analytics™ DataRaptor® was developed to help clients navigate through the myriad of data elements required to manage their business. Most specifically, DataRaptor® provides clients with a powerful, easy-to-use tool for managing collateral, from identifying and understanding key risks to preparing clean, audited data for producing reliable asset valuations.
In DataRaptor® 4.2 SP1 (DR 4.2 SP1), released this summer, MIAC offers its most comprehensive data management tool to date. Building on a solid foundation, DR 4.2 SP1 takes the user experience to a new level, offering a multitude of enhancements to simplify the often complex data management process.
These enhancements include:
- New hot keys, short cuts, and embedded system functions for improved analyst efficiency
- Data template import functionality for improved flexibility in sharing information between projects and analysts and improved consistency in data use
- New reporting tool, highlighted below, for enhanced management reporting
- User activity tracking for improved change management and audit trail
Featured Enhancement: Query Report Tool
From inception, DataRaptor® has incorporated a variety of reporting options in support of understanding and managing collateral, including a Crystal Reports-based report generator and an OLAP Cube viewer. Each tool has its place in the analyst’s toolbox, providing flexibility in addressing different reporting needs. In DataRaptor® 4.2 SP1, analysts will find a welcome addition to that toolbox in our new Query Report Tool.
The Query Report Tool (QRT) was built for speed and efficiency, allowing users to quickly build groups of reports incorporating both source and audited data depending on need. The QRT is structured using report groups which are developed by the user. These report groups detail the aggregated fields, or measures, to be included in all reports that are part of the group.
The QRT supports key aggregation functions including:
- Weighted Average – standard and non-zero
- Percentages – column-based and row-based
In addition, conditional statements like FOR and IN can be used to target specific segments of the portfolio. For example, much has been written about the declines in property values across the country, most notably in places like California, Nevada, and Florida. Conditional statements in the QRT can be used to quickly identify concentrations in these and other high-risk states, allowing risks to be quickly identified across segments of a portfolio.
The embedded expression builder in the QRT makes creating reports simple, even for the novice user. Aggregate functions are detailed within the expression builder, with each function described in detail, including specific examples. Within the expression builder, the user can quickly check the syntax of each defined measure and test each expression for validation of expected results.
The QRT provides users with flexibility in targeting segments of their portfolio through the application of both group level and report level user-specified criteria. Analysts can target reporting to drill down on specific collateral characteristics for risk mitigation and analysis. Further, sort options are available to quickly identify key collateral characteristics. Analysts can sort on measures (i.e., loan count, balance, etc.) or by characteristics (i.e., dimensions or group by fields). The QRT also supports subtotals, for creating multi-dimensional reports.
Formatting and printing options abound in the QRT, with user control over such items as:
- Formatting for aggregated report fields including commas, percentages, currency, etc.
- Field sizing and header display
- Report titles, headers, footers, page number
- Sizing and report placement (i.e., side by side)
- Single or multi/selected report output with hyperlinks
Reports can be printed or exported in a variety of formats including PDF, HTML, or Excel, allowing for targeted distribution to management.
Additional Enhancements
In addition to the Query Report Tool, there were many other enhancements made in this most recent DataRaptor® release. These enhancements are geared toward improving efficiency for the user, adding flexibility to the tool, and improving control.
Efficiency
- An Expression Builder within the business logic process has been added to make creating and testing script rules easier. The Expression Builder incorporates detailed descriptions of all embedded DataRaptor® functions including examples of function use.
- Hot keys and copy/paste functionality was expanded so that experienced DataRaptor® users can navigate screens more quickly and make modifications to templates, mappings, and rules with minimal key strokes.
- Several new embedded functions were added to the DataRaptor® script language, including CharCount, WordCount, FindSubstringPos, DateDiff, and In. These new functions will simplify script logic, making data transformation simpler, even for the novice user.
Flexibility
- Input templates (for reading in source data) and output templates (for creating output) can be shared between DataRaptor® projects through a new template import process.
- Mappings between input/output fields and DataRaptor® working data fields are retained during the import. Missing fields are automatically added to the data model, minimizing potential for template errors.
- Python and Visual Basic scripting can now be used within DataRaptor® as an alternative to DataRaptor®’s internal script language, reducing the learning curve for new users with experience in these languages.
Control
- User-level activity tracking is now available within DataRaptor®. In conjunction with user-level functional permissions, which has long been a feature within DataRaptor®, managers can track and review changes to critical projects made by each individual user.
- The addition of Windows Authentication helps to streamline the administration of application security.
No matter the size of your portfolio or the nature of the data you manage, DataRaptor® offers a full range of capabilities for handling varied data sources, auditing less than perfect data, creating output for all of your downstream system requirements, and building meaningful management reports in support of managing the risk in your business. With MIAC’s strong commitment to continuous enhancement of our software tools, we are confident that DataRaptor® will be a welcome addition to your data management toolbox both now and into the future!
Lisa Malie
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets Group