What is an ad hoc query?

Ad hoc queries are a cornerstone of business intelligence because they provide immediate access to insights that traditional reports may not cover. With tools like Phocas, you can build queries on-demand to address questions such as:

"Which products drove revenue growth last quarter?"

"Are there anomalies in customer payment behaviors?"

By accessing data sources like ERPs, cloud data warehouses such as Snowflake, or even Microsoft SQL Server, users can run queries tailored to their needs. This helps teams optimize workflows, solve problems quickly, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

At its core, an ad hoc query pulls information from a database in response to a unique user request. When using Phocas’ self-serve interface, you won’t need to be fluent in technical concepts like t-sql, sys, or plan cache to create powerful queries. Instead, intuitive query tools and simple options for data visualization let users ask questions, adjust filters, and view results in custom dashboards or graphs.

For more technical users, ad hoc queries might involve writing sql queries or even using a stored procedure to fetch data efficiently. Phocas accommodates all levels of expertise, ensuring everyone can perform data analysis effectively—whether they are accessing data for the first time or troubleshooting operational issues.

• Flexibility and speed
  Ad hoc queries provide real-time insights by bypassing predefined templates or reports. This means you can get answers faster, which is especially useful for spotting anomalies in financial statements or identifying unexpected opportunities in sales trends.
• Improved decision-making
  By enabling you to extract specific information from large data sets, ad hoc queries help finance professionals to home in on what matters most. Whether you’re creating a detailed income statement or evaluating operational efficiency, these queries empower teams to make well-informed decisions.
• Self-serve
  Phocas’ intuitive design and user-based permission controls ensures non-technical users can interact with data without worrying about permissions, authentication, or understanding database internals. This makes accessing valuable insights straightforward and frustration-free.

The difference between ad hoc queries and predefined queries lies in their purpose and scope. Predefined queries are structured in advance, often tied to regular reporting needs, and follow established templates. In contrast, ad hoc queries are created on-the-fly, making them ideal for answering questions during board meetings or sales calls.

For example:

• Predefined query: A monthly sales report showing revenue by region.
• Ad hoc query: "What was the impact of a specific discount campaign on sales in the Northeast?"

This distinction highlights why ad hoc querying is indispensable for businesses dealing with dynamic environments, where real-time insights can mean the difference between reactive and proactive decision-making.

Phocas BI and FP&A software simplifies ad hoc querying by combining ease of use with powerful capabilities. With its BI Analytics foundation, you can seamlessly connect to a wide range of data sources—from ERP and Excel spreadsheets to robust databases like PostgreSQL or SQL Server. The platform integrates with your existing systems to eliminate data silos, ensuring queries compile accurate results from up-to-date, consolidated information.

Additionally, Phocas provides:

• Unlimited dashboards that make it easy to visualize query results.
• Built-in query tools, Phocas AI, global support, plus webinars and tutorials to guide new users.
• Options for saving and sharing queries for collaborative decision-making.

In wholesale distribution, manufacturing, and retail, ad hoc queries are invaluable for managing operations and finances. For example:

• Wholesale distribution: Quickly identify which products are underperforming in specific regions.
• Manufacturing: Pinpoint bottlenecks in production by analyzing delivery timelines and supplier performance.
• Retail: Evaluate the success of a promotional event by comparing sales figures across multiple locations.

Each scenario demonstrates how ad hoc queries allow teams to move beyond time-consuming manual processes or troubleshooting outdated reports, saving time and improving outcomes.

An ad hoc query is a practical feature that enables on-demand access to data, Phocas ensures you can quickly extract insights, create actionable reports in minutes, and adapt strategies in real time.

Whether you’re a finance professional examining aggregated sales data or a branch manager exploring customer trends, ad hoc queries unlock the potential of your data warehouse, helping you run your business day-to-day while planning your financial future.