1. A method for use in a computer-based business intelligence system having a client application receiving user inputs, the method composing the steps of: a) importing a database using a database schema; b) defining model objects within a query layer that are directly related to the imported database; c) creating one or more packages containing references to appropriate query objects; d) receiving inputs from a user to select appropriate combinations of model objects tom the one or more packages; e) selecting data from the imported database using the selected appropriate combinations of model objects; and f) creating and presenting to a user a report incorporating the selected data.