The Finit Minute: Q4 2009

Welcome to the Finit Minute – Winter 2009

As 2009 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to look back at the past year. While 2009 was a challenging year, Finit is proud to have added 18 new clients during the year and to have continued to assist many of our existing clients on Hyperion initiatives. We are also proud to have retained our fantastic group of consultants in full and to have added new consultants to our team while others in our industry had to downsize. Our biggest goal of each year is to maintain our 100% client satisfaction tradition, and we achieved that in 2009 as we have since inception. This year we successfully delivered a range of solutions such as new Hyperion Planning implementations, Hyperion Enterprise to HFM conversions, Hyperion FDM integrations and Hyperion Essbase upgrades and optimizations. Additionally, many of our clients broadened their Hyperion platforms in 2009 to more fully embrace ‘Enterprise Performance Management’ and implemented multiple complementary Hyperion products such as Hyperion Planning and HFM. Our unique ability to offer Finance and Hyperion expertise, with a strong client service focus, has allowed us to address and resolve the complex Hyperion challenges our clients have faced. As we look back on 2009, we want to thank our more than 100 clients for placing their trust and confidence in us to help them achieve their goals and visions. We wish you and your families a very safe and happy holiday season, and we look forward to working with you in 2010 and the years to come.

Rob Cybulski, President of Finit Solutions, on behalf of the entire Finit team.

We’re pleased to share the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter with you. Our goal is to provide relevant information that you can put to use to make improvements to your environment. This issue includes:

• The Finit Solutions Series – Every month we’ve delivered a webcast on a new Oracle / Hyperion topic. See the archive to catch up on anything you may have missed as well as what’s coming up next.
• An Overview of Oracle’s User Productivity Kit (UPK). - Our clients have been providing rave reviews of this solution as a huge time saver, money saver, and a way to build end user momentum with system documentation that is easy to create. Test scripts, in-application support, and practice simulations can also be created with this powerful tool.
• What’s New in Essbase 11.1.1.3 - The latest version of Essbase includes some enhancements that make this an even more powerful technology. EPM System Installer, Varying Attributes, Typed Measures, and XOLAP are just a few features you can read about.
• Overview of EPMA and the Calc Manager - Enterprise Performance Management Architect (EPMA) lets you create, manage, and deploy Hyperion applications from a single interface, and it’s recently received some significant improvements.
• Upcoming Events for Hyperion / Oracle EPM Customers - There are several events coming up in 2010, including the recently announced Regional Conferences, that will be of interest to Oracle’s Hyperion customers.

We hope you enjoy this quarter’s articles, and we welcome your feedback. Please let us know what you think of the newsletter and webinars. We hope you can use this information to make some meaningful improvements at your company, and we’d love to hear about them.

The Finit Solutions Series

Keeping your skills current with the Hyperion/Oracle EPM product suite can be challenging; even those who consider themselves experts in one or more of the products find that Oracle is constantly delivering enhancements and their own company is continuously looking for ways to make system improvements. To help with this challenge, Finit has created “The Finit Solutions Series,” a monthly progression of webinars that can help you stay up to date on recent product functionality and implement incremental improvements to your own system.

The sessions are very product and solution oriented and are designed to provide practical, usable tips. Our clients have found them to be extremely useful; we received the following unsolicited quote after our last webinar:

I attended the webinar on FDM logging that you and Finit Solutions presented this afternoon. I found the experience quite valuable and of great benefit. It was definitely value added as I learned quite a bit. I thought the entire presentation – from content to presentation – was outstanding. Typically, I find webinars a “hit or miss” proposition, however, I felt your presentation was right on target. Thanks again for presenting.

Past Sessions Include:

• Getting the Most out of Hyperion Financial Reporting – Tips and Tricks
• Getting the Most out of FDM: FDM Logging
• Getting the Most out of HFM: Intercompany Matching and Eliminations
• Hyperion Enterprise to HFM: Design Considerations and Best Practices (1)
• Hyperion Enterprise to HFM: Design Considerations and Best Practices (2)
• Getting the Most out of FDM: Application Settings

Request to view the recording or get a copy of the slides.

Upcoming Sessions Include:

• Getting the Most out of Essbase: Understanding the Basics
     December 16th Noon – 1:00 PM EST Register
  
• Getting the Most out of Integration: The Various Products
     January 20th Noon – 1:00 PM EST Register

Oracle Product Spotlight: Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK)

What is Oracle User Productivity Kit?

Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK) is a tool that can be used to create various types of system documentation. Job aids, test scripts, training manuals, and in-application support can be produced using UPK. In addition, UPK can be used to record application simulations and practice simulations for end users. While UPK is its own tool, it is used to record documentation in other software tools. For example, UPK can be used to record step by step instructions on how to enter data into an HFM web form. While we use Hyperion in this article as the example, UPK can be used with non-Hyperion tools in the same context.

UPK’s documentation can be visual or textual. UPK can be used to record visual steps that a user should perform. The visual methods allow users to see the steps they should perform on their screen. UPK can also be used to generate textual documentation such as a training guides or test scripts.

How does one create documentation with UPK?

The documentation developer launches the UPK developer tool and records a topic by performing the steps required. The developer can either choose to record the steps automatically or he can capture each step manually. No coding is necessary; the developer simply runs through the steps that the end user should take when completing the task by clicking on the different steps directly in the Hyperion application. All of the steps are laid out in discrete frames. A frame or group of frames can be cut or copied and then pasted into a different point of the topic to facilitate editing. Once the topic has been recorded, UPK can publish the output in various forms, which are called modes. For instance:

• Print It! mode can create a job aid as an MS Word or PDF document with or without screen shots.
• See It! mode will produce a simulation whereby the end users watch the topic performed step-by-step. For example, users can watch the steps necessary to enter in their departmental headcount changes in a Planning web form, or the steps to enter in Fixed Asset rollforward information in an HFM web form.
• In Try It! mode, the end users practice by going through each step on their own. In this mode, users can enter in data in the simulation. For example, a user can key in roll-forward information into the simulation to practice the required steps.
• Using the Know It! mode, an assessment can be created to gauge the end users’ understanding of the topic. UPK will test the steps the user performs in the simulation against what is expected and grade the user.
• Lastly, Do It! mode will run on top of an application to provide just-in-time support and can be accessed through an application’s Help menu.

Since all of the above-mentioned outputs can be created from one recording, it is likely that the total time it takes to complete the documentation will decrease significantly.

Can UPK only be used with Oracle Hyperion products?

No, UPK can be used to create documentation for any application. However, Oracle offers built-in object recognition for a host of its products. As of UPK version 3.5.1, UPK has built-in object recognition for the following Hyperion 11.1.1.1 and 11.1.1.2 products:

• Hyperion Financial Management
• Hyperion Reporting and Analysis
• Hyperion Planning
• Hyperion Performance Scorecard
• Hyperion Capital Assets Planning
• Hyperion Workforce Planning
• Hyperion Profitability and Cost Management

Note that Hyperion Financial Data Quality Management is not included.

In addition to offering built-in object recognition for its products, Oracle also offers pre-built content. This is similar to what is found in the user guides and is not specific to a certain application. For example, pre-built content could show an end user how to fill out an HFM data form, but the HFM application and data form would be generic. This pre-built content is optional and therefore does not automatically come with UPK.

How is UPK deployed?

In order to create the documentation, it is necessary to use the UPK developer tool. This can be deployed by either a single user install or a multiuser install. For a single user install, the core developer tool files are stored locally on the developer’s machine. For a multiuser install, the core developer files are installed on a central server so the content can be shared; the developers access the content in a shared repository comprised of folders that can be assigned read and write access. The client version of the tool is then installed locally on each developer’s desktop.

The end users can access published content from their company’s Learning Management System, an HTML web site, or UPK Player. In most cases, UPK Player is used and is installed on a server; this can be the same server where the application resides. End users launch their web browser and can begin using the content; no plug-in is necessary. Additionally, UPK can be configured so that it is launched when end users go to Help within the application.

Is UPK content only available in English?

No. UPK content is available in 21 different languages, including French, German, and Japanese. Once content is recorded in English, it is necessary to re-record the content using the localized screens so that the screen shots accurately depict what the end users will see. This will update the actions in the chosen language. Custom text will need to be translated manually.

Can sound be included in UPK content?

Yes. Sound can be imported into each frame of a topic. As of version 3.5.1, the following sound file formats can be imported into UPK content:

• .aif
• .aiff
• .au
• .mp3
• .snd
• .wav
• .wma

Oracle Essbase: New Features and Enhancements

Most recent major release: July 2008 11.1.1.1.0

Latest Update: July 2009 11.1.1.3.0

Premier Support Ends: July 2013

Essbase 9.2: Premier Support Ends in Jun 2010

Essbase 9.3: Premier Support Ends in Jan 2012

Oracle’s lifetime support policy for Hyperion applications can be found here:
http://www.oracle.com/support/library/brochure/lifetime-support-applications.pdf

Oracle Essbase is an OnLine Analytical Processing (OLAP) tool used for simple to complex business modeling. Custom solutions can be created empowering users in the analysis of data rather than in the gathering and formatting of data. Essbase solutions can vary from simple aggregations to complex models; from a few megabytes in size to many gigabytes. An Essbase solution can start from a blank slate or from a template and offers users many options for accessing and analyzing the data held within. Essbase is also the database engine for Oracle Hyperion Planning including the Workforce Planning and Capital Asset Planning modules.

Oracle Essbase is now part of the Oracle BI Foundation. The Oracle Essbase 11 release includes the new Essbase Studio, EPM System Installer, Lifecycle Management, varying attributes, typed measures, backing up and restoring BSO (block storage option) databases, transaction logging and replay, clearing specific regions of ASO (aggregate storage option) databases, XOLAP, new calculation functions, and more:

• Essbase Studio is a user interface which simplifies cube construction by providing a single environment for data modeling, cube designing and construction. A wizard-driven interface supports modeling various data source types and a common metadata repository captures all metadata related to all Essbase applications built in the enterprise allowing for reuse at the lowest level of granularity. Several drill-through options are supported (relational databases, URLs, custom SQL, and Java methods) while drill-through functionality is supported from data cells and member cells. Further, a graphical view of the metadata relationships allows users to follow application lineages to their metadata components and to the data sources.
• EPM System Installer and EPM System Configurator streamline and simplify the process of installing, upgrading, and configuring Essbase. The Hyperion Shared Services Registry enables configuration information to be stored and reused.
• Lifecycle Management is integrated with the Shared Services Console and provides a consistent way to migrate applications, cubes, repositories, and objects across product environments and operating systems. An Application Migration Wizard is available in addition to status reports, audit reports, command line utility and APIs.
• Attribute dimensions have been available in Essbase for several years. This release now allows for varying attributes over a dimension or across multiple dimensions. As an example, a database may contain sales information by customer. An attribute to the customer dimension could be salesperson. Now with varying attributes, not only can sales numbers be analyzed by salesperson assigned today, but data can be calculated based on salespeople across time.
• Essbase data was limited to numeric data. Now Typed Measures are allowed in the form of text-type measures or date-type measures. Date measures enable cell values in the form of a formatted date while Text measures enable cell values to contain one of an enumerated list of text labels which are defined at the outline level. New calculation functions and APIs are also available to work in conjunction with the new typed measures.
• Automated database backup and restore for BSO databases together with transaction logging and replay allow for the recovery of a database to the most recent state before interruption. Transaction logging and replay together with manual backup and restore can provide efficient recovery especially with databases utilizing Essbase’s lock and send feature.
• Two methods for clearing specific regions of an aggregate storage database are now available. The physical method removes the input cells of the region being cleared while the logical method writes a new slice of data with the negative values of the region resulting in a value of zero for the cells that are cleared.
• XOLAP (eXtended OnLine Analytical Processing) allows for an Essbase database which stores only the metadata and retrieves data from a relational database at query time. This variation allows for the scalability of the relational database with the more sophisticated capabilities of a multi-dimensional model.

The new features and functionality in Essbase are an exciting signal from Oracle of a commitment to continued to development and innovation with this powerful and flexible tool.

Oracle Hyperion EPM 11: Understanding EPMA and Calculation Manager

The Oracle EPM 11 release has generated a lot of buzz regarding EPMA and Calculation Manager. Although EPMA and Calculation Manager are not new to the latest release (EPM 11.1.1.3), there have been significant improvements to both tools. This article explains what the tools are, how they can be used together, and considerations for whether or not to use them.

What is EPMA?

EPMA stands for Enterprise Performance Management Architect. The tool was formerly known as BPMA (Business Performance Management Architect) in its initial release with 9.3. EPMA can be used with HFM, Planning and Essbase. Its primary purpose is to manage, create, and deploy Hyperion applications within a single interface.

What are the components and functionality of EPMA?

EPMA is divided into 6 modules:

• The Dimension Library is a centralized location for managing dimensions, dimension members, hierarchies, and member attributes.
• The Application Library provides a summary of application views that have been created and/or deployed. For example, when a set of dimensions/members/hierarchies are deployed from EPMA into HFM, this is tracked in the Application Library.
• Data Synchronization allows some basic data movement among Hyperion applications. Although EPMA is not designed to act as the primary tool for data movement, it can perform some basic 1-to-1 mappings and can synchronize data across applications whose dimensions line up cleanly.
• The Application Upgrade module allows for upgrading ‘classic’ metadata files to work in EPMA.
• The Library Job Console provides a log of EPMA activities, such as imports, deployments, and data synchronizations.
• The Calculation Manager allows users to create, validate, deploy, and administer calculations via a graphical interface and calculation flow.

Should my company use EPMA?

EPMA provides the most value in situations where there are multiple applications to manage. It provides a central place for managing and maintaining metadata dimension members, hierarchies, and attributes, so that the same changes do not have to be made in multiple disparate application metadata files. Remember that EPMA can also be used across products (e.g. updates to both Planning and HFM) and this can also provide a tremendous benefit when making updates. EPMA should be considered even for companies with a single application to maintain; however, these companies may not see quite as many advantages as those with multiple applications to maintain.

What is Calculation Manager?

Calculation Manager is a module of EPMA that allows you to manage your rules within a graphical user interface. In addition to simplifying the overall rules writing with calculation flows and templates, Calculation Manager also provides benefits in terms of managing rules for multiple applications, because rules can be shared and deployed among multiple applications.

Can I use EPMA without using Calculation Manager?

Yes. EPMA can be installed and enabled without enabling Calculation Manager. For example, a company using HFM could use EPMA for metadata management and continue to use .rle files for HFM rules.

Can I use Calculation Manager without using EPMA?

Yes. EPMA must be installed in order to use Calculation Manager, because Calculation Manager is a module within EPMA. However, you can choose not to enable EPMA for metadata management and to use only Calculation Manager. This functionality became available in 11.1.1.3 and prior versions required an EPMA enabled application in order to use Calculation Manager.

How can I learn more?

Oracle’s Oracle by Example tutorials are a great way to learn more about products, features, and functionality. The following link is a tutorial on EPMA with information about the major features and functionality as well as demonstrations and exercises.
http://www.oracle.com/technology/obe/hyp_epma/epmaindex.htm

Upcoming Events for Hyperion / Oracle EPM Users

There are a number of exciting events coming up in 2010:

OAUG Connection Point – Enterprise Performance Management – New Conference
February 23-24, 2010
Jersey City, New Jersey

The Hyperion Special Interest Group of the Oracle Applications User Group (OAUG) is putting on this two-day regional conference to focus specifically on the Oracle Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) product suite, including Hyperion Financial Management (HFM), Hyperion Planning, Hyperion Strategic Finance (HSF), OBIEE, ODI, Essbase, Financial Data Quality Management (FDM) and other EPM tools. This will be a Hyperion-targeted conference, similar in focus to the Hyperion Solutions conferences that were held each year before Oracle acquired Hyperion. The goal of the conferences is to have multiple track offerings for both business and IT users, which is similar to how Hyperion Solutions conferences were organized.

A team of renowned speakers and Oracle executives will lead sessions and discussions in these educational tracks:

• Budget, Forecasting and Planning
• Financial Consolidations and Reporting
• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• The Office of the CFO
• EPM Product Roadmap

Click here for more information and to register for the Connection Point conference.

Collaborate 10
April 18 - 22, 2010
Las Vegas, NV

The Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG), the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Quest International Users Group (Quest) jointly put on this annual conference. The content is developed by and for customers and encompasses the full family of Oracle business applications and database software. This is a great conference for those looking to gather information about a wide range of Oracle products and solutions.

Click here for more information and to register for the Collaborate 10 conference.

ODTUG Kaleidoscope
June 27 – July 1, 2010
Washington, D.C.

The Oracle Development Tools User Group (ODTUG) puts on this conference each year. The focus is on providing sessions for developers who work directly with Oracle databases. ODTUG’s website also states that ‘Hyperion and Essbase users have also found a home at ODTUG, with ODTUG Kaleidoscope offering the breadth of content that used to be available at the Hyperion Solutions and Top Gun conferences.’

Click here for more information and to register for the Kaleidoscope conference.

OpenWorld 2010
September 19 - 23, 2010
San Francisco, CA

OpenWorld is an annual conference put on by Oracle. The conference covers Oracle’s full range of business applications and database software. OpenWorld is a great forum for learning about a wide range of tools and hearing firsthand about Oracle’s product direction and upcoming initiatives. In addition to attending sessions, attendees can also attend user group forums, work directly with products in the ‘hands-on’ labs, see real product demos, visit partner exhibits, and attend a large number of networking events.

Click here for more information and to register for the OpenWorld conference.