Finit solutions getting the most out of hfm - web data forms tips and tricks

The Finit Solutions Series
Getting the Most out of HFM:
Web Data Form Tips and Tricks
September 15 2010September 15, 2010
Presented by Angie Apple
www.finitsolutions.comwww.finitsolutions.com

Ab t Fi it S l tiAbout Finit Solutions

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Getting the Most out of HFM: Web Data Form Tips and Tricks
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Finit Introduction The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
Finit Solutions specializes in consulting services in the Oracle Hyperion Enterprise
Performance Management Solutions suite of products:
Financial Consolidation
– Financial Management (HFM)
Hyperion Enterprise
Planning and Business Intelligence
– Planning
Essbase– Hyperion Enterprise
– Financial Close Management
– Disclosure Management
– Essbase
Integration
– Financial Data Quality Management
(FDM)
BI+ Reporting Tools
– Financial Reporting
( )
– Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)
– Data Integration Management (DIM)
– Other (EPMA, ERPi, etc)
– Smart View
– Web Analysis
– Essbase Excel Add‐in
www.finitsolutions.com
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Other (EPMA, ERPi, etc)

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Interesting Facts About Finit The Finit Solutions Series
• Finit has been recognized by Inc. Magazine in 2008, 2009, and 2010 as one of the top 500
fastest growing private IT Services companies in the United States. Finit has also been
recognized for three years straight as one of the top 100 fastest growing privaterecognized for three years straight as one of the top 100 fastest growing private
companies in the greater Philadelphia area.
• Finit sits on the Oracle Customer Advisory Boards (CABs) for Hyperion Financial
Management (HFM), Hyperion Financial Quality Management (FDM), Hyperion Planning,
and Hyperion Enterprise.   The CABs are invitation‐only groups of Oracle Hyperion
customers and consulting partners that meet with Oracle product development and
strategy teams to discuss new functionality current issues and product roadmapsstrategy teams to discuss new functionality, current issues and product roadmaps.
• Finit is extremely active in the Oracle Applications User Group (OAUG ). Rob Cybulski, co‐
founder of Finit, is the HFM domain lead for the OAUG ‘s Special Interest Group.  Jay
h d l d f h ‘ lHampton, partner at Finit, is the FDM domain lead for the OAUG ‘s Special Interest Group
• Finit is proud to have had 100% employee retention for 23 consecutive months.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Finit’s Client Service The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
W t k li t i i lWe take client service very seriously.
Our client service approach has led to 100%
customer satisfaction for every Finit client f y
(appr 125.)
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Some Finit Clients The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
About the presenter The Finit Solutions Series
Angie Apple
p
Angie Apple
aapple@finitsolutions.com
• One of Finit’s 2 founding
partners
• HFM Certified Consultant
• Has been designing and
implementing Hyperion
tools since the 90’s
• Specializes in conversionsp
from Hyperion Enterprise
to HFM
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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How to Ask a Question The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
Q
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P f th W biPurpose of the Webinar

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Purpose of this Session The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• To discuss the ‘pros’ for using Web Forms as opposed to
other methods of getting data into HFM
p
other methods of getting data into HFM.
• To discuss and demonstrate Web Form tips & tricks.
T di d d t t h t l d t i l b l• To discuss and demonstrate how to re‐load trial balance
data without blowing away Web Form data.
• Audience: Intermediate to Advanced users of Web• Audience: Intermediate‐to‐Advanced users of Web
Forms as well as those who are new to Web Forms
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Why Use a Web Form?Why Use a Web Form?

Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Why Use a Web Form? The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• There are many other ways to get data into HFM:
D t L di T l ( FDM)
y
– Data Loading Tools (e.g. FDM)
– Smart View (HS.SetValue)
– Data Grids (client or web)Data Grids (client or web)
– Journals
• However, these methods do not allow the administratorHowever, these methods do not allow the administrator
to control the dimensions as closely as Web Forms do.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
• Web forms allow the HFM administrator to apply
l h di i b
y
strong controls over the dimension members to
which users can input data.
• A typical web form ‘locks down’ the Accounts,
View, and Custom, ICP, and Value Members.  The
Scenario, Year, and Period are typically
controlled via Process Management and/or
locking the database.  The Entity is controlled in
security.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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• FDM, Smart View, Data Grids, and Journals do not allow
for as tight of control over the dimension members
y
for as tight of control over the dimension members
being affected.
– FDM is typically used when you want the users to have a lotFDM is typically used when you want the users to have a lot
of flexibility in terms of the accounts and customs to which
they are mapping (e.g. a trial balance load.)
– If a user has access to enter data via Smart View, Data Grids,
or Journals, then they can use those tools to enter data to any
dimension member to which they have security access.y y
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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• Example:  Assume an HFM application has security
applied to the Scenario and Entity dimensions A given
y
applied to the Scenario and Entity dimensions.  A given
user can modify data for the Actual Scenario and the US
Entity. Other dimensions do not have security applied.Entity.  Other dimensions do not have security applied.
– The user can therefore map and load via FDM to any valid
Account/Custom/ICP intersection for their trial balance data.
– If the user has write‐back ability for Smart View or Data Grids,
they could write to any valid Account/Custom/ICP intersection
in those tools as well This would also be true in Journalsin those tools as well.   This would also be true in Journals.
– This opens up the risk that users could modify trial balance
data outside FDM via Smart View or Data Grids and leave no
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audit trail.

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
y
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• The HFM administrator can eliminate that risk by not allowing
end users to have write‐back ability in Smart View or Data Grids
y
end users to have write back ability in Smart View or Data Grids
and not allowing them to make journal entries.
• The only tools available for end users to modify data would be
FDM and Web Forms.
• The Web Forms would be designed to allow data entry only to
very specific dimension intersectionsvery specific dimension intersections.
• For example, the user would not be able to modify the Web Form
and input data to ‘Cash.’ With Smart View, Data Grids, or
Journals, there would be no way to stop the user from entering
to ‘Cash’ (this assumes that the user must have security access to
‘Cash’ because they need to load trial balance data there.)
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y )

Web Form Tips & TricksWeb Form Tips & Tricks

Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Basic Web Form Set‐Up The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• AR Aging Schedule:
A t R i bl i t i l b l t th t i l d d
p
– Accounts Receivable is a trial balance account that is loaded
from FDM.
– AR Aging Members are in Custom1.  g g
• The TopC1 member for the account ACCT_REC is TOTAL_AR_AGING.
• The trial balance loads to Custom1 of [None].
• The additional AR Aging members must be input manually.The additional AR Aging members must be input manually.
• [None] has an aggregation weight of ‘1’, while the other Custom1 Aging
members have aggregation weights of ‘0’.  This allows us to have the balance
from the trial balance and the detail in the same hierarchy without double‐
counting.
– The Web Form is set up to control which members can be
input to.
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input to.

Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Basic Formatting The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• Wrapping a Header: You can wrap the header
l i l b i i l
g
onto multiple rows by putting a semicolon
where you want to wrap to the next row:
CustomHeader:Current;Month
• Colors, fonts,
• Use the admin guide.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment!• Don t be afraid to experiment!
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Overrides The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• The ‘As Loaded from Trial Balance’ row ([None])
i idi h V l di i E iis overriding the Value dimension to <Entity
Currency Total>.  This is to ensure that any
j l d hi i k djournals made to this account are picked up.
The rest of the form is set to <Entity Currency>
h i dso that we can input data.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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ReadOnly The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• Note that the ‘Past Due Over 180 Days’ row is
R dO l Thi i lid i i i
y
set to ReadOnly.  This is a valid intersection in
HFM, but the administrator does not want to
ll i hi ballow input to this member anymore.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
SCalc The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• The SCalc is used to perform basic math within
h W b F N h f ithe Web Form. Note that row references in
SCalcs do not automatically update if you add or
d ldelete rows.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Instructions The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• You can enter instructions for the end users on
each Web Form. This can be especially helpful
as you add new users over time.
• Use <p> to break to a new paragraph.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Cell Text The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
• You can require end users to enter cell text for
various items. That cell text can then be pulled
into reporting tools (e.g. Financial Reporting,
Smart View, etc.)
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Adding Members Dynamically The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
g y y
• In cases where the number of rows of detail is
extensive, you can set up your Web Form to let
you dynamically add members.
• This is done using the AddMember feature.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Linking Forms The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
g
• Web Forms can be linked to each other.  This is a
nice feature when you want to link into
additional detail from a ‘master’ Web Form.
• In this example, the user can see the validations
he needs to pass on the Master Web Form. Hehe needs to pass on the Master Web Form.  He
can then link into the individual Web Forms to
complete them.complete them.
• The master form must be refreshed to reflect
changes to linked forms
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changes to linked forms.

Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Opening Web Forms in Smart View The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
p g
• Web Forms can also be opened in Smart View.
• This is a nice feature for users who prefer to work in
Excel.
• All the basic functionality of the Web Form carries over,
plus you get the functionality of Excel (e.g. copy/paste,
ddi b )adding numbers, etc.)
• Scalcs, Overrides, ReadOnly, etc all still work.
• Need ‘Data Form Write Back In Excel’ role in Shared
Services. Note that this is a different role from ‘Load
from Excel ’
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from Excel.

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Opening Web Forms in Smart View The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
p g
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
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Protecting Web Form Data The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
g
• One frustration many companies have experienced is that the
W b F d ‘bl ’ if h l d h i l b lWeb Form data gets ‘blown away’ if they reload the trial balance
as a Replace. This can result in a lot of re‐work.
• Some companies have tried to get around this by creatingSome companies have tried to get around this by creating
multiple scenarios for Actuals, copying data back and forth, etc.
• There is a much simpler way to ‘protect’ any data that was
d h d h h ( bentered into HFM via some method other than FDM (e.g. Web
Forms, Smart View, etc.)
• This allows for multiple re‐loads of the trial balance via FDMThis allows for multiple re loads of the trial balance via FDM
without affecting supplemental data.
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
g
Original File REPLACE will blow away all our Web
F dUS, Cash_Petty,5000
US,ACCT_REC,7000
US IC REC OTHER 2000
Form data.
MERGE will leave the Cash PettyUS, IC_REC_OTHER, 2000
Second File
MERGE will leave the Cash_Petty
balance in the database.
Second File
US,ACCT_REC,7000
US, IC_REC_OTHER, 2000
Solution:  Smart Merge
, _ _ ,
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Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
g
• Smart Merge is an FDM script that allows the user to
load as ‘Merge’ while also clearing out all previously
loaded trial balance data for that Scenario, Year, and
P i dPeriod.
• Smart Merge can be thought of as a Replace in terms of
how it handles trial balance data and a Merge in termshow it handles trial balance data and a Merge in terms
of it preserving supplemental data.
• The Smart Merge script for FDM was created by Finit• The Smart Merge script for FDM was created by Finit
and can be implemented into any FDM application.
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Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

C t t d F t W biContact and Future Webinars

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Upcoming Webinars The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
Getting the Most out of Hyperion Planning: Introduction to the
Hyperion Planning Modules
p g
yp g
On October 13, you will learn about the individual modules of Hyperion
Planning, including Workforce Planning and Capital Expense Planning.
Getting the Most out of Essbase: Overview of Essbase 11.1.2
On November 17, you will learn about new features and functionality in
Essbase 11.1.2.Essbase 11.1.2.
Getting the Most out of HFM: Process Management and Phased
SubmissionsSubmissions
On December 15, you will learn about process management and phased
submissions in HFM.
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To register, go to www.finitsolutions.com/Insights_Webcast.html

Th Fi it S l ti S i
Th Fi it S l ti S i
Finit Contacts The Finit Solutions SeriesThe Finit Solutions Series
Q ti ?
Angie Apple
Questions? aapple@finitsolutions.com
215.651.4661
Email us for a
Ed DeLise
edelise@finitsolutions.com
678.296.3611
copy of the slides or
l k h d
Joe Mizerk
jmizerk@finitsolutions.com
link to the recording. 919.349.5029
insights@finitsolutions.com
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