The document discusses tools to simplify reporting, budgeting, and communications tasks. It introduces Report Runner and Process Scheduler which allow automating financial report generation and scheduling. Information Manager is presented as a way to extend accounting data to include custom tables for key performance indicator reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analytics. Finally, Info Explorer is highlighted as a tool that addresses issues with traditional reporting by allowing users to define report layouts and distribute scheduled data cubes.

1. How To Make Reporting, Budgeting &
Communications Simple

2. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
What Do You Spend The Most Time On?
1) Statutory or Accounting Reports
2) Budgets, Forecasts or Analysis
3) Sending Information or Approvals
Tools to Simplify These Tasks
1) Report Runner & Process Scheduler
2) Information Manager & Info Explorer
3) Key Communications – If there is time….
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

3. What is Business Intelligence?
Business Intelligence represents the tools and
systems that play a key role in the strategic
planning process of an organization.
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

4. Financial Statement Generation and
Distribution
Report Runner & Process Scheduler (L3)
• Each user has their own Report Groups and can
define parameters on how they run these reports.
• Allows you to run the same FR Report multiple
times with different parameters.
• In Process Scheduler (Level 3) you set up a
schedule with a Task Line to “Run FR Group”
• The parameters indicate which user’s reports to
run and which reports to schedule.
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

5. Financial Statement Generation and
Distribution
Report Runner & Process Scheduler (L3)
• Note: Excel should be installed on the server
where Process Scheduler is installed.
• If you don’t schedule the reports you can “Run”
reports at the click of a single button.
• Financial Report Runner can
• 1) execute all sheets in a workbook.
• 2) generate a new file name or use the original
workbook name and overwrite the previous report.
• 3) Email the reports to one or many people.
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

6. Crystal Report Generation and
Distribution
Report Runner & Process Scheduler (L1)
• Each user creates their own groups of Crystal
reports and define parameters to run the reports.
• Allows you to run the same Crystal Report multiple
times with different parameters.
• In Process Scheduler (Level 1) you set up a
schedule with a Task Line to “Run Information
Manager Report”.
• The parameters indicate which user’s reports to
run and which reports to schedule.
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

7. Crystal Report Generation and
Distribution
Report Runner & Process Scheduler (1)
• Note: You don’t need Accpac open. You run the
reports on the server – usually after hours.
• If you don’t schedule the reports you can “Run”
reports at the click of a single button.
• Report Runner (Crystal Reports) can
• 1) add Accpac Finders to custom reports.
• 2) pre-define & hide parameters in Crystal Reports.
• 3) Create “Saved” runs to re-run reports.
• 4) Email the reports to one or many people.
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

8. Demo of Report Runner &
Process Scheduler…

9. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
Orchid Information Manager
•Extend Accpac to include your own “virtual tables”
or Information Sets
•KPI reporting, budgeting, forecasting and On-Line
Analytical Processing (OLAP)
•Secure, multi-user and controlled access to critical
custom data held within Accpac
•Use Microsoft Excel® for budget collection,
reporting and write back
•Data Views from within Accpac simplifying
reporting (including Optional Fields!)
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

10. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
Orchid Information Manager
•Record Sales Forecasts and Report against Actual at
the Customer and Item Level
•Record Budgets at the G/L Transactional Optional
Field Level and Report against Actual
•Record unlimited contacts against customers
•Maintain Employee Data
•Headcounts against departments for KPI Reports
•Link Pricelists at Customer/Item Category Level
•All Accpac’s Optional Fields automatically appear as
columns for reporting! Much easier …
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

11. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
Increasing Value of Data for Decisions
Data Information Knowledge Wisdom
(Formatted) (Trends) (Relevant)
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

12. Demo Supplementary Data…

13. Information Manager| Notes
For Unstructured notes :
• Unstructured data : Free format note box
– as long as you want • Multiple note types
• Security per roles & note
• Structured data : list of optional fields types
• Configured per
screen/field or field
• Configure to pop up on
any field except
• field in a grid
• Drop down
boxes/check boxes
• Define default colours for
notes – with override
For Structured notes :
• Configured per
screen/field or field
• Configure to pop up on
any field except
• field in a grid
• Drop down
boxes/check boxes

14. Document Management Link| shown with IM Notes
For SharePoint Documents:
• Documents stored in SharePoint • Open documents from
Accpac
• Documents stored on a file share • Insert documents from
Accpac (Links Added)
• Set a filter on the
document directory
• Use SharePoint Security
• Trigger SharePoint
Workflow
For File Share Documents :
• Open documents from
Accpac
• Insert documents from
Accpac (Links Added)

15. Demo IM Notes and
Document Management Link…
LATER

16. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
• Online distribution of Data/Reports OLAP –
Online Analytical Processing
• Save time (personal margin) and money (business
margin)
• Avoid creating multiple custom reports
Key Technology Solution
• Orchid’s NEW Info Explorer
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

17. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
Info Explorer Addresses Pain Points Like:
• Lack of accurate and timely reporting resulting in
guesswork and poor decision making
• Key operational data not available for reporting
• Time consuming & inefficient report preparation
• Over reliance on spreadsheets for reporting
• Business and productivity monitored using intuition
and not operational metrics
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

18. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
The Problem with Custom Crystal Reports:
• Hard/costly to implement
• Hard to modify (static)
• Not scalable
• No process for upgrading
• Out of an accountant’s comfort zone
• Managers have to ask for them
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

19. Accountant’s Need OLAP

20. Making Reporting, Budgeting and Communications
Simple
Key Benefits of Utilizing Orchid’s Info Explorer
• Creates a process for consistent, high quality
delivery of value-added data.
• Effectively communicates an understanding of
trends / value in your organization.
• Very small investment of time and money to
create additional insights into the margin
possibilities in your business.
• Decision Makers love it!!
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

21. Making Reporting, Budgeting and Communications
Simple
Info Explorer
• Users define data format & report layouts
= Improved Customer Service
• Eliminate multiple Crystal Reports with 1 Data
Cube = Reduced Costs
• Schedule & Distribute multiple Data Cubes =
Increased Productivity
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

22. Making Reporting, Budgeting and
Communications Simple
NEW Info Explorer – Allows you to:
• Focus on what is important to measure
• Empower your people with the right information at
the right time
• Cater for individual reporting needs
• Automate generation and distribution of data
• How?
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

23. Let’s Take A Look!
Info Explorer Demonstration