tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30474449227192545112024-02-20T13:32:26.031-05:00Analytics InDepth, Inc.Experts in Business AnalyticsAnalytics InDepth, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00684675000762006677noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047444922719254511.post-27758125788214084892017-08-09T11:08:00.001-04:002017-08-12T09:48:43.606-04:00Planning RehabsIt's been quite a while since I last posted. I had planned to post for frequently but frankly just let it slide to the back burner. I'll be looking to post more regularly from here.<br />
<br />
Recently, I seem to have developed more business rehabbing Hyperion Planning implementations. Although I have also completed two full implementations (one PBSC and one on-prem) and also worked on a major bug fixing/enhancement project, I've been called into a few clients who's planning systems were challenging or even borderline unusable. Generally, the responsibility was shared between the company and the integrator. But when I get the call, the company has tried to move past blame and is interested in salvaging their investment. Happily, I've been able to re-engineer the systems successfully. Given the current business environment in which many company's have squeezed budgets and time frames and in which they have been sold a bill of goods that planning systems can be build faster and cheaper than ever, I believe there are a lot of struggling planning systems out there.<br />
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Rehabbing such a system can be very complex. Often documentation was squeezed out. Requirements were unclear and are now remembered poorly. As-built quality can be adequate to very poor. Stakeholders are generally frustrated, discouraged, even giving up. However, there is a path to recovery. I recently completed such a rehab for a manufacturing client who's implementation in 2016 was overly complex and frustrating. Their partner tried to build to every requirement and failed to document much of the system. The developers showed an understanding of Planning and Essbase at a mechanical level. But they did not seem to have had a very experienced architect, so the cube and rules designs were sloppy and inefficient.<br />
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In addition to needing a rehab, the company had decided to upgrade from 11.1.2.1 to 11.1.2.4. They created all new instances which provided a clean new platform but also meant additional manual migration since LCM is not completely effective across releases. This was completed prior to my engagement. I would have recommended an in-place Dev upgrade and new QA and Prod systems.<br />
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My approach started with realistic scope and a clear project plan. I insisted that the business users be engaged and dedicate time from their schedules as demanded by the project pplan. Although there were a couple of new major mandatory design requirements, the project scope was limited to those enhancements and the upgrade. During the project, I was able to redesign specific parts of their application where the bang for the buck was high and as time allowed. But generally, a significant part of the project was keeping the project in scope and helping the client to start an enhancement tracking system so that out of scope requirements had a landing place. This helped the users feel that they had been heard and their requests would not be lost.<br />
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I recently completed my involvement in the project, leaving behind a functioning system ready for 2018 planning, 200+ pages of documentation, and a trained internal architect to take the reins.<br />
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During the project, one of my partners, American Partners (<a href="https://twitter.com/AMPTalent">@AMPTalent</a>) offered me a speaking slot at Kscope17. Given my recent experience, rehabbing planning implementations was a natural topic. I am pleased to report that the presentation went smoothly and the reviews were very positive (4.5 stars out of 5). If you would like a copy of the presentation, drop me an email. If there is a recording, I'll link to it when it's available.<br />
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These sorts of projects can be very challenging and require a range of high-end skills (business, technical, management). But they are very rewarding when completed successfully.<br />
<br />
- Jonathan Cohen<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">_______________________</span><br />
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781-929-8204</div>
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Analytics InDepth, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00684675000762006677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047444922719254511.post-40638224150178215132014-02-26T21:49:00.001-05:002014-02-26T21:49:36.926-05:00Hyperion EPMA Data Synchronizations with Substitution VariablesEPMA Data Synchronizations are a fairly simple way to move data between Hyperion applications and to load data into Hyperion from external flat files and interface tables. The interface is very simple and easy. But one thing you will not find is the use of substitution variables. There seems to be a conception that one cannot use subvars in the synchronization filters -- which is quite limiting.<div>
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There are a few hints that the design is supposed to support subvars, but there is no mention of it in the documentation and nothing on the boards. None of this is especially surprising as this is a fairly lightly used capability. ODI, FDMEE and other technologies have far more features. Even Essbase partitions are more flexible - only for moving data between Essbase applications.</div>
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However, it turns out that subvars are fully supported. Each dimension in the Synchronization definition can be defined with a filter as one of EQUAL, LIKE, or FUNCTION (from the EPMA Admin Guide):</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>EQUAL—any valid member, such as Actual for the Scenario dimension.</li>
<li>LIKE—use wild cards in the filter:</li>
<ul>
<li>* for multiple characters (Only use * wildcard characters at the end of a string)</li>
<li>? for single character</li>
</ul>
<li>FUNCTION—use any valid member selection function, such as BottomOfHierarchy() retrieves the base level members for the dimension.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Nothing about variables. Turns out, when putting anything in as EQUAL or FUNCTION, the tool surrounds the values with double quotes, and Essbase does not interpret it as a subvar. But define the filter as LIKE, it is sent to Essbase without. And Essbase treats it properly.</div>
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So, now you know the trick. A little used but simple tool just became more useful.</div>
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For more information, check out the Oracle® Hyperion EPMA Administrator's Guide for version 11.x. (<a href="http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/epm/documentation/index.html" target="_blank">Oracle EPM Documentation</a>)</div>
Analytics InDepth, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00684675000762006677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047444922719254511.post-81537997660414249942013-12-18T21:09:00.003-05:002013-12-18T21:10:14.379-05:00A New Beginning<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Welcome to the first days of Analytics InDepth! (Full disclosure: actually, this is the first
blog posting, but the company is now almost two months old. Someday, we’ll look back and it’ll all seem
the same.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The back story in brief</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, after 10 years of DW/BI/EPM consulting and climbing the
consulting firm ladders, I finally decided to cut out on my own. I’ve toyed with the idea for a few years and
even consulted with a lawyer and an accountant last year. But I always held myself back, unwilling to
take the risk. However, 2013 was a very
mixed bag, as I started the year having a blast - focused on technical
architecture and technology strategy that I’ve most enjoyed. But changes in my firm required movement more
into project management. And put many of
my long-term initiatives on the back burner.
After discussion with my firm’s senior management, I decided to move
on. So, I did what I’ve done before -
reached into my network and started interviewing. Two revelations emerged from my
conversations. First, I have developed
an unusual and valuable combination of skills in with BI and EPM. Second, at my level (Director), the boutique
Hyperion consultancies had basically similar needs requiring more and more PM/AM/EM
work and less overall interesting (to me) technical architecture and strategy. It came to one day standing outside
Bertucci’s ready to go in for lunch, I had a real conversation with our VP of
“people”. After about a half hour, I had
a sudden epiphany -- I was wasting everyone’s time trying to hedge all risk by
not making a firm commitment. So, right
there I shifted and set my end date for three weeks out. I knew the outcome of this was going to force
to me out on my own.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A business established</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And on my own I went.
First stop were my archived files from past exploration into starting a
business. Second, back to my lawyer and
accountant to understand more details.
And, of course, into my network to find and develop opportunities (more
later). There were quite a lot of
details to get the business established correctly -- especially from a
liability standpoint. Incorporating is
important, but going out alone means that the protection afforded in the past
by my employers moves to my shoulders.
Here’s the place where trusted advisors are critical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By the way, if you are in Massachusetts and need excellent,
trustworthy advice:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Surinder Ahluwalia, Esq. <a href="http://www.ahluwalialawyers.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.ahluwalialawyers.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Robert S. Fineman CPA </span><a href="http://www.finemancpa.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.finemancpa.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the race was on:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Incorporated (Massachusetts S-Corp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Filed with the IRS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Business name</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Bank account (Randolph Savings Bank - nice service and free
business checking)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Mailbox (UPS Store)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Web site (registrar and host: namecheap.com)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">E-mail/Calendar/Docs (Google apps)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Business logo (got a freebie from VistaPrint - nothing fancy
- price is right)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Business cards (VistaPrint)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Checks (VistPrint)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Corp Credit Card (AMEX)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Linkedin Corporate Page</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Business insurance (Rodman Insurance)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Payroll processing (Advantage Payroll)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Accounting software (Quickbooks online)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Computer (Dell outlet)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">MS Office - necessary for Smart View (Amazon)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Hard drive for external backups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Receipt scanner (Doxy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Cloud-based backup (Crashplan)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">A blog (duh - here you are)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Twitter (@AnalyticsDepth)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Fax number (Yes-it’s still needed: k7.net)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are still many details like setting up Quickbooks and
generating invoices. Plus, as business
starts to flow, I’ll want to get a retirement plan up and going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of business, all this activity is wasteful, unless
I actually get some work and make some money.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Networking</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Oracle EPM/BI space is pretty hot right now and projects
to continue to build on the economic recovery.
Companies are flush with cash and looking for productivity
enhancements. Riding Oracle’s coattails
is also a good play now, as they make the strong case for Hyperion-powered
productivity gains. Over the last
decade, I’ve build up a good network and understanding of the players in
Hyperion integration. Experienced
Hyperion headhunters (especially Jim Burke, Dan Counts, and Anthony LaScola) have
proven to be active in placement and, as importantly, have been willing to help
me get established. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With hands-on architecture and design experience plus years
as a BA and PM, I am able to fill many different roles for clients. One reason to go independent is to remain technical. Fortunately, there are quite a few such
opportunities. I’ve reached out to
former managers and colleagues; networked with headhunters; and used some job
boards (especially Dice). Given the time
of year (October), my primary short-term objective was to land a position that
would carry me into the new year, preferably through January. Through one of the high-end headhunters, I
landed a subcontract with one of the big integrations firms. They had recently gone to production with a
large Hyperion Planning system and needed some help with post-production
support and enhancements. Right in my
wheelhouse. It’s been a great four weeks
getting my hands dirty and helping the more junior team members support the
system. The people have been great at
both the client and the partner. I’ve
been extended two week into January. And
perhaps it’ll go further? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the meantime, I continue to network for new people,
companies, and opportunities. It’s been
fun and keeps me on my toes.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What this blog will be about</span></h3>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>20+ years of technology experience -- including 10 years of focus on
Oracle technologies, Analytics InDepth helps companies maximize the value of
their Oracle EPM (Hyperion) and Oracle BI platforms. With strategic
architectural focus, we build, maintain, and optimize your critical Business
Analytics systems.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s the statement of focus. And this blog will support that. But its purpose is even larger. I intend to use this platform, plus the web
site, twitter feed (@AnalyticsDepth), and whatever else to exchange ideas and
solutions in the technologies. I have
also learned through the years that having information is meaningless useless
it is shared. So this blog will also
offer interesting ideas, technical solutions, and links to useful information. Sometimes the blog may seem to wander a bit,
but it will always be about my business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I look forward to future adventures with whoever wants to go
on the ride. Your comments are welcomed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And any business leads or ideas are always appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jonathan A Cohen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Managing Principal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Analytics InDepth, Inc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.analytics-indepth.com/"><span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.analytics-indepth.com/</span></span></a></div>
Analytics InDepth, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00684675000762006677noreply@blogger.com0