2. Agenda
• Introduction
• What most companies currently use
• What is Essbase
• Essbase database concepts
• How Essbase data is consumed
• Typical Essbase topography
• In Conclusion
5. About BizTech
• Professional Services Firm
– Professional Services firm focused on Oracle applications and
technology
– Oracle Platinum Partner – Highest Level of certification
– Specialized Pillar Partner in BI/EPM, EBS, CRM, and Core Technology
– Over 400 successful Oracle implementations over the past 15 years
– NY, PA, NJ, VA offices with Regional, Global, and International clients
– 100+ Consulting Resources
• Centers of Excellence across key solutions and industries
– Solutions: Oracle Applications, Technology, BI/EPM, and Managed
Services
– Industries: Financial, Professional, Business Services; Communications
and Media; Manufacturing; Distribution; Public Sector, Government;
Healthcare and Life Sciences
• BizTech Software Solutions : BizTech Data Integrators, BizTech Insight
Accelerators, BizTech Reporting Foundation
• Oracle License Reseller
6. Award Winning Partner
IDC and Oracle expert panel selected BizTech over Thousands of Oracle
partners, based on service delivery excellence to our clients
Proven Oracle Experience with the full portfolio of Oracle Solutions
Oracle Titan Award
Global Implementation Partner
7. Client-Centric Practice Areas
Oracle Applications Oracle Technology and Business Intelligence
- Full Portfolio of Oracle Applications Solutions - End to end service offering in BI and EPM
- Implementation, Upgrade, Migration - Fully staffed team of Data Architects/DBAs
- Since 1990 MPL6 to R12 Experience - Solid experience in RAC, HA, and HS designs
- Over 400 successful implementations - Understand full Oracle technology stack
Oracle Oracle
Applications Technology
BI/EPM
Clients
Managed Oracle
Services Software
ITO Provider
Managed Services and IT Outsourcing Oracle Software Provider
- Remote or Onsite services - Full Portfolio of Oracle License Resell
- Full portfolio of Oracle Applications and - Helps Clients Optimize License models
Technologies - BI Software for the agile enterprise
- World-Class Data Center with 24x7 Support - BizTech Data Integrators
- Instant capacity, operational focused model - BizTech Insight Accelerators
- BizTech Reporting Foundation
9. Most Modeling is Done Here!
It is great tool, but…
• Excel was never
designed for complex
calculations.
• Its error-prone and
difficult to audit
• Disconnected from
networks or backups
• Data Security Risks
• Doesn’t scale
• No controls / audit trails
• Multiple calculations
• Spreadsheets are
inefficient for more than
two dimensions
10. Business is more than “2D”
Product
Market
Time
• We typically look at more
than two dimensions
(multi-dimensional)
• So what do we do?
– Add more column
headers!
• In our example:
– “Total” Market BY “Total”
Product, Actual Sales for
Scenario Qtr1 = 95,820
• !
Measures
11. Multi-Dimensional = Multi-Sheet…
• Add a sheet for each brand
– 4 brands + Total = 5 Sheets
• The problem exacerbates…
• The result: HEADACHES
Market(s)
12. Multi-Sheet = Nightmare
• How about by Brand and by Market?
– 5 Brands BY 500 Properties = 2500 Sheets!
• What about by Location too?
• Welcome to “Spreadsheet Hell”
13. The Solution is Essbase
• Essbase or "Extended Spread Sheet dataBASE“
• Developed to address the scalability issues
associated with spreadsheets such as Lotus 1-
2-3 and Microsoft Excel
• OLAP Database (On-Line Analytical
Processing), Essbase features:
– Dimensional “cube” of information
– Defines the “BY’s” of the company (means
Actual BY Profit BY Jan),
– Improves how you “see” the Business
– Ability to “slice and dice” the data
• Essbase is commonly used to:
– Combine multiple sources of disparate data
– Analyze summarized data
– Do data modeling, “What If” and predictive analysis
– Satisfy the needs of a variety of users
• Executives, managers, analysts & other business
users
15. What is Essbase?
• The leading enterprise multi-dimensional
database engine in the world
– Provides real-time analytic infrastructure for business
intelligence and enterprise performance management
(EPM) applications.
– Engineered for scalability, security, and rapid-response.
• Through an intuitive interface, business users
can manipulate large data sets to model complex
scenarios, forecast outcomes, and perform
“what-if” analyses to identify trends and
optimize business results.
• Essbase utilizes a multi-dimensional database.
– Multi-dimensional database are usually queried top-
down – the user starts at the top and drills into
dimensions of interest.
• An Essbase database is considered a “cube”, with
each cube axis representing a different
dimension, or slice of the data (accounts, time,
products, etc.)
– All possible data intersections are available to the user at
a click of the mouse.
16. Why use Essbase?
• Users typically use Essbase for:
– Historical and forecasted performance
– Budget variances
– Variance and profitability analysis
– Performance trends
– Profitability metrics and Foreign Exchange impact
– Generally any query using non-transactional data
• Users typically use Oracle Reports for:
– Viewing individual transactions
– Auditing GL entries
– External reporting
– Generally any query that needs transaction data
17. Reporting tools vs. Essbase Analysis
Reporting Analysis
Which customers spend the most? Which customers are most profitable?
What did this customer buy? What is the customer likely to buy next?
What is the Q4 revenue forecast? What if demand falls short of forecast?
18. How using the wrong tools
impacts your business
ERP Systems
Inflexible, slowly changing, long turnaround times
Lack forward looking data (budget and/or forecast)
Slow Performance
Data Warehouse
Complicated data model
Poor query performance
Data latency
Excel
Multiple versions of the truth
Version control
Difficult to distribute (email, file shares, SharePoint)
20. Relational vs. Multi-dimensional
RELATIONAL DATABASE MULTIDIMENSIONAL DATABASE
Data represented in tables without a hierarchy structure Data represented in a hierarchy structure across multiple
dimensions
Does not account for sparsity of data Uses sparse / dense concept to reduce database size
Have to write complex SQL statements extract data OLAP engine allows rapid retrieval via Excel addin
Several tables have to be joined to create calculations Hierarchical nature of dimensions allows consolidations
and formula and calcuations scripts perform calculations
Queries to extract data take time and cannot easily be Data can easily and rapidly be extracted via Excel addin
run by users by users with minimal training
22. Hyperion Essbase
• Multidimensional database management
system (MDBMS) that provides a
multidimensional database platform upon
which to build analytic applications.
• One Version of the Truth
• Speed-of-thought analysis for thousands of
concurrent users
• Easy for users to consume data via
spreadsheets
• Write-Back capability of data and Powerful
calculation engine
• Scalable to enterprise-level user base
• Premium Performance & Optimized Storage
• Ease of development, deployment and
maintenance.
• Stand Alone Application to eliminate
spreadsheet reporting
23. Hyperion Smart View
• Accounts love their Excel and
Oracle Understands this!
• Essbase features Ad-Hoc
Analytics via Excel via reports
or Drill through/back
• Use MS Office to
enter, analyze and report on
subsidiary data
• MS Excel add-in allowing
access on or off-line
• Users download forms to Excel
• Manipulate data just like
the full web client
• Synchronizes to server
when ready to be updated.
24. Dimensions
• Technically, a dimension is a
characteristic or an attribute of a
data set - a.k.a Metadata
• In reality, Dimensions are grouping
Year
devices for related “stuff”
• Some examples of dimensions are: Quarter 1
– Time
January
– Accounts
– Departments February
– Products
March
– Year
– Scenario Quarter 2
– Entity
April
– Countless others!
26. Alternate Hierarchy
Essbase allows you to present an “alternate” view of your main hierarchy. This is called an
Alternate Hierarchy. Note: Children of alternate rollups are shared members.
“Salaries and Overtime Expenses” is
an alternate hierarchy. It consolidates
Salaries and Overtime only.
27. Hyperion Essbase Server Features
Essbase Data-Tier
• Industry market leader
in OLAP databases
(based on revenue)
• Strong analytic
calculation engine.
• Security filters.
• Script language for
automating processes
like data calculations,
and command
executions.
• Multi-dimensional
data storage (MOLAP).
28. Essbase takes center stage
Consolidated
Actual Operational Historical
Data
HFM ERP Warehous
FDM
FDM
ODI
ODI e
EAL
FDM
ODI
ODI
Classic Load
Rule
Essbase
ODI
FDM
ODI
Planning HSF Others
Budget & Forecast Strategic CRM, Supply Chain
30. Summary
Why Choose Oracle Hyperion Financial Essbase?
• Examine
– Review, analyze and model business scenarios in ways never imagined.
– Develop KPI’s, discover trends, gain deeper understanding of results
– All costs, revenues, payables, and issues effectively and efficiently
• Enhance
– ROI with quick implementation time and numerous out of the box calculations.
– Visibility into lines of business operating results with drill down and drill back capacity
– Ability to analyze and gauge results through improved performance metrics
– Scalability, company integration and entity –wide best practices
• Reduce
– Costs through improved transparency in the numbers
– Surprises, missed targets and budgets and unanswered questions about results
– Errors, data entry, control risk, reporting times, departmental overload
• Refine
– Reporting, accounting and review process
– Processes, performance and controls based on in depth analytics
31. Why Choose BizTech
“Every company claims they deliver quality at a good
price, why is BizTech the superior choice…”
• Oracle Platinum Partner
• Client First Philosophy
• Focused Mission
• Proven Methodology and Process Orientation
• Simple to engage and do business together
• Encompassing Ethics and Integrity
• Balanced Leadership Team
• Focused on YOUR industry area for over a decade
32. Nestle Waters, Hyperion Essbase
Nestle Waters introduced Perrier® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water in North America, a
beverage that launched a generation of bottled water drinkers. Perrier changed what
people chose to drink, appealing to active, health-minded individuals.
Challenges:
• Financial data existed in multiple systems
(SAP, Essbase, Access and Microsoft Excel files)
• Budgeting and Forecast not accounted for all segments of the
business. Need for uniform budget and forecast process.
Solution:
• Hyperion Essbase solution. Robust system architecture
allowed for simplified front-end interface
• Simple Microsoft Excel interface for data collection and
reporting. End-user self-service architecture.
Results:
• Comprehensive consolidated financial reporting available
through a single data source.
• Compressed monthly Close and Forecast cycles through
efficiencies in process and data management.
• Fewer data discrepancies and consistency in financial
reporting across business segments.
32
33. Choose | The Right Approach
BizTech RapidApp Methodology
34. RapidApp Methodology
BizTech leverages our proven methodology, RapidApp, on every
engagement
– Phases
Break the project into smaller, more manageable, sections of work
Allow for “planned pauses” & overlap
– Tasks & Actions
Areas of concentration within a phase
Not all will be performed on every project
– Deliverables
Formal work products requiring review and acceptance
“Controlling” documents
– Policies & Procedures
Project planning, progress tracking
Status reporting
Project scope definition and management
Formal acceptance of deliverables
35. RapidApp Methodology
The two most critical concerns for a
successful implementation:
PROVEN EXPERIENCED
APPROACH PRACTITIONERS
Prepare Configure Test Deploy
Prepare D End User
Initial Planning Accelerator Magic
Test Scripts Training
Prepare Prepare D Setup Test/
Setup Production
Environment CRP Scripts System Testing
Define Project D Conference Room User Acceptance
Launch Project Pilots Testing Go Live!
Superuser Go/No Go Post-Go Live
Accelerator Prep
Training Decision Support
Project Mgmt, Quality Assurance, Knowledge Transfer
36. RapidApp (cont.)
Phase 1: Prepare
• In the Prepare phase, our objective is to build your project mission and definition.
We will build a roadmap and framework for the entire project.
• We define the scope and terms; identify people and resources, milestones and
targets.
• We work with your project team to establish and communicate expectations for
the project and perform baseline Oracle training.
– All implementation strategies are explored and decided upon during this phase.
• We will establish the base line technical infrastructure that will be necessary to
complete the project.
– All of these elements are the basis for developing your project plan.
At the end of the prepare phase, the deliverables include:
• A definition of Scope, Objectives & Approach that will guide the project.
• A RapidApp WBS that outlines all tasks as well as a resource plan.
• A Quality Plan for all phases and deliverables.
37. RapidApp (cont.)
Phase 2: Configure
• In the Configure phase, you’ll establish the boundaries of your project.
• We will work with your team to capture your functional requirements and
translate those requirements into a technical design. The technical design
becomes the foundation against which we develop the data warehouse, ETL and
dashboards.
• The conference room pilot at the end of the Configure phase will be the point at
which we validate that the develop solution matches the defined requirements.
At the conclusion of the configure phase, you will have:
A definition of Scope, Objectives & Approach that will guide the project.
• Application Functional Design specification document(s)
• Application Technical Design specification document(s)
• Conference Room Pilot Scripts that were used to validate the system
• A working non-production environment (data warehouse, ETL, dashboards
and reports)
38. RapidApp (cont.)
Phase 3: Test
• You’re going live soon, and we’re helping you prepare. We’re with you to update
and configure the final system configuration.
• We’ll help you conduct system testing to ensure a smooth transition into
production.
• We’ll also help you determine a training approach for your end users, design
training material and a training environment, and conduct the training, if
requested.
At the end of the test phase, the deliverables include:
• Documented Test Scripts that you used to test the system
• A complete end user training approach ready for rollout including Training
Guides
• A fully tested, production-ready system.
.
39. RapidApp (cont.)
Phase 4: Deploy
• Your Oracle solution is live. As you make the transition, we can remain with you in
a support role, helping to troubleshoot, teaching you how to maximize the value of
your new system, and identifying any new opportunities to continue with the
transformation to an e-business company.
At the end of this phase, you will have:
• A System Configuration Document
• A Production Software Infrastructure Summary
• A Deployment Plan
• Stopped doing your business processes in your legacy system.
• Moved all project support activities to your production support team.
• Trained your end users.
40. RapidApp: The Value Proposition
• Allows organizations to realize immediate cost savings through an
accelerated implementation.
• Establishes a budget conscious methodology that deploys functionality to
satisfy core functional requirements.
• Promotes the selection, inclusion, and customization of additional
functionality through additional discovery after your product is
implemented.
• Facilitates a phased approach in which knowledge transfer is conducted
whereby clients assume ownership of future project phases; reducing
dependency on external services and associated costs.
• Utilizes pre-built, customizable templates (models, forms, reports and
business logic) reducing development cycles and project cost.
41. ALA Delivery Resource Model
Leveraging the Architect – Lead – Associate model yields
higher productivity at lower cost, which:
• Maximizes value over traditional team approach
• Minimizes risk of single threaded SME approach
Architect The Architect designs the solution, and is
interacting with the work stream leads to
ensure implementation approach is optimal.
Lead The Leads are Subject Matter Experts, responsible for
client interactions, requirements, ensuring Associates
execute the work plan tasks and validates solution.
Associate The Associate may be on-site or
remote, executes the work plan tasks, unit
test, and provides completed work to Lead for
testing. Adds 3rd shift productivity to team.
42. Contact Information
Stephen Goldsmith
BI Practice Director
(610)592-0600
SGoldsmith@Biztech.com
Timothy Simkiss, CPA, MBA
Hyperion Project Manager Practice
Director
(610)592-0600
TimSimkiss@Biztech.com
Editor's Notes
Now if you want to add more dimensions of data, you start adding sheets. In this case, if you wanted to look at 4 regions in Market, now you have a total of 5 sheets (East, West, South, Central, Market). The problem exacerbates.How about if you want to view multiple products in each market. For example, 20 products by 5 markets = 100 sheets. What if you wanted to analyze by sub-products?The model gets exponentially larger and is soon a nightmare to maintain. Pivot tables are a band-aid – they are single user, cannot scale, and most importantly are not driven off of a model, but the metadata on the spreadsheet.Welcome to “Spreadsheet Hell”
The term OLAP was coined in contrast to OLTP (On-Line Transaction Processing). OLTP is used to store transactions in a RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). Data is stored in an optimal format for transaction processing, not for analytical processing.Historically, OLTP data stores have been difficult to use for certain types of analysis. In fact, the users of this data typically use a scripting language to extract data to reports. In addition to “programming” skills, the users must be in tune with how the data was stored.Generally, using an OLTP system for analysis is a bit like using a screwdriver on a nail.
Most companies have invested in BI tools – some companies have invested in lots of them! For the most part, they do very well at things like query and reporting, which is clearly important, but they are not designed to perform more demanding analytics.For example…Most, if not all, BI tools are very good at generating reports providing information such as revenue by customer. But if you are interested in understanding not only revenue, but also customer profitability, you quickly begin to hit limitations with query and reporting tools. That’s because profitability calculations can be very sophisticated. Indirect costs for example must be aggregated and allocated based on complex rules, percentages, and time periods. This demands powerful calculation and performance capabilities that far exceed the boundaries of querying and reporting tools.Another example, consider a daily or weekly report that shows product sales by customer. A common report that provides huge value in many types of business situations, and something your current bi tools are probably very good at. But if you want to move to the next question….the one that will impact the future….”what products is the customer likely to buy next”, you need an analytic environment. This is because you are now moving into the realm of predictive analytics, where you need the ability to write back or update models to change assumptions and drivers or even perform data mining algorithms.One last example, forecast information is often used in BI reports. However, when you need to look at alternate forecast scenarios, change assumptions, and recalculate forecasts, Q&R tools are not designed to do that type of analysis.
One version of truth: Get away from spreadsheet chaos, One Place to create and maintain business rules and calculationsPowerful calculation engine: superior calculation power, comprehensive library of functions, Time and Financial intelligence