Adding images in PAW

In this article I would like to share a very useful tip on how we can use different methods to adding images in Planning Analytics Workspace; one that is very well known, one that is lesser-known and one that is relatively unknown. I intend to touch base on the first two methods while focusing more on the latter one.

But before I begin, as I write this blog article, there has been more than 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with over 130,00 deaths and I wish to take a moment on behalf of Octane Software Solutions and express our deepest condolences with all those and their family members who have directly or indirectly suffered and had been affected by the pandemic and our thoughts go to them.

And at the same breath a special shout out and our gratitude to the entire medical fraternity, the law enforcement, various NGOs and numerous other individuals, agencies and groups both locally and globally who has been putting their lives at stake to combat this pandemic and help the needy around. Thank you to those on the frontline and the unsung heroes of the COVID-19. It is my firm belief that together we will succeed in the fight.

Back to the topic, one of the most used methods for adding images in PAW is to upload it in some content management and file sharing sites like BOX or SharePoint and paste the web link in the PAW Image Url field. Refer the link below where Paul Young demonstrates how to add an image using this method.

https://youtu.be/uGQzZQveX4Q

The other method is to upload your image to an encoding website like https://www.base64-image.de.

This provides a string which can then be pasted as Image url to display the image. Note that it only works on limited file formats and on small sized images.

Also note that albeit the above two methods achieves the purpose of adding images in PAW none of them provides the capability to store the images in a physical drive in order to keep a repository of the images used in PAW easily saved and accessible in your organizations’ shared drive.

The third approach addresses this limitation as it allows us to create a shared drive, store our images in it and then reference it in PAW.

This can be done by creating a website in IIS manager using few simple steps as listed below.

First off, before you can begin, ensure IIS is enabled in your data server as a prerequisite step. This can be done by simply searching IIS in your Windows menu.

Incase no results are displayed, it means it has not been enabled yet.

To enable, go to Control Panel à Programs à Turn Windows feature on or off

A wizard opens, click Next. Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

Select the server if its not already selected (typically data server where you’re enabling the IIS)

Select the Web Server check box and click Next

Select IIS Hostable Web Core and and click Install.

This installs the required IIS components on the server so we can now proceed to add the website in IIS Manager.

Before adding a website, navigate to C:\inetpub\wwwroot\ and create a folder in this directory. This will be the folder where we will store our images.

Once IIS is enabled follow the below steps:

1. Under Sites right click and select Add Website.

2. Update the following configuration settings

a. Site name: Enter the name of the site

b. Physical path: Enter the folder path we created in earlier step

c. Port: Enter any unreserved port number

d. Host name: Enter the machine name

Now go to PAW and enter the image URL.

Where ibmpa.jpg is the image saved within PAWImage folder.

Note: This only works in Planning Analytics Local.

Octane Software Solutions is a IBM Gold Business Partner, specialising in TM1, Planning Analytics, Planning Analytics Workspace and Cognos Analytics, Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics.

TM1 tech tips

Octane Software Solutions Partner With QUBEdocs to Deliver Cutting Edge Document Automation

February 2022

3 min

Octane Software Solutions is a cutting edge technology and services provider to the Office of Finance. Octane is partnered with vendors like IBM and BlackLine to provide AI-based solutions to help finance teams automate their processes and increase their ability to provide business value to the enterprise.

Qubedocs is an automated IBM Planning Analytics documenter. It generates automated documentation within minutes and ensures compliance and knowledge management within your organisation. So, we're excited to announce our partnership with QUBEdocs - a solution that takes the resources and headaches out of TM1 modelling. In this article, we discuss common challenges with Planning Analytics and how QUBEdocs transforms this process.

Challenges with Planning Analytics (TM1)

Our experience in the industry has meant we've worked with many enterprises that encounter challenges with Planning Analytics. Common concerns and challenges that our clients face are listed here:

Correct documentation
Over-reliance on developers, which leaves businesses vulnerable.
Unable to visualise the full model, resulting in not understanding the information and misinterpreting the model.
Are business rules working correctly?
Understanding data cubes
Disaster recovery and causation analysis
Managing audit
Compliance with IBM licence rules

Reading through these challenges can paint the picture of a complicated process to manage and support. They cover a broad range of concerns, from first ensuring the documentation is correct, understanding the data and information, and not knowing if they're doing it right. Automating this process can take the guesswork and lack of confidence out of the models.

How QUBEdocs transforms the process

We've partnered with QUBEdocs because of its capabilities to transform the TM1 Models. Through QUBEdocs you can generate custom documentation in minutes (as opposed to months) for your IBM Planning Analytics TM1. You're able to meet your regulatory requirements, capture company-wide knowledge and gain an accurate, updated view of TM1 model dependencies.

Below is a list of benefits that QUBEdocs offers:

Purpose-built

Specifically built for business intelligence, QUBEdocs allows seamless integration with IBM Planning Analytics.

Fully automated documentation

QUBEdocs focuses on driving business value while documenting every single detail. Automating the documentation takes the errors out of the process and ensures your plans are knowledge-driven.

Personalised reporting

QUBEdocs keeps track of all the layers of data that are important to you – choose from standard reporting templates or customise what you want to see.

Compare models

Compare different versions of your model to gain complete visibility and pinpoint changes and potential vulnerabilities.

Cloud-based

QUBEdocs up-to-date features and functionalities need no infrastructure to use and allows collaborative, remote working.

Data with context

Context is critical to data-driven decisions. Every result in QUBEdocs is supported by context, so you understand before you act.

Model analysis

Models offer a way to look at your applications, objects or relationships in-depth. Analysing your models can help you understand your complex models intuitively, so you know each part of your business and what it needs to succeed.

Dashboards

Understand your server environment at a glance with key metrics tailored for different stakeholders in your business.

Summary

This article has outlined the benefits of QUBEdocs, and why we're excited to announce our partnership. Though, when you work with Octane Software Solutions, you get a company in it for the long haul until you've grown into your new wings. If QUBEdocs is right for you, a big part of our processes is implementing it into your organisation so that it's fully enabled to improve your business performance.

Learn more about QUBEdocs or join our upcoming webinar; How to automate your Planning Analytics (TM1) documentation.

TM1 tech tips

Dynamic Array formulas in IBM PA TM1 - Supercharge your Excel report

February 2022

4 min

Dynamic Array Formulas in IBM PA TM1

What are Dynamic Array formulas and why you should use them?

In this blog article (and few other upcoming blogs), I am going to write about the capabilities of Dynamic Array (DA) functions with examples and demonstrate to you some great features it has that I believe can empower the PA Analysts to do all differently sorts of data analysis in a simpler and much more intuitive way, thereby enhancing their productivity.

To start off, lets first understand what Dynamic Array functions actually are?

To put it simply, the DA functions are those functions that leverages Excel’s latest DA calculation behavior where you no more have to enter CSE(Control+Shift+Enter) to spill the formulas or in fact copy pasting the formula for each value you wanted returned to the grid.

With DA you simply enter the formula in one cell and hit enter and it will result in an array of values returned to the gird, also known as spilling.

The Array functions are currently only supported in Office 365 but according to Microsoft, it will be extended other versions soon.

Typically when you enter a formula that may return an Array in Older version of Excel and then open it in DA version of Excel, you would get an @ sign – also know as implicit intersection - before the formula. This is added by Excel automatically for all the formulas that it considers might potentially return an multi-cell ranges. By having this sign, Excel ensures formulas that can return multiple values in DA compatible version would always return just one value and it does not spill.

Following is the information on implicit intersection available on the Microsoft website:

With the advent of dynamic arrays, Excel is no longer limited to returning single values from formulas, so invisible implicit intersection is no longer needed. Where an old Excel formula could invisibly trigger implicit intersection, dynamic array enabled Excel shows where it would have occurred. With the initial release of dynamic arrays, Excel indicated where this occurred by using the SINGLE function. However, based on user feedback, we’ve moved to a more succinct notation: the @ operator.

Note: According to Microsoft, this shouldn’t impact the current formulas, however few Planning Analytics clients have already complained of issues having @ in DBRW formulas in PAfE where it no more works. The @ sign that had to be manually removed from all DBRW formulas to make it work. This is a bit of bummer because depending on the number of reports, it may lead to significant amount of work to do this task, a VBA might be a of relief here otherwise it a bit of tedious task.

More on Implicit Intersection can be found in below link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/implicit-intersection-operator-ce3be07b-0101-4450-a24e-c1c999be2b34?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us

Additionally, there is another key update that must be made in Excel setting to address another bizarre side effect of implicit intersection observed in Dynamic reports. See below link for details:

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/unable-expandcollapse-tm1rptrow-dynamic-report-shows-mail-icon

Below are the list of DA formulas currently available in Excel 365.

• FILTER

• RANDARRAY

• SEQUENCE

• SORT

• SORTBY

• UNIQUE

I will be covering off a bit more in detail on these functions in my subsequent blogs to showcase real power of these functions so hang in there till then.

As for why you need to use them, below are some of the reasons I’ve listed to bring on the table:

1. It compliments the PAfE capabilities and fills the gaps where PAfE could not due to its limitations

2. Can open up the world of new data analysis capabilities

3. Once you understand the formulas and the Boolean concept (which is not complicated by any means), It’s true potential could be realised

4. It is simple yet very powerful and a big time-saver

5. With formula sitting only in one cell, it is less error prone

6. The calculation performance is super-fast

7. CSE no more!

8. It is backward compatible, meaning you need not worry how your DA results appear in legacy excel as long as you’re not using the DA fun

9. Updates are easy to make – need to only update in once cell as opposed to all cells

This is my value proposition for why you should use DA formulas. I’ve so far not yet demonstrated what I proposed which I intend to do in my later blogs, till then thanks for reading folks and stay safe.

TM1 tech tips

Celebrating Five Fabulous Years for Octane Software Solutions

February 2022

10 min

It’s an amazing feeling as we gear up to celebrate Octane’s 5th anniversary. What started as an idea and nurtured by me and my senior leaders is fast transforming into an established and growing enterprise.

Five years is usually a significant milestone in a startup’s life as it pushes you into a grown-up zone. It’s been an exciting journey and the pandemic indeed threw some curveballs at us.

From Macquarie to Octane

I am often asked about the motivation to resign from Macquarie Group to start Octane.

Macquarie was an excellent learning ground to nurture one’s entrepreneurial fire. I found a gap in the market to provide the latest AI-based technology to the Office of Finance. Some existing suppliers were either too expensive that meant the projects did not stack up against a cost/benefit analysis. Others simply did not have the skills or expertise to deliver complex Financial Projects.

My vision was to establish Octane as a specialist provider of Finance technology at a price point that allows for a wider adaptation. This was to be achieved using a hybrid onshore/offshore delivery and support.

I think we are keeping true to the vision and adjust and adapt due to market demands.

I must admit that the pandemic has validated our business model as the whole world adapted to remote working and sought out to optimise how they operate and a rapidly volatile environment.

Reflecting on some of the significant achievements of Octane over the last five years would be:

Onshore/Offshore TM1 Delivery - We established skilled TM1 teams in Sydney and 4 Centres in India. Using a combined onshore/offshore delivery model, we were able to deliver projects and support TM1 models much quicker and cheaper than our peers as well as our internal teams.
DataFusion - Over the years, we have developed and fine-tuned an API based connector into TM1. DataFusion allows TM1 data to be reported in other reporting tools like Power BI, Qlik and Tableau.
TM1 Training - We launched our $99 training sessions for end-users. This has proven to be quite popular within the community. Typically, training cost thousands and can be difficult to find.
We have simplified the whole process and offered great value for a low price. Obviously, this is a loss leader for us but has certainly opened up doors to a number of clients who saw the depth of our expertise via this training.
Octane Managed Services - Building upon our onshore/offshore capabilities and growing functionality, we now offer Octane Managed Service, which provides DevOps capabilities. This provides an easy to consume model and transparent pricing covering several tools and applications.
This allows Finance teams to focus on what they do best and not be bogged down with trying to run a Software shop.
IBM Gold Partner Status - We were extremely proud to achieve our IBM Gold partner status in 2018.
IBM Champion Status - I was personally awarded the status of IBM Champion in 2021.
Partnerships - As part of strengthening our offering to the Office of Finance, we have partnered with some of the most respected vendors:

IBM - IBM is a giant in the industry. They have some of the most widely used software within Finance teams. They are leaders in integrated budgeting & forecasting, Statistical Analysis, Optimisation, Robotic Process Automation and of course, Watson for Artificial Intelligence.
Blackline - Since being founded in 2001, BlackLine has become a leading provider of cloud software that automates and controls financial close and accounting processes.
MODLR - MODLR is a business modelling and collaborative planning software that provides everything needed to enable a connected financial planning process.
QUBEdocs - QUBEdocs enhances Cognos TM1 and Planning Analytics by adding a new dimension of visibility and information governance. It delivers meaningful documentation of TM1 models.
Other numerous partnerships we have with our peer companies around the globe to share information and resources.

Octane timeline & Milestone Chart

Octane timeline over the last five years.

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Team Octane

The biggest shoutout goes to the team we have at Octane, who are absolute champions and masters of their domain.

We have always sought to foster and build up the skills of our people. While Covid has put a stop to our legendary quarterly team get-togethers in different locations, we have slowly started planning to work towards our next get-together in Goa when restrictions lift and we are all able to travel.

It was amazing how our team got together as the effects of the pandemic were starting to be felt around the world. Being in a situation where we had our staff deployed to Dubai and Fiji, it was a mammoth effort and patience required to manoeuvre through lockdowns, quarantine and travel arrangements to get everyone back home safely.

As always, our main concern was the safety and welfare of our staff. During the pandemic, we have to provide different levels of support to our staff and their family as some of them were affected by the virus which has brought us closer together as a tight-knit team.

Octane home office Work from home office became the norm in 2020.

Over the last five years, we have had the opportunity to work with clients of sizes and shapes. It’s pleasing to note that the vast majority of them are with us for the long haul, and we have an ongoing relationship with them. We have always sought to ensure that my team and I go above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction.

It has become our DNA.

Octane team-1 Our get together with the Sydney Team before the pandemic.

I am also appreciative of my family and their patience. Starting out and building something like Octane requires immense time, effort and energy. There have been almost monthly travels (pre-pandemic) and lots of late-night calls.

The silver lining in the last 18 months was that I was able to spend a lot more time at home, and we managed to get some long-standing projects off the ground. It also allowed me to compete and win the NSW WRX Motorkhana championship, spend more time with kids and helped in their driving competitions. We have also started building a race car for my daughter.

Octane Family My eldest daughter, Risha at her debut race at 14 - Wakefield Park Raceway.

In the last 18 months, we had a lot of time looking inwards and reflecting and adjusting our priorities. We, as Octane, has partnered with the charity B1G1. This allows us to support many charitable projects. We already have workshopped many creative ways to integrate our clients and tribe of followers to be part of our giving philosophy - i.e. provide a specific charitable project linked to each training or webinar you attend or when a client signs up for our Managed Services.

B1G1 logo We have partnered with B1G1 during the pandemic.

The last five years have been exciting and did not follow the script. But we have adapted and evolved. It would be impossible for me to predict what the next five years would look like. One certain thing is that we will be strengthening our base in our core area of providing the best and latest technology to Finance teams.

We allow them to spend more time analysing and less time producing reports. The other strong theme emerging has been the signing up of clients in new markets like the USA and Europe.

With Covid taking away the barriers to remote work and most enterprises realising the value of having market insights in a timely manner could provide a significant competitive advantage.

Octane team Our Octane team looking forward to serving you for the coming years.

TM1 tech tips

Session Timeout for TM1Web, PAW and PAX

February 2022

2 min

We might often get a request from users that TM1 session has logged. As per the client requirement and standards, need to increase or decrease the session timeout. Changing the session timeout is a trade-off, it should not be too big or too small. If it’s too big then many inactive sessions can lead to server performance issues. If it is too small, then the user experience might be affected.

Each application of TM1 has its separate session timeout parameter. Jump into the respective section, depending upon your need.

TM1Web

1. Go to <Installation Folder>\IBM\cognos\tm1_64\webapps\tm1web\WEB-INF\configuration and Open tm1web_config.xml file.