Winter 17 Release Notes

Known and Resolved Issues

Known application issues we are working to resolve, as well as any resolved issues for this release, can be found in the Host Analytics Support Portal, located at hostanalyticsinc.zendesk.com/home.

Support Portal Access

User authentication is required to access the Support Portal. To access the Support Portal directly, setup a password which will work with the email address you use to access your Host Analytics application as follows: 

1. Navigate to https://hostanalyticsinc.zendesk.com/access/help.

2. Enter the email address you use to sign into your Host Analytics application.

3. Open your email client and locate the email titled, "Host Analytics, Inc. password reset" and follow the instructions in the email.

Deprecated Items

An ongoing list of product features, components, and functionality which Host Analytics is planning to remove in future releases can be found in the Knowledge Base. Refer to the FAQs document for detailed information.

UI Updates

The following changes have been made to the UI for this release. Significant changes have also been made to Report Sets UI and functionality, as described separately, below.

Password Enhancement

There are new password suggestions used when setting up a new password or changing an existing password. If the password does not meet the minimum requirements, as per the security policies enforced by your Administrator, it will not be accepted, and you will be informed in the UI as to which requirements are not being met.

Password requirements: 

• Use 8-20 characters

• Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters and at least one special character other than less than, equal than, back slash, forward slash, and left and right brackets.

• Do not use your user ID, user name, or name of your company

Password Reset Email

The Send Email option available on the More menu of the User Management > User page has been moved to the Password Reset sub-menu. Previously, the Send Email option was available under the Output sub-menu. Also, the page that opens when clicking the Send Email option has been renamed Password Reset.

Session Timeout Messages

The session timeout messages that appear to warn before a timeout, after timeout within the application, or after timeout outside the application have been improved to now show exact time remaining for the session and the reason for expiration of the session.

Default Hierarchy Management Mode

The default view mode to open the Hierarchy Management can now be set to read-only mode or edit mode. This can be set via Update Default View under the More menu of the Hierarchy Management page.

Cross-browser Updates

It is now possible to open and use the following templates in any supported browser:

• Capital template

• HR template

Additionally, Reporting Users can now view Snapshots from any IE or non-IE browser. (Snapshots are a way for you to take a snapshot of Dynamic Report data and then store the snapshot in a folder in the File Cabinet. From there, you can print the snapshot, or send an email of the snapshot saved in .xlsx format.)

Attribute Settings

The Attribute Settings on the Maintenance > Reports > Cube Settings page has been enhanced to appear in a single grid, and to use the unified toolbar (Save, Refresh, Add, etc.).

Features and Enhancements

Hide/Show Logo and Banner

You can now hide or show the Personalize Banner and the Application Logo from the Customize Branding page. By default, the application logo and personalized banner are visible.

NetSuite Integration [BETA]

Host Analytics can now be integrated with NetSuite, as a selectable item under the EPM tab within the NetSuite application window. Highlights of this feature include: 

• Session integration — Login and logout between Host Analytics and NetSuite is fully integrated for single sign-on and log off, so that if you log in or log off via Host Analytics you are automatically logged in or logged off to NetSuite, and vice versa. Additionally, if a user is locked out of the Host Analytics system, they will not be able to access the system via NetSuite.

• Data Load Rules — You can now create Data Load Rules (DLR) to load GL Data directly from a NetSuite database into the system. You do this by creating a Data Load Rule which maps NetSuite GL Data segments to their corresponding segments in the Host Analytics system, and then configure Cloud scheduler to run the DLR at the desired schedule and period (current, previous, current year).

NetSuite integration requires redeployment of the following Standard Reports:

• Template Notes

• Template Notes by Entities

• Elimination Variance Report

To deploy Standard Reports: 

1. Navigate to Maintenance > Reports > Standard Reports.

2. Select the appropriate reports.

3. Click More Actions > Deploy Reports and save the report.

Org By Period

Org by Period functionality, along with Dated Hierarchies, allows you to manage changes in organizational structure through acquisition, disposal, or change of parent company, and the associated changes for reporting and calculations, to wit: 

• Acquisition — Set the period from when the newly acquired company is active in the present organization. Values of the company are reported based on the period of acquisition. Settings are specific to the scenario, and you can have different calculations for different scenarios.

• Disposal — Set the period when the Company is inactive (i.e., defunct). Values of the company are stopped from the period of disposal. Settings are specific to the scenario, and you can have different calculations for different scenarios.

• Change of Parent Organization — You can create a version of the hierarchy when the parent change occurs using Dated Hierarchy. In this way you can generate reports based on older, and newer, organizational structures.

To configure Org By Period:

1. Navigate to Maintenance > Hierarchy > Hierarchy Management.

2. Select the impacted leaf node from the hierarchy.

3. Click the Org By Period link.

4. Select Enable Org by Period Calculations.

5. (optional) Select the Change by Scenario to perform Org By Period calculations at the scenario level.

6. Enter appropriate active and defunct dates, as per the business case.

Dated Hierarchy

When there are changes in company organizational structures, you may need to manage multiple versions of hierarchies which existed during different periods in time, and you may also need to generate reports using different versions of organizational hierarchies which represent different reporting positions of individual entities.

Dated Hierarchy allows you to manage hierarchies based on periods, allowing you to create a new version of a hierarchy and take a snapshot of the existing version.

A few examples: 

• Company 01 was part of a Parent group until December 2016, when it was moved to a different Parent group, and you need to generate reports using both Parent group hierarchy versions.

• Product 01 was part of a Product group until December 2016, when it was merged with a different Product group starting January 2017, and you need to generate reports using both versions of the hierarchies to understand the impact of the movement on the financials of the Product group.

To configure Dated Hierarchy: 

1. Navigate to Maintenance > Hierarchy > Hierarchy Management.

2. Select the hierarchy you wish to make a new version of.

3. Under Hierarchy Selection, click Setup.

4. Click the add [+] icon.

5. For Hierarchy Type, select Dated Hierarchy.

6. Enter a name, display name, and description for the Dated Hierarchy, along with the appropriate start and end periods, as per the business case.

7. Once complete, click Save. The Dated Hierarchy is created and available for report generation.

Report Sets Enhancements

The static Report Sets UI has been enhanced for use as per the latest OS and browser client requirements. Latest UI  features and enhancements are available in modern browsers only (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, IE 11 compatibility mode OFF).

When you create a new Report Set in a modern browser, it will be delineated in the UI under the Version column as New; Report Sets created using IE 11 compatibility mode ON will be marked Old.

Additionally, in a Dynamic Report, the entire File Cabinet folder path, along with the Report Set label, is displayed to enable you to easily identify the exact Report Set being used.

Important Notes 

• Report Sets created using IE 11 compatibility mode ON are read-only (i.e., you cannot Save or Save As) when accessed from a modern browser

• Similarly, Report Sets created using modern browsers are read-only when accessed from IE 11 compatibility mode ON (i.e, Save is not allowed)

Highlights of Changes

• Support for various fonts and font sizes

• Ability to apply line format on Headers only, Data only, or Headers and Data

• Additional border types (outside box, left, right) and border colors

• Customize currency symbol alignment (accounting format or align with number)

• Configure negative number and thousand separator for each line

• Enhanced conditional style (support for not equal to, not between), and support for ten conditions on a single line (previously six)

• Ability to set Row/Column precedence to honor line, data format, and formulas/calculations for each individual line

• Improved grid interactions:  inline edit of rules, formulas, and format; copy and paste/insert lines (copy rules, formulas, and format); show/hide row/column headers, formula bar, formula column; user-friendly line descriptions.

• Rule builder improvements:  Drag and drop selections; drag and drop to reorder selections; add and move to next line without closing the pop-up; multiple options to load selected, selected and children; exclude selected etc. via Mass Load/Add Multiple Lines.

New Tasks

With this enhancement, you can now perform the following tasks from a modern browser: 

• Copy, delete, and rename a Report Set from the File Cabinet

• Add and edit Static Reports

• Add and remove a Report Set from Favorites

• View the Usage Report for a Report Set from the File Cabinet

• Define and apply Security for a Report Set

• Track the Audit Log for a Report Set

• Build Dynamic Reports using Report Sets

As an Administrator: you can: 

• Assign a Line Type to a static Report Set line or range of lines

• Reload

• Enter Properties under General Information

• Reorder (drag and drop)  members in the Mass Load grid (i.e., Add Lines and Rules)

You can also apply the following formatting to static Report Set lines, via the Format > Line and Format > Data screen, for headers, data, or headers and data:

• Bold, italic, underline, and double-line

• Alignment and indents (not applicable to data or numbers)

• Decimals, number scale, solve order, and variance

• Text and fill color

• Number, currency, percentage

• Page breaks, show/hide lines

• Borders (left, right, top, outside, etc.)

• Currency sign alignment

• Font and font size

• Set row or column precedence for line, data format, and formulas

Administrators can also do the following for static Report Sets: 

• Add, edit, reorder, and copy and paste lines

• Define a Single Dimension Rule for a line, and save it

• Apply Grid Lines and Freeze Panes

• Show/hide Formula bars, columns

• Show Excel only formulas or all formulas

• Manage Report Sets in the File Cabinet

• Reload

• Apply fonts and font sizes which function in Dynamic Reports

• Define Single and Multiple Dimension Rules for a line and save

• View audit logs for all modern browsers

• Define advanced rule for a reference line account in order to build a complex expression

Report Administrators can now:

• Add/edit Line Descriptions, and Save/Copy

• Add Excel formulas on Static Report Set lines and save it

• Customize the display of the Formula/Rule column in a static Report Set grid and save it

• View Excel only formulas, or view all formulas, in a static Report Set grid and save

• Apply conditional styles on static Report Set lines and save

Reporting Users can now:

• Show/hide grid headers in a static Report Set

• Format button in DR disabled when Static Report Set is applied in DR on Row or Column axis

Additionally for Reporting Users, Dynamic Reports will honor the negative number and currency symbol alignment formats, as applied in static Report Sets.

Override Substitution Variables for FPP

You can now edit substitution variable values (either standard or dynamic) for Dynamic Reports in a Financial Publishing Package (FPP), for variables that are used in the header and footer, member selections, report sets, or line headers.

If a variable is part of a Dynamic Report, the Substitution Variables icon is displayed in the toolbar when the report is selected as part of the FPP. Clicking the icon launches a window which displays a consolidated list of all the substitution variables used in the reports. You can then override the default variable values before generating the Dynamic Report by clicking the variable and making the desired change. The override is applied to preview or generation of the FPP.

Additionally:

• If a single variable is used in multiple reports or multiple times in a single report, it is displayed only once in the User Prompt and takes the common value;

• Icons appear in the gird if the variable is used on headers, report sets, or dimensions;

• If the same variable is used in the header of one report and on the report set in another report, both header and report set icons are shown;

• Default values from master substitution variables are displayed in the dialog, and you can update the variable values before running the FPP.

Override Substitution Variables for Report Collections and FPP in Cloud Scheduler

You can now edit substitution variable values (either standard or dynamic) for Dynamic Reports for a Report Collection or Financial Publishing Package (FPP) when Process Flows are run, for variables that are used in the header and footer, member selections, report sets, or line headers.

The substitution variables User Prompt is displayed when Process Flows are executed via Run Now. The User Prompt displays a consolidated list of all the substitution variables used in all the reports across all the Report Collections and FPPs mapped in the Process Flow tasks. You can then override the default values before generating the Dynamic Report by clicking the variable and making the desired change.

Additionally: 

• If a single variable is used in multiple reports or multiple times in a single report, it is displayed only once in the User Prompt and takes the common value;

• Icons appear in the gird if the variable is used on headers, report sets, or dimensions;

• If the same variable is used in the header of one report and on the report set in another report, both header and report set icons are shown;

• Default values from master substitution variables are displayed in the dialog, and you can update the variable values before running the Process Flow.

Turn On/Off Nested Labels in Dynamic Reports

Reporting Users can now configure the on/off display of nested labels, for a member label, on each row, when multiple dimensions are used in Dynamic Reports. This option is enabled only if there are multiple objects applied on the row/column.

Highlights of this change include: 

• Labels on the row/column repeated if Nested Labels option is turned off

• Drill-down on all rows of a particular member

• Can be used with ERM, Report Books, Templates, and Scorecard

• Rows are repeated in Excel, PDF, print, and Snapshot outputs

Empty Report Suppression in Report Collection Output

With this release, suppression of empty reports (i.e., a blank report with no data in rows or columns) in a Report Collection output file is now available for Reporting Administrators. This appears as a checkbox under Report Collection >  Settings > Suppress Empty Reports. (This setting is configured to Selected by default.)

If selected, whenever a Dynamic Report execution results in a blank report, the reports are not generated or included anywhere in the TOC (if applied), Excel tabs, or PDF pages. If the checkbox is unselected, the blank reports are generated in the output file with accompanying error text.

This update is applicable across all browsers.

Dimension Security Configuration Processing

Dimension security configurations are now processed asynchronously when they are saved. Once processing begins, each Reporting Area is added to the Job Manager, and information about the job is available in the Detailed Log.

Create Sibling Hierarchy For Multiple Set of Books

Multiple Set of Books functionality supports IFRS and GAAP based reporting, allowing you to create a duplicate (i.e., sibling) of an existing hierarchy and establish a relationship with the existing hierarchy so that data posted to a main member is seeded to the sibling hierarchy member.

This enhancement allows you to create a sibling hierarchy with a few simple steps.

Refresh Closed Periods in Forecast Budget

Previously, closed periods data in Forecast Scenario was allowed to be refreshed only from Actual Scenario. With this release, this has been enhanced to allow you to choose any scenario for closed periods from which data can be refreshed.

Data Calculations for Missing Periods at the DLR Level

You can now define data calculations for missing periods, at the data load rules (DLR) level, for GL Data and Translations sub-types. The fields, Default Value for Missing Periods, enabled by default, has been added to the Define Overall Rule Settings of Data Load Rule, with the following selections: 

• Enable new Data Calculations —Select this checkbox to enable data calculations for missing periods (selected by default)

• Overwrite Global Settings —Select this checkbox to overwrite values for flow accounts and balance accounts.

• Flow Accounts —Select YTD or MTD flow account to overwrite.

• Balance Accounts —Select YTD or MTD balance accounts to overwrite.

Previously, you could choose between the following data calculation configuration options:

• Enable new Calculation setting Across Application

• Enable new Calculation setting per Scenario

• Continue without enabling new Calculation Setting

However, you could not select different calculations for the same Scenario. Now, you can make selections at the Data Load Rule level, for any type of configuration, specifically: 

• Enable new calculation setting across application

• Enable new calculation setting per scenario

• Enable new calculation setting per Data Load Rule

• Continue without enabling new calculation setting

Segment1_Retrieve API Response

The Segment1_Retrieve API response now has two separate fields (i.e., columns) for Parent Code and Parent Name. (Previously, the output was Parent_Label, which was a combination of <Parent Code - Parent Name> in one field, called Parent Code.)

Google Drive Integration, Multiple Accounts Configuration

Cloud-based data loads from Google Drive provide the ability to load data into the system from files placed in Google Drive. You can run schedule-based data load processes without having to manually trigger the load process.

Previously, all users placed files in a common, shared folder, resulting in erroneous permissions viewing (e.g., users could see other user's data). Now, you can create a folder in your own account and share it with the Administrator who configured the Google Drive integration.

So, when a Google Drive Data Load Rule (DLR) file is created by a user, it automatically creates a folder with the same name in the Administrator's Google Drive account. The file is accessible to the user and the Administrator only.

Excel Query Add-In Users

The number of Business users which you can map for Excel Query Add-In is now limited to two users.

To map users for Add-in access, navigate to Maintenance > Admin > User Management, then select More > Add-in Security. Select the Host Analytics Excel Query Add-In and then map and unmap users accordingly.

Publish a Master Template to Sibling Tenants and a Running Scenario

You can now publish a template so that all the input data from the master tenant is available in the sibling tenant template, with the exception of the reference cube lines. You can publish a template to more than one tenant application within a group, and you can publish either a default scenario template or a running scenario template.

Additionally, templates mapped to a default scenario can now be published to a running scenario. This allows you to publish a template from a master tenant to a running scenario in a sibling tenant.

Subline Template Enhancements

If the Summary line in a Subline template does not match with the lines, or if formula does not exist in the Summary line, you will now be prompted informing of this mismatch. Additionally, an option is provided to Reset Formula of the Summary lines, which updates all the existing formulas in the Summary lines.