Asyma E3 2012 - How to make reporting, budgeting & communications simple - Robert Lavery
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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.
Asyma E3 2012 - How to make reporting, budgeting & communications simple - Robert Lavery
- 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
- 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
- 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