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Epicor EPM Canvas Planning Course

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
37 views73 pages

Epicor EPM Canvas Planning Course

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Epicor ERP

Epicor Planner Course


10.2.600
Disclaimer
This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. This document and its
contents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are believed to be accurate as of its
date of publication. However, Epicor Software Corporation makes no guarantee, representations or warranties with
regard to the enclosed information and specifically disclaims any applicable implied warranties, such as fitness for a
particular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care. As each user of Epicor software is
likely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business processes, users of this document
are always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor account manager. All information contained
herein is subject to change without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important information
about the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current release
notes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/or
make improvements or changes to the products or programs described in this publication at any time, without notice.
The usage of any Epicor software shall be pursuant to an Epicor end user license agreement and the performance of
any consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's standard services terms and conditions. Usage
of the solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchase
of licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with local laws or requirements
in this document, such compliance is not a warranty and is based solely on Epicor's current understanding of such laws
and requirements. All laws and requirements are subject to varying interpretations as well as to change and accordingly
Epicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such changes. All statements of
platform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in relation to the products referred
to in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible with one product and also
stated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor software is compatible
with both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment. Additionally platform or
product compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches and/or service packs and
Epicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches and/or service packs
released by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor® is a registered trademark and/or
trademark of Epicor Software Corporation in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. All other
trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Epicor Software Corporation 2020.
All rights reserved. Not for distribution or republication. Information in this document is subject to Epicor license
agreement(s).

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Epicor Planner Course Contents

Contents
Epicor Planner Course.............................................................................................................5
Before You Begin....................................................................................................................6
Audience.........................................................................................................................................................6
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................6
Environment Setup..........................................................................................................................................6
Workshop Constraints..............................................................................................................................7
Application Setup...................................................................................................................8
Workshop - Make the Sample Database Available..........................................................................................10
Grant Full Write Access to Users.............................................................................................................11
Workshop - Lower Excel 2007 and 2010 Security...........................................................................................11
Workshop - Lower Excel XP Security...............................................................................................................12
Epicor Planner Overview......................................................................................................14
Planning Strategy...........................................................................................................................................15
Epicor Planner Interface.................................................................................................................................16
Workshop - Start Epicor Planner.............................................................................................................16
Workshop - View the Epicor Planner Web Interface.................................................................................18
Workshop - Edit the zenith.properties File........................................................................................18
Workshop - Add the Planning Data Source......................................................................................19
Workshop - View the Epicor Planner in the Performance Canvas......................................................20
Epicor Planner Terms and Definitions.............................................................................................................20
Client Technology..........................................................................................................................................23
Epicor Planner Modeler........................................................................................................24
Workshop - Start the Epicor Planner Modeler.................................................................................................24
Workshop - View the Modeler Window.........................................................................................................25
Dimensions....................................................................................................................................................26
Workshop – Modify a Dimension............................................................................................................28
Security Setup in the Epicor Planner Business Modeler....................................................................................29
Workshop - Control User Access to Excel................................................................................................30
Create a Epicor Planner Cube.........................................................................................................................31
Workshop - Create an Application..........................................................................................................31
Workshop - Create the Account Dimension............................................................................................32
Workshop - Create the Time Dimension..................................................................................................33
Workshop - Create the TimeDataView Dimension...................................................................................34
Workshop - Create the Scenario Dimension............................................................................................35
Workshop - Create a Model....................................................................................................................36
Workshop - Create Business Rules...................................................................................................36
Workshop - Set up Security.....................................................................................................................37
Workflows.....................................................................................................................................................38
Workshop - Manipulate a Workflow.......................................................................................................38
Database Locks..............................................................................................................................................40

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Contents Epicor Planner Course

Workshop - Work with Database Locks...................................................................................................40


Database Setup..............................................................................................................................................41
Workshop - Select the Library Storage Type............................................................................................42
Workshop - Set Dimensions....................................................................................................................43
Workshop - Set up Database..................................................................................................................44
Workshop - Set up Database Locks.........................................................................................................45
Canvas Planning and Excel...................................................................................................46
Canvas Planning Control Panel.......................................................................................................................46
Workshop - Start Canvas Planning Control Panel....................................................................................47
Dynamic Reporting........................................................................................................................................48
Workshop - Create a New Report in the Report Wizard...........................................................................48
Workshop - Edit a Report in the Report Editor.........................................................................................49
Workshop - Edit a Report in the Report Editor - Part 2.............................................................................51
Leveraging Excel Data Manager.....................................................................................................................55
Workshop - Load Data............................................................................................................................55
Workshop - Clear Data...........................................................................................................................56
Workshop - Extract Data.........................................................................................................................56
Workshop - Run Rules............................................................................................................................57
Publishing Books of Reports...........................................................................................................................58
Workshop - Publish a Report...................................................................................................................58
Workshop - Build a model for Data Entry in Excel...........................................................................................60
Add Data - Actuals.................................................................................................................................61
Add Data - Forecast................................................................................................................................62
Add Data – Time Data View....................................................................................................................63
Export Data within the model for Editing................................................................................................63
Import Data............................................................................................................................................64
Look at the Full Year 2011......................................................................................................................64
View Months..........................................................................................................................................65
Format Reports.......................................................................................................................................65
Add Account Designation on Node Level................................................................................................65
Apply Conditional Formatting.................................................................................................................66
Hide Data...............................................................................................................................................67
Save an Excel Sheet as a Template..........................................................................................................68
Planning Gem........................................................................................................................69
Workshop - Open Input Schedule..................................................................................................................69
Workshop - Create Planning Gem..................................................................................................................69
Workshop - Create Performance Canvas........................................................................................................70
Workshop - Change Data in Planning Gem....................................................................................................71
Workshop - View Changed Data in Excel.......................................................................................................71
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................72

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Epicor Planner Course Epicor Planner Course

Epicor Planner Course

This course is designed to review the Epicor Planner concepts as well as budgeting, planning, and reporting
functionality the product provides. Topics of discussion include program installation options, basic setup,
administration, and security. This course also describes standard budget and forecasting processes.
Epicor Planner is a flexible, scalable Microsoft Excel add-in that can handle large implementations across multiple
installations, as well as manage mixed content from multiple sources.
Note
Before 10.0.700 version, Epicor Planner was referred to as Epicor Enterprise Performance Management
Canvas Planning (EPM Canvas Planning).

Hands-on workshops guide you through the Epicor Planner Modeler setup steps to introduce the Epicor Planner
processes.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
• Create a unified financial and operational model for budgets, plans, and reports (set up the account plan,
customers, business scenarios, and so on) using the Epicor Planner Modeler.
• Manage dimensions in the Epicor Planner Control Panel.
• Create and adjust dynamic reports using the Excel Planner.
• Create input forms your business needs in the Excel Planner.
• Load and export data using the Data Manager.
• Receive real time visualizations of business data and perform specific analyses.
• Analyze and update forecasts and budgets in a web interface.
• Build Canvases using Planning Gems to enter forecasts and visualize them.

Epicor ERP | 10.2.600 5


Before You Begin Epicor Planner Course

Before You Begin

Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.

Audience

Specific audiences will benefit from this course.


• Executive
• Knowledge Worker
• CFO/Controller
• Analyst

Prerequisites

To complete the workshops in this course, the necessary modules must be licensed and operating in your training
environment. For more information on the modules available, contact your Epicor Customer Account Manager.
It is also important you understand the prerequisite knowledge contained in other valuable courses.
• Epicor EPM Performance Canvas Course - The Epicor EPM Performance Canvas course provides an
introduction to Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) cubes, an overview of Business Intelligence (BI) and
introduces the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas) analysis
platform for use with the Epicor Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) suite or as a standalone product.
The following industry knowledge is recommended:
• General knowledge of Microsoft Excel

Environment Setup

Review environment setup steps and workshop constraints in order to successfully complete the workshops in
this session.
The workshops for the standalone product in this session were written using a sample datasource included in
the Performance Canvas installation.
Important
Consult your system administrator for the appropriate user name and password to log into the local
installation of the Epicor EPM Performance Canvas application.

Perform the following setup steps:


• Start the CallistoService, EPM Performance Canvas and SQL Server Analysis Services services.
• Verify SQL instance is running.

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Epicor Planner Course Before You Begin

To start the services:

1. From the desktop, select the Epicor Admin Tools folder.

2. Click the Start Epicor EPM Services icon.

To verify SQL instance is running:

1. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
The Windows Services console displays.

2. Locate SQL Server entries and verify they all display the Started status.

Epicor Cloud ERP Specific Information


Note If you are an Epicor Cloud ERP customer, then note the following about your Epicor-hosted education
company. All logins referenced in the course (such as manager, or epicor) should be changed to be the
<site ID>-. For example, if your site ID is 98315, then wherever you are instructed to use the login manager,
instead use 98315-manager. The password is 'Train18!'.

Note To refresh your Epicor training data, enter a support ticket in EpicCare and include your site ID.

Workshop Constraints

The workshops in this course can be performed only once in each instance of a restored (refreshed) shared
database. If a user has already completed these workshops in the database, the database must be restored
(refreshed) before another user can complete this course.
Below is a list of workshops in this course that can be performed only once in each instance of a restored (refreshed)
database. Where applicable, a detailed explanation of the workshop constraints is documented in the workshop
itself.
• Workshop - Deploy the Sample Datasource - This workshop can only be performed one time on a
non-refreshed environment.
Consult your system administrator for the appropriate user name and password to log into the local installation
of the Epicor EPM Performance Canvas application.
• Workshop - Activate the Sample Datasource - This workshop can only be performed one time if the
sample datasource has not been deployed.

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Application Setup Epicor Planner Course

Application Setup

Epicor Planner is a Microsoft Excel add-in that is installed as a standalone application and can interact with Epicor
EPM Performance Canvas.
To complete this course, you must install and configure the following applications:
• Microsoft Excel
• Epicor EPM Performance Canvas
• Epicor Planner (Callisto) Server, Server Components, and Client
If you use the Ready Tech training image, skip the installation steps. All the required software is already installed
on this image.

Install the Performance Canvas


The Epicor EPM Installation Guide, which is available on EPICweb, provides Epicor EPM Performance Canvas
software requirements and complete details on how to install Epicor EPM Performance Canvas.
The Performance Canvas provides a web-based dashboard tool that uses datasources such as Microsoft® SQL
Server® Analysis Services (SSAS) cubes and other similar Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) compatible databases.
Epicor EPM Performance Canvas supports the following internet browsers listed in order of performance:
• Google Chrome 10
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, 8, and 9
• FireFox 3 and 4
• Safari 3, 4, and 5
Note
Verify the Performance Canvas service is started. Otherwise you cannot use Performance Canvas.

Install Epicor Planner (Callisto) Server


To complete this course, install the Epicor Planner Server and Epicor Planner Server Components.
Server Software Requirements
• Windows 2003 Server or above with IIS installed
• .NET 2.0
• SQL Server 2005 SP2 or above Client Components
Standalone Demo Machine (Client) Software Requirements
• Windows 2003 Server or above with IIS installed
• .NET 2.0
• SQL Server 2005 SP2 or above with SQL Database and Analysis Services installed
• Excel 2003 or above
To install a standalone Epicor Planner (Callisto) server:

1. Download Server Setup.msi.

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Epicor Planner Course Application Setup

Note The file may have a different name such as Server Setup_XXXX.msi where XXXX refers to a
four digit number that identifies the specific build number of the installation.

2. Run Server Setup.msi.

3. When prompted, enter a User Id and User Password.


The user id must comply with the following requirements:
• The user id must have administrator rights on the server.
• The user id must be a member of the IIS_WPG group.
You will be prompted twice for this information.

4. Accept all other defaults.

When the completion message displays, your Epicor Planner (Callisto) server is installed.
To install Epicor Planner (Callisto) server components:

1. Double-click Server Setup_xxxx.msi for 32 bit servers or Server Setup64_xxxx.msi for 64 bit servers.
The Callisto Setup Wizard screen displays.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Next.

3. On the Select Installation Folder screen, accept or adjust the folder to which the server software will be
installed.

4. Click Next.

5. On the Select Software to Install screen, select the components to install on this server. For this course,
accept the selection of all four software components.

6. Click Next.

7. On the Databases to Install screen, select Sample SQL database to install the sample database.

8. Click Next.

9. On the Server Names screen, enter the names of the servers your Epicor Planner (Callisto) Server installation
will use. For this course, accept localhost for all servers for the best performance.

10. Click Next.


The installation progress bar displays.

11. If you selected to install the Web Service software component on the Select Software to Install screen,
the IIS Site Names screen displays.

a. On the IIS Site Names screen, accept the default values.


If the IIS Server on this machine was reconfigured to use a different name for the default web site,
enter the appropriate name in the Default Web Server field.

b. Click OK.

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Application Setup Epicor Planner Course

c. Enter the Username and Password the web service will be configured to use for privileged access to
files, SQL databases, and analysis services databases. The user id must be a member of the IIS_WPG
user group on the server.

d. Click OK.

12. If you selected to install the NT Service software component on the Select Software to Install screen, the
Net Service Logon screen displays.

a. Enter the Username and Password the NT Service will use to access files, SQL databases, and analysis
services databases.

b. Confirm the password.


After the installation is complete, you can change these credentials by changing the Log On properties
for the CallistoService Service.

c. Click OK.

13. If a warning message displays saying NT Service installation failed and prompting you either to complete
the installation anyway or cancel, click the Cancel button and start the installation again.
If you click OK, the installation will complete with problems. All of the files for the installation will be left
in place, and typically these files can be used to manually correct the problem.

14. On the Installation Complete screen, click Close.

Set up Epicor Planner (Callisto) Client


Download the Callisto.xll file to your computer, for example, your Desktop or My Documents folder. No further
installation steps are required.

Workshop - Make the Sample Database Available

After you successfully install the Epicor Planner Server, deploy the Sample database to make it available for
reporting.
To make the Sample database available for reporting:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs > Epicor Planner > Modeler to open the Business Modeler.
The Modeler will launch Excel and bring up the Logon screen.
If the Logon screen does not display, you need to lower your Excel security settings to allow an unsigned
add-in to run. Refer to the Lower Excel Security workshops for detailed instructions on how to do this.

2. On the Logon screen, enter your username and password, for example for the purpose of Ready Tech
image, use Administrator username and epicor password.
Contact your System Administrator for your username and password.

3. Click OK.

4. On the Select Application screen, select the Sample application.

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Epicor Planner Course Application Setup

5. Click OK.

6. On the toolbar, click the Deploy button to build the Analysis Services database and make the application
available for Epicor Planner Excel reporting. At this point, only Administrators on the server will have access.

7. To the Deploy Application message, click Yes.

8. Wait until the Finished application deploy message is displays.


This may take several minutes.

9. Click Close.

The Sample database is available for reporting.

Grant Full Write Access to Users

You can grant full write access to Epicor Planner users. These users will be able to access the Sample database
from the Epicor Planner Excel add-in and write data from input schedules.
To grant full write access to users:

1. In the Modeler, select the Security Roles page.

2. Double-click the T1 security role.


You can alternatively right-click the T1 security role to open the T1 role page.

3. On the T1 role page, open the Role Members tab.

4. On the toolbar, click the Check Out button to be able to make changes.

5. Add the appropriate Windows user names to the list.


On the Ready Tech image, add EPICORSI\Administrator - no users are currently attached to this cube.

6. Click Check In to save your changes.

7. Click Deploy Role to see the effect of your changes.

8. Redeploy the Model to make sure the users registered.

The users you selected can access the Sample database from the Epicor Planner Excel add-in and write data from
input schedules.

Workshop - Lower Excel 2007 and 2010 Security

Epicor Planner is an Excel add-in that provides reporting and data input for Analysis Services. You may need to
adjust Excel 2007 or Excel 2010 trust center settings to use Epicor Planner.
On the Ready Tech image, Excel security policy is already setup and you do not need to perform the steps below.
Follow these steps if you use Excel 2007 or 2010.

1. Start Excel.

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Application Setup Epicor Planner Course

2. If you use Excel 2007, click the Office Button located in the top left corner.
If you use Excel 2010, click File.

3. Click Excel Options.

4. In the left pane, click Trust Center.

5. Click the Trust Center Settings button.

6. In the left pane, select Macro Settings.

7. In the right pane, select Disable all macros with notification.

8. Click Ok.

9. Close Excel.

10. Locate the Callisto.xll file on your computer.


It was likely downloaded to a location such as your Desktop or My Documents folder.
Note If you use the training image you don't see the Callisto.xll file. You always access Epicor Planner
through Excel Epicor Planner Ribbon. The Ribbon is Epicor Planner specific part of the Excel toolbar.

11. Double-click the Callisto.xll file to open it again.

12. When the Microsoft Office Excel Security Notice window displays, click the Enable this add-in for this
session only button.

Your Excel 2007 or 2010 security policy now allows an unsigned add-in to run.

Workshop - Lower Excel XP Security

Epicor Planner is an Excel add-in that provides reporting and data input for Analysis Services. You may need to
adjust Excel XP macro security settings to use Epicor Planner.
On the Ready Tech image, Excel security policy is already setup and you do not need to perform the steps below.
Follow these steps if you use Excel XP.

1. Start Excel.

2. Open an Excel Workbook.

3. Click Tools.

4. Open the Security tab.

5. Click the Macro Security button.


The Security window displays.

6. On the Security Level tab, select Medium.

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Epicor Planner Course Application Setup

7. Click OK.

8. Close Excel.

9. Locate the Callisto.xll file on your computer.


It was likely downloaded to a location such as your Desktop or My Documents folder.

10. Double-click the Callisto.xll to open it again.

11. Verify the Logon screen displays.

Your Excel XP security policy now allows an unsigned add-in to run.

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Epicor Planner Overview Epicor Planner Course

Epicor Planner Overview

Epicor Planner is a Microsoft Excel add-in that provides high-end budgeting, planning, and reporting functionality.
Once you define the model for planning, budgeting, and analyzing, you can use it throughout Epicor Planner.
Epicor Planner is also integrated with Epicor EPM Performance Canvas.
With Epicor Planner, all the Excel reporting and analysis tools are linked directly to your Analysis Server.
Another benefit of Epicor Planner is you use the same analytical scenario for different purposes. You can make
financial forecasts and sales forecasts for multiple users in one unified system.

Epicor Planner Components


Epicor Planner is comprised of the Business Modeler and the Excel Epicor Planner tab.
Use the Business Modeler to create new applications.
Use the Excel Epicor Planner tab to leverage the full knowledge of Microsoft Excel your organization has. Almost
all the business definitions are done within Excel.

Epicor Planner Financial Capabilities and Features


Epicor Planner provides the following financial capabilities:
• Business modeling
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Consolidations and intercompany eliminations
• Drill down, analysis, and reporting
• What-if analysis
Epicor Planner provides the following features:
• Financial reports business users can easily create, for example:
• Trend reports
• Comparative reports
• Consolidating reports

• Opportunity to use your Excel experience to the maximum.


• Current View navigation for easy access to data.
• Dynamic row and column expansion as you navigate through data while automatically preserving all your
Excel defined formatting, formulas, and so on.
• The ability to save all reports and use them offline.
• Data input schedules. You can work on all input schedules offline and submit data later.
• The ability to drill down the same dimension or across other dimensions.
• Zero suppression is as simple as a check box.
• Time offsets for easy comparative reporting against last year, last period, and so on.
• A wizard to create mix and match reports from column and row templates.
• Full write security with control required for tasks like gathering a Forecast at the summary level, while at the
same time, gathering Actuals at the detail level.
• Multi-level approval workflows.

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Epicor Planner Course Epicor Planner Overview

• Level down expansions.


• Control Panel driven application.
• Shared Report libraries.
• Live interaction with Analysis Services data and structures.
• Easy user logon with just a URL. No complicated, technical connections to set up or find.
• Access to all your member properties which allows you to use powerful and creative techniques in Excel.
• Microsoft SharePoint integration.
• No complex MDX formulas, cryptic identifiers, an so on.
• Distribution to users without the need for administrator rights on client computers.
• Only Excel XP or later is required. There are no other components to install or update on the client machines.
• Book publishing for the bulk creation of reports.
• Data Manager to load, extract, and clear data in bulk with only Excel knowledge required.

Planning Strategy

With Epicor Planner, there are three major steps to planning: business modeling, workflow definition, and data
manipulation.

1. Model your business


Use the Business Modeler to create a unified financial and operational model for budgets, plans, and reports.
This includes setting up the account plan, customers, scenarios, and so on.

2. Define the workflow


Use standard Microsoft Excel functionality, combined with Excel plug-in, to create input forms and reports
your business needs; you can also save them for future use. This inherent flexibility allows you to reduce the
number of forms and reports.

3. Enter, analyze, and use data


Various professionals can use Epicor Planner in multiple ways.
• Executives can gain realtime access to information from mobile devices and through a web browser
using Advanced Visual Analytics, Dashboards, Mashboards, and Scorecards.
• Knowledge Workers can analyze and update forecasts and budgets through a web browser using
Composite Mashboards, Dashboards, and Scorecards.
• Financial Managers and Analysts can use Excel Epicor Planner, combined with Performance Canvas
visual analytics, to enhance and develop their company strategy. Fully unified information architecture
makes this strategy more competitive.

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Epicor Planner Overview Epicor Planner Course

Epicor Planner Interface

Epicor Planner can be used in multiple ways through various interfaces.

Epicor Planner Web Interface


Epicor Planner is integrated with Epicor EPM Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas). Performance Canvas is
a web-based analysis platform designed to create interactive canvases for datasources such as Microsoft® SQL
Server® Analysis Services cubes and similar OLAP compliant datasources. A canvas is a visual display that answers
one or more standard business questions at a glance. The data behind the cube displays on the canvas as charts
and tables that use dimensions to strategically filter information; charts or tables are referred to as gems; filters
are referred to as slicers. Performance Canvas allows ordinary business users to perform a wide range of analytical
tasks without in-depth knowledge of business intelligence concepts.
You can use the Performance Canvas web interface to access Epicor Planner. Planning Canvases are distinguished
by planning gems. Planning gems are defined within the Excel database. You can use a planning gem to enter
data into the system database. The data is updated in real time.
You can view Planning Canvas in browsers, SharePoint, or through mobile devices.

Excel Interface
Epicor Planner works with Excel 2003 or later. The Epicor Planner Modeler is an Excel xls file. You must adjust
Excel security settings and make the sample database available to work with the Modeler.

Workshop - Start Epicor Planner

Epicor Planner is an Excel add-in that provides reporting and data input for Analysis Services.
If you use the Ready Tech image, perform the following steps:

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to Program Files > Microsoft Office.

2. Double-click EXCEL.EXE.

3. Once Excel opens, open the EPICOR PLANNER tab.

4. Click Logon.

5. On the Logon to Epicor Planner screen, enter the following credentials:


• User name: Administrator.
• Password: epicor.

6. Click OK.

7. In the Open Application window, select Sample - Finance.

8. Click OK.

9. Excel opens. On the toolbar, select the Control Panel check box.

10. The Control Panel with a list of Dimensions that are going to be used for planning displays.

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Epicor Planner Course Epicor Planner Overview

From the Control Panel, you can navigate through your application model and access features of the Excel
add-in.

11. Click the Entity dimension.

12. The Member Selector window displays the dimension hierarchy and members.

13. Click OK.

Note The following steps do not apply if you use the Ready Tech training image.

If you work with a local client installation, the Callisto.xll file was likely downloaded to your Desktop or My
Documents folder.
To run Epicor Planner on a local client installation:

1. Double-click the Callisto.xll file on your computer.


It launches Excel.

2. In the Microsoft Office Excel Security Notice window, click Enable this add-in for this session only.

3. On the Logon screen, enter the following information:

Field Data
Enter the URL you use to connect to your internet URL to connect to the internet server in the format:
server
<servername>:<portnumber>

Enter your internet server userid Internet server user id


Enter your domain name Domain name
Enter your internet server password Internet server password

Contact your System Administrator for the correct credentials.

4. Click OK.
The Open Application window displays. All model cubes to which you have access display in the tree view.

5. Select the model cube you want to open. For example, select the Demo - Finance cube.

6. Click OK.
Excel opens. The Control Panel with a list of Dimensions that are going to be used for planning displays.
From the Control Panel, you can navigate through your application model and access features of the Excel
add-in.

7. Click the Entity dimension.


The Member Selector window displays the dimension hierarchy and members.

8. Click OK.

Minimize the Excel window.

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Epicor Planner Overview Epicor Planner Course

Workshop - View the Epicor Planner Web Interface

You can access Epicor Planner through the Epicor EPM Performance Canvas (Performance Canvas) web based
home page.
The Performance Canvas is available as a standalone, web-based dashboard tool that uses datasources such as
Microsoft® SQL Server® Analysis Server cubes and similar OLAP compliant datasources. The Performance Canvas
client is a web-based application many web browsers can access.
To view Epicor Planner through web interface, configure Performance Canvas for Planning. To do it, edit the
zenith.properties file. Refer to the Edit the zenith.properties File workshop for details.
You create Planning Gems in the Epicor Planner tool in Excel. Then these gems can be changed in Performance
Canvas.
To edit a Planning Gem in Performance Canvas, add a data source using the OLAP pump for the planning cube(s)
and add a planning server. Refer to the Add the Planning Data Source workshop for details.

Workshop - Edit the zenith.properties File

Complete the following to set up Epicor Planner integration with Performance Canvas.
Note
On the Ready Tech image, the zenith.properties file is already configured and the steps described below
are not required.

To view Epicor Planner through web interface, configure Performance Canvas for Planning.
To adjust the zenith.properties file:

1. Stop the Performance Canvas service.

a. Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.


The Windows Services Console displays.

b. In the list of available services, right-click the Performance Canvas service and select Stop.

2. Navigate to the Performance Canvas install directory.


The default location is C:\Program Files\Performance Canvas or C:\Program Files (x86)\EPM
Performance Canvas.

3. Open the zenith.properties file in Notepad.

4. Add the following to the file:


dsp.planning=true

dsp.planning.class=com.dsp.planning.server.PlanningServiceImpl

dsp.planning.defaultscenario=Forecast

dsp.planning.name=PlanningService

dsp.planning.path=/PlanningService

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dsp.planning.scenariodimension=Scenario

5. Save and close the file.

6. Start the Performance Canvas service.

Return to the View Epicor Planner Web Interface workshop for further instructions.

Workshop - Add the Planning Data Source

Complete the following to add the Planning data source to Performance Canvas.
You should take two preliminary steps to create a Planning Gem:
• Add a data source using the OLAP pump for the planning cube or cubes.
• Add a planning server.
This is how you do it:

1. From the server, open a web browser.

2. In the address bar, enter: http://localhost:89.


This location may vary, contact your System Administrators for details specific to your system.
In general, the Performance Canvas home page address is http://<ServerName>:<PortNumber>. You can
use localhost as the server name if you work from the server on which the Performance Canvas is installed.
You may omit the port number if the Performance Canvas is on the standard 80 port. This is the preference
for the Performance Canvas setup, but 80 port is often already used by another application; therefore your
URL may be different.

3. On the Performance Canvas home page, click the Admin Console link.

4. Navigate to the Data sources sheet.

5. Right-click the All datasources folder and select Add datasources.

6. Add your planning cubes as regular data sources. For example, in the Datasource URL Address field, enter:
http://olap64.performancecanvas.com/olap2008an/msmdpump.dll.
Note
On the Ready Tech image, this datasources is already added.

Notice a new entry displays in the datasource listing with several data cubes.

7. Right-click the All datasources folder and select Add planning server.

8. Enter the required credentials to add your planning server.

9. Click OK.

10. Close the Administration Console.

You can now view Epicor Planner through the Performance Canvas web interface. Return to the View Epicor
Planner Web Interface workshop for details.

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Workshop - View the Epicor Planner in the Performance Canvas


You can now view Epicor Planner through the Performance Canvas web interface.

1. On the Performance Canvas home page, in the right pane, expand the My Canvases > Unclassified
folder.

2. Double-click the Report canvas.

3. The details of the Report canvas display in the left panel of the screen.
The planning gem on the canvas may take some time to load.

Planning gem created in Epicor Planner displays in the Performance Canvas workspace. You can use the planning
gem on the planning canvas to enter data into the system.

Epicor Planner Terms and Definitions

This course references several terms that are important to understand as you begin to explore and use the Epicor
Planner functionality.

Epicor Planner Terms


The following concepts are specific for Epicor Planner.
• Application - One application is connected to one data set and typically includes actuals, budget and forecast.
One application can include one or multiple models. Examples of applications are: Financial Planning, HR and
operational planning.
• Business rules - Models define business rules. There are two types of business rules - dynamic and automatic.
Dynamic business rules are MDX server based business rules. Automatic business rules are executed in SQL
before the cubes are processed.
• Database lock - By default, members in the database you use for analysis are locked unless you explicitly
unlock them on this page. Use database locks to control write access to various parts of the database.
• Dimensions - These are structural attributes used to sort, filter, and group measurable data. These categories
typically describe a similar set of members upon which the analysis is based.
Dimensions fall into two groups - itemized and hierarchical. Dimensions represented as hierarchies include
levels, or dimension attributes, and provide logical drill-down views. A dimension has one or multiple hierarchies.
Multiple hierarchies result in multiple roll-outs.
Dimensions are shared within the application and between models.
• Model - A model defines how dimensions are used. This is the accounting strings and all other related
calculation members, account, business process, client, currency, entity/company, inter company, product,
project, scenario, time-data view.
One applications includes one or multiple models. A simple application uses one model only. More models
are required for complex applications such as FX consolidation, specific assumptions models or split reporting
and planning granularity.
• Workflow - This is an algorithm of user data submissions and approval of those data submissions. In other
words, workflow is controlled data entry.
A workflow supports iterative input and data development before submission, and implements complete
control over data available for submission. In a workflow, you can use pre-defined or user-defined forms. A

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workflow also supports both data entry and data loads, as well as Workflow hierarchy of approvers and
submitters with full status of the workflow process.

General Data Terms


The foundation of analysis is the data itself. Several terms are used throughout this course to describe the data
or are used in the context of data management.
• Business Intelligence (BI) - This is a generic term that describes leveraging the organization's internal and
external information assets to make better business decisions.
• Data Warehouse - This is a database, or set of databases, specifically structured for query and analysis. A
data warehouse typically contains data that represents the business history of an organization. In SQL software
engineering terms, a data warehouse is what an OLAP cube queries to retrieve data. A data warehouse can
be viewed as a collection of data marts that share standard conformed dimensions, adhere to the same data
standards, and are stored at the finest grain possible. Often, the data warehouse is a set of data marts
implemented within a single database. The key to the data warehouse is that the data is consistently represented
between data marts even though each data mart contains a different multi-dimensional view of the data.
The Epicor EPM Data Warehouse consists of the following components:
• an ODS database where data is collected and consolidated
• a Data Mart database where the data is restructured for specific analytic views
• a set of Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services cubes which provide OLAP access to the data marts
• an EPM Glossary, a set of data definitions that defines what data is available in the warehouse and how
it can and should be structured for analysis

• Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) - This technology uses multi-dimensional structures to provide rapid
access to data for analysis. The source data for OLAP is commonly stored in a relational database within Data
Warehouses.
• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) - A KPI is a measurement to gauge business success. KPIs measure a goal
value versus a current actual value for a set of dimensions. The data result provides a status to achieve that
goal.
• Fact Table - This is a central table in a data warehouse schema that contains numeric measures and keys that
relate facts to dimension tables. Fact tables contain data that describes specific events within a business, such
as bank transactions or product sales.
• Dimension Table - This is a table in a data warehouse whose entries describe how data in a fact table can
be grouped, filtered, and sorted. Dimension tables contain the data from which dimensions are created.
• Star Schema - This refers to how tables are joined to build a centralized fact table that pulls information from
measures. Star schema is a specialized type of database schema design separated into Fact tables and Dimension
tables. It provides simple, high performance database storage for OLAP systems.
• Data Mart - This is a relational database representation of a single cube, also known as a single star schema.
A star schema data mart contains the data necessary to analyze of a particular business process at a particular
granularity.
• Granularity - This is the level of detail of numeric data in a fact table. For example, a fact table that stores
sales measures data can be calculated at various granularities. For Sales Line Item, metrics are calculated
separately for each sales line item. This enables you to sort and filter by a line item property such as product.
For Sale, metrics are calculated separately for each sale. You can sort and filter by customer but not by product.
For Day, sales totals are calculated separately for each calendar day. You can see aggregate sales statistics by
time but cannot filter by customer or product.
• ETL - The Extract, Transform, Load process (and the logic behind it) pulls data from the operational database,
transforms it to fit analysis needs, and puts it into the Data Warehouse.

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• Glossary - A data warehouse uses a relational schema definition to store data. The EPM application refers
to this schema as the Glossary. It is a set of .xml files that contains all business expertise on a specific enterprise
resource planning (ERP) application and can be referred to as a data dictionary.
An EPM Glossary defines how data can be retrieved from a source ERP system and how that data can be used
in EPM user cubes. The Glossary contains enough information for EPM to create a customizable set of cubes
and all the ETL logic required to move data into those cubes from the source system.
• Cube - This is a set of data that is organized and summarized into a multi-dimensional structure defined by
a set of dimensions and measures. Additionally, cubes often include defined data hierarchies such as Fiscal
Year > Fiscal Quarter > Fiscal Period which enable analysis to roll up to any hierarchy level.
In Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, a "cube" refers to a single SSAS solution which enables analysis of
a particular set of data using OLAP techniques.
The cube is the data foundation for content packs as well as graphs and reports.
• User Cube - A user cube defines specific analytical processing. This is not an OLAP cube. The difference
between a user cube and an OLAP cube is a user cube is the universal specification of an OLAP cube in terms
of field names (or specified dimensions and levels in terms of OLAP).
The Epicor EPM Cube Connect - Cube Editor application can create a user cube and then send it to the server
for deployment.
• Measure - In a cube, this is a set of values based on a column in the cube's fact table. Measures are usually
numeric and are the central values that are aggregated and analyzed.
For example, a Sales Total measure may be split across a time dimension to show sales totals summarized by
month. Each measure is a numeric value and an aggregation operation the cube can use to summarize this
value. All measures are aggregated, typically summed. Available aggregates in EPM are Sum, Min, Max, Count,
and Average (Mean).
• Level - This is the name of a set of members in a dimension hierarchy such that all members in the set are
the same distance from the root of the hierarchy. For example, a time hierarchy can contain the levels Year,
Month, and Day.
• Hierarchy - This is a logical tree structure that organizes the members of a dimension such that each member
has one parent member and zero or more child members. A hierarchy can also be referred to as a grouping
of dimensions.

Epicor EPM Performance Canvas Terms


The following concepts are specific for Performance Canvas and are also relevant when you access Planning
Canvas through the Performance Canvas web interface.
• Gem - A gem is a visualization such as a chart or table that displays business information on a canvas. One
canvas can contain many gems.
Gems listen to slicers to provide data details. A gem is connected to one or more slicers on the canvas, but
they can listen to their own filters as well.
• Slicer - A slicer is a filtering tool that allows you to select information to view in the gem, or gems, that
displays on a canvas. From an OLAP point of view, a slicer is a dimension filter.
The most common slicer is a date or time field. A slicer can be a single hierarchy or a multi-level hierarchy.
Company is an example of a single hierarchy as it is comprised of one field, yet there can be three companies
in the cube data. Time is an example of a multi-level hierarchy. It is a pre-defined field collection that includes
Year > Quarter > Period > Date, thus creating a specific drill-down path.
Slicers can be positioned anywhere on a canvas, but, as a rule, slicers display across the top of the EPM
Performance Canvas dashboard.

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• Canvas - A canvas, also referred to as a dashboard, is an interactive web-based dashboard that provides a
visual display of information. Canvas features include the following:
• A canvas presents data details in a combination of text and graphics. Use graphics, such as charts or tables,
to visually emphasize objectives and their statuses.
• A canvas displays data that helps you answer key questions about your business such as "Are my sales
currently on track?"
• All canvas details display on a single screen, Microsoft SharePoint site, or mobile device.
Canvases are available for others via a web URL or Microsoft SharePoint site. Depending on your license, you
can save and deploy a canvas workspace as a web canvas or save it as a ViewPoint.

Client Technology

Epicor Planner uses state of the art client technology. It leverages the most up-to-date technologies to provide
you powerful reporting, analysis, and data input capabilities.
Epicor Planner client utilizes the following technologies:
• Planning in context through an easy-to-use mashup web interface to obtain the relevant internal and external
data
• Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, XP and 2010 client for finance users
• Microsoft SharePoint integration
• Native Mobile connection (iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia, and so on)

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Epicor Planner Modeler

You can create new applications in the Epicor Planner Business Modeler (Modeler). The Modeler is also used to
set up the Epicor Planner.

Workshop - Start the Epicor Planner Modeler

The Epicor Planner Modeler (Modeler) is the tool to use to create applications.
To access Modeler, you must first log in to an Admin Web Server.

1. From the Start menu, navigate to Programs > Epicor Planner > Modeler.

2. On the Logon to Epicor Planner screen, enter the following information:

Field Data
Enter the URL you use to connect to your server URL to connect to the internet server in the format:
<servername>:<portnumber>

Enter your server userid Internet server user id


Enter your domain name Domain name
Enter your server password Internet server password

Contact your System Administrator for the correct credentials.


For example, if you are using the Ready Tech training image, use the following credentials:

Enter your server userid Administrator


Enter your server password epicor

Note If you do not enter the user id, domain, and password, the Modeler attempts to use the same
credentials you use to log in to Windows on your client computer.

3. Click OK.
The Select Application window displays.

4. Select the Application to open for maintenance.


For example, if you use the Ready Tech or EU Training image, select Sample.

5. Click OK.

The Modeler window displays. The application loads into the Modeler.

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Workshop - View the Modeler Window

Epicor Planner is an Excel add-in that provides reporting and data input for Analysis Services. Use the Modeler
to set up Epicor Planner.

1. On the Modeler screen, in the Dimensions column in the middle of the screen, a list of all the available
dimensions displays.

2. In the left pane, under Pages, click Application.


A list of the models associated with this application displays at the top of the right pane.

3. Drill-down to the Models.


The models associated with this application display in the right pane.

4. Select one of the models, for example Finance.


Detailed information on the model displays on the Summary, Properties, and Business Rules tabs in the right
pane.

5. On the Summary tab, view the list of the dimensions the model uses.

6. On the Business Rules tab, view the list of the business rules the model uses.
The rules fall into two groups:
• The Dynamic business rules contain MDX rules for the calculation script defined with the Analysis Services
cube.
• The Automatic business rules, or Library rules, calculate values at the input level. The calculation results
are stored in the database and aggregated up the various dimensions and hierarchies for reporting within
a Model.
When you view an Automatic Business Rule in the Modeler page, the rule displays a tree of the selected
rules from the Business Rules Library and each step defined in the rule in the lower pane. The Label
entered for each rule and each step also displays.
To define an Automatic rule, in the Actions pane, click New Rule and select Automatic. To add Business
Rules from the Business Rule Library to the new rule, click the Insert button on the toolbar.
Most Business Rules contain multiple steps. Use the Business Rule Editor to define various parameters
for each step.

7. Click one of the rules to view its structure in the bottom pane.

Remain in the Modeler window.

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Dimensions

In the Epicor Planner Business Modeler (Modeler), you can view a dimension's properties, edit an existing dimension,
and create new dimensions.

Dimension Types
In the left pane, from the Pages listing, select Dimensions. The list of dimensions displays in the right pane.
To view the dimension properties, click its name in the list in the right pane. The dimension properties display.
The Modeler supports the following dimension types:
• Generic - This is the default dimension type that can be used for any data. No specific behavior is defined
for this type.
• Account - Use this dimension type to control the behavior of numbers.
The following properties are automatically attached to this dimension type:

Property Description Acceptable Values


Account This property automatically sets the Sign and
Type TimeBalance properties for the correct financial • Income – sets Sign = -1 and TimeBalance =
False
behavior in the account hierarchy and across
time. • Expense – sets Sign = 1 and TimeBalance
= False
• Asset – sets Sign = 1 and TimeBalance =
True
• Liability – sets Sign = -1 and TimeBalance
= True
• Equity – sets Sign = -1 and TimeBalance =
True

Sign This property must contain 1 or -1. 1 or -1


Data for accounts with a sign of -1 are
physically stored in the database with the sign
reversed from what the user sees in reports.
This produces the correct totals on the account
hierarchy as numbers such as revenues and
expenses are aggregated together for totals
such as gross margin or net income.

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TimeBalance This interacts with the TimeDataView and Time


type dimensions to control how account data • False – Data balances are summed across
time for reporting purposes. For instance,
behaves across time.
the revenue for a year is the sum of all the
months.
• True – Data balances are not summed across
time for reporting purposes. The data in
reports will be the value of the last period.
For instance, the cash for a year is the cash
in the last month of the year.

• Entity – This dimension type interacts with the Intercompany and Account type dimensions for IC Matching
and IC Eliminations. Often, this dimension type is also used to indicate what currency data is entered for
currency translation purposes.
• Time – This dimension type interacts with the TimeDataView and Account type dimensions to produce correct
time series numbers in reports.
• Scenario – This dimension type controls database locking.
• TimeDataView – This dimension type interacts with the TimeDataView and Account type dimensions to
produce correct time series numbers in reports.
• Intercompany – This dimension type interacts with the Entity and Account type dimensions for IC Matching
and IC Eliminations.
• BusinessProcess – Use this dimension type to provide multiple kinds of input and various adjustments to
numbers. The dynamic, interactive IC Matching uses the ICMATCH member, and IC Eliminations uses the
ELIMINATION member.

Dimension Security
You can control user access to a dimension. The Modeler provides the following options:
• Users can access all members on this dimension - The dimension is not included in Security Role Model
Access definitions. This is the default setting.
• Users must be granted access to members in Security Roles - The dimension is included in Security Role
Model Access definitions. Users will only see members to which they are granted access.

Dimension Properties
You can set the following dimension properties in the Modeler:
• Label – This is the property display name.
• Property Type – This is the property data type. The following data types are available:

Type Description Parameters


Text Text data
• Size – the maximum number of characters
• Default Value – optional default value for the
property when none is provided

Integer Integer numbers Default Value – optional default value for the property
when none is provided.
Double Floating point numbers Default Value – optional default value for the property
when none is provided

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Member The property will contain a


• Dimension – the dimension that contains the
reference to a member in a
referenced members
dimension.
• Hierarchy – the hierarchy that contains the
referenced members

True/False True or false values

Workshop – Modify a Dimension

Complete the following to view and edit a dimension's properties.


This section is providing a tour of what makes a dimension.
To modify a dimension, check it out, update it, save the changes, check it in, and deploy the whole application.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.


The list of dimensions displays in the right pane.

2. View the following information for each dimension that displays in the grid:
• Description – This is the dimension description that will display in the Epicor Planner.
• Dimension Type – Notice that some of the dimensions have the Generic type. Generic dimensions have
no special behavior attached to them.
• Checked Out By – The Checked Out By column displays the users who are currently modifying the
dimensions. To modify a dimension, check it out, update it, save it, check it in, and deploy it.

3. Select the Account dimension to view its properties in detail.


The general outline of the dimension properties displays on the Summary tab.

4. In the Modeler, in the left pane, on the Actions tab, click the Check Out link to modify the dimension.

5. In the upper pane, notice the value in the Secured field .


• If the Users can access all members of this dimension option displays, the dimension is not included
in Security Role Model Access definitions.
• If the Users must be granted access to members in Security Roles option displays, the dimension
is included in Security Role Model Access definitions. Users will only see members to which they are
granted access.

6. In the Hierarchies list, view the hierarchies associated with the dimension.
Each dimension has one or more hierarchies.

7. In the Hierarchies list, select the MgmtAccts hierarchy.

8. Click the Hierarchies tab to view all the hierarchies defined in the system.

9. On the Hierarchies tab, expand the BalanceSheet – Balance Sheet Balancing Account hierarchy to see
the information.
This is data stored in this field that makes up the contents of the dimension.

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10. Notice the drop-down list at the top of the tab displays the name of the hierarchy you selected on the
Summary tab.

11. Drag and drop members in the hierarchy.


Use this tab to create reports with multiple categories within the same data.

12. Return to the Summary tab.

13. Under Properties Definitions, the properties associated with the dimension display.

14. Select one of the properties.


For example, select Rate.

15. In the Actions pane, click Update Property to modify the property.
The Property Dialog displays.

16. Adjust the property and click OK.

17. Click OK to the Dimension successfully saved message.

18. Click the Members tab to view the dimension members.


Click the left margin to select an entire row. You can now use the arrow buttons in the tab's toolbar to
adjust the members' order. You can also add and delete members.
Use this tab to define sub-sets by region, as well as set currencies.

19. On the toolbar, click Save.

20. In the Modeler, in the left pane, on the Actions tab, click the Check In link to save your changes to the
dimension.

21. On the toolbar, click the Deploy button.

Remain in the Modeler window.

Security Setup in the Epicor Planner Business Modeler

In the Epicor Planner Business Modeler (Modeler), you use Security Roles to set up various security levels. Security
roles are then associated with Windows users.
You can control user activities for the following entities:
• Models a user can access
• Options available to users in the Excel add-in
To modify a role, complete the steps below:

1. Check out the role.


When you check out a role, you lock it. Only one user can have a security role checked out at a time.
Note Any changes you save while a security role is checked out are not included in the deployment
until you check in the security role.

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2. Change the role.

3. Save the changes.

4. Check in the role.

5. Deploy the security role to Analysis Services.


There is no need to deploy the whole application. You can deploy only the user role you changed.

Workshop - Control User Access to Excel

Complete the following to grant users access to different models and dimension members.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Security Roles.

2. The list of roles with descriptions displays in the right pane on the Security Roles tab.

3. The Checked Out By column displays the users who are currently modifying the roles.

4. Click one of the roles.


For example, select T1 role.
The Summary tab displays the detailed information on the role.

5. In the table under the basic role properties, view the list of users already added to this role.
Users of different types can be added to a security role.

6. In the Actions pane, click the Check Out link to modify the security role.
You can alternatively click the Check Out button on the toolbar.

7. Click the Role Members tab to modify the list of Windows users associated with this role.
You can add and edit users associated with the security role here.
If you use the Ready Tech training image, make sure epicorsi\Administrator is added.

8. Click the Model Access tab.


You can grant users access to different models on this tab. The following options are available:
• To set read and write security for individual members of a dimension hierarchy, click the Select security
access for dimension members button on the toolbar (the button with the flowchart icon). The
Member Selector window displays. Select the members and click OK.
• To grant a role read access to all members of all hierarchies of a dimension, select the dimension and
click the Set Read access for all dimension members button (the button with the selected check box
icon).
• To grant a role write access to all members of all hierarchies of a dimension, expand the Write access
- <Model name> node, select the dimension and click the Set Write access for all dimension members
button (the button with the flag icon).
• To clear dimension level settings for read and write access, select the dimension and click the Remove
access for all dimension members button. You can clear member level settings in the Member
Selector window.

9. Click the Action Access tab.

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Select check boxes that correspond to various actions in the Excel Control Panel and the Excel Data Manager
to grant users permission to perform certain actions.

10. In the toolbar, click Save.

11. To the Successfully saves Security Role message, click OK.

12. In the Actions pane, click the Check In link.

13. On the toolbar, click the Deploy button.

14. To the Deploy Application message, click Yes.


The Deploy Application window shows the deployment process.
When the Finished Application Deploy message displays, the role you changed is deployed.

15. In the Deploy Application window, click Close.

16. For extra assurance, select Pages > Application and click the Save button on the toolbar.

17. To the Application successfully saved message, click OK.

Security is set up now. Remain in the Modeler window.

Create a Epicor Planner Cube

In this chapter, you will create a basic PL statement within Epicor Planner.
You will also learn how to design your basic dimensions, set accounts, create calculated business rules and define
scenarios.
You will create a new Application, four Dimensions for it, create a Model and set up security.
If you are using the Ready Tech training image, you will find several .xml files in the Ready Tech > Inbox. These
files are required to complete the workshops that follow.

Workshop - Create an Application

In the Modeler, create a new Application.


Complete the following to create an Application.

1. Start the Modeler.


Double-click the Modeler icon on your Desktop.

2. On the Logon screen, enter the following information:

Field Data
Enter the URL you use to connect to your internet server http://localhost:84
Enter your internet server userid Administrator
Enter your domain name

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Enter your internet server password epicor

Note If you do not enter the user id, domain, and password, the Modeler attempts to use the same
credentials you use to log in to Windows on your client computer.

3. Click OK.
The Select Application window displays.

4. In the Select Application window, click the New button.

5. In the New Application Form window, in the Application Label field, enter Canvas_Training.
You must match all the values in the workshop exactly for it to work.

6. Click OK.

7. To the Successfully created new Application message, click OK.

8. In the Select Application window, select Canvas_Training.

9. Click OK.

You now have a completely empty application called Canvas_Training.

Workshop - Create the Account Dimension

In the Modeler, create the Account dimension.


Complete the following to create the dimension, a hierarchy for this dimension and import data to the dimension
from an Excel file.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Dimension.

3. In the NewDimensionDialog, in the Label field, enter Account.

4. In the Dimension Type field, select Account.

5. Click OK.

6. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Hierarchy.

7. In the New Hierarchy Label field, enter Account.

8. Click OK.

9. Click the Save button.


If a warning message displays, click Yes.

10. To the Dimension successfully saved message click OK.

11. Open the Members tab and verify the Account dimension contains no members.

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12. In the left pane, under Actions, click Import from Excel.

13. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select an .xml spreadsheet file.
For example, select CanvasTraining_Dim_Account.xml.

14. Click Open.

15. To the message that informs about successful import click OK.

16. Click Save.

17. To the Dimension successfully saved message click OK.

18. Click Check In.

Account dimension is created and filled with data.

Workshop - Create the Time Dimension

In the Modeler, create the Time dimension.


Complete the following to create the dimension, a hierarchy for this dimension, import data to the dimension
from an Excel file, and name the hierarchy levels.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Dimension.

3. In the NewDimensionDialog, in the Label field, enter Time.

4. In the Dimension Type field, select Time.

5. Click OK.

6. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Hierarchy.

7. In the New Hierarchy Label field, enter Calendar.

8. Click OK.

9. Click the Save button.


If a warning message displays, click Yes.

10. To the Dimension successfully saved message, click OK.

11. Open the Members tab and verify the Time dimension contains no members.

12. In the left pane, under Actions, click Import from Excel.

13. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select an .xml spreadsheet file.
For example, select CanvasTraining_Dim_Time.xml.

14. Click Open.

15. To the message that informs of successful import click OK.

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16. Click Save.

17. To the Dimension successfully saved message, click OK.

18. Select the Hierarchies tab, and then select Calendar in the Hierarchy window.

19. Click the Manage level names for this hierarchy button.

20. In the Manage Level window, click in the upper row and enter Year and hit ENTER.

21. In the next row, enter Quarter, and hit ENTER.

22. In the next row, enter Month, and hit ENTER.

23. Click OK.

24. Click Save.

25. To the Dimension successfully saved message click OK.

26. Click Check In.

You created Time dimension and filled it with data. You built a hierarchy with three levels for this dimension.

Workshop - Create the TimeDataView Dimension

In the Modeler, create the TimeDataView dimension.


Complete the following to create the TimeDataView dimension, and import data to the dimension from an Excel
file.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Dimension.

3. In the NewDimensionDialog, in the Label field, enter TimeDataView.

4. In the Dimension Type field, select TimeDataView.

5. Click OK.

6. Open the Members tab and verify the TimeDataView dimension contains no members.

7. In the left pane, under Actions, click Import from Excel.

8. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select an .xml spreadsheet file.


For example, select CanvasTraining_Dim_TimeDataView.xml.

9. Click Open.

10. To the message that informs of successful import click OK.

11. Click Save.

12. To the Dimension successfully saved message, click OK.

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13. Click Check In.

14. Click Deploy.

15. To the Deploy Application? message click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

16. When Finished Application Deploy message displays in the Deploy Application window, click Close.

You created TimeDataView dimension and filled it with data.

Workshop - Create the Scenario Dimension

In the Modeler, create the Scenario dimension.


Complete the following to create the Scenario dimension, import data to the dimension from an Excel file, and
edit the Scenario to add a forecast.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Dimension.

3. In the NewDimensionDialog, in the Label field, enter Scenario.

4. In the Dimension Type field, select Scenario.

5. Click OK.

6. Open the Members tab and verify the Scenario dimension contains no members.

7. In the left pane, under Actions, click Import from Excel.

8. In the Open dialog, navigate to and select an .xml spreadsheet file.


For example, select CanvasTraining_Dim_Scenario.xml.

9. Click Open.

10. To the message that informs of successful import click OK.

11. On the Members tab, click the empty cell under Budget in the Label column.

12. Enter Forecast.

13. Click the empty cell to the right in the Description column.

14. Enter Forecast.

15. Click Check In.

16. To the Save changes to dimension "Scenario"? warning click Yes.

17. To the Dimension successfully saved message click OK.

18. Click Deploy.

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19. To the Deploy Application? message click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

20. When Finished Application Deploy message displays in the Deploy Application window, click Close.

You created Scenario dimension and filled it with data.

Workshop - Create a Model

In the Modeler, create a new Model.


Complete the following to create a new Model with the dimensions you created in the four previous workshops.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Models.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create a Model.

3. In the Model Label field, enter CanvasTraining.

4. Use the left arrow button to add all the four dimensions listed in the Available Dimensions pane to the
Model Dimensions pane.

5. Click OK.

6. Save the model.

You created CanvasTraining model.

Workshop - Create Business Rules

In the Modeler, create Business Rules to calculate Periodic and YTD.


Complete the following to create Business Rules for the Model you created in the previous workshop. These rules
calculate Periodic and YTD.

1. Open the Business Rules tab.

2. In the list, select Dynamic.

3. Click Check Out.

4. In the Windows Explorer, navigate to the CanvasTraining_Model_Dynamic_Rules.txt file and open it in


Notepad.

5. Copy the file content and paste it to the lower pane on the Business Rules tab.

6. Click Check In.

7. Click Deploy.

8. To the Deploy Application? warning click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

9. When Finished Application Deploy message displays in the Deploy Application window, click Close.

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You added business rules to the CanvasTraining model.

Workshop - Set up Security

In the Modeler, create a Security Role.


Complete the following to create a Security Role and assign it to one of the dimensions you created before.

1. In the left pane, under Pages, click Security Roles.

2. In the left pane, under Actions, click Create Role.

3. In the New Security Role window, in the Label field, enter Full_Write_Access.

4. In the First Windows Userid field, enter your username.


For example, enter EpicorSI\Administrator.

5. Click OK.

6. Click Save.

7. To the Successfully saved Security Role message click OK.

8. Click Check In.

9. In the left pane, under Pages, click Dimensions.

10. Select Scenario.

11. Click Check Out.

12. Open the Summary tab.

13. In the Secured field, select Users must be granted access to members in Security Roles.

14. Click Check In.

15. To the Save changes to Dimension "Scenario" warning click Yes.

16. To the Dimension successfully saved message click OK.

17. In the left pane, under Pages - Security Roles, select Full_Write_Access.

18. Click Check Out.

19. Open the Model Access tab.

20. Select the Scenario node.

21. Click the Set Write access for all dimension members button (with the flag icon).

22. Click Check In.

23. To the Save changes to Security Role "Full_Write_Access" warning click Yes.

24. To the Successfully saved Security Role message click OK.

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25. Click Deploy to redeploy the model.

26. To the Deploy Application? warning click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

27. Click Close.

You set up security for your model.

Workflows

In the Modeler, you can define and maintain Submission Cycles and Assignments to achieve a fine level of control
over user data submissions and approval of those submissions.
This allows you to define the flow of data into your system. You can impose the following dataflow restrictions:
• Users can only submit data to a specified subset of the database.
• After a user has formally submitted data, the data is automatically locked to prevent any further changes.
• After data is submitted, only an authorized user can make it available for changes.
• After data passes all required approvals, only an administrator can unlock it.
Cycles and Assignments are made available to users by creating an Instance of a cycle. This facilitates a normal
way of working where often, data is gathered repetitively in cycles. For instance, the process of gathering and
building a new budget often consists of the following steps:

1. Gather a budget

2. Analyze the data

3. Provide new guidelines

4. Gather and create a new budget

These steps repeat several times until there is a final budget everyone has approved.

Viewing Workflows
The Workflow Admin screen is organized into View selection buttons with a Tree View of the workflow below
on the left. To the right, are Action buttons at the top with a Property pane below. The Tree View shows all the
parts of the workflow for the view selected. The Property pane on the right shows the properties for the currently
selected item in the Tree View.

Workshop - Manipulate a Workflow

On the Workflows page, define and maintain Submission Cycles and Assignments for a fine level of control over
user data submissions and approval of those submissions.
Complete the following steps to view and adjust workflow properties.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Workflows.


The list of workflows displays in the right pane.

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2. In the grid, view the following information for each workflow:


• Description - This is the description of the Workflow.
• Checked Out By - The Checked Out By column displays the user who is currently modifying the workflow.
To modify a workflow, check it out, update it, and check it in.

3. Double-click one of the workflows and check out.


The workflow structure displays on the Instances tab.

4. Click the Definition sheet and click the Add button to create a new Cycle Definition.

5. Name the cycle.

6. Select the Dimensions and Members that define the subset of the database the Cycle will control.

7. Select dimensions and members to define a further subset of the database for each Assignment.

8. Within the Assignment, select users and roles to define what access each user has for that Assignment.
Forms are commonly used for Cycles and Assignments to aid users in entering the data they need to submit.
Cycles and Assignments restrict write access at a security level, so users are free to use their own Input
Schedules or use the Data Manager to supply the data for which they are responsible.

9. Set the Active property to True to make the Cycle Definition available.
Once you define a Workflow Cycle, you must create Instances of the Cycle.

10. To create a new Cycle Instance, open the Instances tab.

11. Select the Cycle and click the Add button to create a new Cycle Instance.

12. Enter the following Cycle instance information:

Instance Name This is a unique name for the Cycle Instance.


Due Date This informational field indicates when the cycle is expected to end.
Open This True / False setting indicates whether the Instance is available for users to
submit data against it. When a new Instance is created, this setting defaults
to False, which means the Instance is not yet available to users. Change this
setting to True to make the Instance available to users.

13. Select the dimensions and members to define the subset of the database this Cycle Instance will control.
Typically, this contains the Time dimension and one or more Time members at a minimum. However, it can
contain any dimensions the Cycle Definitions use.

14. When you select an Assignment in a Cycle Instance, you can change the Status by selecting the desired
Status for the Assignment.

15. Change the Open property of the Instance to True to open the Cycle for data input by users.

16. On the Definitions tab, define Cycle Dimensions and Assignments and optionally select Forms.

A new Workflow Cycle Instance is defined.

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Database Locks

In the Modeler, you can use Database locks to control write access to various parts of the database.
By default, database members are locked unless you unlock them on the Database Locks page. This page provides
an easy way to immediately lock an entire scenario with a single Lock All for this Lock Control Member setting.
When you save lock definitions, they take place immediately. So, as soon as you receive the "successfully saved"
message on this page, the new lock definitions are enforced by the Excel add-in on the next attempt to send
data.

Workshop - Work with Database Locks

Database members are locked by default to prevent unauthorized data modifications.


Complete the following steps to lock or unlock database members.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Database Locks.
Notice the list of Scenarios displays in the first column in the right pane.
This list is also referred to as a Members list.
Typically, this is the list of Scenario members in your Application.

2. In the Actions pane, click the Refresh link to retrieve the latest database lock information from the server.

3. In the right pane, in the first column, select a member from the list, for example Actual.
When you select a Scenario, the list of dimensions it holds displays in the second column.

4. Select the Time dimension.

5. In the right pane, in the second column, select a member in the Dimension list to set the correct Lock
settings for the dimension in this Lock Control member.
When you select a member in the dimension list, its members, properties, and Lock settings for the selected
Dimension in the selected Lock Control member display in the third pane.

6. In the Actions pane, click the Checkout link to modify database locks.
Only one user can have a database lock checked out at a time.

7. Select the Lock All for this Lock Control Member check box to lock the selected member and all members
across all other dimensions from writing.
This provides an easy way to quickly lock an entire scenario.

8. Select the Include all base level members check box to allow writing to all base level members of the
selected dimension,.

9. In the upper table in the rightmost column, select the members to which data can be written.
• The MbrList column contains the list of members you can unlock for writing. This list can contain parent
level, as well as base level, members.

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Important For parent level input, you must also designate a base level member to send the data
with either the SendTo column or a Property Based Send To.

• Use the SendTo column to send data to an alternative member id. This is an optional attribute. Use this
parameter to designate a base level member to which the data designated for a parent level member
should be redirected. You can maintain this same definition as part of the dimension definition with
property values (Property Based Send To)
Note When you use the SendTo parameter, it is easy to create a condition where numbers are
sent to the database but they also show up in the parent from which they were sent. Avoid this
condition when you design your system as it will cause user confusion.

10. In the Property Based table, in the rightmost column, use a property value to designate which members
to unlock.
• In the PropName column, specify the name of the property used to designate members to unlock.
• In the PropValueList column, specify the list of values for the property in the PropName column that
indicates which member to unlock.

11. Use the Property Based Send To group of check boxes to define how to redirect data by property values.
Select the check box next to the property name that will contain members to which data should be redirected.
Note Only Member type properties display in this list.

12. In the toolbar, click Save.

13. In the Actions pane, click the Checkin link.


After you check in database locks, they are available for check out by someone else.
Note Any user can check in an item even when it is checked out by someone else. This prevents a
user from accidently locking up a system because they forgot to do a check in and they are not
available.

The Database Locks are updated.

Database Setup

In the Canvas Planning Business Modeler (Modeler), use Database Setup to set up Shared Library Storage and
Dimension Locking Settings.
The following Library storage types are available in the Modeler:
• Default (SQL based) - No additional setting is required. Shared Library folders and files for reports, input
schedules, and book definitions are stored in SQL and handled as part of the Web Services. No special setup
is required and all workbooks are handled with no special firewall settings or server settings. When you use
the Copy Application function, all Shared Library folders, files, and Wizards are copied automatically.
• Shared Folders (File based) - The following two shared folder types are supported:
• Library Folder – This is a path to the shared folder that contains the library of shared reports, input
schedules, and books.

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• Wizard Folder – This is a path to the shared folder that contains the folders for wizard templates.
Note This folder must contain two folders - Column Template and Row Template.

• Document Libraries (SharePoint based) - The following two SharePoint based types are supported:
• SharePoint Site - You define a SharePoint Site by a Site Path. A Site Path is a URL path to the SharePoint
site that contains the shared document libraries. For your databases, you must create a SharePoint site
with Microsoft SharePoint. The Modeler does not create the SharePoint site for you, so the site URL entered
here must point to an existing site.
• SharePoint Document Libraries - You define a SharePoint Document Library by the following two
properties:
• Library – This is the name of the document library that contains shared reports and input schedules.
The Modeler prompts you to create a new library if the library entered does not already exist.
Note The library the Modeler creates is initially empty. You should use the normal SharePoint
functionality to populate the library with Excel workbooks that contain the reports you want to
share with other users.

• Wizard Library – This is the name of the document library that contains wizard column and row
templates. The Modeler prompts you to create a new library if the library entered does not already
exist.
Note The library the Modeler creates is initially empty. You should use the normal SharePoint
functionality to populate the library with Excel workbooks that contain the reports you want to
share with other users.

Set Dimensions Locking


On the Modeler's Database Setup page, you can hide a dimension from Excel users or hide a dimension's members.

Workshop - Select the Library Storage Type

Set up Shared Library Storage.


Complete the following steps to select the Library storage type.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, select Database Setup.

2. In the Actions pane, click the Refresh link to retrieve the latest database setup information from the server.

3. In the Actions pane, click the Check Out link to modify the database setup.
Now the database setup is locked for editing.
Note Only one user can have a database setup checked out at a time.

4. In the right pane, on the Storage tab, select the Library storage type.
The following Library storage types are available:
• Default (SQL based)
• Shared Folders (File based)

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• Document Libraries (SharePoint based)

5. If you selected SQL based library storage, in the Actions pane, click the Shared Library Files link to import
or export files for Shared Library Files and Wizard Files.
The Shared Library Files window displays.
In this window, you can perform bulk maintenance of files and folders in the Shared Library with the ability
to Import / Export to the local file system, as well as delete items from the Shared Library.
In the left pane, items currently located in the Shared Library display. Double-click an item in the list to
change folders.
In the right pane, items currently located on your machine display.

6. Use the arrow buttons to copy files and folders between the two systems.

7. Use the X button to delete files and folders from the Shared Library.

8. On the toolbar, click Save.


Note Database setup and database locks are saved simultaneously. When you click Save, the Modeler
saves both.

9. In the Actions pane, click the Check In link.


After you check in the database setup, it is available for check out by other users.
Note Any user can check in an item even when it is checked out by someone else. This prevents a
user from accidently locking up a system because he or she forgot to check in an item and they are
not available.

10. On the toolbar, click the Deploy button.

The Database Setup is updated. Remain on the Database Setup page in the Modeler window.

Workshop - Set Dimensions

Lock dimensions for data input.


Complete the following steps to lock dimensions for data input.

1. In the right pane, open the Dimensions tab.


The dimensions for the Application display.

2. In the Actions pane, click the Refresh link to retrieve the latest dimension information from the server.

3. Select a dimension.
All the settings for the dimension display in the right pane.

4. In the Actions pane, click the Checkout link to modify a dimension's properties.
Only one user can have dimensions checked out at a time.

5. In the right pane, view the selected dimension settings.

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The following dimension settings are available:


• Name - The dimension name
• Standard - The following standard properties are available:
• Hide - Set this property to True to hide the dimension from Callisto users.
• Hide Members - Set this property to All to hide all the dimension members from Callisto users. By
default, new dimensions hide All members with this parameter.
To hide some dimension members only, enter the member names you want to hide from Callisto
users. Separate the members with commas.
Use this parameter to keep the dimension view in Callisto as simple as possible by hiding members
users never need to select. Any member in this list will not display to the users in places such as
Current View member selections.
For example, hide members used for performance or calculation purposes.

• Lock Control - Designate one dimension as the Lock Control Dimension.


For example, you can use this property to designate that February 2007 is available for input in the Actual
Scenario but not in the Forecast Scenario.
By default, this property is set to the Scenario dimension and in most cases, this is appropriate.
Note You can only set this property to True for one dimension.

For each member of the Lock Control Dimension, you can change the lock settings on all other dimensions.

6. On the toolbar, click Save.

7. In the Actions pane, click the Checkin link.


After you check in dimensions, they are available for check out by someone else.
Note Any user can check in an item even when it is checked out by someone else. This prevents a
user from accidently locking up a system because he or she forgot to check in an item and they are
not available.

8. On the toolbar, click Deploy.

The Dimension locking is set.

Workshop - Set up Database

In the Modeler, set up database.


Complete the following to set up database.

1. In the Modeler, in the left pane, under Pages, click Database Setup.

2. Click the Check Out button to be able to edit the Database element.

3. Open the Storage tab.

4. Click Check Out.

5. Under Library Storage, select Default (SQL Based).

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6. Click Check In.

7. To the Save changes? warning click Yes.

8. To the Database Setup configuration saved message click OK.

9. Click Deploy.

10. To the Deploy Application? message click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

11. When Finished Application Deploy message displays in the Deploy Application window, click Close.

Workshop - Set up Database Locks

In the Modeler, set up Database Locks.


Complete the following to set up Database Locks.

1. In the left pane, under Pages, click Database Locks.

2. Click Check Out.

3. Clear Lock All for this Lock Control Member check box.
By default, all members are locked.

4. In the Scenario column, select Budget Lock Control dimension member.

5. Clear Lock All for this Lock Control Member check box.

6. In the Scenario column, select Forecast Lock Control dimension member.

7. Clear Lock All for this Lock Control Member check box.

8. Click Check In.

9. To the Save changes? message click Yes.

10. To the Database Locks saved. message click OK.

11. Click Deploy.

12. To the Deploy Application? warning click Yes.


Model re-deployment starts. Deploy Application window displays the deployment process stages.

13. When Finished Application Deploy message displays in the Deploy Application window, click Close.

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Canvas Planning and Excel

After you created and set up your application in the Canvas Planning Business Modeler (Modeler), you can work
in the Excel Planner.
You can use Excel functionality the usual way. For instance, you can perform the following actions:
• Add formulas any place you want; they will always be preserved.
• Format data using native Excel formatting.
• Insert columns or rows any place; they will be preserved when dynamic reports are refreshed.
Important Dynamic column and row expansion by Callisto inserts and deletes columns and rows, so if
you insert columns or rows in the middle of an Expand type range, they may move around unexpectedly
under some expansion conditions. You will probably find the behavior easier to understand if you choose
to insert columns or rows before or after an Expand type range.

Use the Excel add-in to create dynamic reports, manipulate data in the Data Manager and publish you reports.

Canvas Planning Control Panel

From the Canvas Planning Control Panel you can navigate through your application model and access Excel add-in
features.

Canvas Planning Control Panel Interface


Control Panel displays the dimensions list. For each dimension, a description of a selected member and an Id
displays.
You can use the Canvas Planning Control Panel toolbar buttons to perform the following actions:
• Refresh — click this button to refresh all reports in the workbook you have currently selected. When this
button has a red background, your reports may not reflect the latest data in sync with the Current View that
displays in the Control Panel.
• Minimize/Maximize — click this button to hide the dimension list so only the toolbar buttons display. Click
the button again to display the dimension list again.
Tip Move the Control Panel to the top of the Excel window, and then click the Minimize button. The
Control Panel collapses so it does not cover your worksheet, but is still directly available to you.

• Send Data — click this button to send data from an Input Schedule to your PerformancePoint Server©.
• Check Submission Status — click this button to check the status of any data you have sent to the server.
There is a delay between the time you send data from an Input Schedule and the time the data is available
in the model cube on the server. Callisto automatically checks to determine when submitted data is available
in the database. This button turns yellow when you send data until the submission is completed on the server
and available in the database.
• Open Your Assignments - click this button to check for any assigned data submissions or approvals you
have due. The Assignments dialog displays for you to open data submissions, submit data for approval, and
to approve or reject submissions.
• Open Report - click this button to open a shared workbook from the server.

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• Create Report - click this button to open the Report Wizard. In the report wizard, select the column template
and the row template you want to create a report from. It is not necessary to select both a column and row
template. Often, a single template contains the report layout you want to start your report with. In this case,
you can select just a column or just a row template. The report wizard creates the requested report and adds
a worksheet to your current workbook with the new report.
• Edit Report - click this button to open the Report Editor to make changes to the report.
• Book Publisher - click this button to open the Book Publisher dialog. This allows you to create a book, edit
an existing book, or publish a book.
• Data Manager - click this button to open the Data Manager dialog. This allows you to load data from your
Excel sheet into the database, extract data from the database, or clear out data from the database.
• Select Model - click this button to change the application or model cube you are currently working with.
The Open model cube dialog displays for you to select a model cube again.
• About - click this button to view information about the current version of your Excel add-in and to access
online help.

Workshop - Start Canvas Planning Control Panel

Use Canvas Planning Control Panel to navigate through your application model and access Excel add-in features.
Complete the following to start the Canvas Planning Control Panel:

1. Double-click the Callisto.xll file on your computer.


It launches Excel.
If you use the Ready Tech image, maximize Excel and select the Canvas Planning sheet.

2. In the Microsoft Office Excel Security Notice window, click Enable this add-in for this session only.

3. On the Logon screen, enter the following information:

Field Data
Enter the URL you use to connect to your internet URL to connect to the internet server in the format:
server
<servername>:<portnumber>

Enter your internet server userid Internet server user id


Enter your domain name Domain name
Enter your internet server password Internet server password

Contact your System Administrator for the correct credentials.


Note Callisto fills in these fields automatically if you already logged into Callisto before.

4. Click OK.
The Open Model Cube window displays. All model cubes to which you have access display in the tree view.

5. Select the model cube you want to open. For example, select the Demo - Finance cube.

6. Click OK.
Excel opens. The Control Panel with a list of Dimensions that are going to be used for planning displays.

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For each dimension, a description of a selected member and an Id displays.

7. Click a dimension to change the selected member.


The Selector Member window displays the dimension members hierarchy.

8. In the members tree on the left, select a different member.

9. In the properties list on the right, view the member properties.

10. Click OK.


Notice, the member you selected now displays in the Control Panel in the Member Description column.

Remain in the Canvas Planning Control Panel window.

Dynamic Reporting

You can create new personal reports in the Report Wizard. To edit an existing report, use the Report Editor.
The Report Wizard creates the requested report and adds a worksheet to your current workbook with the new
report.
You can use the Report Editor to create dynamic report headings that display data such as the Entity and Time
Period for which the report is being run.
You can also dynamically expand report members based on a dimension hierarchy.

Workshop - Create a New Report in the Report Wizard

Use the Report Wizard to create a new report and add a worksheet to your current workbook with the new
report.
Complete the following to create a new report.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Open Workbook button.

2. In the Open Workbook window navigate to an Excel workbook from which to create a report.

3. Click OK.

4. In the Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Create Report button.
The Report Wizard displays.

5. In the Select column set list, select a column set.

6. In the Select row set list, select a row set.


Often, a single template contains the report layout you need to start your report. If this is the case, select
just a column or just a row template.

7. Click the Copy button, to copy an existing report.

8. In the Select report to copy list, select a report among the open workbook worksheet tabs that contain
reports.

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9. Click OK.
The workbook is updated with the selected report data. The new report displays in the main Excel window.

10. In the Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Refresh button to refresh the data.

11. In the Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Send Data button to send changes to the server.

12. In the Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Check Submission Status button to check the submitted
data is available in the database.

Remain in Excel.

Workshop - Edit a Report in the Report Editor

Use the Report Editor to modify an existing report.


Complete the following to edit a report.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Report Editor button.
The Edit Report window displays.

2. On the Options tab, select one of the following options:


• Report - select this radio button if you want to use the report only for data retrieval.
• Input Schedule - select this radio button if you want to use the report to send data to any write enabled
cell in the model cube to which you have write access.

3. In the Report Name field, enter the name for the report.
This is an optional field. This name is only required if you want to designate this report as a report to drill
down to.

4. In the Password field, enter a report password.


This option allows you to protect your report. Only the users who know the password can modify the
password protected report. If you define a password for the report, the user will be prompted for the
password any time he or she attempts to edit the report. The Report Editor will only open if they supply the
correct password.
When you assign a password to a report, the worksheet that contains the report is automatically protected
with the same password. When only one password is used for any report within a workbook, other worksheets
within the same workbook and the workbook can also be protected with the same password.
Note For input schedules, be careful to insure all input cells are unlocked.

5. In the Report Headers table, click one of the cells.


The Report Heading dialog displays.

6. Enter headings to appear at the top of the report.


You can reference dimension member properties to create dynamic headings that display data such as the
Entity and Time Period for which a report is run.
Note To include dynamic member properties in a heading, use the following syntax:
{{dimensionname:propertyname}}.

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7. In the Current View Overrides list, view all the current selections.

8. If you want to override the settings that display in the Control Panel, click on an individual dimension. The
Selector Member window displays. Select a member to lock this dimension. Click OK.
Any dimension member set in the Current View Overrides list will override the setting that displays in the
Control Panel.

9. Click the Update Web Library button to save this report definition to Web Report Library.
A special browser object will present this report or input schedule in the browser and on mobile devices.
Note The Update Web Library button is only available to users who are members of the
Administrators Security Role.

10. In the Update Web Report Library window, organize reports into a Folder structure.

1. Select reports you want to put into the same folder.


Note Use Ctrl and Shift keys to select several reports.

2. Select the Save to Library check box.

3. In the field that displays, enter the folder name.

4. Click Save.

5. To the Save to Web Library succeeded message, click OK.


You are back in the Edit Report window.

11. To delete an existing report or reports from the Web Report Library, click the Update Web Library button,
select the reports, select the Delete from Library check box, click the Delete button, and click Yes in the
confirmation message.

12. Select the Blast Output check box to improve large reports refresh time.
This option has the following limitation: Excel formulas will NOT be preserved in the defined rows and
columns of the report. Excel formulas are preserved in rows or columns manually inserted outside the Report
Editor.

13. Select the Color of cells open for input check box to define the background color assigned to cells within
an Input Schedule that are currently open for input. In the Color window, select a color and click OK.
Note To be open for input, all the members that define the data for that particular cell must be
unlocked and the user must have write access.

When you select a color with this option, any background assigned to data cells within a report will be
automatically cleared or assigned this color when an Input Schedule is refreshed. Background colors are
only assigned to cells when the Input Schedule option is selected.

Remain in the Edit Report window.

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Workshop - Edit a Report in the Report Editor - Part 2

Use the Report Editor to modify an existing report.


Continue editing your report.

1. In the Report Editor window, open the Body tab.


You can view current column and row definitions for the report grid.

2. On the Body tab, click the label or column heading in the grid to select a Column or Row and change their
definition.

3. Use Move Up and Move Down buttons to rearrange Columns or Rows.

4. To add a new row or column, click the Insert Row or Insert Column button.
New Columns are always added to the right edge of the grid. New Rows are always added to the grid
bottom. From this initial location, move the Row or Column to the location you desire with the Move buttons.

5. To delete a Row or Column, select it and click Delete.


Under the Row/Col Type title, select the data member definition and set the type-dependent properties.
The following types are available:

Type Description Options

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Expand Dynamically expand report members


• Number of levels to expand - Enter the number of
based on a dimension hierarchy
levels down a hierarchy to expand. To show immediate
dependents of a member set this property to one.
This can also define over number of level down
reporting. If this property is empty, all descendants of
the current member are included in the expansion.
• Suppress if zero - Select this check box to exclude
columns or rows from an expansion when the entire
column or row contains zeros.
• Exclude current member - Select this check box to
exclude the current member from an expansion.
Typically, the current member is included in an
expansion.
• Include Parent level members - Select this option
to include non-leaf members in the expansion. A
non-leaf member is any member with no lower level
children or any member at the lowest level of an
expansion.
• Only include Base level member - Select this option
to only include leaf level members in the expansion.
A leaf level member is any member with no lower
level children or any member at the lowest level of an
expansion.
• Under the Display location for parents, select on
of the following options:
• Before children
• After children

• AutoIndent - Select this check box to turn on


automatic indentations on Heading or Property
columns or rows.
• Indent per level - Enter the number of space
characters to indent for each member level within the
Expand node, so that children are indented more than
parents. Enter a negative number for parent members
to be indented more than children. When you use
nested row or column definitions, only the lowest
level definition found is used. Multiple Indent per level
definitions are not added together.
• Fixed indent - Enter the number of characters to
indent heading or properties for Expand, List, Range
Name, or Member nodes. You can only enter positive
numbers. When you use nested row or column
definitions, only the lowest level definition found is
used. Multiple Fixed indent definitions are not added
together.
You can also set aProperty Filter.
Property filters can be controlled by a range within the
workbook. There is an entry in the property filter page
for a Property Filters range name. This range must contain
four columns as follows. Each row in the range is one

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filter.
• AndOr - valid entries are blank, And, Or. This entry
should be blank for first row.
• Property - valid property name for the node dimension
• Like - valid entries are Like, NotLike
• Value - filter value for the property

List In the Enter a list of Names field,


enter a list of member names. The
member names must be valid names in
the selected dimension. Any member
name that is not valid is skipped and is
not included as a column or row in the
report.

Range In the Enter range name containing


Name name list field, enter the name of the
range from which to retrieve the list of
member names. Blank cells will be
included in the member list without any
error.
Note The first cell and the last
cell in the range are skipped if
they are blank and not included
in the member list for the
expansion. This allows for easy
dynamic creation of ranges by
other reports or macros without
breaking defined range
definitions.

Member Define a report member consisting of


one dimension member. In the Select
dimension list, select the dimension to
which the member belongs.

Heading Define member heading as the report


member. The heading will be the
description of the dimension member
on the cross axis. For instance, a
heading defined as a row will display
member descriptions for the column
members, and a heading defined as a
column will display member descriptions
for the row members.

Blank Include a blank column or row in the


report. Use this option to enter a
spacing in a report.

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Property The property that will be placed in the • Display for all - Select this check box to display
cells Property values in every row or column, including
blanks.
• Display as heading Row/Col offset - Select this
check box to display Property on the Heading row or
column only, instead of the heading. This is very useful
with nested expansions to include a special heading
at each break point.

6. In the Time offset field, specify the time period offset to use for this report member.
For example, you can use this setting to define a column that is one year or one month prior to the column
next to it.

7. In the Range override for report options field, enter the range.
Report node options can be controlled by a range within the workbook.
This range must contain two columns. The first column should contain the option name; the second column
should contain the value for the option. The following option names are supported:
• Dimension - name of the dimension
• ExpandLevels - number of levels to expand
• SuppressIfZero - 0 = no suppress, 1 = suppress if zero
• ExcludeCurrentMember - 0 = include current member, 1 = exclude current member
• OnlyBaseMembers - 0 = include all members, 1 = only include base level members
• ParentsAfterChildren - 0 = parents before children, 1 = parents after children
• AutoIndent - 0 = no auto indent, 1 = auto indent on heading or property nodes
• IndentPerLevel - a number of indent characters for each member level
• FixedIndent - a fixed number of character
• PropertyDisplayForAll - 0 = no Property Display For All, 1 = Property Display For All
• PropertyDisplayAsHeading - 0 = no Property Display As Heading, 1 = Property Display As Heading
• PropertyRowColOffset - a number for the Property Row or Column Offset
• TimeOffset - a number for the Time Offset
• TimeOffsetLevel - valid entries are blank, Period, Year, Quarter, Month
• DrillReport - name of the Drill Report

8. In the Drill Report field, enter the name of a report in the current workbook to enable drill down reporting
when the user double-clicks on a cell in the column or row defined by this report member.
You can enter the name of the same report for a drill down in place. When a user double-clicks on a report
member with a drill report defined, the report is selected and refreshed based on the current value of the
cell clicked. The current value for the drill report remains locked until the user drills to it again.

9. Click OK.

The report is modified.

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Leveraging Excel Data Manager

You can manipulate data in bulk in Excel Data Manager.


Data Manager allows you to load data from external sources, clear data out of the database, extract data to send
it to external sources, and run business rules to modify data.
You can load data from an Excel table into the database, or extract it from the database into a table.
To load data there must be a column for every dimension in the model. Additional columns are allowed. Additional
columns provide a good way to perform transformations with formulas to derive the correct member values or
numbers to load.

Workshop - Load Data

Use the Data Manager to load data from an Excel table into the database.
Complete the following to load data from an Excel table into the database.

1. In Excel, open the table from which to load data.

2. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Data Manager button.

3. In the Data Manager window, open the Load tab.


Here you can load a table from a database to Excel. Before loading, you can use the full functionality of
Excel to transform the data with the formulas such as vlookup.
All security is fully enforced on the data load, so you can only load data to members you currently have
write access to. When you attempt to load data to a member that is not available to write to, the member
is highlighted in orange so you know why it is skipped. Any invalid member encountered is highlighted in
red.

4. Specify whether you want to load data from the entire sheet or from a block of cells.
Select one of the following options:
• Current Worksheet - Select this option to load data from the entire currently selected worksheet.
The first row of the worksheet must contain all dimension names that display in the Control Panel. Any
columns with other names are skipped. This option is useful when member names and values are being
derived from intermediate results with formulas to perform data transformations.
• Name Range - Select this option and provide the range name to load data from the block of cells
contained in the named range.

5. Select the Clear a data region based on the data to be loaded check-box to clear a slice of the database
as part of data loading. From the list of dimensions, select the dimensions from which to clear all the data.
Use this option for scenarios where you receive data from another system such as a Ledger, and perform
multiple loads of the same data during a reporting cycle. In this case, the data table you load may contain
data for one account in one entity in the first load, but in the second load there is no data for the same
account. In this case, after the second load by default, the account missing data in the second load will still
contain the data from the first load. With the Clear a data region based on the data to be loaded option
enabled, the data from the first load is completely cleared out automatically by the second load. In this
example, you only need to select the Account dimension to have all accounts cleared of data for any
combination of other dimension members found in the data table being loaded.

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6. Select the Sum Values check-box to add together the values for all of the records and to submit the total
to the database as a single value, if a load table contains multiple records with the same set of members.
This option is enabled by default.

7. Select the Skip Empty Values check-box to skip empty cells for numeric values, so existing data remains
unchanged.
If you do not select this option, empty cells are loaded as a numeric value of zero.
Note Only empty cells are skipped. Cells that contain empty strings are always loaded as value of
zero.

This option is disabled by default.

8. Click OK.

The data from the Excel table is loaded into the database.

Workshop - Clear Data

Use the Data Manager to clear data from the application.


You can only clear data to which you have write access.
Complete the following to clear data.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Data Manager button.
The Data Manager window displays.

2. Open the Clear tab.

3. In the list in the left pane, select a dimension.

4. In the Hierarchy pane, select a hierarchy.

5. Expand the members tree structure and select the members to define a slice of data to clear from the
application.

6. Click OK.

7. Click Yes to the message with the number of members that are going to be cleared and skipped.

The data is cleared from the application.

Workshop - Extract Data

Use the Data Manager to extract data from the application into data tables.
Complete the following to extract data.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Data Manager button.
The Data Manager window displays.

2. Open the Extract tab.

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3. Select the Suppress if zero check box to exclude columns or rows when the entire column or row contains
zeros.

4. Select the Resolve Send To members check box to resolve in reverse the data for a base level member
that has a send to defined for it in the Database locks in the Modeler. The extracted data will show up in
Excel for the parent level member from which it was sent.
In this way you can easily experience a full round trip of data. However, if you need to extract the data
without that indirection for the interfaces you have with other systems, you have the choice to disable this
option before the extract.
This check box is selected by default.

5. In the list in the left pane, select a dimension.

6. In the Hierarchy pane, select a hierarchy.

7. Expand the members tree structure and select the members to define a slice of data to clear from the
application.

8. Click OK.

The data is extracted from the application into data tables.

Workshop - Run Rules

Use the Data Manager to run rules against a slice of your application.
Specify dimensions and members to define the slice of the application against which the rule you defined in the
Modeler will be run.
Complete the following to run a rule.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Data Manager button.
The Data Manager window displays.

2. Open the Run Rules tab.

3. In the list of rules in the upper left pane, select a rule.


The Business rules you defined in the Modeler for this model are listed. You can change these rules in the
Modeler or pick them up from SQL also depending on what the rule should do.
The list of available dimensions displays under the list of rules.

4. In the list of dimensions, select a dimension.

5. In the Hierarchy pane, select a hierarchy.

6. Expand the members tree structure and select the members to define a slice of data to run rules against.

7. Click OK.

8. Click Yes to the confirmation message.

The rules are run against the slice of your application.

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Publishing Books of Reports

You can print reports in bulk or create report files in bulk in the Book Publisher.
In the Book Publisher you have the following options to control the report content:
• Fixed member
Use fixed member properties to fix the member selection on various dimensions to control the portion of the
data for which a section of the book should be published.
• Vary member
Use the vary member properties to select multiple members on dimensions for which reports should be
published.
• Workbook
Use the workbook properties to select the workbooks that contain reports to be published.

Workshop - Publish a Report

Use the Book Publisher to publish a group of reports.


Complete the following to publish reports.

1. In the Canvas Planning Control Panel, in the toolbar, click the Book Publisher button.
The Book Publisher displays.

2. In the Book Publisher window, in the left pane, at the top of the tree structure, select the Book node.
In the right pane, Book Properties display.

3. In the Book Properties pane, select the Print check box to print reports when the book is published.

4. Select the Create Files check box to create report files when the book is published.

5. Select the Display book outline report check box to create a visual outline of the book definition in the
workbook when the book definition is saved.
The Book Publisher creates the outline on the Callisto_Book workbook tab.

6. Select the Create index when publish check box to create an index to published reports when the book
is published.
The Book Publisher creates the index on the Callisto_BookFileIndex workbook tab when the Create Files
option is selected, or on a Callisto_BookPrintIndex workbook tab when the Print option is selected.

7. Click the Add Section button to add another section to the book definition.
A new section is added to the book tree structure in the left pane.

8. In the book tree structure in the left pane, under the new section, select the Fixed node.
Fixed Member Definition displays in the right pane.
The fixed member properties are used to fix the member selection on various dimensions to control the
portion of the database for which a section of the book should be published.

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9. In the right pane, click Add to add a new dimension to the Fixed selection.
In the book tree in the left pane, under the Fixed node, a new <<empty>> node displays.

10. Select the <<empty>> node.


Fixed Member Definition displays in the right pane.

11. In the Dimension field, select the dimension for which to select a member.

12. Next to the Fixed Member Definition field, click the ellipsis button.
The Selector Member window displays.

13. In the Selector Member window, select a member.


The member properties display in the right pane.

14. Click OK.


You are back on the Book Publisher page. Notice, in the book tree in the left pane, under the Fixed node,
the member you selected displays.

15. In the book tree structure in the left pane, under the new section, select the Vary node.
Vary Member Definition displays in the right pane.
The vary member properties are used to select multiple members on dimensions for which reports should
be published in this section of the book.

16. In the right pane, click Add to add a new dimension to the Vary selection.

17. In the book tree in the left pane, under the Vary node, select the <<empty>> node.

18. In the Dimension field, select the dimension from which to select a member.

19. Under Member Selection Type, select one of the following:


• Expand - define expansion properties that will be used to create a dynamic list of members for which
to publish reports. This dynamic list automatically changes based on dimension changes.
• List - select the list of members for which to publish reports.
• Range Name - specify a named range in the Excel workbook that contains a member list.

20. In the book tree structure in the left pane, under the new section, select the Workbook node.
Workbook Definition displays in the right pane.
The workbook properties are used to select the workbooks that contain reports that should be published.

21. In the right pane, click Add to add a new workbook.

22. In the book tree in the left pane, under the Workbook node, select the <<empty>> node.

23. In the right pane, under Source, select one of the following options:
• Shared Library - Select this option if the workbook is located in the Shared Library.
• Personal File - Select this option if the workbook is located on a local machine.

24. Next to the Workbook name field, click the ellipsis button.

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25. In the Open Workbook window, select name of the workbook file containing reports to be published.

26. Click OK.

27. Continue adjusting the book content using Fixed member, Vary member and Workbook options.

28. When you finish, click the Save button to save the current book definition into the currently selected
workbook.
Note This does not automatically save the book definition to physical storage on disk. To save to
disk, you must save the Excel workbook after you close the Book Publisher dialog box. The book
definition is saved inside the workbook.

29. Click the Publish button to publish the book to print reports or create files.

30. Click Close.

Remain in Excel.

Workshop - Build a model for Data Entry in Excel


Build a simple report.

1. In Excel, create a new workbook.

2. Open the Canvas Planning tab and click New Report Wizard.

3. On the Report Wizard screen, click the Wizard button.

4. From the Dimensions list on the left, drag and drop the Account dimension onto the first empty row
heading in the grid.

5. From the Dimensions list on the left, drag and drop the Time dimension onto the first empty column
heading in the grid.

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6. Click the Advanced button.

7. To the Unsaved changes message, click Yes.

8. On the Edit Report screen, select the Account row.

9. In Row/Col Type, verify Expand is selected, and in the Select dimension list, Account is selected. .

10. In the Expand Options group, set the following:


• In the Number of levels to expand field, remove 1.
• Clear the Suppress if zero check box.
• Select Only include Base level members.
• Under Display location for Parents, select After Children.
• In the Indent per level field, enter a 2.

11. Back on the top of the Edit Report screen, in the grid, click the column labeled Heading.

12. In the Expand Options group, verify the Auto Indent check box is selected.

13. In the grid at the top of the Edit Report screen, select the Time column.

14. In Row/Col Type, verify Expand is selected, and in the Select dimension list, Time is selected.

15. In the Expand Options group, set the following:


• In the Number of levels to expand field, remove 1.
• Clear the Suppress if zero check box.
• Select Only include Base level members.
• Under Display location for Parents, select After Children.

16. Click OK.

Add Data - Actuals

In the report that is displayed, you should see the different quarters of 2013. Move to year 2011.
First, in each dimension, go to its lowest level, that is select its leaf level member.

1. On the Current View pane or ribbon, click the first dimension - Account.

2. In the Selector Member, select Stats - Stat Accounts, and click OK.

3. Repeat the previous step and select the following dimension members:

Dimension Member
BusinessProcess Expand Consolidated > Prelim > Postalloc > Prealloc, select Input
Client None
Currency None
Entity London

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Intercompany No Member
Measures Finance Value
Product No product
Scenario Budget
TimeDataView Periodic

4. On the Current View pane or ribbon, click the Time dimension.

5. In the Selector Member, expand 2011 - Yr 2011 and select 2011Q1.

6. Click OK.
You selected year 2011. Now enable data input.

7. On the Canvas Planning tab, click Report Editor.

8. On the Edit Report screen, open the Options tab.

9. Select Input Schedule.

10. In the Report Name field, enter AcctInput.

11. Select the Color of cells open for input check box, select the green color and click OK.

12. Click OK.


You enabled data input. Now enter the data.

13. Click the cell highlighted green at the intersection of the Product Sales row and the Jan-11 column.

14. Enter 100.

15. On the on the Excel Ribbon, click Send data (double green arrow) to update the database.

16. When the Send status button is clear and the Refresh button has turned red, click Refresh.

Add Data - Forecast

Now move to Forecast Scenario.

1. On the Current View pane, or Ribbon, click Scenario.

2. In the Selector Member, select Forecast - Forecast.

3. Click OK.

4. On the Current View pane, or Ribbon, click Time.

5. In the Selector Member, select Quarter 2, 2012.

6. Click OK.

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7. On the toolbar, click Refresh.


You can enter data now.

8. Click the cell highlighted green at the intersection of the Product Sales and Apr-12.

9. Enter 200 as a forecast.

10. On the Excel Ribbon, click Send data (double green arrow).

11. When the Send status button is clear and the Refresh button has turned red, click Refresh.

Add Data – Time Data View


First enter data.

1. Click the cell highlighted green at the intersection of the Product Sales and May-12.

2. Enter 300 as a forecast.

3. On the Excel Ribbon, click Send data (double green arrow) to update the database.
When in doubt about the status of a submission, use the Send status feature to check the status of your
latest submission.

4. After the submission is sent, click Send status.

5. To the No submissions pending message, click OK.

6. When the Send status button is clear and the Refresh button has turned red, click Refresh.
Take the following steps to see these figures on a YTD (Year to Date) basis.

7. On the Current View Box or Ribbon, click TimeDataView.

8. Select YTD – Year to Date.

9. Click OK.

10. Click Refresh.


This locks the cells for input as you can’t input on YTD, only on Periodic.

Export Data within the model for Editing


First move back to the Actual Scenario and Periodic TimeDataView.

1. On the Current View Box or Ribbon, click Scenario.

2. Select Budget.

3. Click OK.

4. On the Current View Box or Ribbon, click TimeDataView.

5. Select Periodic.

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6. Click OK.

7. Click Refresh.
You can now perform the export procedure.

8. On the Ribbon, click Open Data Manager.

9. Select the Extract tab.

10. Click OK to extract everything.

11. On a new sheet, view all the data you’ve entered so far.

12. Change the value for Apr-12 to 150.

13. Click Open Data Manager.

14. On the Load tab, select Current Worksheet.

15. To the message with the number of records to load, click OK.
Notice you’re in a different sheet now.

16. Open the Excel sheet where your data are located.
You should see the input schedule you created earlier with the cells highlighted green.

17. If the Send Status button is yellow, wait for it to clear.

18. Click Refresh.


Now you have 150 in April 2012.

Import Data
Go to http://www.dspanel.com/services/training/recorded-university-courses/, and download the Course 201
Learning Toolkit.zip. Unpack the archive and open the CanvasTraining_Model_Sample_Data.xls.

1. On the Canvas Planning Ribbon, click Open Data Manager.

2. On the Load tab, select Current Worksheet.

3. Click OK.

4. To the Load 96 Records message, click OK.

5. Click the Excel Book1.


You may have to look on the taskbar to the Excel icon and click book1 from there.

6. When the Send Status has cleared, click Refresh.

Look at the Full Year 2011


Now move back to the full year 2011

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1. On the Current View Box or Ribbon, click Time.

2. Select 2011-2011.

3. Click OK.

4. Click Refresh.

View Months

1. Click Report Editor.

2. Click the exp:Time column.

3. Under Expand Options, in the Number of levels to expand field, enter 2.

4. Click OK.

Format Reports

1. Click Report Editor.

2. Click Options.

3. Click the first row in the middle column.

4. In the Reporting Heading field, enter Account Report & Input by Time.

5. Click OK.

6. Click the first row in the left column.

7. In the Reporting Heading field, enter Scenario: {{Scenario:Description}} (to display the current scenario).

8. Click OK.

9. Click the first row in the right column.

10. In the Reporting Heading field, enter Showing: {{TimeDataView:Description}} (to display the current
TimeDataView: Periodic, YTD).

11. Click OK.

Add Account Designation on Node Level

1. Click Report Editor.

2. On the Body tab, click the Heading column.

3. Click Insert column.


A blank column is now added to the left of the Heading column.

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Canvas Planning and Excel Epicor Planner Course

4. Under Data Member Definition, click Property.

5. Click Account.

6. Click Name.

7. Click OK.
pro:Account column is created.

8. Click the pro:Account column.

9. Click Insert Column.


A blank column is now added to the left of the pro:Account column.

10. Click Insert Column again.


A blank column is now added to the left of the pro:Account column.

11. Select the first blank column highlighted, and under Data Member Definition click Property.

12. Click Account.

13. Select ISBASELEVEL.

14. Click OK.

15. Back in the Report, select E column and click Insert column.

16. In E5 cell, add the formula =IF(C5=-1;D5;””), click on the corner and drag this formula down to and including
cell E24.

17. Select row 5.

Apply Conditional Formatting

1. Open the Home tab.

2. On the Excel ribbon, click Conditional formatting.

3. Click the Home tab.

4. Click New Rule.

5. Click Use a formula to determine which cells to format.

6. Enter the formula =$C5=0.

7. Click Format.

8. Under Font Style, click Bold.

9. On the Border tab, click the upper border box.

10. Click OK.

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Epicor Planner Course Canvas Planning and Excel

11. Click OK.

12. Select row 5 again.

13. Click the Format Painter and drag down to row 25.

14. Click column C and drag over to column D.

15. Right-click them and select Hide.

16. Click row 4.

17. On the Excel ribbon, click the Insert bottom border button.

18. On the Excel ribbon, click the Bold button.

19. Click the font size and change it to 12.

20. Click row 2.

21. On the Excel ribbon, click the Bold button.

22. Click the font size and change it to 20.

23. Click row 32.

24. On the Excel ribbon, click the Bold button.

25. On the Excel ribbon, click the Italics button.

Hide Data

1. Open the Business Modeler.

2. On the Pages pane, click Database Setup.

3. Click the Check Out button.

4. On the Dimensions tab, select the TimeDataView dimension.

5. In the grid, under Standard, click Hide Members.

6. Next to All type , RAWDATA so it looks like All, RAWDATA.

7. Click Check In.

8. Click Yes.

9. Click Deploy.

10. Click OK.

11. Click Close.

12. Open Excel.

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Canvas Planning and Excel Epicor Planner Course

13. On the Canvas Planning tab, click Change Application.

14. Select the CanvasTraining application.

15. Click OK.

16. Click Refresh.

Save an Excel Sheet as a Template

1. Click Canvas Planning tab.

2. Click Open Shared Library.

3. Select the Save to Library check box.

4. Highlight Book1 and change the name to INPUT\AcctInput.


INPUT folder is created and the worksheet is placed to AcctInput.

5. Click Save.

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Epicor Planner Course Planning Gem

Planning Gem

In Performance Canvas, you can build canvases using Planning Gems to enter forecasts and visualize them.
You can use Excel to define a planning gem. Then, in the Performance Canvas web interface, you can create a
Planning Canvas with the planning gem on it. You can use the planning gem to enter data into the system
database. The data is updated in real time.
The typical planning gem scenario includes the following steps:

1. In Excel, create a Planning Gem.

2. In the Performance Canvas, create a Planning Canvas.

3. In the Performance Canvas, change data in the Planning Gem.

4. In Excel, view Changed Data.

Workshop - Open Input Schedule

In Excel, load data from an Excel table into the database.


Complete the following to load data from an Excel table into the database.

1. In Excel, from the Ribbon, click Open Shared Library.

2. In the Open Workbook window, expand the Finance > Input Schedules folder.

3. Select Product Revenue Input Schedule 2.xls

4. Click OK.

5. To the Refresh Input Schedules also? message, click No.

The data from the Excel table is loaded into the database.

Workshop - Create Planning Gem

Use Ribbon to update Web Library.


Complete the following steps to update Web Library:

1. From the Ribbon, click Report Editor.


Report Editor has the feather icon.

2. In the Edit Report window, on the Options tab, verify the Input Schedule check box is selected.

3. In the Report Name field, enter XXProdRevenuePlan.

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Planning Gem Epicor Planner Course

4. Select the Color of cells open for input check box.

5. Select a color.

6. Click OK.

7. Click the Update Web Library button.

8. In the Update Web Reports Library window, select the Save to Library check box.

9. In the name field at the bottom of the screen, enter XX Product Rev Plan.
This is the name you will see in the Performance Canvas.

10. Click OK.

11. Click Save.

12. To the Save to Web Library succeeded message, click OK.

13. In the Edit Report window, click OK to close it.


The new values appear in the report.

Minimize Excel.

Workshop - Create Performance Canvas

In Performance Canvas, create a canvas with a planning gem.


Complete the following to create a canvas.

1. Start Performance Canvas.


From the desktop, open the Epicor Docs and Shortcuts folder.

2. In the Explorer window, scroll to and double-click Epicor Performance Canvas.

3. On the EPM Performance Canvas home page, in the Navigation pane, click the Designer link.

4. In the Datasource window, select EPM_Finance_Epicor10.

5. Click OK.

6. In the right pane, expand the Planning group.

7. Expand the Unclassified list.

8. Locate the XX Product Rev Plan gem and drag it onto the Canvas design area.

9. Expand the Gem on the canvas.

10. From the File menu, select Save.

11. In the Canvas name field, enter XXX Planning.

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Epicor Planner Course Planning Gem

12. Click Save.

13. From the File menu, select Exit to Client.

Workshop - Change Data in Planning Gem

In Performance Canvas, update the data in the planning gem.


Complete the following to alter the forecast in the planning gem you created.

1. From the My Canvases > Unclassified listing, double-click XXX Planning.


The canvas loads.

2. Locate the SUV > April 2010 forecast column.

3. Select Atza Large.

4. Double-click in the Forecast column.

5. Enter forecast of 45.

6. Select Atza Hybrid.

7. Double-click in the Forecast column.

8. Enter forecast of 30.

9. Click Save.

10. Minimize Performance Canvas.

Workshop - View Changed Data in Excel

You can now see the data you entered on the planning gem in Performance Canvas displays in Excel.
Complete the following to view the changed data.

1. Maximize the Excel Client.

2. Open XXProdRevenuePlan.

3. From the Ribbon, click Refresh.

4. View the updated data.

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Conclusion Epicor Planner Course

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the Epicor EPM Canvas Planning course.

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Additional information is available at the Education and
Documentation areas of the EPICweb Customer Portal. To access
this site, you need a Site ID and an EPICweb account. To create an
account, go to http://support.epicor.com.

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