Welcome to our first Monthly Planning Analytics Update! We’re excited to introduce this new series, where we’ll provide you with the latest features, enhancements, and improvements in Planning Analytics. Each month, we’ll be diving into the updates to ensure you’re always up to date with the tools and functionalities that can help you optimise your workflows and achieve better results. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you these updates, helping you get the most out of your Planning Analytics environment.
Drive Explorer
Drive Explorer was introduced for Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) in version 2.0.98 (cloud only). With Drive Manager, PAW administrators can access the file system in the S Drive and the remote server. To use the Drive Manager, open a new workbench in PAW:
Select the Drive Explorer icon to open it:
This will open the Drive Explorer in a new workbench.
Previously it was not possible to connect to the S Drive with your Cloud. File manager provides the functionality to work with files and folders uploaded to the PA database, but with the addition of Drive Explorer administrators can download log files, move files and folders, rename files, delete files and compress files. This is a welcome introduction to the workbench.
Add notes to a modelling workbench
It is now possible to add notes to a workbench in PAW. These notes can be formatted, and lists can be created. This has been made available in version 2.0.98:
Users of the workbench may benefit from notes previously stored in a saved workbench. With more administrators and developers moving over to the workbench, the notes option may be useful. In the early stages, however, it should be viewed as a simple tool, and not the same as a sticky note on a shared desk area.
New burst export feature
Burst reporting is a much used and enjoyed feature of a wide range of reporting tools. The demand to export out multiple reports based on a collection of elements, or a list (such as geography, team members etc) will always be there. PAW version 2.0.98 provides users with a new burst export feature:
In PAW it has been possible to export reports to PDF or PowerPoint for a while, but the introduction of bursting will be a welcome feature. Splitting a report by a collection enhances user reporting and meets the needs of several consumers working in group report roles.
Improved user interface for deleting objects
In PAW, administrators are responsible for managing the user lists. User security is controlled within PAW, and it is possible to delete users. As of version 2.0.97 it is also possible to delete multiple users at once:
This new feature will be useful for administrators tasked with deleting multiple users, as the delete button will save time.
Create a Universal Report when connected to multiple sources
Universal Reports were released for PAfE in version 2.0.90. They allow consumers of PA data to create PAfE reports that expand and collapse both rows and columns.
Universal Reports were a great enhancement to the user experience. Although drilling down on rows was possible even in perspectives, reports containing the functionality to expand or collapse columns allow for further analysis or summary reports without the use of subtotals:
With PAfE version 2.0.97.1 users can now create Universal Reports when connected to multiple sources. In previous versions, using Universal Reports when connected to multiple sources would cause them to fail.
Connecting to multiple PA sources is a feature of PAfE and one that allows reports to contain data from different sources, so this fix will be welcomed by users of Universal Reports.
Action button references now updated when you copy and paste books to a new folder
PAfE reports will typically contain action buttons to control navigation or provide options to run turbo integrator processes. As of version 2.0.97 when copying and pasting multiple books to a different folder the action buttons will be automatically updated and adjusted to point to the new location.
This will be useful for instances where the user is copying multiple books to a different folder, and buttons in books referencing any other book being copied will automatically update, and not require the user to update them manually.
Plot members from the same dimension in certain charts
Planning Analytics Workspace makes use of several graph and chart features. Enabling the multidimensional Cube functionaltiy to be better presented with visual aids. Version 2.0.97 provides certain visualisations with the option to plot members from the same dimension.
In the view below, Jan, Feb and Mar are in the same Dimension, and Price, Units and Sales are in the account Dimension:
Controls have been introduced to repeat the graph above with the same data set, and the line and column chart has plotted the Year Dimension to appear on both the column and line positions.
This could prove useful for consumers of PAW that benefit of its visualisations. This new feature works with the following visualisations:
- Column
- Line
- Line and column
- Bar
- Stacked bar
- Stacked column
- Marimekko
- Point
- Area
MDX editor updates
Users and developers have long benefited from dynamic subsets created using MDX, a querying language for Cubes. These subsets automatically update when changes occur in a report. As of version 2.0.98 in PAW, MDX subsets can now be viewed and modified in an editor, which includes features like autocompletion, syntax highlighting, find and replace, and indenting:
This may also come in use for users who are comfortable with MDX statements.
Thoughts from the expert
This article has included updates from both 2.0.97 and 2.0.98 as 2.0.98 only came out on the 21st of August. Within both releases there are useful updates and changes to make the life of an administrator and consumer easier, and smarter.
Drive Explorer
The Drive Explorer was well anticipated. Developers were requesting this from IBM as soon as the news came that IBM Cloud only customers would one day lose their rich tier access (remote access). This new feature provides a lot of what is expected of a file explorer, and administrators along with developers should be able to move data directories, download logs, and make backups within the S drive, something that could not be done previously in workbench.
I suspect that the Driver Explorer will receive a lot of updates, once developers point out to IBM that there is something they still cannot do. It is only possible to download error logs, and not view them in an editor. This is a loss to administrators and developers alike who want to see why something has failed. It is not the same as the windows file explorer either, which everyone is familiar with. However, this is the route we must take, and I, for one, am glad to see the Drive Explorer and have begun using it for administrative tasks.
Add notes to a modelling workbench
I may make use of this, and the thought behind it is appreciated. However, there are other ways to store notes, and it is a bit limited (small in size and stuck in the top left). I do like the Task list option and the idea of giving others a list of items to clear, so I would want to see it in future updates.
New burst export feature
The ability to burst reports from PAW will exist many consumers. To print out via PDF or Powerpoint many pages based off a selection will prove most useful in meeting many a demand from Company report managers. I look forward to demonstrating this feature to my client base, and hope to see users taking advantage of this new feature soon.
Improved user interface for deleting objects
Most users are not administrators, but those are that may find this new feature useful. It is a small feature, but one that would meet a previous enhancement request and if I am tasked with deleting more than one user from PAW, I will use it.
Create a Universal Report when connected to multiple sources
Universal Reports are a great and most welcome addition to PAfE. I encourage all customers of PA to upgrade to at least 2.0.90 (when they were first introduced) if they have not done so already. I found myself during demos or training sessions explaining that this was not possible, whilst at the same time trying to discourage subtotals in Excel. Universal Reports are already being used widely, hence this new feature.
Creating Universal Reports whilst connecting to multiple data sources will fix a problem that users in the past have faced. It is not uncommon to be logged into multiple sources, but when doing so, they would miss out on these new reports. I, along with many other users and developers will be using this for many years.
Action button references now updated when you copy and paste books to a new folder
I don’t find myself copying multiple workbooks often, but when I do this feature may save me time. Moving any type of report to a different folder comes with challenges, as security and access come into play. This is not something I will shout about, but one to keep in mind should I ever be tasked with moving multiple reports within PAfE.
Plot members from the same dimension in certain charts
Planning Analytics Workspace has come along way since its inception, and consumers of the product have raised many enhancement requests because the scoping capabilities it possesses. Taking Cube based data and loading it into PAW opens many doors and the visualisations allow for fast, descriptive, powerful dashboarding. There will always be a place for graphs and charts, as they can tell us so much so quickly, and this new feature only serves to further enhance PAW and its power.
Converting multi dimensional data into a line graph is not always easy; you have an x & y axis, but several Dimensions. Can you still visualise what you need to present the data in the most informative way? What if you want to see data presented as different lines from the same Dimension? With this new feature, you can. I am looking forward to use cases that put this new feature into use. It will be part of my demos and training sessions that’s for sure.
MDX editor updates
I have been using MDX subsets for years. It has made my views and reports more dynamic and sophisticated. They can also act as a useful administration feature. I did not like the MDX editor within the set editor of a view, I could not always work my way around a complex MDX easily. I would sometimes take the MDX out and paste it into notepad.
This new editor will be used by myself and others and is a welcome addition.
Summary
IBM Cloud customers typically have limited control over when they upgrade, so it’s crucial to get familiar with new features as early as possible. For our internal or HAYNE Cloud customers, while we recommend staying up to date with the latest versions, we also take a tailored approach, managing upgrades in a controlled manner that suits your specific systems.
If you need demos, training on new features, or advice on upgrades, we’re here to help. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for more IBM updates and general insights—stay connected with us for the latest news and tips!
