6 Key EPM / NSPB Updates – Oct and Nov 2023
The Pivot2 team have compiled a list of some of the most useful updates to be included over the last two months, that could specifically help your business process.
Please reach out for a chat by contacting us here if you would like any further information.
SUMMARY
SMARTVIEW
1. Smart View Version 23.200
DATA INTEGRATION PIPELINE
2. Run Pipeline Integration Type And Task Type In Task Manager
SECURITY
3. Stronger Encryption Algorithm For Navigation Flows And Connections
PLANNING AND REPORTING
4. Forms 2.0 & Dashboard 2.0 - new features
ORACLE GENERAL
5. Future Deprecation of Native Mode Option for Smart View Ad Hoc Behaviour Application Setting
6. Plan to Discontinue Support for Non-Redwood Experience Themes
SMARTVIEW
Smart View Version 23.200
Oracle Smart View for Office version 23.200 is now available from My Oracle Support and Oracle Technical Resources (formerly Oracle Technology Network).
Some of the following new features are included:
· Search for Reports, Documents, and Task Lists in Smart View
· Member Selection Available for POV and Prompts in Reports
· Ability to Insert Multiple Reports in the Same Workbook
· New Search Field in Business Rules Dialog
· Formula, Label, and Comment Rows and Columns Supported in Flex Forms
· Set Formatting for Numbers in Oracle Essbase
Business Benefit:
Users can now seamlessly search for critical financial reports, documents, and task lists, enhancing the efficiency of data discovery. Notable addition such as the ability to insert multiple reports in the same workbook, financial users can now set precise formatting for numbers in Oracle Essbase.
For finance users, these enhancements mean accelerated financial reporting processes. Quick access to financial data and improved report organisation contribute to faster decision-making. The advanced Flex Forms features empower finance users to create dynamic, insightful reports, while precise number formatting ensures accurate financial representation.
DATA INTEGRATION
Run Pipeline Integration Type And Task Type In Task Manager
Oracle's Pipeline functionality takes a significant leap forward with ongoing evolution. Users can now seamlessly run Pipeline Integration Type and Task Type directly within Task Manager, streamlining data integration and system processes. Additionally, the introduction of a new job type facilitates the effortless Import and Export of Mapping, supporting conversions between CSV to TXT files.
Business Benefit:
These updates are particularly beneficial for finance teams, ensuring more efficient management of financial data pipelines. Running integration tasks in Task Manager enhances visibility and control over crucial financial data processes. The streamlined Import and Export Mapping feature supports seamless data transformations, vital for maintaining accuracy in financial reporting.
SECURITY
Stronger Encryption Algorithm For Navigation Flows And Connections
Oracle reaffirms its commitment to robust security measures by enhancing the Encryption Algorithm for Navigation Flows and Connections. With the encryption algorithm strengthened to AES-256, the security of stored financial credentials is fortified. While this update causes re-encryption of passwords and secure parameters, it ensures heightened security for financial data.
Business Benefit:
Users benefit from an elevated level of data security, safeguarding sensitive financial information stored in Navigation Flows and Connections. This enhancement aligns with stringent financial security requirements, providing finance professionals peace of mind in managing critical financial data.
PLANNING AND REPORTING
Forms 2.0 & Dashboard 2.0
Pivot2 will be releasing a video of some of the new features in forms and dashboards 2.0.
Forms 2.0:
Forms 2.0 introduces a suite of improvements tailored to finance professionals, featuring:
Runtime enhancements, better scalability, and standardised menus for performing global actions on forms enhance the financial form-building experience.
The new Quick toolbar for performing actions such as Adjust, Spread, Adding Comments, and advanced POV member selection with the Jet Member Selector streamline financial form interactions.
End users can now perform On the Fly calculations in both web and Smart View, available when administrator enable a new Grid Properties setting.
Example of ‘Calc On the Fly’:
BEFORE (Form 1.0): Total DVD Rentals not automatically summed.
AFTER (Form 2.0): Total DVD Rentals automatically summed.
New Line Item Details with improved capabilities in place of Supporting Details
Business Benefit:
Finance teams experience a more streamlined and scalable financial form-building process. The advanced POV member selection and real-time calculations empower finance users to conduct complex financial analyses seamlessly, facilitating quicker and more informed financial decision-making.
Dashboard 2.0:
Dashboard 2.0 brings a new level of sophistication to financial data visualisation, featuring:
The revitalized Dashboard Designer, coupled with a new Grid chart type supporting data write-back and Save Option, enhances financial dashboard capabilities.
Increased customisation options, conversion utility, and the ability to display multiple charts in one Dashboard component offer finance users a dynamic financial reporting experience.
Style property for rendering in Default, Light, and Dark background colours.
BEFORE (Dashboard 1.0):
AFTER (Dashboard 2.0):
To work with Forms 2.0 and Dashboard 2.0, you must enable the Redwood Experience. Forms 1.0 and 2.0 and Dashboard 1.0 and 2.0 versions will continue to coexist in the same business process at the same time.
If you've been using Forms 1.0, there's no migration needed to use Forms 2.0. You can switch between the two versions using an application setting. The forms will be rendered to whichever version you specify. To specify Forms 2.0, go to Application Settings and set the Forms Version to Forms 2.0.
Business Benefit:
Finance professionals gain a powerful toolset for visualising and analysing financial data. The data write-back support and increased customisation options empower finance users to tailor dashboards to unique financial reporting needs, facilitating quicker and more insightful financial decision-making.
ORACLE GENERAL
Upcoming Changes:
Smart View settings - Future Deprecation of Native Mode Option for Smart View Ad Hoc Behaviour Application Setting.
Users should be aware of forthcoming changes, including the planned deprecation of Native Mode within the next 6-12 months. Users currently on Native Mode are advised to transition to Standard mode and test financial use cases accordingly.
Any gaps found should to be logged as an enhancement to the Standard mode. Enhancements should be logged in the Customer Connect EPM Platform idea Labs by end of November 2023, for Oracle to review.
Plan to Discontinue Support for Non-Redwood Experience Themes
Oracle plans to discontinue support for non-Redwood Experience themes in the first quarter of 2024.
In a later update planned for the second quarter of 2024, Oracle will automatically convert non-Redwood theme environments to the Redwood Experience.