The Logical data-entry: Data Split&Splat
The logical data-entry - also called Data Split&Splat (DS&S) - is a feature that allows you to enter numeric data at any aggregation level and automatically allocate it down to the underlying cells of the Cube. When a summary value (a total) is entered, the DS&S function automatically splits it on the detail cells whose sum is the total entered, always respecting the existing proportions. This process affects any dimension of the Cube, such as products, customers, territories and time.
In a company where different people contribute to the drafting of budgets and forecasts, each individual can work along the lines closest to his/her own perception of the market and of the business. For example, the Sales Manager might want to reflect on total sales by Customer Category while the Marketing Director might choose to view data by Product Category. Data consistency is granted at all times, without having to run batch processes, allocation procedures or consolidating the variations brought about by one individual or the other.
For example, suppose having a budget Cube structured by three dimensions: Month, Customer and Product. DS&S allows you to input values at any aggregation level, for example on a summary view by quarter, State and Product. When a summary value (a total) is entered, it is instantly and proportionally split down to the elementary values whose sum is the total entered.
The DS&S allocates summary values based on the underlying data proportions. It is not possible to enter a value on a summary cell if the summary value is null (i.e. all underlying cells contain a null value).
To enable logical data-entry, simply configure a Layout with one or more data entry enabled Blocks: the DS&S will be enabled by default on these Blocks.
To enable/disable data entry on a Block, click on it and activate the DATA ENTRY option in the Block settings sliding right panel.
The Data Split&Splat feature is enabled by default.
Data entry enabled Cubes are usually initialized through a procedure that feeds them with data according to specific criteria such as "copy last year's data", "apply forecast function" or some other user-defined principle.
The logical data-entry allows you to:
- Enter data at row totals and column totals level
- Enter data on an aggregated view (and at any drill-down level): the value entered is proportionally allocated down to the physical level of the Cube
The DS&S feature is available for all Objects that support data entry.
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