Flexible Dimensions

§  Define an unlimited number of dimensions and dimension values at any time.

§  Name dimensions as you please, so that your dimensions setup reflects the specific needs of your company at all times.

Add new dimensions without disrupting your accounts structure in any way because:

§  You set up dimensions and dimension values in their own tables.

§  Their underlying values are independent of your chart of accounts.

Dimension Hierarchies

Set up dimension value hierarchies to reflect your reporting and accounting needs because:

§  The intuitive hierarchy setup closely resembles the setup procedure for your chart of accounts.

§  You can include totaling values and formulas that allow an unlimited category tree.

§  You can filter data to obtain the level of dimensions information you require.

§  Maintain dimension value hierarchies independently of your chart of accounts. You can maintain a highly detailed reporting and accounting hierarchy without having to create and manage a cumbersome range of accounts and sub accounts.

Dimension Rules

Define dimension rules in the level of detail you want and alter the setup at any time. The following dimension rules can be applied:

§  Defaults – apply default dimensions to specific accounts, groups of accounts, or entire account types (for example, all customer accounts). You can set up defaults as either suggested or mandatory.

§  Combinations – define how dimensions and dimension values may or may not be combined in journals and documents. You can define combinations at the dimension or dimension value level. For example, some salespeople may be excluded from using certain customer-segment dimension values. This helps ensure that policy decisions made in your company are also reflected in your accounts.

§  Prioritization– define prioritization of account types when an account and a balancing account suggest conflicting default dimension values for the same dimension.

§  Blocking – block and unblock dimensions and dimension values from use depending on whether the dimension or value is still required (with regard to seasonal variations, campaigns, and so on).

Dimension Input

Define up to eight shortcut dimensions for use throughout the application:

§  Shortcut dimensions are dimension fields that can be shown or hidden on journal and document lines to make the input of dimensions data as straightforward as possible.

§  Shortcut dimensions can easily be switched or replaced to include new dimensions and accommodate new needs.

§  Enter all other dimensions data in a separate Dimensions window using a conveniently located button on all journals and documents.

§  Use defaults to reduce manual data entry and ensure that the desired dimensions data is always posted.

Dimensions on all G/L Entries

§  Define two global dimensions for use throughout the program.

§  Use these global dimensions to view and filter all G/L entries in the General Ledger Entries window.

§  For non-global dimensions, you can filter G/L entries using the analysis view.

Analysis Views

§  Use Analysis Views to investigate relationships and monitor performance. You can define and name as many analysis views as you wish.

Gather and view posted G/L entries for immediate analysis by attributing characteristics to the information you record in your daily work. You can, for example, attribute:

§  Attached dimensions.

§  A start date.

§  An account number.

§  Make general analysis much easier to understand by compressing analysis view entries so you see only totals (based on a vast number of G/L entries).

§  Sort and gather all G/L entries with at least one of up to four dimensions specified for each analysis view. For example, you might create an analysis view that gathers all G/L entries for departments operating in specific geographic areas, excluding those entries relating to a particular sales campaign.

§  Update the G/L entries included in an analysis view manually to gather new G/L entries posted since the last update, retain saved versions of an analysis view without new updates, or have the program update an analysis view each time a G/L entry with the specified attributes is posted.

Present the contents of an analysis view in a matrix form in the Analysis by Dimensions window:

§  Filter financial data by dimension, date, and G/L account.

§  Modify the matrix axes.

§  Compare dimensions data from G/L entries with data from Budget entries to show variance, variance percentage, and index percentage.

§  Uncover the factors involved in creating particular results or relationships. You can drill down from analysis view entry totals to each individual analysis view entry, and then further still to the specific G/L entries that comprise a particular analysis view entry.

§  Optimize your analyses by exporting the information in your Analysis Views to Microsoft Excel. Here you can make the most of Excel’s facilities for data presentation and manipulation.

Budget by Dimensions

§  Attach an infinite number of dimensions to each budget entry.

Filter your budget by up to four dimensions in order to:

§  Create very specific ‘sub budgets’ (within an overall budget), such as a sales budget for a particular customer target group per department over a specified period.

§  Compare G/L entries and budget entries by dimensions using the Analysis by Dimensions window.

§  Copy a budget including dimensions from a previous period for use in a new period while using an adjustment factor.

§  Easily export and import dimensions on budgets to and from Excel.

§  Create various Excel budgets at a number of subunits (for example, departments) and then import them back into Microsoft Navision to create a single aggregate budget with all dimensions information attached.

Reporting by Dimension

§  Include global dimensions on all reports where dimensions information may be relevant and available.

Use dimensions to create specific reports:

§  The Dimensions – Totals report. This report shows G/L entry totals organized by G/L account, dimension values, and selected dimensions. For example, you can view department totals per product, per sales region.

§  The Dimensions – Details report. This report shows each individual posting segmented by G/L account, dimension value, and dimension for specific accounting or auditing purposes. You can also compare actual amounts with budgeted amounts in a single report.

§  Your own company-specific dimension reports. You use analysis view entries (instead of G/L entries) in account schedules to create these reports, and you can easily export to Excel to create visual presentations.