We are excited to announce the launch of a suite of powerful new resources designed to streamline your planning process, especially around headcount planning.

What are we releasing?

Version datasets concept: A version dataset is a snapshot of actuals data taken at a specific point in time, which can be edited for new additions (e.g. input of new hires) or future changes on existing data (e.g. projected changes on job title). Learn more here: Version Datasets.

Version datasets configuration and re-configuration: A guided wizard will help you setting up relevant fields for forecasts when creating your version dataset. This includes unique ID, start date, end date, and any additional relevant dimension, measures, or date fields. This configurator can be revisited anytime for adjustments to ensure the scalability of your models.

Version datasets edition: Easily add, duplicate, or delete rows of future changes in your forecast. The version dataset offers filtering and sorting capabilities for easier data management.

New special formulas: We've also introduced DATE_COUNT, DATERANGE_COUNT, and DATERANGE_ALLOCATION formulas, compatible with version datasets.

Version dataset panel: Version datasets can be opened through a panel for model adjustments, or from spaces, by double clicking on a variable that contains the new special formulas. This panel includes all functionalities of the version dataset manager, such as filtering, sorting and data input.

Reconciliation flow: When new actuals are imported, the system will trigger a notification to flag outdated rows that need checking.

Find here also a specific guidance for Headcount planning.

What's next?

In addition to this, we will be introducing additional features to version datasets in the upcoming weeks, including:

• Embedding version datasets on spaces for making edition more intuitive.
• Column reordering capabilities.
• Version dataset download and upload.
• Automatic placeholders for new IDs.
• And more!

We're thrilled to announce the launch of AI Forecasting!

Why is this important?

AI Forecasting streamlines the forecasting process by automating the manual input generation, a task that is often time-consuming and prone to errors. This allows FP&A teams like yours to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Additionally, its goal is to boost prediction accuracy by analyzing historical patterns that traditional methods might overlook. It helps you to adapt to changing market conditions, uncover hidden correlations, and discover new opportunities for growth and optimization.

How does it work?

To get started, open the Model Builder and select your variable. Right-click on the variable, choose Generate Manual Inputs, and select the granularity at which you want to apply the AI forecasting. Click Generate and let the AI predict and fill in the data. The variable will be marked with an 'AI generated' icon.

Review the generated inputs and adjust them as needed. If you make any changes, the 'AI generated' flag will be removed, indicating the data has been modified.

• Installation and Connection:

  • Log into Abacum and go to the Updates menu from the sidebar. Click on the settings icon on the top right and on the Connect button.
  • Connect Abacum to Slack with straightforward setup steps.
  • Depending on your workspace settings, Slack admin approval may be required.

• Notification Customization:

  • Choose where to receive notifications: In App, Slack, or both in the Updates section settings.
  • Easily manage notification preferences to suit your workflow.

More Information

Note: This feature is currently free but may become a paid feature in the future.

To enhance navigation in the Dataset Manager, we've restructured the dataset view and loading options into a new toolbar.

What's new?

• Viewer and loads tabs: The previous toggle view buttons have been upgraded to more intuitive page/viewer tabs for easier navigation.
• Toolbar: A new toolbar has been added above the actual loads table, consolidating all table-related actions.

This redesigned toolbar not only simplifies navigation but also paves the way for upcoming features, including buttons for column reordering, row density adjustments, and improved filtering options.

We are excited to announce that we have extended the month-picker's functionality, initially introduced for data sync, to now include:

• Data loads download
• Data loads deletion

How Does It Work?

1. Access Your Dataset: Navigate to the dataset from which you want to download or delete data.
2. Click on 'Delete data' or 'Download data':
   • The month-picker will be displayed for easy month selection.
   • To select a time range, click on the start month, hold Shift, and click on the end month.
   • To select individual months, simply click on each desired month.

Have you ever wondered why, after creating a new dataset and going through the typing layer process, your columns ended up in a random order? Or have you questioned what pattern, if any, determines their sequence?

We're happy to announce that we've addressed this issue. Moving forward, the columns in your datasets will retain their original order after creation. This update doesn't alter your data; it simply restores the initial order that was present when the dataset was first uploaded. As before, any new columns generated through transformations will still be added at the end.

And not only that, with this new improvement we are also allowing you to manually reorder columns within your dataset. This will also ensure that your preferred column order is preserved for drill-through purposes.

What's New?

We’ve introduced powerful enhancements to our AI Summary feature, giving you greater control over the generated summaries and the type of analysis provided. Now, you can:

• Focus on Specific Dimensions: Select a dimension from the list (e.g., Region) to receive a summary that provides detailed insights related to that dimension.

• Adjust Summary Length and Complexity: Refine the AI-generated summaries in draft state with the following options:

  • Make Shorter: Condense summaries by removing redundant phrases and focusing on key information.
  • Make Longer: Expand summaries with additional details and supporting information.
  • Simplify: Rewrite complex language for better clarity and accessibility.

How does it work?

• Generate Summary:

  • Click on the pencil button on the top right of your table.
  • Choose between the existing Quick summary or the new Focus on dimension option.
  • If focusing on a dimension, select one from the list.

• Draft State:

  • The AI-generated summary will be in a draft state, visible only to you.
  • Options available while in draft:
    • Post Summary: Convert it to a call-out block for further formatting and editing.
    • Cancel: Delete the AI Summary.
    • Make Shorter/Make Longer/Simplify: Use these presets to refine the summary further.

Note: When using the "Focus on dimension" option with dimensions that have high granularity and many variables, you might encounter an error due to the large amount of data being processed.

If you don’t see this feature as active, please reach out to your main point of contact at Abacum.

What's New?

We've revamped our filters system to enhance usability and prepare for future features seamlessly. Now filters operate on an an opt-in model:

• Only actively applied filters are displayed, reducing visual noise.
• Managing filters is now simpler and more intuitive.

Why?

Previously, our filters caused confusion and clutter:

• All dimension filters were displayed, even when not in use.
• Active filters were only visible at the top of the space, which required scrolling.
• It was challenging to see which dimensions items were filtered.

We’re gearing up for advanced features, including space filters for members, requiring a consistent and intuitive UX across Spaces and Table Builder.

How does it work?

Functionality remains unchanged, but the UX is streamlined:

• No badges appear on the filter icon by default when no filters are applied.
• To apply filters, click the filter icon, select dimensions, and choose items.
• Easily manage filters by clicking and selecting "Remove."
• Admins have full control, while members can view applied filters.

More information?

Please visit the tables filters and spaces filters Academy pages. 

We've made some improvements to the appearance and usability of our datasets tables:

• Enhanced readability: Text no longer gets cut off, and margins and paddings have been adjusted for a cleaner look.
• New background design: A more aesthetically pleasing background has been implemented.
• Improved cell padding: Cells now have better padding for improved readability and usability.
• Refined locked icon: The locked icon has been redesigned for a more intuitive look.
• Enhanced icon margins: Icons now have improved spacing for a cleaner and more organized appearance.

Until now, reordering steps within dataset transformations was not possible. This often led to frustration and wasted time, as you had to delete and recreate transformations to adjust their sequence.

What's new?

In our latest release, we're excited to introduce a drag-and-drop functionality within transformation steps. This improvement allows you to effortlessly reorder steps without the need for deletion or recreation.

How does it work?