ACE and ACE on-Demand Features / Benefits

Key Business Benefits

• Start projects immediately (on-Demand)
• Automate model maintenance
• Expand geographic reach
• Reduce travel
• High level of security
• Pay per month moving expense from rigid CAPEX to flexible OPEX
• Perfect for starting a small rapid pilot project and scaling up over time

Differentiators for Cutting-Edge Modeling

• A flexible modeling architecture. The ACE on-Demand solution has a flexible modeling architecture moving it beyond traditional ABC.  ACE management models are based on the concepts of ABC but address the shortcomings of traditional ABC.
• Drivers.  Capable of using many complex drivers.  Sophisticated drivers that not only update driver values but also driver paths allowing for more automated updates. This provides a much more efficient and automated way to maintain models.
• Value Items.  Allows unlimited value items to flow throughout the entire model such as full-time equivalents, budget, actual, headcount, carbon emissions, time.  The ACE management models have moved beyond just cost.
• Integration into Excel via the internet.  Users can access the model data via XML using their locally installed Microsoft Excel in order to create localized reports. This provides all the benefits of Excel without the downside of multiple distributed spreadsheets since the data is centrally managed.
• Modules.  Allow unlimited modules – the old Resource, Activity, Cost Object modules from standard ABC can be extended to reflect the actual business.  Instead of one Resources module, you can have one for each source system, for example, GL, HR, and Assets modules.
• Tags.  Multiple types of tags can be used to identify data elements in the model that can be used for reporting purposes. Tags can represent a range of data elements like fixed, variable, direct, indirect, geography, performance measures there is no limit to the different types of tags.  A tag can even be calculated off other values in the model and  can be used to hold performance data with traffic light type displays against a standard scorecard.
• Layers.  Build parallel modules using the same source data; this is particularly useful for scenario modeling.
• Alternate structures.  Construct multiple views of the same module.  For instance, a general ledger and organizational resource view can be built separately using the same data elements.

• XML tool.  Includes an access database interface (tool) and MS Excel plug-in to allow mass data downloads and uploads to occur.
• Metrics. Capture metrics and display the metrics based on predetermined ranges.
• Model Validation.  Validation and error reports are built into ACE.  No need to go hunting through the model looking for errors.  Hyperlink reports take you directly to the error.
• Templates.  Create templates for repeatable sections of the model including structures, objects, allocation paths and drivers. Increases the efficiency of the model building process.
• Data Tabs.  Allow users to input data directly to the model in a very easy to use tabular or column format without having to learn the advanced functionality of the modeling solution.
• Multi-periods / Multi-models.  Create monthly, quarterly, or annual models and combine all of them into a single reporting framework allowing you to add time as yet another dimension in your analysis. Add multiple models running different scenarios and combine into one cube for easy comparison and analysis.

Benefits in more detail

• Breadth of information.  Holistic data models can be built to cover all the sources of costs, performance, revenue, carbon outputs and any specific metrics across the organization.  The system also provides an internal scorecard to measure performance.
• Open Modeling.  ACE provides an open modeling environment to meet each organization’s individual needs. There is no fixed methodology but instead ACE includes the flexibility of profitability analysis, planning/budgeting, and environment management accounting.  Extensive and very sophisticated mathematical formulas can be configured in multiple timeframes. Unlimited modules can be used and you can have layers of parallel modules using the same source data for scenario modeling.
• Flexible Multi-Dimensional Analysis.  Dimensions can be created dynamically based on model “tags”. Dimensions can also be created after the model is built freeing you from pre-defined dimensions that are set before the analysis and review has begun. You can generate cost and profitability analysis by customer, by product or by distribution channel or whatever dimensions are relevant to the business.  ACE also provides cubes to enable the analyst to categorize data elements into dimensions and compare and drill into these various dimensions.  Certain aspects and dependencies of the organization can be simply highlighted in a multi-dimensional cube rather than trying to navigate or surf through the model.
• Model Automation.  ACE models are largely automated to reduce the amount of manual effort in managing them.  The ACE model automates allocations by automatically selecting the correct activities/products to assign costs to based on a chosen formula.  It also provides smart error reports that are hyperlinked to take the user instantaneously to the trouble spot or auto-correct the problem in the case of “orphan” items.
• Simplified Data Gathering.  Key data can be imported from various systems through flat file format or Pilbara Group can set-up and service the models for you as part of your monthly fee.  XML tool allows for mass data uploads of information for analysis such as financial, HR, payroll and asset management systems and downloads for import into Business Intelligence reporting tools.
• Easy Rule Creation.  ACE has very flexible and powerful drivers to allow you to easily set-up the business rules that are relevant for your business.  Pilbara Group has the experience to assist with a rapid implementation of an ABC model with their development of business rules to automate the majority of allocations.
• Scalable.  ACE has been designed to hold and calculate large transaction level data sets.
• Metadata.  ACE can import Metadata into our tags so that all data continues to be described appropriately and reported appropriately.
• Reliable.  Pilbara Group have over 10 years experience in designing, implementing and using large-scale, enterprise-wide cost, profitability and predictive models for government, higher education and private sector clients in Australia, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
• Drillable.  ACE provides the ability to drill all the way down to transaction level data so that you have visibility on all contributing costs across a wide range of user defined dimensions.
• ACE Integrates with Cognos for more advanced reporting and data analysis.  MS Excel integrates easily into the cubes for local analysis and reporting.
  Easy to get started.  ACE on-Demand is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) so there is no lengthy installation process.  Plus it can be accessed from anywhere, as long as you have an internet browser.
• Full Audit Trail.  ACE is fully auditable and all events within ACE are also recorded so you have a complete audit trail of what has happened, when and by whom.
• Data security.  Due to the sensitive nature of the data ACE manages there is a comprehensive multi-level security system.
• Value For Money.  ACE is very affordable and the on-demand solution means you can pay monthly with no need for capital expenditure.
• Set up services.  To assist organizations in designing and building their model Pilbara Group provides software and application setup services.
• Integration services.  To assist organizations in gathering data and maintaining and updating models Pilbara Group offers data integration services.