In most organizations management reporting is highly decentralized with many managers spending time to keep their own records of invoices and sub-totals by project or initiative. Other managers end up getting frustrated because they do not have the same information as their peers and/or the information being used for decision making is inconsistent and sometimes conflicting. When information is provided by finance it is just not timely.
When management reporting is formalized within the organization, information views are typically limited to two dimensional layouts with one field in your rows - typically accounts, and one field in your columns - typically a time periodicity. Investigation of data can only occur through preset reports, which does answer the questions you did not know you wanted to ask.
CPM uses a combination of Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) and Relational database technology to create a complete reporting package. OLAP (multidimensional) databases are best known for creating aggregations of relational information (i.e. a General Ledger) by way of reporting cubes. Like a pivot table, CPM's OLAP technology allows users to interact with the data in their own way through drilling, slicing and dicing. Users can create their own reports without having to rely on IT for assistance.
CPM's Detect & Alert and Traffic Lighting functionality highlights material variances to the Manager(s) responsible. CPM's drill through capability then allows users to investigate and understand variances by drilling down into the supporting relational database to see the actual transactions.
CPM allows Managers to get the information they want when they want it, laid out how they want it. CPM ensures that all Managers who share access to the same business units see the same information. CPM's publish ready report books and e-mail distribution allows organizations to get information to any employees regardless of whether or not they are a CPM user.
