Simulation & Processing
Powerful simulation alternatives for various situations
Management of alternative scenarios
The standard dimension scenario normally contains values such as “Budget”, “Forecast” or “Actuals”. However, in Mercur Business Control it is easy to simulate various new scenarios such as “Revised Budget” or “Worst Case”.
Simulation on the basis of central variables
In addition to the structure tables available as standard – for example, dimension lists, allocation keys and currency exchange rates – it is also possible to define central variables which can contain such things as prices, discounts, personnel data, tax rates, etc. All these tables can be the basis for producing simulations of various scenarios.
Automatic simulation with recalculation
Also, the system’s recalculation function can be used for automatic simulations. In a user-friendly menu, the authorised user specifies the quantity of data which is to be recalculated, for example, a particular time interval, or account or cost centre bracket.
Data versions
In order to make possible simulations which do not affect existing data, it is also possible to create and copy data to new data versions. Such a data version can subsequently be processed with, for example, the recalculation function, which is an easy but powerful way of making so-called what-if analyses. Of course, it is also possible to use various data versions to create and store instant images of a certain situation for subsequent comparison or analysis.
Time-saving processing
Copy and move items
By copying items, one can, for example, prior to a budget process, combine existing results and existing forecasts for the present year, and copy these in as a budget proposal for the next year. Using the recalculation function, the budget proposal can be altered centrally before the user is permitted to modify and approve it.
Automatic allocations
Automatic allocations are used to create additional data items connected to those items which are created in input forms, for example, when the cost of cleaning is to be allocated to the cost centres which use the premises in accordance with agreed percentages, or when a value is to be calculated on the basis of another value, for example, when a payroll tax is to be calculated on the basis of wage costs. In both cases, automatic allocation can be used to calculate the derived items from the original ones.
Processed budget and forecast proposals
The recalculation function is not limited to simulations. For example, one can recalculate the value of existing items in the database to be used as a starting point or comparison value for a budget or a forecast.