Explaining what TM1 is to non-techy people

[fleaster]

Hi all,
Just a random thing ...I always have trouble explaining what TM1 is to non tech people / finance seniors etc. Either the explanation is too long winded or it's too short and doesn't really appreciate the full extent of what TM1 does (e.g. "it's an OLAP database" doesn't really cut it)

The latest one I've settled for is: "TM1 is a 6-in-1 application : Database+Processing Engine+Reporting+Analysis+Forecasting+Read/Write Excel Interface" ...but that's a bit of a mouthful

...so am curious to know how people go about communicating this, and if it's possible to explain what TM1 is in 3-4 words!

Cheers,

Matt

[Alan Kirk]

Hi all,
Just a random thing ...I always have trouble explaining what TM1 is to non tech people / finance seniors etc. Either the explanation is too long winded or it's too short and doesn't really appreciate the full extent of what TM1 does (e.g. "it's an OLAP database" doesn't really cut it)

The latest one I've settled for is: "TM1 is a 6-in-1 application : Database+Processing Engine+Reporting+Analysis+Forecasting+Read/Write Excel Interface" ...but that's a bit of a mouthful

...so am curious to know how people go about communicating this, and if it's possible to explain what TM1 is in 3-4 words!

Four words? "Multidimensional Magic Making Machine".

In 12 minutes and 44 seconds? That.

However much teh Interwebz, Twit-ter, the media and politicians have have sought to convince us otherwise, soundbites @<> an explanation.

[fleaster]

*sigh* ok i guess there is no easy way then multidimensional magic box it is then! lol

..but out of curiosity, how would you classify it in consultant talk e.g. EPM platform, BI tool...??

[overflow]

Two versions:
Excel on Steroids

or

Enterprise level Pivot Tables

[yyi]

how 'bout it's a table manager and you are the 1 in tm1

[Steve Vincent]

it's MAGIC

[Wim Gielis]

Yes, at times it can be truly MAGIC. These are the times when I am staring at for instance TM1 Web and I ask myself:
"What kind of magic or supernatural powers turn my Excel report into such an undefinable garbled mess. Human beings can't do this."

Besides those moments, TM1 is a powerful BI tool. Chances are I have already lost the interest of the people to whom I'm telling this.

[nedcpatm1]

It depends on your audience:
FPA – it is a budget and forecasting tool
IT – it is an in-memory OLAP database for financial planning

[vaneagle]

audience plays a part...

I generally go with excel on steroids and also a blank canvas, as you can pretty much create what you want

[paulsimon]

I generally go with:

Like Pivot Tables but with
Fast calculation and consolidation when data changes
It's Scalable
Integrates with Excel
What-if planning, analysis and reporting all in one tool
It can tell you where your profits are coming from, and where your cash flow is going
It can control access to that information
It's from IBM

Not a one-liner but quick enough for an elevator pitch.

Regards

Paul Simon

[Wim Gielis]

Nice summary Paul, this is quite understandable to at least a good number of people

[fleaster]

thanks all for the creative answers ok attempt #2 in <100 words :p

Question: "What is TM1?"

Answer 1: "TM1 is a database and calculation engine... the way we commonly use it, is as a reporting & forecasting tool that's linked to Excel...
...it's like Essbase in some ways, but with alot better flexibility and performance"

...failing that, then :

Answer 2: "TM1 is our Swiss Army Knife. See below for more detail" :p

Matt

Note:
- a followup question I usually receive is "So what database does it sit on? Oracle?"... etc
- more people have heard of Essbase than TM1, so it sometimes helps to make the comparison, but also need to point out the differences

[Wim Gielis]

Note:
- a followup question I usually receive is "So what database does it sit on? Oracle?"... etc
- more people have heard of Essbase than TM1, so it sometimes helps to make the comparison, but also need to point out the differences

TM1 has its own database. Through the ETL component (Turbo Integrator) you can import data from relational databases like Oracle or SQL Server.

[fleaster]

TM1 has its own database. Through the ETL component (Turbo Integrator) you can import data from relational databases like Oracle or SQL Server.

...yes, that's the part I usually have to explain... people generally have difficulty believing it's a database w/ ETL and reporting tools rolled into one...