Scheduled for installations starting February 2012, the Data Fusion Financial Reporting version 2.0 (DFFR) release builds on the DFFR framework by adding in new capabilities for easier, faster and more secure report generation. The new features in DFFR 2.0 include:

• Queue Manager (optional module; separate license required)
• Transaction Drill‐down
• Report "Snapshot" Distribution
• Dynamic Report Folder Configuration
• Fully EGR Compliant

Queue Manager
DFFR v2.0 includes a fully interactive Queue Manager for scheduling individual reports or reports sets to run on a user defined basis. As a report administrator, you can continue running reports on a one‐time ad‐hoc basis, or schedule recurring reports to be run automatically.

Report Sets, used only in the queue manager, is a collection of one or more reports. It is a convenient way of bundling reports that should always be generated together. Instead of constantly selecting the same reports with each one‐time queue, you can select a report set that will automatically include the reports predefined in that set.

Finally, the Queue Manager has built in intelligence, via the Threading subsystem that will facilitate how reports are actually created. To protect the integrity and performance of the system, the Threading subsystem acts as a gatekeeper by prohibiting more than 1 report to be generated at any given time.

Transaction Drill‐Down
This feature allows a user to drilldown to the transaction detail (check, voucher, etc) associated with a given GL account.

Report "Snapshot" Distribution
Snapshots provide a way to freeze reports for end user once generated. Besides having the ability to generate “live” reports that always pull from Elite, you have the added flexibility to create a frozen copy of reports as of a point in time. This eliminates prior period adjustments changing already distributed reports in subsequent months. Snapshot reports behave exactly like “live” reports, therefore the user experience remains consistent throughout. Snapshots can be generated from the dfxDesigner, or automatically via the Queue Manager.

Dynamic Report Folder Configuration
Starting with v2.0, DFFR now allows a report administrator to predefine where reports are to be generated, thus allowing for better organization of reports and easier navigation by end users.

Furthermore, with each folder created, SSRS natively allows for security to be applied at the folder level and automatically filtered down to child folders. Set security at a parent folder, and rest assured the same security level is applied to folders and reports generated within that folder.

Fully EGR Compliant
All EGR functionality is available in v2.0, including support for spot rates and FX revaluations. DFFR also eliminates the need to establish one company per operating unit when creating EGR based reports.

For more information on Data Fusion Financial Reporting 2.0, contact marketing@dftech.com.

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If you are on a Calendar Year Fiscal year, it is now time to update Year-To-Date reports stored in Queues to have the new beginning Year-To-Date period of ‘0112’.

For firms that implemented the new Auto Balancing Report Feature in Enterprise 3.9, there are a few reports that also require an update.

Below are the steps you need to follow to update the beginning period of Year-To-Date reports to ‘0112’ in your current month queue. You will need to update both current month and month end queues:

Select Reports Reports and Queues

In 'Reports and Queues' click in the ‘Show Queues’ box to select Queues to show.

When the 'Show Queues' box is checked it will show all of the queues set up in the system:

Each queue will need to be checked to identify any reports running year-to-date that will need updating. For the Auto Balancing Queue – in the ‘Auto Balance Stats’ queue, there are a couple of reports that will need to be updated- the example below is the Credits Report year-to-date. The 'begin period' will need to be updated from ‘0111’ to ‘0112’

Once you have the report selected. Modify the ‘begin period’ to ‘0112’ and ‘Save’:

Atfer you click ‘Save’ the following screen will pop up – Click ‘OK’:

For the Auto Balancing Reports, the Data Warehousing Default Date Formats screen will be displayed. The 'Store As' field should be set to ‘PEND’ and the 'Increment' should be ‘0’ for current months reports:

When ‘OK’ is clicked, the following Default Date screen will be displayed – the ‘Begin period’ will need to be hard set to ‘0112’ the ‘Ending period’ will be set to ‘Period’ with an Increment of ‘0’:

Here is what the ‘Default Date Formats’ should be set to:

Once you click on ‘OK’, the ‘Print Options’ screen will be displayed – Click on ‘OK’:

This is the final screen that will show the report has been updated and successfully saved:

If you want help with the process, Data Fusion is available. The first of the year is also an ideal time to ensure your system is in balance. Please contact marketing@dftech.com if you need assistance with your balancing processes or remedying any out-of-balance conditions. If you have not yet implemented the Auto-Balancing functionality on your system, Data Fusion would be happy to assist with that as well.

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There are two basic options that can be used to replace null values, ISNULL and COALESCE.

ISNULL is a function which may be used when you wish to insert a value for when a null is returned - the value inserted must be similar to the same field type that you are replacing.
SYNTAX: ISNULL(check_expression, replacement_value)
SAMPLE: ISNULL(tktmdate, '12/31/2025')
QUERY SAMPLE: If you concatenate timekeeper names and there is no value in the first name field then the result will be null. Use ISNULL to replace this with the tklast field, which is required.

SELECT tkinit, ISNULL(tklast+', '+tkfirst, tklast)
 FROM timekeep

COALESCE is an expression that allows you to insert a comma delimited list of items; the first non-null value found will be returned.
SYNTAX: COALESCE(expression1, expression2, ..., expression[n])
SAMPLE: COALESCE(mcontact, clcontact, 'No Contact Found')
QUERY SAMPLE: A concatenation of the three matter descriptions will result in a null value returned if one is null. COALESCE will allow you to list the different combinations of descriptions tacked together until you find one that is not null.

SELECT mmatter, COALESCE(mdesc1+' '+mdesc2+' '+mdesc3, mdesc1+' '+mdesc2, mdesc1+' '+mdesc3, mdesc1)
 FROM matter

You may also use CASE statements for more complex replacement of values.

Happy Querying!

If you need help with this SQL shortcut or retrieving data out of your Elite system, contact us marketing@dftech.com.

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This add-on module to IntelliStat will greatly decrease the time and effort involved in collecting performance related metrics for timekeepers during the review process. Rather than prepare binders and printouts that immediately get stale and have no drill-down capability, the Partner Performance Evaluation module is a fully interactive application that takes advantage of the financial data already produced by IntelliStat. The Partner Performance Evaluation module not only focuses on presenting data relevant to any given timekeeper, but

also provides additional context on how that timekeeper performed in comparison to his or her peers (or any other comparative methodology you have in place). In the example above, not only can you see that Ling Liu worked 1472 hours in 12/08, but you can also see whether these hours are above or below par from what other partners have done in her department or other partners firm-wide. This is done by clicking the ‘C’ button next to each metric listed. We can also include comparisons against other partners in her tier/point/share level. Finally, the Partner Performance Evaluation module also provides you the ability to see a timekeeper’s client and matter breakdown for any given metric. This gives you the opportunity to identify and factor in any extraordinary activity that may skew a person’s performance one way or the other.

For questions or comments regarding the Partner Performance Evaluation module, please contact marketing@dftech.com.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: DFTECHEXPO2012's EARLY-BIRD SALE
Submitted by Jessica Quesada, Account Manager

We want to thank everyone that registered during our Pre-Sale Event. It was an overwhelming success, filling our event to nearly 60% capacity. We also want to remind you to make your hotel reservation at the Surf & Sand Resort as soon as possible – even if you were not able to register during our Pre-Sale event but know you will register when your budget is cleared next year. The resort sold out this year and it will certainly sell out again especially since EXPO is in June, the weather is amazing, the kids are out of school, and we're on the beach for $230 a night. And of course our classes and instructors are always a huge hit and right on target with topics that are affecting you and your firm the most.

There are only fifty (50) seats left and the Early-Bird rate of $1,395 is in effect until April 13th. Our sessions and schedule will be available in late February and everyone that is registered prior to the release of the schedule will have the first opportunity to register for their preferred sessions.

And last but in no way least, we want to congratulate the winner of our Pre-Sale Raffle. Ronalee Haugen of Fredrikson & Byron in Minneapolis is the fortunate recipient of two nights stay at the Surf & Sand. Enjoy Ronalee!

Click here to register for DFTECHEXPO
Click here to see all the details for DFTECHEXPO
Click here to book your room at the Surf & Sand Resort

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TRAINING SCHEDULE, PRODUCT WEBINARS, AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS:
REGIONAL AND ONLINE

Virtual training sessions are offered at $119 per connection and all sessions are eligible for CPE credits. In order to receive CPE credits, you must register and pay for a dedicated WebEx and phone connection. A group connection cannot be used to receive CPE credits. We need to be able to provide NASBA with proof of your attendance and participation in the session.

Product demonstration sessions are provided at no charge.

Tuesday, January 10: SQL for Elite: Basics
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Thursday, January 12: WebView Configuration & Troubleshooting
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Thursday, January 19: SQL for Elite: Joins
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Thursday, January 26: Introduction to Extend
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Tuesday, February 7: Additional Topics in Extend
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Thursday, February 9: SQL for Elite Temp Tables
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Thursday, February 16: Document Studio Templates: Using Data Join & Data Fragment Rules
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Tuesday, February 21: SQL for Elite: Functions
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

Tuesday, March 6: Connecting Excel to Enterprise
Live Virtual Tutorial
Starts at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET

For questions about our training programs or to request a class in your area, email us at marketing@dftech.com.

The Bulletin is published by:
Data Fusion Technologies, Inc.
5100 E. La Palma Ave. Suite 115
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
Email

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