Abstract: A data-processing apparatus is provided. The data-processing apparatus creates and dynamically maintains relationships between operational data and output data. The data-processing apparatus has first line items for storing operational data. The first line items have operational attributes and at least one treatment attribute. The treatment attribute specifies qualifiers used to create qualified operational data. Impact attributes specify destinations for the qualified operational data in a set of second line items which is arranged to hold the output data. The data-processing apparatus is particularly suited to use as a business planning tool.

Abstract: A computer-implemented modular planning tool and method are provided which allow a line item (50) to be joined to another line item (50) so that data attributes (54), data structure (56) and data contained in the data structure (56) are shared by both line items (50). This is achieved using a join attribute of a line item (50) to point to another line item (50).

Abstract: A apparatus is provided for updating data within a business planning tool. The apparatus comprises a computer memory (22) arranged to store operational data in a plurality of line items (50), each line item (50) being arranged to represent operational data in data cells (52) occupying space in a plurality of dimensions (X, Y), and each line item (50) having data cells in a first dimension (Y) configured to represent the operational data in a at least one hierarchy level, and having data cells in a second dimension (X) arranged to represent the respective operational data over at least one time period.

Abstract: Techniques are described for specifying virtual datasets within an enterprise software system. A computer-implemented system, for example, includes an enterprise planning system and a computing device coupled to the enterprise planning system via a network connection. The computing device includes an object store that stores a dataset, an application programming interface (API) that defines an operation for specifying the virtual dataset from the dataset, and an object model that stores a virtual dataset to the object store in response to receiving the operation defined by the API. The computing device further includes a plurality of applications that utilize the virtual dataset for a further operation defined by the API without resolving the virtual dataset.

Abstract: A apparatus is provided for updating data within a business planning tool. The apparatus comprises a computer memory (22) arranged to store operational data in a plurality of line items (50), each line item (50) being arranged to represent operational data in data cells (52) occupying space in a plurality of dimensions (X, Y), and each line item (50) having data cells in a first dimension (Y) configured to represent the operational data in a at least one hierarchy level, and having data cells in a second dimension (X) arranged to represent the respective operational data over at least one time period.

Abstract: A data-processing apparatus is provided. The data-processing apparatus creates and dynamically maintains relationships between operational data and output data. The data-processing apparatus has first line items for storing operational data. The first line items have operational attributes and at least one treatment attribute. The treatment attribute specifies qualifiers used to create qualified operational data. Impact attributes specify destinations for the qualified operational data in a set of second line items which is arranged to hold the output data. The data-processing apparatus is particularly suited to use as a business planning tool.

Abstract: Techniques are described for specifying virtual datasets within an enterprise software system. A computer-implemented system, for example, includes an enterprise planning system and a computing device coupled to the enterprise planning system via a network connection. The computing device includes an object store that stores a dataset, an application programming interface (API) that defines an operation for specifying the virtual dataset from the dataset, and an object model that stores a virtual dataset to the object store in response to receiving the operation defined by the API. The computing device further includes a plurality of applications that utilize the virtual dataset for a further operation defined by the API without resolving the virtual dataset.