Indicator Matrix Combinations

Note: This page is archived and is no longer relevant after version 9.0. This feature has been replaced with the Analysis Matrix feature.

This is a unique feature for combining indicator values retrieved from multiple analysis queries. Indicator values can be single values retrieved using specific filters, or a multi-dimensional array of indicators and records.

• Matrix Combinations means ALL the indicator values in the second query are applied to all the values in the first query in any of several ways.
• Values are combined using a simple mathematical function such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or percentage (100 / A * B).
• Arrays of values are combined or applied to each other using the selected Combine Action, all of which are explained below.
• Up to 5 queries can be combined, each subsequent query is combined with the results of the previous combination.

• The Merge feature is used to combine multiple queries/results into one graph or table without altering indicator values whereas Matrix Combinations applies mathematics to the indicator values.
• Merging adds a new column for each new indicator in merged queries; Matrix Combinations maintains the same amount of indicator columns as in the first query.
• Merging merges all dimension (or non-indicator) columns as long as they are the same in both merged queries; Matrix Combinations either ignores dimensions or adds them as new columns, with one exception: The Item dimension is merged if the “Each item” action is selected.

The following sample query results will be used to describe the Combine Actions:

Query A
IBM 2005 5
IBM 2006 2
SAP 2006 3

Query B
IBM 2
SAP 3

The calculation used is multiplication (*) and the Item dimension is the Company column (IBM/SAP).

All values to each value

Results
IBM 2005 30
IBM 2006 12
SAP 2006 18

Explanation: All indicator values in the second query are applied to each of values in the first and the rest of the columns in the second query are discarded.

Usage Example: A series of deductions for this year (second query - each deduction is a separate record/value) must be subtracted from ALL sales figures this year (first query).

Each value to each value

Results
IBM 2005 IBM 10
IBM 2005 SAP 15
IBM 2006 IBM 4
IBM 2006 SAP 6
SAP 2006 IBM 6
SAP 2006 SAP 9

Explanation: Each record in the second query is joined to each record in the first query, the indicator values in both records combined. Note that the resulting amount of records is always: (amountofrecords1 * amountofrecords2). I.e. this creates every possible combination between the two record-sets.

Usage Example: Profit by Year (first query), divided by 5 States, multiplied by a dividend percentage figure for each State. I.e. Each profit value must be split up into 5 values, but unequally!

Each item to each matching item

Results
IBM 2005 10
IBM 2006 4
SAP 2006 9

Explanation: Similar to the previous action except this only combines records with matching items (in this case Companies), and then merges the item columns. E.g. all the indicator values in the second query for IBM are applied only to the indicator values in the first query that are for IBM.

Notes:

• If the type of item dimension in the second query doesn't match the item dimension in the first, the action will be identical to “Each value to each value”.
• If an item value (e.g. Microsoft) exists in the first query but not in the second, the indicator values for that item won't change.
• If an item value (e.g. Microsoft) exists in the second query but not in the first, the indicator values for that item will be ignored.

Usage Example: Sales by Customer by Year must be divided by a discount per Customer. I.e. the discount values are only saved per Customer in the system, but the sales values are split into further dimensions such as Year. If the discounts would be added to the original query, they would have to be split by Year as well which doesn't make sense, and this would result in 0 discounts, or altered values.

Note that the queries that are configured are used only to retrieve results from the database, but the final results are displayed using the settings that you specify using the Display Options button. E.g. even if you set highlighting or Indicator captions in one of the queries, these will be overriden by the highlighting options and Indicator Captions that are set in the Display Options. This includes things like: Column ordering, Indicator setttings like captions and decimals, Horizontal Series, Graph Options, the Table Header, and highlighting.