Working with Dimensions

Dimensions are the key index fields for the tables in the Axiom Rolling Forecasting database. All data in the system is associated with one or more dimensions.

The dimensions used in Axiom Rolling Forecasting include:

  • RFCODE – Contains records for different types of accounts within an organization. For example, OP visits, deliveries, land, and so on.
  • RFDType – Contains records of data types used in Axiom Rolling Forecasting. For RFDType definitions, see RFDType definitions.
  • RFGROUP – Contains records for groups in an organization.
  • RFID – Identifies initiatives or projects.

Each dimension has multiple fields. The fields within dimensions tables are typically referred to as columns. Field/column names are expressed as tablename.fieldname.

A few examples of dimension fields used in Axiom Rolling Forecasting include:

  • RFCODE.Description – Provides a definition or brief description of a rolling forecast code name, as stored in the RFCODE dimension.
  • RFGROUP.Director – Identifies the director tied to a group, as stored in the RFGROUP dimension.
  • RFID.Approve – Identifies the approval status of an initiative, as stored in the RFID dimension.

In the following example of the RFCODE table, the columns make up the various fields.The first data column on the left, with a blue background, lists all of the RF codes in the system. The columns to the right are fields that apply to the RFCODE column. Each row in a column is a value that applies to the RFCode in that row.

Example dimension table RFCODE

When Axiom Rolling Forecasting is first implemented, a consultant will help you configure the dimension tables to reflect the structure of your organization (roll-up groups, entities, codes, and so on). Subsequently, you may need to edit dimensions to add new forecast groups, codes, or other items to the database.

IMPORTANT: Many dimensions are shared across multiple Axiom products. Do not delete a grouping column or modify entries in dimensions without consulting the administrators for the other applications.