Analytics Dimensions¶
Analytics Dimensions give you a flexible way to classify and analyze your IT budget outside of your formal accounting structure. Instead of reworking Companies, Departments, or Accounts, you create lightweight categories -- "Infrastructure," "Cloud Migration," "Licenses" -- and tag spend items for custom reporting.
Getting started¶
Navigate to Master Data > Analytics to open the category list.
Required fields: - Name: The label that appears in dropdowns and reports. Must be unique.
Optional fields: - Description: Explain when this category should be used so teammates apply it consistently.
Permissions:
- View the list: analytics:reader
- Create or edit categories: analytics:member
Tip: Start with 5--10 broad categories. Consistent naming (all nouns or all gerunds) makes lists easier to scan.
Working with the list¶
The category list gives you a quick overview of every analytics dimension in your tenant.
Columns:
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Name | Category label (clickable -- opens the workspace) |
| Description | Short explanation of the category's purpose |
| Status | Enabled or Disabled |
| Updated | Timestamp of the last change |
Filtering: - Quick search: searches across name and description - Status filter: narrow the list to Enabled or Disabled categories
Actions:
- New Category: Creates a new analytics dimension (requires analytics:member)
The Analytics workspace¶
Click any row to open the workspace for that category.
Overview tab¶
This is the only tab. It contains every field for the category.
What you can edit: - Name: The category label. Changing it updates dropdowns and reports everywhere. - Description: Free-text explanation of the category's intended use. - Status / Disabled date: Toggle the category off to retire it. See the section below for details.
Workspace navigation: Use the Prev and Next buttons to step through categories without returning to the list. The workspace preserves your current sort, search, and filter context. If you have unsaved changes, you will be prompted before navigating away.
Tip: Click the close icon (X) in the top-right corner to return to the list with your filters intact.
Status and Disabled date¶
Use the status toggle to retire a category without deleting it.
- When you disable a category, a Disabled date is recorded.
- After that date, the category no longer appears in selection dropdowns for new items.
- Existing items keep their assignment, and historical reports remain accurate.
- Prefer disabling over deleting: there is no delete action on this page. Disabling preserves reporting continuity while keeping the list clean.
Tagging spend items¶
When creating or editing OPEX or CAPEX items:
- Open the Overview tab of the spend item.
- Find the Analytics Category field.
- Select a category from the dropdown, or leave it blank for "Unassigned."
- Save the item.
You can change or remove the category at any time. The category applies to the entire item across all fiscal years.
The Analytics Report¶
The Analytics Report (found under Reports > Analytics) visualizes budget distribution across your categories.
Report features: - Year range: Single year (pie or bar chart) or multi-year (line chart) - Metric selection: Budget, OPEX, CAPEX, allocated costs, or various KPIs - Chart type (single year): Toggle between pie and horizontal bar - Category exclusion: Filter out specific categories to focus on a subset
Report outputs: - Visual chart showing budget distribution - Summary table with totals by category and year - Export to CSV (table), PNG (chart), or PDF (full report)
Tips¶
- Keep it simple: 5--10 broad categories usually reveal more than dozens of granular tags.
- Document with descriptions: A short description goes a long way toward consistent usage across teams.
- Don't force it: "Unassigned" is a valid state. Avoid creating vague catch-all categories just to fill the gap.
- Disable, don't delete: Retiring a category preserves historical accuracy in reports.
- Use reports to refine: Run the Analytics Report periodically -- if a category captures too much or too little spend, split or merge accordingly.
Frequently asked questions¶
Can I assign multiple analytics dimensions to one item? No. Each spend item has zero or one category. For multi-dimensional analysis, consider combining categories or using Departments with Allocations.
Do analytics dimensions affect allocations or accounting? No. They are purely for reporting and have no impact on cost allocations or formal accounting.
How many categories should I create? Start with 5--10. More than 20 usually indicates over-engineering. You can always split later.
What is the difference between analytics dimensions and departments? Departments are formal organizational units with precise allocation drivers. Analytics dimensions are informal, optional tags for flexible reporting without allocation overhead.
Why do some items show "Unassigned"? Items without an analytics category appear as "Unassigned" in reports. This is expected -- categories are entirely optional.