Data Administration › Time Slices › Create Time Slice Requests

Create Time Slice Requests

Use time slice requests to slice objects. You can configure time slice requests to specify the field to be sliced and the granularity of the data to be stored. Once these you define these attributes, the Time Slicing job populates a flat table based upon your criteria.

The initial time slicing process may take several minutes. Once the time slice data is written, the next time the time slicing job runs, it only checks for updated objects. When the content of an object changes, such as adding ETC to an assignment, the time slice is updated with the new information.

Between the time that you create a time slice request and then refresh it, many database transactions may occur. To preserve systems resources, you may want to temporarily disable transaction logging. Check with your database administrator before you change a time slice request or anything that may cause a large amount of database transactions to occur.

Note: See the Studio Developer's Guide for more information.

To create a time slice request

1. Select Time Slices from the Data Administration menu.

   The Time Slices page appears.

2. Click New.

   The Time Slice Properties page appears.

3. Complete the following fields:

   Time Slice Name

   Defines the name for time slice request.

   Rollover Interval

   Defines the frequency that the From Date should be updated for processing an updated time slice request. Define this option when doing ongoing reports, such as end-of-month reports.

   Values:

   • Daily. The time slice is updated every calendar day.
   • Weekly. The time slice is updated every week.
   • Bi-Weekly. The time slice is updated every 14 calendar days.
   • Monthly. The time slice is updated every calendar month. This frequency setting is recommended.
   • Bi-Monthly. The time slice is updated every two calendar months.
   • Quarterly. The time slice is updated every three calendar months.
   • Semi-Annually. The time slice is updated every six calendar months.
   • Yearly. The time slice is updated every year.
   • None. The time slice is never updated.

   Default: Daily

   For ad hoc reporting: None

   From Date

   Defines the date from which you want the time slice period to begin.

   Example: To have time slice data start the first day of each month, enter the first day of the month and then select Monthly as the slice period.

   Slice Period

   Specifies the period to use for each time slice request.

   Values:

   • Daily
   • Weekly. Seven calendar days.
   • Bi-Weekly. 14 calendar days.
   • Monthly. One calendar month.
   • Bi-Monthly. Two calendar months.
   • Quarterly. Three calendar months.
   • Semi-Annually. Six calendar months.
   • Yearly. 12 calendar months

   Number of Periods

   Defines the number of periods for each time slice request.

   Example: 12 (months), 52 (weeks), and 5 (years).

   Item

   Defines the object, or data element, to time slice.

   Values:

   • Actuals. The hourly time posted for an assignment on a project. This element is set up by default.
   • Estimates. The hourly estimate for an assignment on a project. This element is set up by default.
   • Baseline. The baseline (in hours) for a project assignment. This element is set up by default.
   • Availability. The hours per day that a resource is available to work on a project. This element is set up by default.
   • Allocation. The percentage time that a resource is allocated to a project. This element is set up by default.
   • Time Entries. The timesheet time entry values.
   • Current. Data identified for the current baseline. For example, when you have multiple baselines, you can choose which baseline to consider the current baseline for each project.
   • Non-Current. Data not identified for the current baseline.

   Expiration Date

   This field is used for ad hoc reporting. Specifies the date that data should be deleted so that unneeded data can be removed from the database. This date is automatically populated for rollover time slices.

4. Click Submit.

   The new time slice request is recorded and time slicing begins immediately.