Loading forecasts alternatives to HFM (9.3.1)

Question

Hi,
I'm hoping that you could provide some recommendations as to what is the best method for us to load data into Budget/Forecast scenarios.
As a bit of background to our HFM structure,
I am only concerned with loading data into 1 entity, however we are using C3 to represent different business units/cost centres of the business of which there are approximately 300. Up until now, all budgeting and forecasting would be prepared by individual business units/cost centres in excel and "submitted" to central finance where we would them consolidate the forecasts together in excel before submitting via FDM as a ranged load to HFM.
There is a deep desire to enable at least to divisional level; the ability for individual users to submit data directly to HFM so that they can control their budgeting process. It is also likely that they will want to continually re-submit revised budgets to HFM during the process.
There are a number of solutions I can see to allow the divisions to submit.
*1) Use data forms via excel to push the data to HFM.*
This has the advantage that I can ensure that no zero amounts are loaded into HFM however given the number of cost centres containg data (approx 300) this would be cumbersome to say the least.
2) Setdata in Smartview.
As above.
3) FDM using range load templates
Because all of the divisions exist under the same entity but want to submit their data at different times, it is not possible for them to use the replace load method, they would have to use the "merge" load method to ensure that they do not remove other divisional data. This presents the problem that all accounts will need to be loaded against even if the value is zero to ensure that if a value of an intersection changes to a zero, the total value of the TB is correct.
A quick calculation 300 cost centres * 200 accounts * 12 months = 720,000 data points at a minimum for P&L only. The vast majority will zero.
How well does HFM deal with zero values? for 720k - 1m are not an issue with regard to performance etc then it may be acceptable. At a push I could always use a remove zero's script once the budget/forecast is finalised.
If anyone has had a similar issue or can provide any other solutions or things for me to consider, then I welcome your feedback.

Answer 1

Hi,
Can you define "diffrent domains" for me? Are they diffrent phisyical machines? What type of database server are you using?
-Tony