Planning & Budgeting Setup

These are configuration instructions for an IT admin. For power users wanting to start using the product after these steps have been completed, please see Getting Started with Planning & Budgeting.

Planning Database

FastClose needs a SQL Server database in which to store the planning & budgeting data, even if the ERP is in the cloud or in a different type of database. This database can be created on the same SQL Server which hosts the FastClose repository database.

If there is only one ERP instance and therefore only one ERP connection in FastClose, the repository database can be used as the planning database. However, if there are multiple ERP instances, such as development and production, or for different regions or companies, then each one will need its own planning database.

Create or select a SQL Server database for planning now.

Give the SQL Server login that FastClose uses the db_owner role for the planning database:

If the FastClose server uses Trusted Authentication to connect to SQL Server, please grant the relevant domain user or group the db_owner role.

If you use the repository database for planning as well, check that the db_owner role has been assigned because that role is not required for a repository but it is required for planning.

Licence Key

FastClose licence key needs the 'PLN' module for planning & budgeting to be available. In the Licencing page of the Admin web app, look for the code 'PLN':

If it does not have this, please contact FastClose Support for an updated licence key.

Catalog Override

If planning is being added to pre-existing FastClose installation and the installation has been customised using a 'catalog override' file, it is possible that the override is incompatible with planning and will need adjustment.

Check for an override in the Catalogs page of the Admin web app:

If the yellow box circled above has text in it then there is an override catalog. Please contact FastClose Support to have us verify and update the override file as necessary.

Data Source and ERP Connection

Click on Create New Data Source and choose 'New Planning Data Source'.

Choose a name for the new data source, which can be simply "Planning" if you only need the one. The name needs to be unique amongst the data sources and will only appear in the Admin web app. Fill in the other database connection details: server name, database name, username and password, and click Save.

Now navigate to the ERP Connections page, within Connections. Assuming there is already at least one ERP connection defined, edit that connection and associate the new planning data source with it:

If you want to use planning with multiple ERP instances e.g. test & production, or for different companies or regions, you will need to create a planning data source for each one, and associate each planning data source with its respective ERP connection. You will want to name the planning data sources accordingly e.g. 'Planning Test'.

GL Budgeting Templates & Solutions

FastClose has several predefined starter templates and solutions to help users get going with planning & budgeting. These are part of the standard content that gets imported as part of setting up FastClose.

Launch the FastClose Designer desktop client app and log in. There should be a selection of GL budgeting templates available in the Home dialog, for example:

That's the end of the administrative setup. To carry out a test submission, follow the guidance in Getting Started with Planning & Budgeting.