Back in January I wrote an article about 'Dimensionalization' (the use of 'Dimensions') within Intuit Enterprise Suite (IES) which was released last fall by Intuit. Dimensionalization is a better way to 'slice-n-dice' your data than through the use of 'tags', and it is much akin to the way that many QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise users have relied upon 'multiple custom fields' to provide their 'dimensionality.'
For Intuit Enterprise Suite users, dimensionalization is really an expansion of 'Classes' found within some QuickBooks Online SKUs. In fact, when an existing QuickBooks Online customer, from QBO-Advanced for example, converts to Intuit Enterprise Suite, their 'first dimension' (original) is actually their 'Classes' within their QBO data. (You can see this in the illustration below.)
Source: Intuit Enterprise Suite msc.
To add an IES Dimension (like those shown in the illustration above)
- Login to Intuit Enterprise Suite (as the Administrator),
- From the Main Dashboard, go to Settings, then select Dimensions
- Choose Create new dimensions
- Add a new dimension by providing a Name for the category you want to track.
As businesses grow and become more complex, they diversify in various ways. Multi-dimensional accounting permits an organization to define the essential categories by which they need financial information reflected that may have little to do with formal ‘financial accounting’ methodologies designed to prepare accounting standards-based reports.
In order to accomplish this multi-dimensional accounting, IES permits you to have a degree to 'hierarchy' in terms of layers or levels just like the 'Class' feature has always been able to provide. In fact, you can create up to twenty (20) custom dimensions with unlimited values in up to five (5) hierarchy levels. The example shown above has five dimensions in use, including 'the converted' classes within the QBO file, plus two additional (inactive) dimensions held in reserve.
Source: Intuit Enterprise Suite msc
Adding an IES ‘Sub-Dimension’ (like those shown in the illustration above)
- Within any Dimension, select Add value for any existing Dimension.
- For the first sub-value, add the Name of the sub-value
- For additional sub-value levels, select Sub-value of and select the appropriate Dimension, then add the Name of that sub-value. (Note: You can ‘nest’ up to five Dimensional levels.)
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of 'dimensionality' is to let users 'slice-n-dice' their data in ways that are most beneficial to them. Once the dimensional hierarchy has been set-up you can then start using the dimensions on your transactions to capture those 'slice-n-dice' factors you want to dissect through reports.
Intuit Enterprise Suite allows users to run reports that reflect one or more dimensions. You can also customize some IES reports to group information by dimensions. Another recent enhancement is the ability to 'pivot' dimensional data within IES itself without having to export the data into Excel. The illustration below shows a 'Dimensional Pivot' of data for various generate dimensions and sub-dimensions of the 'Customer Type' example shown thus far in this article.
Source: Intuit Enterprise Suite msc
It appears the Intuit Enterprise Suite team is motivated toward enhancing the capabilities and functionality of dimensionality within IES. They are looking at incorporating dimensionality into a variety of reports so that the reports themselves are based on, and display in, the format of the dimensional hierarchy. No version of QuickBooks has ever been able to display 'layered' reporting like many other general ledgers, so I'm looking forward to seeing the first of many such reports within IES.
They are also looking at adding Dimensions into both Balance Sheet transactions and Journal Entries for the IES Intercompany feature.
At the same time they appear to recognize the need to open up 'dimensions' within IES to both importing functionalities from Excel Spreadsheets, and externalizing the APIs so that third-party Apps can exchange 'dimensions' as a part of their data routines.
Insightful Accountant will strive to keep you aware of each phase of the enhancement of Intuit Enterprise Suite, especially as it relates to 'dimensionality.'
If you want to learn more about , and discuss its expanding set of "dimensional accounting" features as a possible solution to the needs of your own firm, or one or more of your clients, reach out to an Intuit IES specialists.
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