1. Entry of web address of the Sesam application in address bar of Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
2. Entry of user name.
3. Entry of password.

Portfolio: The portfolio contains all reports for which a user is entitled. The reports are sorted by business departments. The business departments are displayed by tiles.

Directory: The directory shows all reports for which a user is entitled. The reports are sorted by business departments. The business departments are displayed by a directory structure.

Favorites: In the favorites list, you can access the reports that have been saved as favorites.

History: In the course of the history, all analyzes a user has recently called up are displayed. A maximum of 15 analyzes are shown in this folder.

Distribution list: A report for a regular email transmission can be scheduled in the distribution list. Report and period can be flexibly planned according to user permissions.

More: The “More” directory contains the functionalities ad hoc analysis, manual, feedback and error message.

Settings: In the Settings directory, the languages English or German can be set.

Logout: A user can logout off from the Sesam application by clicking the Logout icon.

Contact information: You can get in contact with the company internal Sesam contact person, you can also send feedback and error messages to the Sesam Support Team.

The following report categories exist:

1. Standard report: A standard report usually provides one answer for one particular question, such as accounts payable by vendor. Standard reports allow only limited report navigation.
2. Flexible report: Flexible reports provide as many free characteristics as necessary to allow you to navigate through the report layout. Flexible reports are used to design custom reports and ad-hoc analysis (e. g. analysis to demonstrate cause and effect).
3. Dashboard: A dashboard is a visualization tool that displays the current status of a company’s key performance indicators. A dashboard is a combination of numbers and graphs as well as evaluation systems (e.g. traffic light or scale system). The goal of dashboards is to visualize analysis results and make them quickly detectable.

1. A report for a regular email transmission can be scheduled in the distribution list. Report and period can be flexibly planned according to user permissions.
2. All reports that are planned with the help of the distribution list are displayed here.
3. If a previously scheduled report is no longer needed, the shipment can be deleted again.

1. Ribbon: The ribbon is designed in Microsoft Excel-style. It is the menu that contains key functions. These are divided into 5 segments: file, start, view, format and filter. Some functions are context-bound and therefore only available through the context menu.
2. Navigation area: The navigation area shows the current state of columns and rows, as well as the option to drill down and navigate with free characteristics.
3. Analysis table: The analysis table shows the analysis result.

1:
New: Opens the analysis selection dialog.
Open: Opens an analysis that is saved as favorite.
Save: Saves the current analysis as favorite.
Print: Prints the current analysis.
Export: Exports the current analysis to Microsoft Excel.
Send: Sends the current analysis by Email using the broadcaster.

2:
Portfolio: The portfolio contains all reports for which a user is entitled. The reports are sorted according to business departments. The business departments are displayed by tiles.
Directory: The directory shows all reports for which a user is entitled. The reports are sorted according to business departments. The business departments are displayed by a directory structure.
Favorites: In the favorites list, you can access the reports that have been saved as favorites.
History: In the course of the history, all analyzes a user has recently called up are displayed. A maximum of 15 analyzes are shown in this folder.
Logout: A user can logout off from the Sesam application by clicking the Logout icon.

1. Clipboard:
   Paste – Rows or columns can be inserted.
   Cut – Rows or columns can be cut out.
   Copy – Rows or columns can be copied.
2. Navigation:
   Back – Back one Navigation step.
   Please note: It is important not to use the back-button of the explorer.
   Start – Back to the starting point of the analysis. All analysis steps are reversed.
   Variable – Opens the variable selection screen.
   
3. Data:
   Add Row – A new row can be added to the report. By clicking on the “Add Row” icon a menu that lists all available characteristics opens. By selecting a characteristic a new row for this characteristic is inserted.
   Exchange Row – Rows can also be replaced. By clicking on the “Exchange Row” icon a menu that lists all used characteristics and all available characteristics opens. It can be selected which characteristic to replace and which to add.
   Remove row from report – Characteristics that are used in the report can be deleted. A user has to mark the respective row and then press the Remove icon.
   Add column – A new column can be added to the report. By clicking on the “Add Column” icon a menu that lists all available characteristics opens. By selecting a characteristic a new column for this characteristic is inserted.
   Exchange column – Columns can also be replaced. By clicking on the “Exchange Column” icon a menu that lists all used characteristics and all available characteristics opens. It can be selected which characteristic to replace and which to add.
   Remove column from report – Characteristics that are used in the report can be deleted. A user has to mark the respective column and then press the Remove icon.
   Filter – Opens the filter dialog.
   Create Formula – Opens the formula editor.
4. Settings:
   Navigation pane – The navigation area shows the current state of columns and rows as well as the option to drill down and navigate with free characteristics. It can be hidden or shown.
   Settings – The settings dialog opens. Settings for table, chart, exceptions, conditions and data provider can be defined.
   Open quick reference – The quick reference opens.
   Show background information about current analysis – Background information about current analysis can be seen.
   Open new window – A new window can be opened.

1. Layout:
   Hierarchies – If selected characteristics in the analysis support a hierarchy, they can be displayed or deactivated at the push of a button.
   Swap Axes – Axes of the analysis table or chart can be swapped.
   Exceptions – Overview of exceptions that are defined and active.
   Create new Exception – Opens the exception wizard.
   Define visualization of exceptions –  Exceptions are displayed as background color (default setting), symbol and/or value.
2. Representation:
   Table – Analysis is shown as a table.
   Chart – Analysis is shown as a chart. Settings can be set with the help of the icon on the right.
   Table and Chart – Analysis is shown as a table and chart.
   
3. Table:
   Row Styles  – Rows are displayed in alternating white/blue background colors (default) or white background.
4. Chart settings:
   Approximately 30 chart types are available:
   Column – Representation as Columns or Stacked Columns.
   Bar  – Representation as Bars or Stacked Bars.
   Line – Representation as Lines, Stacked Lines, Profiles or Stacked Profiles.
   Pie  – Representation as Pies, Split Pies or Polars.
   Area  – Representation as Areas, Stacked Areas, Profile Areas or Stacked Profile Areas.
   Scatter  – Representation as Scatters or Time Scatters.
   Other charts – Representation as Donuts, Radars, Stacked Radars, Speedometers, Portfolios, Gantts, MTAs, Heatmaps, Histograms, Deltacharts.
   Settings – Opens the chart settings dialog.

1. Axis
   AutoSum – An AutoSum can be inserted both in columns and in rows. This function is only supported if an AutoSum makes sense. If the AutoSum is not desired, it can be switched off.
   Heading – Headings of lines and columns headings can be displayed as text (default), key, and text and key at the same time.
   Zero row suppression – Opens the zero row wizard.
2. Number:
   Factor 1,000 – Each key figure is divided by 1,000.
   No decimals – Key figures are presented without decimals.
   Two decimals – Key figures are presented with two decimals.
   Custom format – Opens the properties of data dialog.
   Reset – The chosen formats can be reset.
3. Currency:
   Euro – Key figures are converted to Euro.
   Dollar – Key figures are converted to US Dollar.
   Pound – Key figures are converted to British Pound.
   Reset – Currency conversion is reset.
   The exchange rate gets updated with the last extraction cycle.

1. Global:
   Filter – Opens the filter dialog.
   Show filter – Overview of selections that are defined and active.
   Open variable screen – Opens the variable selection screen.
   Conditions – Overview of conditions that are defined and active.
   New Condition – Opens the condition wizard.
2. Characteristic:
   Filter characteristic value – If a characteristic is selected, a filter can be applied to this characteristic value by activating this function.
   Remove Filter- The executed filters are undone.
   Settings – In regard to the active selectionf settings (layout, sorting) can be adjusted.

1. Directory: The directory shows all reports for which a user is entitled. The reports are sorted according to business departments. The business departments are displayed by a directory structure.
2. Favorites: In the favorites list, you can access the reports that have been saved as favorites.
3. History: In the course of the history, all analyzes a user has recently called up are displayed. A maximum of 15 analyzes are shown in this folder.

1. Save Variable Values: This option allows you to save the selected variables. If not checked, the ‘system default values’ for variables are used when you open your favorite report.
2. Favorites: List of your favorites. Use this area to save your personal favorites.
3. Reports: Select item to overwrite or name your favorite in description.
4. Description: Provide description for favorite.
5. Ok: Confirm to save favorite.

1. Available Variants:
   When using the drop-down menu, you receive a list of all variants that you previously saved.
2. Save/save as:
   You can save and name a specific variable selection. In practice it is well-established to save several variants.
3. Obligatory variables
   The variables that are marked with a star are obligatory.
4. Dialog to select values:
   To select a value for a variable you open a dialog to define the values (see on the right). Some variables show a default value. You can choose one or more values or a value range.

1. Open:
   Open filter dialog.
2. Filter dialog:
   Every characteristic of the analysis table is shown in alphabetic order. When using the respective drop-down menu of the desired key figure, the ‘select value dialog’ opens.
3. Set filter:
   Filter can be set according to one or more single values or value ranges, see drop-down menu.
4. Remove:
   The set filter can be removed.

1. The exception for all structure elements/key figures or for specific elements/key figures is defined.
2. The timing of the exception evaluation is either before or after any local calculation.
3. It is possible to define nine alert levels: 3x good alert, 3x critical alert, 3x defective alert.
4. The following operators can be chosen:
   = Equal To
   <> Not Equal To
   > Greater Than
   >= Greater Than or Equal To
   < Less Than
   <= Less Than or Equal To
   [] Between
   ][ Not Between
5. The threshold value is defined.
6. 34 different conditions can be applied at the same time. If multiple alert levels are valid for one element/key figure, the highest alert level is used.

1. The exception is shown in the data cell itself.
2. The exception is shown in the headline of the row and/or the headline of the column.

1. Exceptions are displayed as background color, symbol and/or value.

1. This step has several options (in the drop-down boxes) for the characteristic restriction:
   – Standard (only results)
   – All Values
   – Everything except results
   – A fixed value (specify the value that will be used in the exception)
   – A fixed hierarchy level (specify the level that will be used in the exception)

1. The exception is active if you check here.
2. A description can be defined. The default description is ‘status exception’.

The following operators are available:

1. Ranked list criterion:
   – Top N
   – Top %
   – Top total
   – Bottom N
   – Bottom %
   – Bottom total
   The ‘value’ field requires a set of values for each operator. E.g. operator top %, value 20, the result will be the top 20%.
2. Threshold value condition:
   = Equal To
   <> Not Equal To
   > Greater Than
   >= Greater Than or Equal To
   < Less Than
   <= Less Than or Equal To
   [] Between
   ][ Not BetweenThe ‘value’ field requires a set of values for each operator. E.g. you can analyze the data sales volume per product between 100,000 and 300,000.
3. Mixed condition:
   Operators available include all the operators for both of the other options. The value field requires a set of values for each option.
   E.g. the top 10 customers as well as all customers with a profit margin > 5% can be analyzed.

1. All characteristics in drill down independent:
   This option is optimized for range list conditions, but can be used for threshold values with relative values. When ‘ranked list criterion’ is chosen, this is the default setting.
2. Detailed characteristic along the rows or columns:
   This option is optimized for threshold conditions. The characteristic is applied to the most detailed characteristic of the specified axis. When ‘threshold value condition’ is chosen, this is the default setting.
3. Individual characteristics and characteristic combinations:
   This option is used to select any characteristic or characteristic combination.

1. The condition is active if you check here.
2. A description can be defined. The default description is either ‘ranked list criterion’, ‘threshold value condition’ or ‘mixed condition’.

1. Do not suppress:
   This is the standard setting. Each data row is shown.
2. Remove row when totals = 0:
   If the total of the row is zero, the row is not shown.
3. Remove row when all values = 0:
   If all values of the row are zero, the row is not shown.

1. Description:
   A name for the formula can be entered.
2. Formula:
   This field displays the generated formula.
3. Operators:
   The simple operators are displayed.
4. Number block:
   If numbers must be inserted in the formula, this number block is used.
5. Available operands:
   The available operands are based on the current report.
6. Available operators:
   Boolean Operators, data functions, mathematical functions, percentage functions, and trigonometric functions are available.
7. Check:
   The system checks the syntax of the formula to ensure that there are no errors.
8. Validation:
   It is displayed whether the formula is valid or invalid.
9. OK
   To set the formula active and to insert a column for its calculation,it has to be confirmed with OK.

1. Layout:
   Alternative table row styles – If checked, rows have alternating white/blue background colors. If not checked, the background is white. The default background colors are white/blue.
2. Cell specific setting:
   Exception Visualization – Exceptions can be shown in color, symbol, symbol and text, and text and symbol (see drop-down menu). The default setting is color.
   Document icons for data, metadata and masterdata – The respective box is checked to display the document icon for data, metadata, and/or masterdata.
3. Data-Specific Settings:
   Display repeated texts – If checked, the display of repeated texts – if needed in the report – is given.
   Display scaling factors – If checked, the display of the scaling factor for the key figure is given.

1. Chart setting:
   Chart type – Approximately 30 chart types are available: columns, pies, stacked lines and bar charts (most of the chart types can typically be found in Microsoft Excel). The default option is columns.
   Legend type – The legend type can be none, data-table, chart legend position or legend only. The default option is chart legend position.
   Chart legend position – The options are north, east, south, west, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west. The default option is south.
2. Chart texts:
   Manual axis description – This option is used to assign the text manually for the primary category and value axes as well as the secondary category and value axes.
   Manual axis label – This option is used to assign the label for the primary category and value axes as well as the secondary category and value axes.
3. Data-specific settings:
   Swaps display axes – If checked, x-axis and y-axis are swapped.
   Display result – If checked, the results for each column are displayed.
   Show expanded hierarchy nodes – If a hierarchy is used, this option manages the display of the levels of the hierarchy nodes.

1. Data formatting:
   Result position – The results display options are: bottom/right, top/left, bottom/left, top/left. The default option is bottom/right.
   Display columns hierarchically and drill down to – This option offers the ability to show the data at the column level of the initial drill down for display.
   Display rows hierarchically and drill down to – This option offers the ability to show the data at the row level of the initial drill down for display.
2. Size restriction for result sets:
   Maximum no. of cells for result set – Set the total number of cells available. The options are 100,000; 500,000, or a customer-defined number. For performance reasons do not exceed 750,000. The default option is 500,000 cells.
3. Number format:
   Display of +/– signs – Displays the format of the numbers as -5, 5-, or (5). The default option is -5.
   Display of zeros – Displays zeros with currency/unit, without currency/ unit, as empty cells, or as a custom string.
4. Zero suppression:
   Apply suppression to columns, Apply suppression to rows – The display of zeros to the columns and rows (the view with zeros or without) is defined. The default option is “Do not suppress”.
   “Key Figures” as group: Apply zero suppression only if all elements are 0 – Determines whether zero suppression is applied for key figures within a structure.