Modano improvements deserving of some attention

7 posts / 0 new
Last post
Tarjei Kirkesaether A+ 58
TK
Modano improvements deserving of some attention

Since I first started using Modano (then BPM Modules) almost 4 years ago (and my first comment was "there is no Undo - I'm screwed"), the user-friendliness of the software has improved tremendously.

Unfortunately Modano doesn’t seem to want to brag about their improvements too much so I thought I would list my favourites that I have stumbled upon over the past couple of months in case it can help anyone else (and please add your comments below if you have stumbled in a different direction to me):

  • Ability to move components between assumption and output sheets
  • Ability to cut and paste rows within module components
  • Limited, yet very helpful, undo functionality
  • Freeform formula

In addition to this, the new "Standardize & Review" mode is clearly a step in the direction of tempting non-module users to the platform. I must admit I haven't actually used it yet but I know of many users in our organisation who would benefit greatly from some Best Practise guideline help.

Just putting it out there - well done Modano, you're getting close to being back at "normal' Excel now - but please do tell us more about the improvements you're making so we get to utilised it sooner and better:-)

Jun Yan A+ 124

Tarjei, awesome points! There's definitely a lot going on in the front end (as well as under the hood). I'm a big fan of:

  • Move time series assumptions
  • A suble one (templates vs. modules library content), but surprisingly useful
  • Open without Modano
  • There's plenty more...

As a pretty heavy Modules user (also starting at BPM Modules), it's been great seeing the product evolve over time. One thing that I've noticed working with people, is that unless they can dedicate time to Modules (20 or so hours online learning + time with practical modelling), it's not easy to pick up. Once you understand developing in blocks, modules, category layout sections, and using links - It's unbelievably powerful...

As much as I love developing models in Modules, I think the "Standardize & Review" mode is an excellent option. As you allude to Tarjei, the functionality in the mode is so powerful (traverse, creating a best practice time series workbook, Auto Font colouring etc.). It really reminds me of the BPM Toolbox days, but even better! I'm sure there's more exciting functionality planned for the coming weeks, I for one am definitely looking forward to it.

Keep it up!

Michael Hutchens A+ 189

Thanks guys - it's people like you that enable us to keep moving forward, slowly but surely always making things better.

Tarjei - while you're right in noting that we're really not publicly announcing or celebrating our wins enough, believe it or not we have a very clear strategy, and part of this is making sure we're getting everything right and always moving in the right direction. It's slowing us down a bit, but it's also a reflection of our belief that we're very close to the world exponentially recognising the value in Modano, so we're 100% focused on building a robust foundation before this happens.

The new Standardize & Review mode is a big part of our strategy to make it much easier from people to move from unmanaged Excel pizzas into Modano. Recent feedback has taught us that most users progress from unmanaged Excel -> Review (usually via the Traverse Formula tool) -> Standardization (usually via applying consistent styles) -> Automation (i.e modules). And for the past 2 years we've been trying to get people to dive right into Automation, which was the wrong approach.

Standardize & Review mode - and a couple of exciting new tools we're currently adding to it which we'll announce over the next couple of weeks - is a much less threatening starting point for large organizations, who we see taking 1-3 years to reach where you've got to building your own modules. And that's fine, we're just learning to take it a bit slower!

Thanks again for the positive feedback, and I look forward to seeing what you think of our next round of new features.

M.

Yury Suturin A+ 6
YS

Am I the only one who doesn't like merged cells in the templates?

Michael Hutchens A+ 189

Hi Yury,

Are you referring to headings that a merged across columns?

If so, there's method behind this madness, and these headings are assumptions cells when not linking in data from precedent modules. So they need to be merged to allow for the scenario when they are not linked.

The alternative was to change the sheet column widths, but given the need to consistent columns widths across different modules, this is something we've always avoided doing.

Feedback always welcome mate, these things are always evolving! M.

Michael Hutchens A+ 189

Hi Yury - It's worth you checking out this more recent forum thread regarding columns, as it's relevant to why there are merged cells in many of the Modano modules:

www.modano.com/forum/column_width_part_theme

M.

Yury Suturin A+ 6
YS

Thanks, Michael. Will check it out