New

Projection Workflows for Sensitivity Analysis & IFRS 17

Clients can now group and kick off multiple projections in a workflow to allow for easier setup, execution and reporting. The most common use cases for using workflows include IFRS 17 reporting and sensitivity analysis which both require running multiple projections. For information on how to create and run a workflow, visit our support documentation here.

Search for Operand in Formula Editor

Users can now type to search for an operand (variable, data table, formula, etc) for faster formula creation.

After clicking the formula wheel icon (orange circle with three bars), simply begin typing to search across variables and formula types. In the example below, searching for Lapse returns several variables and data tables to select from. Upon choosing the desired operand, you will be prompted to provide any additional details.

Enhancements

Updated Navigation & Projection Changes

The top navigation menu has been updated to provide more descriptive labels. We have also combined the Execute and Analyze modules into a single module now called ‘Projections’. Selecting a projection that has not been run or that is actively running, will open the Projection Details screen. Selecting a projection that has been run, will open the Workbooks screen so you can view results.

In addition to these navigation updates, clients can now duplicate not started and running projections.

View Relationships for Model Point Fields

Users can now view the relationships for Model Point Fields from the Model Point File Definition using a new option within the action menu found next to each field.

Model Copy No Longer Includes Unnecessary Table Structures and Tables

When copying a model (e.g. The Slope Life Library) and selecting some but not all products, the table structures and tables that are not used by the selected product(s) and portfolio(s) on the copy will be removed from the copy. This is to eliminate unnecessary tables from showing up in models and projection templates.

Model Comparison Performance Improvement

The Model Comparison feature found within the Model Governance module is now faster allowing for a quicker review of differences between two models.

Default Cursor in Modals

Now the cursor will default to the first field in a modal so that users can immediately begin typing into the first field without first having to select or click in the field. (e.g. Name on the Create New Variable modal)

Ability to Map Array Values when Merging

Users can now map array values when they are merging a variable with a formula that uses a static array with single value aggregation so that their formula is valid in the target model following the merge.

Fixes:

• Files with special characters in the worksheet name can now be uploaded without error.
• The correct excel row # for errors will now be reported when loading model point files (previously off by 1).
• Projections run with models that are set to “Copy Only” are again showing in the projection list.
• The Merge module will now show all arrays when merging a variable with a formula that references a static array with single value aggregation set or a constant with a data type of array.
• When merging an IRR formula, the Merge module will detect and show differences for the Behavior and On Failure (warn/ignore) fields.
• Run Logs are again available for projections that Failed to Start.
• Users should be now be able to consistently access Slope Academy when logged into the Slope application.

New

Use a Formula to Read a Model Point Field by Name

Users can now select a Model Point Field by name using a formula as a more dynamic alternative to selecting a single field by name from the drop down. All formulas that return a string value are considered valid in the variable editor. When the projection is run, Slope will attempt to match the string value to a Model Point Field name and will error if there is not a match.

Enhancements

Virtual Folders on Projection Templates

Users can now select a folder on a projection template so that all projections run from the template are automatically organized into the set folder.

Sunsetting Snapshots

Users will no longer be able to take new snapshots of models. The best approach for preserving a model at a point in time (e.g. after year end valuation) is to set the model to Copy Only using Model Permissions and make all edits to a new copy.

This approach makes it easy to compare the Copy Only (former version) with the edited version using the Manage model to review all changes made to the model.

Additional Information available Available on the Debug View for Arrays

• When only some of the static array values were run in a projection, the calculated values will display and those that don’t have results will indicate that there is no result available.
• Array values deleted after the run will be displayed as struck through and explain the value no longer exists.
• When a variable is changed to be an array variable after the run, and there is a single formula for an array (e.g. dynamic array) the formula will be displayed in the debug view.
• When there is a result without an array value we will show the result with no array value selected.

Fixes

• Empty data cell values on data tables are no longer causing unknown errors.
• The control panel has been removed from the Error report displayed on the Run Logs tab.
• The Asset Allocation page is properly reloading after an asset is deleted following the use of the search panel.
• The header of a data table is no longer included in the row count of an error message.
• Merging a table structure change will now trigger data table versioning on the destination model.
• Model validation is now being triggered when merging a portfolio or product.

New

Folder Organization for Models

Clients can now create, rename and delete folders for organizing their models.

Create folders using the + icon next to ‘Workspace Model Folders’ and add new subfolders, edit the name and delete using the 3 dot icon which appears upon hover over a folder. Models can be added to a folder or subfolder by dragging and dropping into the desired location.

New Option to Lock and Unlock Projections

Completed projections can now be locked so that the results are protected from deletion.

Both Model Developers and Model Admins can lock a projection but the Model Admin role is required to unlock a projection. Please contact us at support@slopesoftware.com if you wish to customize who can lock and unlock a projection.

Enhancements

Arrays

• Clients can now specify a single formula for all array values which makes model management more efficient when array values are added, removed and modified but should all use the same formula.
• When removing an array from a model via the merge tool, users will now be warned which variables will be impacted.

High Performance Mode

• The ‘Output Prior Time Period Results’ setting is now available in High Performance Mode.
• Results for Product, Portfolio and Company variables that error will now be output for improved trouble shooting using the error report.

Workbooks

• The Share button will now copy a link to the current workbook and worksheet (tab) with the set filter values for improved collaboration.
• The data lineage view is now available in the lower left corner of Workbooks (when in Edit mode) to assist with troubleshooting and tracing data sources.

Changes

• The Time Indexed setting will be automatically enabled when Post Projection is enabled to prevent invalid setups.
• Circular reference validation errors will no longer display for a non-time indexed array variable that uses a single value or single value formula and references another array value.
• The selected array aggregation method will persist when the array variable referenced by the formula is changed.
• The selected array value will persist when the array variable is changed in the formula editor and the array value is available on the newly selected variable.

Fixes

• Resolved an issue with data table column sort order preventing users from creating or editing index columns.
• Target value match rules will no longer result in failed to start errors for projections that use an investment strategy.
• The sort order on the version drop down in nested data tables has been fixed so it is in numeric order.
• Model copies using the auto include setting are consistently succeeding again.
• The calculation engine will now parse file-only data tables past rows with errors.
• Resolved an issue in which calculation order in the formula builder for formulas using product aggregates impacted results.

Results 2-10x Faster for Valuation & Pricing Projections

Slope now offers a High Performance mode for running valuation and pricing projections which can reduce runtime by up to 90%. High Performance mode is recommended for static projections that currently take an hour or longer to run.

While there is no additional cost to access High Performance mode, these projections are measured in compute units (vs core hours) and therefore require review and acceptance of the updated terms of service. To learn more and request access to high performance mode, visit here.

Enhancements

Time Period added to the IRR Formula

Users can now specify a time period over which the IRR formula operates so they can limit the IRR value to only the applicable future time periods.

Additional Enhancements:

• Users can now copy and paste a piece of a formula into an empty operand in the formula editor.
• Projections will now display an informative warning when all model points are filtered out of a projection.
• Model Point File Definition Aliases can now be merged using the Change Management module.
• A description field has been added to Decrement Tables and Improvement Scales.
• The last modified date on the Debug view now updates when a formula for a Static Array variable is updated after the projection was run.

Fixes

• There is no longer a thin white line showing through the the operator on the formula editor.
• The ‘Output Prior Time Period Results’ and High Performance projection template settings will now be properly set when making a model copy or export.
• Model Point File field references to an array variable are now being detected and prompting confirmation when deleting a model point field.
• The +/- buttons on the ‘Time Index’ input on the Debug view are working without the user having to select a variable first.
• When generating a scenario file, Slope is now validating that a currency is set on the Economic Scenario Structure.
• Decimal place mismatches (e.g. 5 vs 5.00) on data tables with a range lower bound lookup will no longer result in a failed lookup and projection error.
• The Debug view will now display ‘True’ instead of 1 on boolean variables

Coming Soon

Results 2-10x Faster for Valuation & Pricing Projections

In March 2023, Slope will offer clients a High Performance mode for running valuation and pricing projections which can reduce runtime by up to 90%. High Performance mode is recommended for static projections that currently take an hour or longer to run.

While there is no additional cost to access High Performance mode, these projections are measured in compute units (vs core hours) and therefore require review and acceptance of the updated terms of service. To learn more and request access to high performance mode, visit here.

Enhancements

Global Setting for Company Variables

A new ‘Global’ setting has been added to company variables so that users can pre-calculate values that are shared by multiple products or need to be pre-processed (e.g. Run Settings variable in the Slope Life Library). Enabling this setting will ensure that these variables are calculated first and their results are available for all other variables including lower levels (product and portfolio).

Add Datasets to Workbooks

Users can now add additional datasets to their workbooks. A step by step explanation of how to add datasets can be found on our support site.

Changes

Account Switching for Multi-Account Users

Users with access to multiple accounts will now be brought to the last active account upon login and will be able to switch to another account using the account name drop down in the top right of the application.

Fixes

• Model Point File validation performance has been improved.
• Users will now be notified when a data table does not match the column order on the table structure.
• The Slope logo is once again displaying in the password reset emails.
• Duplicate variables with blank products that were previously deleted will no longer show on the table structure delete confirmation screen.
• The import screen for decrement tables now says “Improvement Base Year” instead of “Improvement Start Year” for consistency with the label used on other screens.
• Products run dynamically are again showing results for all time periods for force recalc results.

Enhancements

Debug Tab : Variable Properties, Last Updated Date & Sharing

Users can now view a variable’s properties and settings on the Debug tab for faster trouble shooting. The settings on the debug view are view only with a link to navigate to the variable and edit as needed.

On the right hand side of the variable properties and settings panel, Slope will display a last updated date. If the variable has been updated since the projection was run, a warning icon will display. When a variable has been updated after a projection was run, the values displayed are from the projection results but the properties and formula reflect the current state of the model. This warning should alert users to potential discrepancies.

The Debug tab also has a new ‘Share’ button in the top right corner so that you can share a url with the selected projection and other filter values currently set. This is helpful when sharing results with a colleague or Slope’s support team.

API Enhancements:

The Workbook ID and Element ID needed to download projection results via the API has been added to the url when you click the desired workbook table within the Slope application. For more information on downloading results via the Slope API visit our Support site.

Workbook Enhancements:

Two new functions are now available for use in workbooks: FirstNonNull and LastNonNull. FirstNonNull repeats the first non-null value of a given column for every row in a column. LastNonNull repeats the last non-null value of a given column for every row in a column.

Conditional formatting column selection now allows the user to select multiple columns without the drop down menu closing with each selection to allow for more efficient configuration.

Fixes

• Resolved an error that occurs when an out of date data table version is merged into another model.
• Data tables for deleted table structures will no longer show up in the copy confirmation modal.
• Improved error messaging to provide informative descriptions in place of more generic errors when a product is missing on a projection and when a template name is a duplicate.
• Library models will consistently load when selected in the Model Development module.
• Resolved an intermittent file upload issue with large model point files.

New Model

A new Claim Reserve/IBNR model can be used to calculate claim reserves and/or IBNR using traditional claim triangles and the chain-ladder method. This model is now available in the Library Models tab alongside the Slope Life Library.

Updates

Long Term Care Product

• Now supports a 3rd benefit path for Assisted Living in addition to the 2 existing options
• Significant changes to the array structures of benefit projections to improve performance
• The LTC-2015 study tables from the SOA are now available as part of the Library and input structures have been updated to support this

Term Life Product

A correction was made to the XXX reserve calculations on the Term life product to fix an issue where the expense allowance was not being properly calculated in some cases.

Liability Products

New variables have been added to liability products for US STAT Valuation Basis and US STAT Line of Business. These new variables, combined with the US STAT Exhibits product output grouping will allow for the population of Exhibit 5 & 6 reports.

Valuation Method inputs for UL, Term, and Whole Life were converted to drop-down list items to allow for easier selection of values.

The Commissions table structure was updated to add Issue Age and Premium Payment term as available columns by default. All liability products that use this table were updated to reflect this.

The Lapses table structure was updated to add Premium Payment term as an available column by default. All liability products that use this table were updated to reflect this.

All Liability products were updated to allow either Date of Birth or Issue Age to be provided. Only 1 of the inputs must be provided. DOB will always be used instead of Issue Age if both are provided.

Asset Products

AVR Line Number is no longer required on assets and the default data type has been changed to string.

When missing, the AVR Line number will now be looked up based on the NAIC SVO Rating or default to a medium risk category depending on the asset type.

New Workbooks

• Long Term Care workbook which provides detailed information for a single LTC policy for analysis purposes.

• ‘US STAT Exhibits’ workbook populates values for Exhibit 5 & 6.

• Claim Reserve Summary (IBNR) workbook is now available to display the resets from the new Claim Reserve/IBNR model.

• Term Life Workbook which provides a US STAT Reserve Summary, Cash Flow, US STAT XXX Basic Reserve and US STAT XXX Min Reserve worksheet.

Note: New workbooks can be found in the Slope System workspace folder which can be accessed via the folder icon in the lower left corner of the Execute and Analyze modules. The Long Term Care and Term Life workbooks can be found in the Liability Products subfolder.

Important Reminder

Please remember that Dashboards will be sunset and no longer available in the Slope application after December 31, 2022. We recommend checking out the Training Workbook found in the ‘System’ folder in the Workbooks module as well as our reporting training on Slope Academy to get started. Our team is available to answer any questions you have at support@slopesoftware.com.

New

Social Login with Google

Clients with corporate Google accounts can now log into the Slope application via Google Social login so they don’t have to enter their Slope username and password.

Enhancements

Formula Builder: Copy & Paste

Slope now supports copying and pasting a part of a formula from one variable to another variable within the same model. This makes it easier to create multiple variables that use the same calculations within them and edit multiple formulas efficiently. Copy/paste can also be used to copy and paste a formula across multiple array indexes.

Output Results for Prior Periods

The new ‘Output Prior Time Period Results’ projection setting allows clients to output the results for prior time periods for model point, portfolio and/or company variables for the purpose of reporting on calculations for T < 0. This setting can be used in lieu of the ‘Output All Results’. By outputting just prior projection periods for a select level, the amount of calculations and memory usage can be reduced.

Workbook Sharing

A new share button found in the top right corner of workbooks will copy a link to the workbook with the currently set filter values so that the workbook can be shared with another Slope user.

Note: In order to share a workbook, it needs must be in the system folder or your account’s workspace. Workbooks in ‘My Documents’ cannot be shared with other users.

Copy Decrement Tables and Improvement Scales

Decrement tables and improvement scales can now be copied for easier creation.

API Improvements:

Model point files can now be validated when they are added to a projection via the Patch Projections endpoint in the Slope API. Model point file validation can be bypassed for larger files (> 100k rows) to prevent timing out.

Decrement tables and improvement scales can now be imported via the Slope API using the Post Decrement Tables and Post Improvement Scales endpoints.

Workbook data tables can now be downloaded via the API using the Post Reports/Workbooks endpoint so that clients are able to get their projection results via the API once the dashboards module is sunset.

For documentation on the new endpoints please visit here.

Additional Improvements

• The full name for long table structures will now display upon hover.
• Slope now shows an error message when a negative value is entered in the index step for an array because negative index steps will not show results for the array.
• A memory usage optimization was made for dynamic projections.
• An icon will display next to the array drop down for array variables on the debug view and display the array name upon hover.
• The calculated range array drop down on the debug view will now sort in numeric order.

Fixes

• Resolved an issue generating New York 7 scenario files.
• Resolved an issue editing ‘if conditions’ on static array variables in the formula builder.
• Improved performance on the formula builder.
• No longer showing occasional unknown errors in the run logs when using a range array in a projection.
• Projection compare will now consistently match the correct product and model point file when comparing projections.

New

Slope Academy

Slope Academy is your newest resource for platform learning. Courses for new learners and seasoned users alike will regularly be developed and available to deepen knowledge, improve model efficiency, and accelerate onboarding.

Slope Academy can be accessed from within the Slope application by clicking the ? icon in the top right corner and selecting “Academy”.

Debug Tab in the Execute & Analyze Modules

The Debug view can now be accessed directly from within the Execute and Analyze modules without needing to click on a result in a workbook or dashboard. Within the Debug tab, you can select a level, additional inputs and then a variable to begin reviewing your calculations.

Enhancements

Reporting Improvements

Workbook visualizations now have an option to include trend lines to highlight and predict patterns across multiple values in a set of data.

There are three new functions for calculating subtotals and percentages of totals in workbook pivot tables and visualizations.

• PercentOFTotal returns the percent of total for an aggregate formula
• SubTotal returns the subtotal for an aggregate formula
• GrandTotal returns the grand total for an aggregate formula

REPORTING REMINDER: Looker dashboards are no longer editable and all new reports must be created in the Workbooks tab. Dashboards will be removed from the platform on December 31, 2022. Please check out our support site or reach out to your Account Rep or our support team at support@slopesoftware.com if you need training.

Variable Sidebar Updates

The variable sidebar has been updated so that it reflects changes to variables (e.g. adding a tag) without requiring a refresh of the page.

Miscellaneous Updates

• Added the word “Projection” next to the Delete action so that it is clear this action deletes a projection and not a workbook or dashboard.

• Added validation for non time indexed range array variables that use a time indexed variable to prevent errors.
• Arrays can now be switched from Dynamic to Static and Static to Dynamic. Users will be provided with warnings that list impacted variables when making the array change.
• Data Table importing via the Slope interface and API is no longer case sensitive when reading headers.

Fixes

• Fixed the Debug url so it does not break when there is an “&” or “=” in a variable name.
• Calculated Range Array variables will no longer show a result of 0 when the projection product name does not match the product definition name.
• Copies of copy only models will be visible to the user making the copy.
• Fixed table links in the Debug view to render a full html version of the data table instead of a text version of the site.
• Resolved in an issue in the debug view in which a “no results available” message showed for certain variables that had results calculated.
• Run logs are now available when a multi-scenario run hits the validation stage.
• Negative values can now be entered in the time input on the debug view.
• The formula builder’s drag and drop capabilities will no longer create invalid formula structures.
• Projections that have corrected validation errors can now be run via the API.
• The error message when a user clicks on a deleted object has been updated.
• We are now reporting the proper variable time period in the Run Logs when a variable in a PV formula fails at a future time period.
• We are now preventing data table columns of “Data Table” from saving without a table structure associated.

In September, our team focused on making behind the scenes upgrades to our technology stack. While this change is largely invisible to our users, it allows us to continue utilizing the most modern technology. In addition, these changes improve the platform’s overall performance and scalability while enabling us to make future enhancements more quickly.

New

System Dashboards are now available as Workbooks

Workbook versions of the Slope System Dashboards are now available including, Income Statement and Balance Sheet dashboards for US STAT and GAAP, Product and Portfolio Summary Dashboards.

REMINDER: Beginning November 1st, Looker dashboards will no longer be editable and all new reports must be created in Workbooks. The Slope dashboards that are being deprecated with the Looker sunset are noted on our support site.

Enhancements

Reporting Improvements

• Workbooks saved in your account’s workspace can now be copied using the save as option found under the folder in the lower left hand corner.
• All workbooks, including user created and system workbooks, are now auto-populating the projection ID with the projection that was selected prior to opening the workbook.
• Multiple table columns can now be resized at once.

Model Compare is Faster

A performance improvement to the Model Comparison module makes it faster to review the differences between two models.

Model Point File Validation Improvement

Slope will now validate and warn users if there is a formula error in a column that is included in the model point file definition. Slope will process data with formula errors on columns not included in the model point file.

Fixes

• Forward projected dynamic arrays will no longer return an erroneous ‘Does Not Exist’ error in future time periods beyond the current projection time.
• The projection status in the header of the Execute module will now update to reflect the projection’s current status. Previously this always showed “Validating” once a projection was kicked off.
• Data Table List columns will now consistently show the available values in the drop down when working with a data table from a model copy.
• Formatting on empty model point file columns will no longer result in an unknown error.
• Github API scripts have been updated to use “name” instead of description.
• Time Indexed results on the Projection Run Summary workbook now show results for all selected portfolios instead of just the first result.