Author: Ashley Faherty

New

New In-App Reporting with Workbooks

All Slope users now have access to our new in-app reporting workbooks powered by Sigma. This beta launch includes the ability to view projection results using the Projection Run Summary Workbook and create new workbooks from within the Execute or Analyze module. The new workbooks module allows for the creation of reports with fewer clicks, better data joining, union and pivoting capabilities as well as improved data loading.

The following improvements have been made to the Workbooks module since launch:

• Debug links are now available on both pivoted (e.g. Time Indexed Results tiles) and non-pivoted (e.g. Non-Time Indexed Results) data tables
• The projection details have been moved from the top of the page to under the Projection Details tab to allow for more real estate for Workbooks and Run Logs
• The status and projection ID now displays at the top of the page on the right and left respectively for easy viewing and copying of the projection ID
• Column freezing has been added to workbook tables. Frozen columns are always visible, even when scrolling horizontally through the table. To freeze a column and any columns before it, open the column’s menu and select ‘Freeze up to column’.

• New ALM Company and ALM Portfolio Workbooks are available in the System folder. These two workbooks replace the Company Duration/Convexity, Portfolio Duration/Convexity and ALM Dashboards.

NOTE: Looker Dashboards (“Dashboards” tab in the application) will be completely removed from the application on December 31, 2022. To aid in your adoption and migration we have support and FAQ documentation available here, a Projection Summary workbook and a training workbook which provides guidance on working with Slope data. All reports you wish to keep must be recreated in the Workbooks module prior to the December sunset date. Contact support@slopesoftware.com and your account representative with any questions you have.

Drop Down Lists for Data Tables

Drop Down Lists column types are now available on Data Tables to restrict data table values and prevent data errors. The list of values is defined using a static array (shown below).

Once the possible values have been defined in an array, the array is selected as the source for the drop down list column on the Table Structure screen. Below is an example of data table using a drop down list column. You’ll see the list of potential values matches those defined on the array and when a value is entered that doesn’t match the options, there is a red error on the cell.

For instructions on how to configure a Data Table column to use a Drop Down List, please see the “Using Drop Down List column types to restrict data table values” section of our Data Tables documentation.

IMPROVEMENTS

Switching between Decrement Table and Improvement Scale Versions

Users can now see which version of a decrement table and/or improvement scale they are looking at and switch between the latest and historical versions. This makes it easier to audit historical versions and improves decrement and improvement scale troubleshooting.

Model Copy will now only copy needed Table Structures

When using the Auto-Include required tables feature, only the table structures used by the selected products, portfolios and projection templates will be included in the model copy. When manually selecting data tables, only the table structures for the selected data tables and those referenced by variables from selected products or portfolios will be included. This is so that extraneous table structures are not included in model copies.

API Update

API clients can now add and edit Model Point Filters via the Patch Projection endpoint.

FIXES

• Model copies will no longer fail when there are data tables with nested decrement tables that are not the latest version. Note: when there are multiple versions copied (e.g. v3 and v4 (latest) they will become v1 and v2 (latest) upon copy.
• Model copies will no longer create multiple v1 (latest) data tables when there are multiple versions included in the copy.
• Added validation for a variable that returns a table that does not match the table structure on variable properties.
• Fixed the table structure validation so it does not erroneously show a validation error when a data table type variable uses If/Then/Else logic.
• Removed blank data table columns from showing up in the Data Tables used section of a projection.
• Fixed redirects to consistently route the user to the desired url upon login.
• Aggregated Non-Time Indexed product variables on dynamically run projections will no longer show duplicate rows for each time period.
• The copy icon next to Projection ID is working again.
• Resolved a model copy issue related to a data table that references another data table and only the parent data table is included in the copy.
• Switching scenarios in the Run Logs will no longer navigate the user back to the Projection Details tab.
• Model Point Filters are once again viewable for completed runs.

COMING SOON

New In-App Reporting with Workbooks

Later in August, all Slope users will be able to use our new in-app reporting workbooks powered by Sigma. The beta launch will include the ability to view projection results using the Projection Run Summary Workbook and create new workbooks from within the Execute or Analyze module.

• The benefits of creating reports in the Workbooks module include:
  • Easier to build reports and visualizations with fewer clicks and common formulas
  • Seamless reporting on data from different datasets (formerly explores) and projections with better joining and union capabilities
  • The ability to pivot, calculate, filter, and sort through your data in real time with ease

• To aid in your adoption and migration we have the following resources available:
  • Support and FAQ documentation available here
  • A Projection Summary workbook which includes results for Product, Portfolio and Company variables as well as projection errors
  • A training workbook which provides guidance on working with Slope data (see image above)
  • support@slopesoftware.com and your account representative available to answer questions and support you through your adoption of workbooks

We will be gradually moving over our system dashboards, creating new dashboards and making changes to improve your reporting experience in the Slope platform. Ultimately, Workbooks will replace Looker Dashboards; but, for a period of 120 days, the two tools will both be accessible.

New

Reporting Improvements

To improve your experience when running projections and analyzing results, we have made it easier to switch between your projection inputs (Projection Details tab) and results (Dashboards and Workbooks tabs) with a single click.

You will see the new tabbed view allows you to switch back and forth between Projection Details, results and Run Logs. We will continue to work towards merging the Execute and Analyze modules to bring you a more seamless reporting experience.

Data Table Arrays  

Data Table Arrays allow users to create dynamic arrays that are indexed by unique values from a data table which can be specified at runtime or using a variable. There are many applications for using Data Table Arrays but a common use case is to pull an array index made up of the reinsurers for a product type or plan code.

For more information on Data Tables Arrays, please visit our support site documentation here.

IMPROVEMENTS

Tool Tip Addition

Added a tool tip explaining the purpose and function of the Issue Date field.

FIXES

• Removed HTML content from the error message on the Confirm Merge Modal
• Resolved logging of an “out of memory” error when writing results outside of the projection period when Output All Results and Output Force Recalc results is enabled.
• There will no longer be an unnecessary error when a table is referenced from both the projection and a nested table
• Added an error to the Run Logs when “Currency” is a required input field and is missing from the input file
• Fixed static product variable aggregates to write results when the variable is set to Post Projection
• Dynamic aggregates will now iterate indexes correctly when sharing an index name
• Fixed the projection progress bar to consistently display

NEW

Option to keep existing table versions upon duplicating or re-running a projection

Users can now create a projection using the same data table inputs and their set version by unchecking the “Set Tables to Latest Version” checkbox found in the confirmation modal of the Duplicate and Re-run Projection actions. By default, Slope updates all configured data tables to the latest version when duplicating or re-running a projection. 

IMPROVEMENTS

The Save Formula button on the Formula Builder will now disable when there are no changes to be saved  

Below is an example of a formula that does not have any unsaved changes and therefore the Save Formula button is disabled. This will prevent unnecessary saving. 

Account Setting for International and Custom Date Format on Model Point Files 

To support our clients using date formats other than MM/DD/YYYY, we can now set a default on the account so that the desired date format for data ingestion doesn’t have to be selected every time a Model Point File is uploaded. Please let us know if you’d like us to modify your default date format.

Data Table Versioning Update 

When a model is copied (e.g. The Slope Life Library) the Data Table versions in the copy will be set to 1 rather than the current version from the copied model. 

FIXES

• Resolved an issue with deleted table structures that was resulting in an unknown error on Arrays.
• Restored validation on rolling value and present value variables following merging them into a model.
• Removed the option to select invalid array mappings in the variable merge dialog. 
• Added product name suggestions for products that are only referenced by a Sales Allocation or Investment strategy to the suggested values on filters found at the top of dashboards.
• Corrected the debug url for array variables when a formula contained both a single value array aggregate and an array with array aggregation set to none so that users are brought to the correct variable upon click.

While there are several improvements discussed in this month’s release notes, we want to take one last opportunity to call your attention to the authentication upgrade on May 31, 2022 which will prompt you to reset your password when you attempt to login. Please continue reading for more release updates.

NEW

Updated Authentication and Single Sign On Support

Slope’s new authentication enables us to continue to further protect our application while offering more login options and controls to our clients. One of the immediate benefits of this update is that Slope now supports authentication via Single Sign On. Single Sign On prevents users from having to keep track of another password and gives IT teams greater control over platform access and security.

As a result of this update, the first time you attempt to log into the Slope application on or after May 31, 2022, you will be required to reset your password. If desired, you may set your new password to match your existing password.

International and Custom Date Format Options on Model Point File Uploads

Slope now supports the ingestion of Model Point data with international and custom formatted dates so that clients using these formats don’t need to re-format their Model Point files. You will now see a Date Format drop down on the Product Configuration modal on projections and projection templates. The current default is set to “MM/DD/YYYY, M/D/YY or M/D/YYYY” which was previously the required format for file uploads.

Note: This enhancement will not change the format in which dates are displayed in the application including in the analyze module (currently MM/DD/YYYY). We will continue to work to accept and display international dates in other areas of the platform and will have future updates shortly.

IMPROVEMENTS

Decrement Table Update and Improved Projection Performance

We have improved the decrement table editor and storage so that they are more performant when saving changes and running projections. All existing decrement tables have been updated. 

CHANGES

Formula Editor Text Updates 

The text for “None” on the Array Aggregation method in the formula editor has been updated to provide clarification that it is the same as selecting “Current Array Value”

References to legacy “input table” wording have been updated in the formula editor.

FIXES

• Improvement Scales will no longer overlap the model list drop down when clicking on the model name in the top left corner of the Improvement Scale Details page. 
• Added Array Value to the join criteria for the Model Point Comparison Explore to prevent duplication of result values.
• The investment strategy will once again be included in the copied projection template when a model copy is made.
• Users will receive an error message that a file is required when they attempt to import a file without selecting a file first.

This month, we are excited to bring several enhancements including our updated dashboard user interface as well as improvement scale enhancements and API changes. Please note the “Coming Soon” section announcing an authentication upgrade in May which will require you to reset your password.

NEW

Improved Dashboard Interface

Dashboards found in the Analyze module have an updated interface and several usability enhancements.

• You will now see a single set of filters located and edited within the Dashboard.
• You will now be notified if you attempt to navigate away from a Dashboard or Tile while making edits.
• You can now add notes to a Dashboard for documentation and display the notes above visualization, below visualization or on icon hover. 
• You can now use cross-filtering on a dashboard to click a data point in one dashboard tile and filter the other dashboard tiles on that value. 
• You will now see a scrollbar for both the left-hand dashboard list and dashboard itself so that each can be scrolled independently. 

IMPROVEMENTS

Improvement Scales

The following capabilities have been added for Improvement Scales:

• The Improvement Scale column with Improvement Scale ID can now be exported and imported into the Data Table editor.
• Data Tables with a nested Decrement Table column will now validate that Improvement Scales are not saved without a Decrement Table.
• Table Structures with nested Decrement Table and Improvement Scale columns can now be merged in Change Management. 
• Users can now switch between Improvement Scales and Decrement Tables using the drop down list in the top left corner of the Improvement Scale editor. 

New Projection Field on Explores in Dashboards

In addition to the upgraded interface, you will now find a new “Projection” field available in all Explores for easier projection filtering. The new projection field contains both the Projection Name and ID. 

CHANGES

API Updates 

The API will now provide an informational message on the Patch Projection endpoint when the Model Point File is missing. The API will also support the creation of a projection from a template that has Model Point Filters. 

COMING SOON

Authentication Upgrade

In an effort to continue to provide first rate security and offer enhanced security features such as Single Sign On, Slope will be updating our application’s authentication. As a result, when you attempt to log into the Slope application, you will be required to reset your password (as shown below).  If desired, you may set your new password to match your existing password. 

We are currently targeting a go live date of May 31, 2022 (updated) and will send a reminder email several days in advance of the change. 

FIXES

• The Economic Scenario Generator will now pull the correct US Treasury rates when the “Fetch Rates” button is clicked.
• The Data Table destination drop down in the Confirm Merge Operation Modal will automatically map Data Tables when one of the options in the drop down is a copy of the same table or uses the same name. 
• Stability improvements have been made to prevent projection status failures when calculating goal seeks or running a large number of scenarios. 
• Projections can no longer be modified while running. 
• Dashboards will consistently save after the dashboard edit screen has been loaded for an extended period of time. 
• Projection comparison will load successfully when either Projection contains a deleted product definition.
• The debug view will now consistently load the correct formula when clicking through a single value array. 
• Resolved an issue with the Copy Dashboard functionality in the Analyze module. 

NEW

Improvement Scales

Slope now supports both Standard and Generational Improvement Scales for the purpose of applying a decrement improvement rate. Improvement Scales can be created directly within the Slope interface or imported from an excel file. Documentation on how to create an improvement scale and how the improvement rate is applied can be found here.

Coming Soon: In future releases, users will be able to merge a table structure with a nested decrement table and improvement scale, switch between improvement scales using the drop down list under the improvement scale’s name and see additional validation when editing decrement tables and improvement scales.

New Explore for Comparing Model Points between Projections

The new Model Point Comparison Explore allows users to compare model points between projections for the purpose of identifying differences, including new and terminated model points. This Explore includes both Model Point Fields and Results (variable calculations).

A Left and Right Join Variable Name and Left and Right Projection ID filter is required for this Explore. For the Join Variable Name, select the common variable between your projections’ model points that serves as your unique identifier for comparing data (ex: Policy ID). Then provide the IDs for your two projections in the Left and Right Projection ID filter. Finally, select the fields you wish to display and any filters you wish to apply to the displayed data.  

Note: In Left and Right Variable Results, the Filter only fields filter data before the join occurs. The fields found under Dimensions will filter after the join occurs. 

CHANGES

API Updates

The Post Data Tables and Post Scenario Tables endpoints have been updated to use “name” instead of “description” to match the interface updates. Additionally, the rate limit for the SLOPE API was increased to 10 calls per second. 

FIXES

• The description from the table structure will again display upon hover over a data column on a data table. 
• Improved performance for projections that use large data tables with range lower bound lookups. 
• Empty booleans on data tables will now be treated as false rather than erroring on a projection. 
• Decrement Tables will import without error when they are used in a nested data table following a versioning event. 
• Improved Result Writing stability to reduce the need to restart a scenario. 
• Projection status will no longer fail to update when ‘output all results’ is enabled and the error limit is reached.
• Improved calculation engine stability to increase projection completion success. 

NEW

Snowflake Data Integration

SLOPE’s integration with Snowflake allows clients to directly access their results data in a secure environment without having to copy, move or reconstruct data (ETL). For more information on this integration, please reach out to your account representative.

IMPROVEMENTS

New Array Value (Numeric) Dimension in the Analyze Module

Model Point, Product, Portfolio and Company Explores now have a new “Array Value (Numeric)” dimension in which Array Values are converted to a numeric value so these results can be sorted in numeric order on dashboards.

CHANGES

Mortality Tables have been renamed “Decrement” tables.

This change is to provide a more comprehensive description of the tables created and edited in this section including the addition of Improvement Scales in a future release.

FIXES

• Formulas in large models will now save more quickly.
• The Academy Interest Rate Generator will now generate a file when variable rates are not configured on the Economic Scenario Structure.
• Projection scenarios are no longer erroneously showing as failed while still running. 

New Products

• Long Term Care

Updates

• US Statutory Valuation Rates Updated through 2022
• Several Standard Tables were updated to use new default row option logic
• New Mortality Tables Added to Library
• Lapse Rate Tables updated to be by Issue Age and Policy Year by default on all products
• Externally Projected Asset Product Updated to use a central lookup table to support multiples types of EPAs in a single run
• Gross Premium Calculation Method lookup moved to Run Settings table to more easily allow switching between in-force and pricing runs

New Dashboards

A new ALM Dashboard is available in the System Dashboards > Portfolio folder

Coming Soon

The next library release will include support for several major new pieces of functionality including:

• US GAAP LDTI
• IFRS-17
• Solvency II
• Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirements

Extra testing effort is being put into this release to ensure that all this new functionality works well with the Library. We are currently targeting a Q2 2022 release.

Our product development team is hard at work in this new year to bring you all some great new features in the coming months. While several large initiatives are still in the works, we will continue to provide monthly updates on enhancements and fixes in the meantime.

IMPROVEMENTS

Variable Properties Update

The variable properties pane (top), will now automatically save and validate property changes without requiring the click of a save button. This makes it easier to edit the properties and formula simultaneously as clicking save is now only necessary for formula edits.

Information Security Testing and Certification 

We’re currently working on our SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certification with anticipated completion in the first half of 2022. While you won’t see changes to the interface as a result, it’s worth noting we’re dedicating time to rigorous testing and undergoing formal certification to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining first rate information security.

FIXES

• When a single percentage value is pasted into a cell in the table editor, it will be properly converted to a decimal. 
• Copying and pasting a single value in the table editor will no longer clear out data in the columns that follow. 
• Not a number and infinity errors will now be displayed in Run Logs. 

NEW

In App C3 Phase I Interest Rate Generator

You can now generate economic scenarios using the C3 Phase I Interest Rate Generator from the American Academy of Actuaries and SOA without having to leave the SLOPE application. In-app generation for 12 and 50 standard scenarios is supported with a monthly, quarterly or annual time step.

IMPROVEMENTS

Projections

To allow for greater flexibility on annuity contracts in which valuation rates are specified daily, the Projection Start date can now be any date in the month and is specified as a day, month and year. Time period zero will still occur at the end of the month.

SLOPE API

Example scripts are now available in Java for the Slope API on our GitHub repository available here.  The Projection Patch Error messaging has also been updated to explain when the delimiter does not match the file type. 

Table Editor Improvements

• The data table version on a table that was copied from an existing table will now be reset to version 1 for the new copy. 
• Percentages from excel can now be pasted directly into the new table editor without reformatting

Additional Improvements

• The time period and variable will now reflect the lowest level of information in the run logs for Single Value (formula) variables set to warn. 
• The current Projection Time record has been added to the Force Recalc Results tables so that all force recalculation results can be viewed in a single table.
• The Slope filters displayed above a Look in the Execute module will now update when the Looker filters are added or removed and saved within the Look.

FIXES

• When a data column is added to a table structure and the associated data tables do not have data in the new column, that column will read like an empty result. 
• Range array index performance improvements have been made.
• Deleted Data and Mortality Tables will now display in historical versions of tables only.