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).
When the Global setting is enabled, the Always Calculated setting is automatically enabled and the Post Projection setting is automatically disabled.
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.
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.
Click the ‘Variable Properties & Documentation’ panel below the variable name drop down to expand.
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.
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.
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.
Upon clicking the ‘Google’ button, you’ll be prompted to select your gmail account you wish to authenticate with. The selected email needs to match the email associated with your Slope user license.
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.
Copy a piece of a formula by clicking the checkbox in the blue header found at the top of the piece of the formula you wish to copy. Then click the copy icon.
Using the paste icon on the formula wheel, you can paste the copied formula into another variable within the same model.
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.
Clicking ‘Edit’ to the right of the output settings on a projection or template will open the edit settings modal where you can select which levels you would like to output prior time periods for.
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.
The Share icon is found in the top right corner of the workbooks tab in the Execute and Analyze modules.
Copy Decrement Tables and Improvement Scales
Decrement tables and improvement scales can now be copied for easier creation.
The copy icon is available in the top right corner of the decrement table and improvement scale editors.
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.
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.
To access the system Workbooks, navigate to the workbooks tab and click the folder icon in the lower left corner. From there select workspaces > system.
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.
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.
To view the ALM Dashboards or Save a copy to edit, click the folder in the lower right corner of the Workbooks tab > Workspaces > System and then select the desired workbook.
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.
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
Here is a sample data visualization from our training workbook, accessible in the System Workspace found under the folder icon in the lower left corner of the application.
To aid in your adoption and migration we have the following resources available:
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
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.
