How to upload actuals, budget & forecast
What is the Data Upload Centre?
The Data Upload Centre is a module that allows you to upload various types of data to PMI. This data includes:
Budget & Forecast
- Upload Revenue
- Upload Room Nights, Guest Nights
- Upload Covers
- Upload Hours
- Upload Personnel Cost
Actuals
- Upload Revenue per day
- Upload Room Nights, Guest Nights per day
- Upload Covers per day
- Upload Hours per day
- Upload Hours as a lump sum – will be spread per day according to Cost Driver. The downloaded hours are NOT including TKS imported hours.
- Upload Personnel Cost as Total Salary Cost
- Upload Personnel Cost as Hourly Rate
Examples of tasks
- Via the upload tool, it is possible to upload both past ACTUAL labor cost to PMI and future BUDGET & FORECAST labor cost.
- It is also possible to use this function to ADJUST the number of HOURS per cockpit for past month. But be aware that the upload function does not affect the TKS imported hours. The adjustment needs to be calculated and the adjusted hours can be uploaded via this function.
Using the PMI Upload Template
The Data Upload Centre is found in the Administration column in the main menu.
Select Budget, Forecast & Actuals.
Here you can choose to create an upload template or upload data now, if you have already created a template.
Create Upload Template – Start here if you do not already have a template. Always download the latest updated document. Do not use an old template on your computer.
Upload Data Now – When the downloaded template has been updated with data, save it to your computer and then upload it here.
The Wizard will guide you through 5 steps:
1 – Data And Layout
What data do you want to edit/upload?
- Budget
- Forecast
- Actual
Here you can mix as you like. The Note at the bottom appears when you mix Actual with Budget and/or Forecast.
You may also download the template in Vertical or Horizontal View as well as possibility to have all departments chosen in one tab or have one tab per department.
2 – Date Range
Date Range
Date Range options are as follows:
- Budget – only total month values, option to select past month and future months (if the lock function is activated in PMI you will not be able to upload data to locked months)
- Forecast – only total month values, option to select past month and future months (if the lock function is activated in PMI you will not be able to upload data to locked months)
- Actuals – if downloaded separately you have the option to select days in the past.
- Actuals – if downloaded together with Budget and/or Forecast the date range will only be available monthly, i.e you cannot upload Guest Nigths, Room Nights, Revenue and Covers/Units. This because these needs to be updated to PMI per day and not as a monthly sum.
3 – Departments
Select all or separate departments and click the arrow to move them to the right.
4 – Content
Content
Select the content you want to edit or upload.
- Hours cannot be deselected unless Labor Cost is deselected first.
- When Actual only is only selected in step 1 you get the option to edit hour either Monthly Sum or Daily.
- If select Monthly Sum the hours will be distributed daily according to Cost Driver.
5 – Download
Select the content you want to edit or upload.
- Hours cannot be deselected unless Labor Cost is deselected first.
- When Actual only is only selected in step 1 you get the option to edit hour either Monthly Sum or Daily.
- If select Monthly Sum the hours will be distributed daily according to Cost Driver.
The file will be downloaded to your computer.
Edit the template
- The template can be edited in the open cells
- Do not create formulas in the template
- If paste is used, please use Paste Values
- Do not use CUT from another document and Paste into the file, then the file will not be possible to upload to PMI
Locked Budget – Forecast – Actuals
Even though cells are editable you might not be able to upload data, this is if PMI is locked. Read more here – Advanced Setting (heading Period Update). You will get a notification about this at the last step – see below.
Hours
Part of the hours you are budgeting/forecasting, may be fixed (minimum staff). PMI will then distribute these hours first. The Hours column should include the total hours and the Fixed the part of the total hours that are fixed.
Actual hours can only be added/edited as Productive and/or Non Productive.
Upload Data
Browse the saved file and upload.
When Upload is clicked, you will get a message detailing what will be uploaded. If, for example, you have Locked Period, PMI will alert you what will, and what will not be uploaded.
Troubleshooting tips
This section provides additional troubleshooting advice for readers experiencing specific issues. While it’s packed with useful insights, you may skip it if you’re not facing any related problems.
Troubleshoot data in the Import Status view
Accessing the Import Status View:
- Navigate to the main menu and select Import Status.
- Choose your desired chain, property, status, and interface filters.
- The view will display detailed import information for the selected property.
Troubleshooting Missing or Delayed Data:
If Interface Status is “In progress”: This indicates that data is actively being imported and is currently in the ingestion queue. It will soon “arrive” and be visible within PMI.
If data appears to be missing:
- Use the search (magnifying glass) to drill down into the details.
- Compare the data received with what’s displayed in PMI to ensure alignment.
- Check for potential issues like unmapped accounts or ignored figures that may prevent data from appearing.
- If discrepancies persist, consider performing a new import to refresh the data.
Glossary of Terms
Stuck on a term or abbreviation? Check out our PMI Glossary for quick definitions and insights into common terms and abbreviations. Simplify troubleshooting by understanding the language behind the processes!
Forecast discrepancies in cockpits
If the forecast data in the cockpit does not match the actuals, showing discrepancies in the Monthly To Date (MTD) usage, a potential cause is that a cost driver was not forecasted, leading the system to calculate zero forecast and only display actuals.
Steps to Resolve:
1. Verify Cost Drivers: Ensure all relevant cost drivers have been forecasted for the period in question.
2. Update Forecasts:
• Navigate to the forecast module.
• Ensure all cost drivers are included.
• Resubmit the forecast for the affected month(s).
3. Verify Correction: Check that the cockpit now displays the correct forecast and actual hours.