Custom Software using @RISK and the
DecisionTools Suite Developer Kits
Javier Ordonez, PhD, PMP
Director of Custom Solutions
jordonez@palisade.com
Custom Solutions
» Tailor Made applications
• Using @RISK and other Palisade Tools to satisfy the
specific needs of each customer
• Applications can work in Excel, as a Stand-Alone
application or in a web-based platform.
• It permits the construction of applications to accurately
reflect the customer’s models
Custom Solutions
» Custom Applications Development
• They use the Application Programming Interfaces (API)
included in the DecisionTools Suite
• Leverage the @RISK and DecisionTools efficacy without
the need for all users to learn how to use these programs
• Standardize analysis, formats and risk reports
Custom Solutions
» Some of our customers include:
Programming Options
Excel Developer Kits
(XDKs)
• You can create applications
tailored to your needs right in
your spreadsheet.
• @RISK and DTS ship with fullfeatured development
environments that allow you to
create custom applications using
Palisade technology directly in
Excel.
Software Developer Kits
(SDKs)
• SDKs let you create your own
applications outside Excel
integrating @RISK, RISKOptimizer,
and other Palisade technology.
• Unlike XDKs, SDKs are perfect for
creating applications outside of
the spreadsheet. They can run in
a desktop, network, Web
environment.
Database Interaction using ODBC / ADO
Transactional Systems Interconnection / Excel –based BI
Custom Development in Excel
XDKs
» Main applications:
–
–
Cost estimation, Asset management, Investment Portfolios
Retirement planning, Oil and gas prospecting, and more.
» Interface is customized to include what the users need
–
–
–
Hiding unused @RISK functionality and preventing user access
to the underlying model logic.
Processes are automated: model construction, data analysis,
reporting, database access and report generation
Only the charts and data you want.
» Result is a perfectly tailored application
Custom Development in Excel
XDKs
Training required for
users is minimal.
Preserves uniformity in
the analysis
incorporating
corporate guidelines
and methodologies
XDKs come with all the
DTS Tools: @RISK,
PrecisionTree, TopRank,
RISKOptimizer, etc.
» Applications could be created using a range of powerful analytics: Monte
Carlo simulation, decision trees, sensitivity analysis, statistics, neural
networks, and optimization
Custom Development in Excel
XDKs
» Examples
• Level 1 : Macros
–
–
Retirement
Oil Field
• Level 2: Add-in
–
–
Project Cost and Risk Registers
Portfolio Risk Analysis
Software Developer Kits (SDKs)
» Palisade SDKs come with
• ActiveX and .DLL interfaces
• Support for Windows and .NET programming
–
Languages: C#, C++, Visual Basic, Visual Basic .NET
» SDKs included:
• RDK Risk analysis programming toolkit
• BDK Fit probability distributions to data
• RODK Optimization programming toolkit
Software Developer Kits (SDKs)
» Palisade SDKs each come with ActiveX and
.DLL interfaces, and support Windows and
.NET programming languages, such as C,
C#, C++, Visual Basic, or Visual Basic .NET
» Palisade SDKs include:
• RDK Risk analysis programming toolkit
• BDK Fit probability distributions to data
• RODK Optimization programming toolkit
Web-based Examples
» Examples URL
» http://www.palisade.com/devkits/examples.asp
» Simple Distributions
» http://www.edecisiontools.com/examples/simple_graph.asp
» RDO – Portfolio Manager
• Portfolio Mix
–
http://www.edecisiontools.com/examples/portfolio_mix.asp
• Portfolio Optimizer
–
http://www.edecisiontools.com/examples/portfolio_opt.asp
• Distribution Fit
–
http://www.edecisiontools.com/examples/fit_sample_data.asp
WebRisk Screenshots
Define Distribution
Define Output
Configure Simulations
Create Correlation Matrix
Output – Browse Results
Output – Browse Results
Results – Reports [1]
Results – Reports [2]
Questions?
¿Which platform should I choose?
Technology
When to use
it?
Advantages
Add-in (XDK)
Stand-alone / Web (SDK)
Based in Excel
Based on .Net Platform
•
For building / finishing Excel models •
and sharing them with a team
Prototypes / Proof-of-concept
•
For closed models to be used by
lots of people
Security reasons
•
•
•
•
Rapid Development
Flexibility for Reports
Best time-to-market
Cheaper ($) and Faster
•
•
•
Closed Applications
Best Security perception
Scalability (Web)
•
IT Architecture: weaker security
perception*
Limit on the number or records (1
Million) - it could be managed with
multiple sheets
•
•
Application Distribution
Cost ($) / Time to Develop
•
Disadvantages •
¿Are you ready for Custom Dev?
» Case I – New to @RISK
• Excel model working for some time
• Requirement list ready
» Case II – Model Evolution
• @RISK is in my company
• Excel model is working
• Prototype generates the right results
Questions?