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Topline Model : 2. Assembling the Model online
Once you are a registered and logged-in user, you can click ‘Assemble’ button within the description box for the TopLine Model on the Models’ page of the site. Alternatively, you can click on ‘Assemble’ button in the top left corner of your Account page and select TopLine Model in the submenu.
Data input is completed in 5 stages, or Steps. Inputs such as labels for line items, financial and operational assumptions can be changed later off-line. However, structural parameters of the Model cannot be easily altered once the Model is purchased.
Hence, there are no default settings for structural parameters. The user needs to consider the options provided and to decide what configuration is desired. Structural data is entered at Step 1 and, partially, at Steps 3 and 4. Please read more below.
When assembling a model proceed to next Step by clicking ‘Next’ or return to previous Step by clicking ‘Back’. ‘Save’ button remembers all entered data. After saving you can leave the assembly Steps and continue later by clicking ‘Continue’ button at the top of the User Account page.
If you wish to globally restore default dummy values for assembled Model navigate ‘Back’ to Step 1 and click ‘Restore Default’ button. ‘Reset’ button restores default values locally for any current Step. You can always refer to on-line Manual for more details by pressing ‘Help’ button.
The parameters of the Model selected at Step 1 are structural except for currency, currency units, corporate tax rate and Model's Start date) and cannot be changed once the Model is purchased. The following table summarise the choices available to users at Step 1 of the Model’s online assembly:
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Input field |
Comment |
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Model's language is |
Current available in English or Russian. Note that switching Model’s language would completely reset your language environment including entry forms and commentary fields. |
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Start date is |
The Model assembler would only allow a first date of any month to be the Model’s start date. Non-conforming day of the month entry will automatically revert to the first day of the month chosen by user. Note that, if your start data is not January 1st then your reporting periods and annual summaries would not fall on calendar quarter and year ends. |
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Step interval is |
Step interval can be set to year, quarter or month. By definition, the combination of the number of periods and periods’ step would set the timeline for your Model. |
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Number of product lines / user groups is |
Can range from 1 to 10. This is a structural feature provided for independent Revenue and Cost of Goods Sold assumptions for each product line or user group (as per revenues modelling option immediately below). Please see details on revenue and COGS assumptions below (Step 2 and Step 3 respectively). |
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Revenues are modelled by |
Available options are sales channels and customer dynamics. This is a structural input. Your choice will impact what will appear at Step 2 and Step 3 as described below. |
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Number of Cost of Goods Sold Items is |
Can range from 1 to 5. This is a structural feature applied to each product line or user group. Assumptions for COGS Items are entered at Step 3. |
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Model's currency is Customise currency |
Sets the Model’s currency. The Model does not conform to any currency coding standard so you can input any name or currency code as needed by typing a text value or a symbol of your choice. For example, your currency can be GBP or £. Alternatively, select most common currency codes from the pull down menu provided. |
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Currency units are in |
Sets scales for monetary units. Default value is in thousands, or 000s. If you wish to change to millions or any other scale, you would have to make sure the revenue line in the Model is computing properly – e.g. if your revenues are expressed in millions then your sales volume is assumed to be in millions too. |
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Number of periods is |
Can be set to any integer value between 3 and 60. By definition, the combination of the number of periods and periods’ step would set the timeline for your Model. Please note that when selecting monthly or quarterly periods you are not restricted to make the total match to full number of years. For example, your project can forecast out for 38 months, or equivalent to 3 years and 2 months. In such a case, the annual summary would only pick up two months in the fourth year of your forecast. |
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Corporate tax rate is |
Sets the income (corporate) tax rate. The default (dummy) value is 20%. |
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Number of Overhead Items is |
Can range from 1 to 5. This is a structural feature applied to central costs assumptions for the whole business. Assumptions for Overheads Items are entered at Step 4. |
Step 2 layout depends on your choice of how Revenues are modelled. If at Step 1 you opted for sales channels, then you will be taken through options described in section 2.2.1 (Sales Channels). If your choice was customer dynamics’ option, then Step 2 will take the route described in section 2.2.2 (User Groups).
This Step describes revenue assumptions for Product A or User Group A. Accordingly, Step 2 will show as Step 2A to highlight that the assumptions apply to the first Product A or User Group A only. On-line assembler would repeat your inputs for all product tabs or user groups to generate your Demo. Purchased copy of the Model allows changes to input values in all product lines’ / user groups’ tabs present in the Model.
Note that both options, 2.2.1 (Sales Channels) and 2.2.2. (User Groups) – do not have structural inputs. If you skip this Step your Demo version of the Model will show default values. You can assign values for any revenue assumptions off-line in the purchased copy of the Model.
Step 2A entry form reacts to your choice made at Step 1. For example, if you configured the Model to be in 000’s USD, legends at Step 2 would incorporate your choices as shown in the table below (legends dependent on Step 1 are shown in [square brackets]):
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Input field |
Comment |
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Revenue Assumptions 1st Forecast [Month] Sales Volume, [‘000s] List Price, [USD] Revenue, [‘000s USD] Forecast [Months]:2 – [N] Volume Growth, % per annum Price Growth, % per annum |
Captures forecasts for physical sales volume and product pricing assumptions. Note that data for the first forecast period is entered in absolute terms as the base level for driving subsequent periods by growth rates. If you do not wish to have independent drivers for volume and pricing, then set the volume of sales and its growth factor to 1 and 0 respectively. Your pricing and revenue lines will then show identical data for all forecast periods. Note that pricing data is in this area (List Price) is computed before discounts or rebates awarded to channels (see next block of inputs). Hence, resulting revenue in this box is computed Gross (e.g. before any discounts). |
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For each sales channel * 4 Editable legend
Price Discount by Channel, Sales Volume by Channel, % of Total Sales Volume Net Sales, [000s USD] |
This area captures assumptions for volumes and price discounts per sales channel. You can edit name of each channel (or do it off-line later). Note that the net sales number (after discounts) immediately reacts to any changes to assumptions. For example, directing more sales to retail or direct customers with no discounts would improve net sales. Likewise, presence of heavily discounted promos or overstocks would reduce effective price and net sales achieved. |
Please note that the on-line entry form allows only ‘flat’ (constant) assumptions for growth rates, volumes and discounts. This should not be a cause for concern. Your purchased Model allows applying revenue assumptions for each forecast period as needed. Please refer to ‘working with the Model off-line’ section below.
For ease of reference growth rates are set on annual basis. For example, if your Model is quarterly you do not have to apply a fraction of the year growth rate; the Model will do it for you automatically.
Step 2A entry form reacts to your choice made at Step 1. For example, if you configured the Model to be in 000’s USD, legends at Step 2 would incorporate your choices as shown in the table below (legends dependent on Step 1 are shown in [square brackets]):
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Input field |
Comment |
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1st Forecast [Month] Existing Customers, [‘000s] Customer Additions, [‘000s] / [Month] Customer Churn, % per annum Average Check, [USD] Revenue, [‘000s USD] |
Enter existing customers for any existing customer base at the start of the modelled period. Customer additions show how many new customers are acquired during each period. Churn rate, expressed in annual terms, is used to calculate what percent of customer base will churn away during each period and would not be active customers / active users in the following period. Lower churn means more effective customer retention activities or general stickiness of your business model. Average check means average spend by each customer. In advertising driven businesses this could mean how much add revenue is generated by each active user. Revenue for each period is calculated as average customer times average check. |
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Forecast [Months]:2 – [N] Customer Additions, [‘000s] / [Month] Customer Churn, % per annum Price Change, % per annum
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This area repeats Customer Additions and Churn inputs entered for the first period to highlight the fact these assumptions are used in calculating customer base for each forecast period. Price Change is a new input applied to Average Check assumed for the first forecast period to drive pricing forward from period to period. Your purchased Model allows variation in price growth assumption for each forecast period as needed. Please refer to ‘working with the Model off-line’ section below. |
For ease of reference growth rates are set on annual basis. For example, if your Model is quarterly you do not have to apply a fraction of the year growth rate; the Model will do it for you automatically.
Step 3 has a combination of structural and non-structural elements. The structural elements refer to your choice of fixed vs. variable drivers for Cost of Goods Sold items, or COGS. The number of COGS items shown at this Step depends on your selection made during Step 1.
At this Step, you can assign values and replace any legends for any of the COGS items to something that better describes the nature of your business. You can also make these changes off-line in the purchased copy of the Model.
Step 3 will show as Step 3A highlighting that the data applies to COGS assumptions for the first Product A or User Group A only. On-line assembler would repeat your inputs for all product tabs or user groups to generate your Demo. Purchased copy of the Model allows changes to input values in all product lines’ / user groups’ tabs present in the Model.
Note that Step 3 entry form reacts to your choice made at Step 1. For example, if you configured the Model to have 3 COGS items in 000’s USD, legends at Step 3 would incorporate your choices as shown in the table below (legends dependent on Step 1 are shown in [square brackets]):
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Input field |
Comment |
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For each COGS item - Editable Legend * [5 line items] 1st Forecast [Month] [‘000s USD] Select Fixed or Variable driver Input Value for Selected Driver Forecast[Months]: 2 – [N] Input Growth Rate for Selected Driver |
The fixed/variable driver option requires user to identify the type of driver for each COGS item: fixed cost element will forecast out at growth rates set by user; variable cost element is modelled as cost per product unit or per average customer (if you opted for sales channel revenue Model you will see ‘expressed in units of sales’, for customer dymamics option the metric will show ‘per customer’). This choice is structural and cannot be reversed once the Model is purchased. By default, all COGS elements are preset to be variable costs, while all overhead elements (next Step) are fixed costs. You can change COGS' fixed-variable assumption on item-by-item basis. Fixed-variable variation is applied to all product lines / user groups and can not vary from product to product (or user group to user group). |
Please note that the on-line entry form allows only ‘flat’ (constant) growth / margin rates assumption. This should not be a cause for concern. Your purchased Model allows applying COGS growth and margin assumptions for each forecast period as needed. Please refer to "Working with the Model off-line" section below.
For ease of reference growth rates are set on annual basis. For example, if your Model is quarterly you do not have to apply a fraction of the year growth rate; the Model will do it for you automatically.
Please note that this Step has a combination of structural and non-structural elements. The structural elements refer to your choice of fixed vs. variable drivers for overhead cost elements (see detailed description below). Absolute cost base levels and values assigned to drivers are not structural and can be modified off-line.
Unlike Step 3, Step 4 is not broken into the number of product lines. The assumption is that overheads are whole at corporate level and are not allocated to individual product lines.
Note that Step 4’s field legends react to your choice of inputs from Step 1. For example, if you configured the Model to have 3 overhead line items, then only three cost elements would appear on the screen for editing and data input. Your choice of currency and scale entered at Step 1 would also be incorporated. The following table summarises options available at Step 4 (legends dependent on Step 1 are shown in [square brackets]).
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Input field |
Comment |
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Overhead Assumptions Edit Overhead Item * [5 elements] 1st Forecast[Month], [GBP][‘000s] Input Value for Overhead Item Forecast [Periods]: 2 – [N] Choose Fixed / Variable Driver Input, % Growth or % Revenue |
Captures forecasts for overhead assumptions. Note that data for the 1st forecast period is entered in absolute terms as the base level for driving subsequent periods by growth or margin rates. The fixed/variable driver input requires user to identify the type of driver for each cost element: fixed cost element will forecast out at growth rates set by user; variable cost element is modelled as a percentage of revenue (e.g. margin driven). This choice is structural and cannot be reversed once the Model is purchased. By default, all overhead elements are preset to be fixed costs. You can change this assumption on item-by-item basis. |
Please note that the on-line entry form allows only ‘flat’ (constant) growth / margin rates assumption. This should not be a cause for concern. Your purchased Model allows applying overhead growth and margin assumptions for each forecast period as needed. Please refer to "Working with the Model off-line" section below.
It is worth highlighting that for ease of reference growth rates are set on annual basis. For example, if your Model is quarterly you do not have to apply a fraction of the year growth rate; the Model will do it for you automatically.
This Step has no structural inputs and can be skipped during on-line assembly if you are happy to have your Demo or the full Model populated with dummy numbers. You can replace dummies off-line once the purchased Model is downloaded.
If you choose to insert your assumptions, note that such data or similar financial information on your business or project is stored on our servers for seventy-two hours only (from the date and time the Model is purchased). Beyond this timeframe, the data in the archived Model reverts to dummy numbers.
The following table summarise the choices available to users at Step 5 of the assembly:
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Input field |
Comment |
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Long Term Assets Net Working Capital Net Operating Assets Cash Debt Funding Net Debt Net Assets Equity & Reserves Net Working Capital, % Revenue Cash Rate, % per annum Debt Rate, % per annum |
Allows populating data for your opening balance sheet items. The balance sheet structure is fixed and cannot be changed. If your historic balance sheet has more items than what is provided for by the assembler, we suggest you analytically aggregate these to match the number of items allowed in the Model. This step also allows for entry of interest rates assumptions for cash/debt items and working capital requirements expressed in % of Revenue. These are not structural changes and can be changed later off-line. To change interest rates and working capital assumptions directly in the Model go to the opening balance sheet tab. |
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Check |
You cannot complete the online assembly if the total assets and liabilities amounts do not match. The check field at the bottom of the input screen would indicate an error if there is a mismatch. |
You are done customising your Model. Click ‘Next’ and proceed to download and purchase options. You can now request a demo or purchase a full working version of the Model. Demo copy would have all your inputs entered during the on-line assembly but would not contain any formulae.
Select ‘Request Demo’ button and your free Demo would be assembled and appear in your User Account available for download. You will receive a notification via email that your Demo is ready. If you don’t like your Demo you can start again by assembling new data set as desired and requesting a new Demo.
Note that you can always convert any of your Demos stored in the User Account to paid versions by clicking on ‘Purchase’ button next to your Demo. You will be transferred to our payment options screen. Upon payment confirmation the full working version would replace your Demo in your User Account.
Alternatively, you can opt to purchase working version of the model straightaway. In this case click on the ‘Buy Options’ button and the next screen will take you to the payment options. Upon payment confirmation the full working version would be assembled and appear in your User Account available for download. You will receive a notification via email that your Model is available for download.
We will store a copy of your Demo or your Model in your Account and you can always download additional copy later.