Periods
Configure how Tether handles time periods for forecasting, reporting, and planning.
Period configuration requires Admin access.
What Are Periods?
Periods define time boundaries used throughout Tether:
| Use | Description |
|---|
| Forecasting | Time buckets for predictions |
| Reporting | Aggregation boundaries |
| Planning | Planning horizons |
| Comparison | Period-over-period analysis |
Accessing Period Settings
Go to Settings
Navigate to Settings in the sidebar
Select Periods
Click on Periods section
View Configuration
See current period settings
Period Types
Fiscal Year
Configure your fiscal year:
| Setting | Description |
|---|
| Start Month | When fiscal year begins |
| Year Naming | How to label fiscal years |
Fiscal Periods
Define periods within the year:
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Monthly | 12 periods per year |
| Quarterly | 4 periods per year |
| Weekly | 52 periods per year |
| 4-4-5 | Retail calendar (13 weeks per quarter) |
Planning Horizons
Define how far ahead to plan:
| Horizon | Typical Use |
|---|
| Short-term | 1-3 months, tactical |
| Medium-term | 3-12 months, operational |
| Long-term | 1-3 years, strategic |
Configuring Fiscal Year
Setting Fiscal Year Start
Go to Period Settings
Navigate to periods configuration
Find Fiscal Year
Locate fiscal year settings
Select Start Month
Choose when your fiscal year begins
Example Fiscal Years
| Company Type | Common Start |
|---|
| Calendar | January |
| Retail | February |
| Education | July |
| Government | October |
Configuring Period Granularity
Forecast Periods
Choose time granularity for forecasts:
| Granularity | When to Use |
|---|
| Daily | Short-term, high-volume |
| Weekly | Most businesses |
| Monthly | Longer planning horizons |
Configuring Granularity
Go to Period Settings
Navigate to periods configuration
Find Forecast Settings
Locate forecast period settings
Select Granularity
Choose daily, weekly, or monthly
Period Labels
Naming Conventions
Configure how periods are labeled:
| Example | Format |
|---|
| Jan 2024 | Month Year |
| 2024-01 | Year-Month |
| Week 1, 2024 | Week Number |
| Q1 2024 | Quarter Year |
Customizing Labels
Go to Period Settings
Navigate to configuration
Find Label Settings
Locate period label configuration
Choose Format
Select preferred naming convention
Period-Based Features
Forecasting
Periods affect forecasting:
| Setting | Impact |
|---|
| Granularity | Daily vs weekly vs monthly forecasts |
| Horizon | How far ahead to forecast |
| Aggregation | How to roll up periods |
Reporting
Periods affect reporting:
| Feature | Period Use |
|---|
| Date filters | Period boundaries |
| Comparisons | Period-over-period |
| Aggregation | Grouping by period |
Planning
Periods affect planning:
| Feature | Period Use |
|---|
| Supply simulation | Time horizon |
| Order recommendations | Timing |
| Lead time calculations | Period alignment |
Week Configuration
Week Start Day
Configure when weeks begin:
| Day | Common Use |
|---|
| Sunday | US retail |
| Monday | Most businesses |
| Saturday | Some retail |
Week Numbering
Choose week numbering system:
| System | Description |
|---|
| ISO | International standard |
| US | Week containing Jan 1 is week 1 |
| Custom | Based on fiscal year |
Best Practices
Align Tether periods with:
- Fiscal calendar
- ERP system
- Reporting requirements
Choose appropriate granularity:
- Daily for high-volume
- Weekly for most cases
- Monthly for long-horizon planning
Set up future periods:
- At least 1 year ahead
- Before year-end close
- Consider planning horizon
Keep period boundaries consistent:
- Same across systems
- Don’t change mid-year
- Document decisions
Period Impact on Analysis
Year-over-Year Comparisons
Period alignment affects comparisons:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Leap years | Adjust for extra day |
| Week alignment | Compare same week number |
| Holiday shifts | Account for timing differences |
Seasonality
Periods affect seasonality detection:
| Granularity | Seasonality Detection |
|---|
| Daily | Day-of-week patterns |
| Weekly | Week-of-year patterns |
| Monthly | Month-of-year patterns |
Troubleshooting
Periods Not Aligning
Possible causes:
- Different fiscal year settings
- Week start mismatch
- Period boundaries differ from source
Solutions:
- Review fiscal year configuration
- Check week start day
- Align with source systems
Missing Periods
Possible causes:
- Future periods not generated
- Period range not extended
- Configuration incomplete
Solutions:
- Generate future periods
- Extend date range
- Complete configuration
Next Steps
