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Periods

Configure how Tether handles time periods for forecasting, reporting, and planning.
Period configuration requires Admin access.

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What Are Periods?

Periods define time boundaries used throughout Tether:
UseDescription
ForecastingTime buckets for predictions
ReportingAggregation boundaries
PlanningPlanning horizons
ComparisonPeriod-over-period analysis

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Accessing Period Settings

1

Go to Settings

Click your profile avatar in the top-right corner and select Settings
2

Select Period Management

Click Configure Periods on the Period Management card
3

View Configuration

See current period settings

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Period Types

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Fiscal Year

Configure your fiscal year:
SettingDescription
Start MonthWhen fiscal year begins
Year NamingHow to label fiscal years

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Fiscal Periods

Define periods within the year:
TypeDescription
Monthly12 periods per year
Quarterly4 periods per year
Weekly52 periods per year
4-4-5Retail calendar (13 weeks per quarter)

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Planning Horizons

Define how far ahead to plan:
HorizonTypical Use
Short-term1-3 months, tactical
Medium-term3-12 months, operational
Long-term1-3 years, strategic

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Configuring Fiscal Year

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Setting Fiscal Year Start

1

Go to Period Settings

Navigate to periods configuration
2

Find Fiscal Year

Locate fiscal year settings
3

Select Start Month

Choose when your fiscal year begins
4

Save

Apply configuration

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Example Fiscal Years

Company TypeCommon Start
CalendarJanuary
RetailFebruary
EducationJuly
GovernmentOctober

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Configuring Period Granularity

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Forecast Periods

Choose time granularity for forecasts:
GranularityWhen to Use
DailyShort-term, high-volume
WeeklyMost businesses
MonthlyLonger planning horizons

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Configuring Granularity

1

Go to Period Settings

Navigate to periods configuration
2

Find Forecast Settings

Locate forecast period settings
3

Select Granularity

Choose daily, weekly, or monthly
4

Save

Apply settings

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Period Labels

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Naming Conventions

Configure how periods are labeled:
ExampleFormat
Jan 2024Month Year
2024-01Year-Month
Week 1, 2024Week Number
Q1 2024Quarter Year

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Customizing Labels

1

Go to Period Settings

Navigate to configuration
2

Find Label Settings

Locate period label configuration
3

Choose Format

Select preferred naming convention
4

Save

Apply settings

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Period-Based Features

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Forecasting

Periods affect forecasting:
SettingImpact
GranularityDaily vs weekly vs monthly forecasts
HorizonHow far ahead to forecast
AggregationHow to roll up periods

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Reporting

Periods affect reporting:
FeaturePeriod Use
Date filtersPeriod boundaries
ComparisonsPeriod-over-period
AggregationGrouping by period

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Planning

Periods affect planning:
FeaturePeriod Use
Supply simulationTime horizon
Order recommendationsTiming
Lead time calculationsPeriod alignment

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Week Configuration

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Week Start Day

Configure when weeks begin:
DayCommon Use
SundayUS retail
MondayMost businesses
SaturdaySome retail

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Week Numbering

Choose week numbering system:
SystemDescription
ISOInternational standard
USWeek containing Jan 1 is week 1
CustomBased on fiscal year

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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

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Period Impact on Analysis

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Year-over-Year Comparisons

Period alignment affects comparisons:
IssueSolution
Leap yearsAdjust for extra day
Week alignmentCompare same week number
Holiday shiftsAccount for timing differences

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Seasonality

Periods affect seasonality detection:
GranularitySeasonality Detection
DailyDay-of-week patterns
WeeklyWeek-of-year patterns
MonthlyMonth-of-year patterns

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Troubleshooting

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Periods Not Aligning

Possible causes:
  • Different fiscal year settings
  • Week start mismatch
  • Period boundaries differ from source
Solutions:
  1. Review fiscal year configuration
  2. Check week start day
  3. Align with source systems

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Missing Periods

Possible causes:
  • Future periods not generated
  • Period range not extended
  • Configuration incomplete
Solutions:
  1. Generate future periods
  2. Extend date range
  3. Complete configuration

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Next Steps

Inventory Settings

Configure inventory

Terminology

Customize terms

Forecasting

Forecast administration

User Access

Manage permissions