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Varicent ELT Assistant

Random Number Generator

Important

The Random Number Generator tool is only available to users with the Varicent Advanced Algorithm Library subscription add-on. If you are interested in using this tool, please contact your Varicent Customer Success Manager.

Generate random numbers to analyze potential scenarios with the Random Number Generator tool. The tool helps you understand the distribution of historical data, modify that distribution, and explore scenarios and the impact of changes.

Use the Random Number Generator tool when you want to run simulations, so you will be able to make better business decisions and understand the range and probabilities of outcomes of each scenario.

Input

The Random Number Generator tool requires one data input.

Configuration

Use the following configuration options to help randomize your data.

Configuring the Random Number Generator tool

  1. Go to the Pipes module from the side navigation bar.

  2. From the Pipes tab, click an existing pipe to open, or create a new pipe. To create a new pipe, read the Creating a pipe documentation.

  3. In the Pipe builder, add a data source to your pipe. For more information on adding a data source, see the Data Input tool.Data Input

  4. Click symon_add_icon.png + Tool.

  5. In the search bar, search for Random Number Generator, and then click + Add tool.

    Tip

    You can also find the Random Number Generator tool in the Learn section.

  6. Click the tool node and drag the line to the next tool to connect the tools. If you need to undo the action, click the line and then click Unlink.

  7. In the configuration pane, under Exclude duplicate rows, optionally select a column containing unique IDs to remove duplicate rows from the simulation.

    Note

    This field could be filled out when the Random Number Generator tool is added to the pipe after the Repeat tool.

  8. Under Randomize1, enter a name for your randomization, or leave the default, Randomize1, Randomize2, and so on.

  9. Under Randomization method, select the randomization method, either Learned or Defined.

    • Learned method: The tool automatically selects the distribution type and learns the data.

      Find this distribution in the Tool tab after you build.

    • Defined method: You manually select the distribution type and learn the data from your configurations.

  10. Under Learned distribution column, select a numerical column to use when using the Learned method.

  11. Under Distribution type (Defined), select the distribution type from the drop-down menu to specify the mathematical model defining how input variables uncertainties are represented:

    • Normal

    • Triangular

    • Uniform

    • Weibull

    • Poisson

    • Binomial

  12. Expand the Advanced section, and under Min, enter the constraints for the minimum value of the random number generated.

  13. Under Max, enter the constraints for the maximum value of the random number generated.

  14. Optionally select the Group by checkbox to group your data by selected columns.

    Note

    You cannot select the column that you selected in Exclude duplicate rows or Learned distribution column.

  15. Build your pipe, then review the simulation results in the Row viewer Tool tab.

Usage example

Use the Random Number Generator tool to make data-driven decisions based on scenario planning. For example, if you are a sales organization with hundreds sales people, you would like to get an idea of what the company will be potentially spending during the compensation process. All of the sales people have different attainment levels. Using the Random Number Generator tool, you can see what the potential outcome will be for individual employees. This would indicate how much you could potentially spend during the compensation cycle.