A Batch Process is a command to perform a sequence of predefined calculations or processes involving objects in AXIS, which can be left to run unattended until completion. A Batch Process, once defined, can be named, saved, and then run with or without further change.
A Batch Process can include various actions on objects within the current dataset, which can operate in more than one module of AXIS. System Batch Processes are also available which allow you to perform actions in batch mode across multiple Datasets.
Batch Processes can be created, edited, copied, renamed, deleted and run from the List of Batch Processes that is displayed when you select Batch from the View Menu in the Menu Bar. Some Batch processes can also be created and run directly from within objects.
You will use a Batch Wizard to create or edit a Batch Process.
Further descriptions are provided below on the various types of Batch Processes that are available:
Calendar year projections recalculation
Valuation factors recalculation
Batch testing
Table generate
ALM risk report
Dataset macro
Scenario Generator and Scenario Analyser
Import macro
Dataset parameters
DataLink Batches
Calendar year projections recalculation
This option allows you to request a recalculation of the calendar year projections associated with a specified set of Cells in the current Module of the current Dataset. You may select Cells from the current list of Cells, or specify the Cells by selecting a Subfund or by defining certain conditions the Cells must have. You may select an override set to apply to the Cells as part of the Cell recalculation. You may specify the use of any of the existing Scenarios in the current Dataset or use the current Scenario. You may specify the use of the Volumes tables or the seriatim data or both for the Cells selected to be recalculated. If seriatim data is used, you may specify sampling parameters, seriatim result selection and other seriatim processing options. For each Cell recalculated, you can specify the printing of any or all of the available reports, including a custom report, and you can also choose to export calculated projections to an import/export database.
Valuation factors recalculation
This Batch Process generates a file of reserve factors per unit by product age and duration based on a specified set of Cells in the current Module of the current Dataset. You may select Cells from the current list of Cells, or specify the Cells by selecting a Subfund or by defining certain conditions the Cells must have. You may select an override set to apply to the Cells as part of the Cell recalculation. You may specify the issue year or years associated with the valuation factors which will affect any valuation assumptions based on calendar years. You may choose to apply valuation assumptions defined for any of the three reserve types defined in the cells (statutory, second or tax) and may override the reserve method to be used. You may generate files of terminal reserves, mean reserves and valuation premiums on a gross or net basis, or both, and may also specify several files of biproduct factors. You may also print certain reports for each Cell that are associated with valuation results and print copies of the Cell Assumption Screens.
This powerful Batch Process allows you to test the impact of recalculating the calendar year projections associated with a specified set of Subfunds, Funds or Offices in the current Dataset under a variety of conditions. You may select from the current list of Subfunds, Funds or Offices as appropriate. You may specify whether or not Cells associated with the selected objects will be recalculated for each test specified. You may select one or more overrides to be applied to all Cells recalculated. You may also specify the use of one or more of the existing Scenarios in the current Dataset or use the current Scenario. Reports will be produced for each combination of override set and scenario for each higher level object specified. If override sets are applied you may choose to return the cells to the original assumptions when finished or to those resulting from a selected override.
You may specify the use of the Volumes tables or the seriatim data or both for the Cells selected to be recalculated. If seriatim data is used, you may specify sampling parameters, seriatim result selection and other seriatim processing options. For each high level object tested, and for each cell recalculated, you can specify the printing of any or all of the available reports, including a custom report, and you can also choose to export calculated projections to an import/export database.
This Batch Process allows you to apply a Table Generate process from the current Module in Batch mode either using a single cell or a set of cells. When multiple cells are used, there are options to either generate a single table to meet tests applied to the cells as a combined group, or separate tables one per cell. Multiple cells may be selected interactively from the current list in the current module, or the cells to be used may be defined by various conditions, including their association with a specified Subfund, Fund or Office.
The Tables generated may be Regular (ten column) Entry Age tables, in which case only ten entry ages or less will be generated, or may be Large Tables. Generating Large Tables is also possible in which case any range of consecutive product ages will generated. If Large Tables are selected then all other age based tables Selected in the Cells being used for the Generate process must also be Large Tables, otherwise the Generate process will fail. If an iterative Generate process is selected, then conditions may be placed on the way in which the generated values are adjusted from the defined starting values, and limits may be placed on the direction of change from current values. Iterations will continue until the change in iterated values falls below a defined tolerance, subject to a maximum of ten iterations.
The ALM Risk Report Batch Process allows you to calculate a special report analyzing the risks associated with cashflow mismatch within a defined Fund or Office within the current Dataset. The Report may be viewed on screen and printed if desired. The mismatch risks include a complete partial duration analysis and require the selection of one or more of the current Global Scenarios in the Dataset to be tested.
A Dataset Macro is a special Batch Process that allows you to define a sequence of other Batch Processes to be executed, one after the other. Any of the existing Batch Processes of any type may be selected one or more times in the sequence.
Scenario Generator and Scenario Analyser
These new Batch Processes are only available through the ScenarioTools feature which is separately licensed. They allow you to generate random scenarios for stochastic testing, and to analyze the statistical properties of the scenarios generated.
This Batch Process allows you to specify that Cell Assumptions or Tables are redefined by reading in new values from an external file or from the Import/export database.
This Batch process allows you to redefine in batch mode any of the Dataset parameters which are controlled from the Dataset Parameters option in the File Menu. This type of Batch object may be included in a Dataset Macro to allow you to control the valuation date or change any of the characteristics of the projection period prior to running special reports in Batch mode.
The DataLink Batches Tab allows you to create four types of DataLink Object batches - Macros, Formulas, Collect Records, and cross table formulas. For further information on DataLink Batches, consult the DataLink section of this help file.