Has anyone ever gotten Table Based Allocations to work?

I have used this couple years ago; it works better if the tables backing the source and target objects are not big. I think that a better alternative is to use the Use_Map_Table() allocation from the advance allocation tab. To use this method, you will need a mapping table that has the identifier of the source object, the identifier of the target object, and a weighting column.

The process wasn't quite as intuitive as I would hope for.  Since we were using decimals to represent fractions it made for an extra step. 

First, we created the allocation, including the mapping tables, using the UI.  We then uploaded the correct allocation grid into the new table.  The process of uploading to this table reset the default allocation strategy to Manual Weight.  We had to change that back to Manual % which got the allocation to work, but, at 1/100th of what was expected.  To fix the percentage we had to switch to Rules Based Allocation and update the Use_Map_Grid formula at the bottom of the pane from using 'percent' to 'fraction_percent'.  The two biggest takeaways were setting the Default Strategy and updating the Use_Map_Grid formula.

Thanks so much for your help on this Isaac!

Though I don't think Table Based Allocations were the best strategy for my situation (I think Rules Based - Data Based Reference would have been appropriate), my goal was to prove out they could work and be leveraged.

I still struggle to really get when Table Based Allocations are they appropriate strategy.  My understanding of when to use Rules Base vs. Table Based is this:

Ø  Rules Based is used to apply a single “From” rule/strategy for an allocation line

Ø  Table Based is used to apply multiple “From” rules/strategies to an allocation line

And though there are multiple rules/strategies (None, Even Spread, By Weight, By Units, Manual %, Manual Weight, Manual Quantity) offering flexibility within the Table Based Allocation, there is also a global setting to define just 1 of the these rules for all “From” columns in the Table Based strategy.  This begs yet another question about what specific use cases are appropriate for that strategy if it’s not to apply multiple rules to 1 allocation line. 

In any event do have some questions I want to pose to Apption and the Community on the topic.

To Apptio:

1.    Understanding that the Table Based Allocation process isn’t rather intuitive and that it requires a workaround, has there been or will there be any redesign to the process / functionality?

2.    Can you clarify what the decision points are for Rules Based vs. Table Based allocations?

To the Community:

        2.      Has anyone else had success in using Table Based Allocations and can you share any learnings from your experience?

3.      Can anyone share specific Use Cases that either use multiple rules for a single allocation or one global rule but still warrants a Table Based strategy?