Laying TM1 Architect and Perspectives To Rest
After more than 25 years working with IBM Planning Analytics (TM1), I’ve seen the platform evolve from a niche performance management tool into one of the most powerful enterprise planning tools available. But October marked a major milestone — and a sentimental one for many of us who have worked with Planning Analytics for decades.
As of October 31, 2025, IBM officially retired TM1 Architect and Perspectives. Their end of support with Planning Analytics version 2.0.9 officially closes the chapter on two interfaces that defined a generation of TM1 users and applications.
Looking Back: A Quarter-Century of TM1
I still remember learning TM1 Architect and Perspectives back in 2000 using TM1 7.1.3 — and even converting my company’s TM1 2.0 database to what was then considered “modern” software. TM1 Architect quickly became my go-to interface for building and administering models. Its straightforward design made development simple and efficient. TM1 Perspectives, meanwhile, was indispensable for report creation and analysis inside Excel, while performing the same development and administrative functionality as TM1 Architect.
For years, these two tools were the backbone of every TM1 developer’s toolkit. But as technology advanced, their age began to show. TM1 Architect lacked modern conveniences like syntax highlighting for rules and TurboIntegrator scripts, while Perspectives often struggled with performance for remote users.
More importantly, both interfaces couldn’t keep pace with IBM’s modernization strategy — features like Alternate Hierarchies, MDX Views, and Universal Reports required new platforms designed for flexibility and scalability.
A New Generation: PAFE and Workspace
IBM began addressing these challenges with Planning Analytics for Excel (PAfE), released in 2018 as the next-generation replacement for TM1 Perspectives reporting capabilities. Once the product matured, it was a game-changer — offering remote users fast, stable connections and a modernized Excel experience, while supporting existing reports. The introduction of Universal Reports continues the modernization of Planning Analytics reporting.
Replacing development and administrative capabilities in TM1 Architect and Perspectives, however, took longer. After all, both interfaces carried decades of embedded functionality and capabilities that couldn’t be replicated overnight — such as replacing the rule editor, managing security, and system administration. But by 2022, I began fully adopting Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) for development, and I haven’t looked back since. The modern rule editor, syntax support, and integrated administration tools have made development faster, cleaner, and more enjoyable. Today, I rarely find a reason to open either interface at all.
The Significance of Retirement
With TM1 Architect and Perspectives now officially retired, it truly feels like the end of an era. Yet, this is also a necessary evolution. Sunsetting legacy components allows IBM to focus its resources on innovation rather than maintaining older technologies — encouraging users to explore the new features and capabilities in Planning Analytics.
We’re already seeing the benefits: PAW and PAfE continue to evolve rapidly, integrating AI-assisted modeling, improved data integration, and enhanced user experiences that simply weren’t possible in the legacy interfaces.
Looking Ahead
For those of us who have been with TM1 since the early days, this moment may be bittersweet. TM1 Architect and Perspectives were trusted tools in countless planning cycles and model builds. But their retirement paves the way for what’s next: a smarter and faster future for Planning Analytics.
After a quarter of a century working with TM1, I can honestly say — I’ve never been more optimistic about where Planning Analytics is heading. The foundation built by TM1 Architect and Perspectives paved the way for this evolution, and the next era will be defined by collaboration, automation, and intelligent analytics. The best years of Planning Analytics might still be ahead of us.What are your thoughts on the retirement of TM1 Architect and Perspectives?
Are you already fully transitioned to Workspace and PAfE, or do you still find value in the legacy tools?
Resources:
Data41 – FPA& and xP&A solutions
Best Practices for Transitioning from Legacy to TM1
