AcquiHigher Instructions

1. What’s Included

Summary & Metrics pages: compare atomic inputs, calculated metrics, and valuation multiples across companies.
Dashboard page: per-company detail view with scenario controls and notes.
Frameworks: weighted diligence scoring per company with CSV exports.
SWOT links and data exports (metrics, frameworks, lineage).
Chat panel with model selection, depth/strict controls, digest preload/refresh, and transparency on context/models.
Privacy/Security: Privacy & Security page and OpenAI trust center link.

2. Page Guide

Summary: Portfolio-wide comparison with toggleable columns and scenario selectors. Use it to spot top/bottom metrics quickly.
Metrics (Compare): Deep dive into atomic inputs and calculated metrics; select multiple companies and categories to chart side by side.
Dashboard (Per-company): Detailed view for a single company with scenario controls, notes, and valuation sandbox.
Frameworks: Weighted criteria scoring per company. Edit scores/weights; exports available for audit trails.
SWOT: Per-company SWOT links from the Summary; use notes to capture qualitative risks/opportunities.
Chat: Ask cross-company questions, preload/refresh digests for speed, choose model/depth/strict options, and see the context used.

2. Download & Format the Template

Download the latest metrics workbook: template_metrics.xlsx.
Every company workbook must follow the naming pattern [business_name]_metrics.xlsx. The dashboard derives the displayed company name from this filename.
Do not modify the tab names (Atomic_Data, Financial_Performance, Valuation_Deal_Math, Metric_Lineage). Columns may be left blank if data is not available—the dashboard can reset everything to a null state.
Numeric inputs should be stored as numbers (no currency symbols). Descriptions and sources can be kept as free text.
Validation: uploads are checked against the template for column and row-key consistency; mismatches are blocked with a clear error.

3. Uploading Metrics

Sign in to the dashboard. The default admin credentials are admin / admin123! — change these immediately after first login.
Use the Upload Metrics button on the Dashboard tab. Select your completed [business]_metrics.xlsx file.
If the filename matches an existing business, the app warns that continuing will overwrite the saved metrics for your user. Rename the file if you want to keep both versions.
Uploaded companies appear instantly in the target selector and comparison controls. All uploaded data (metrics, lineage, frameworks) stays private to the signed-in user.

4. Operating the Dashboard

Reset to Blank: Use the Reset to Blank control to clear every metric and framework to the template defaults before starting a new scenario.

Manual Adjustments: Every atomic data point is editable via sliders, numeric inputs, and the All Atomic Data table. Changes immediately recalculate dependent metrics.

Comparisons: The Metric Deep Dive page lets you toggle one or more companies (including your uploads) for any metric category. All metrics defined in the template are visualized.

Frameworks: Edit score/weight cells to capture diligence notes per company. The system stores your overrides per user; resetting a company restores the original or template-driven scores.

Export: The Export Metrics button generates a workbook containing the current atomic data, every metric category, the metric lineage, and the framework table.

5. Chat Guide & Privacy

Models & scope: Pick a model from the dropdown. For wide scope, the system may auto-downgrade to a lighter model. Advanced menu: choose depth (Brief/Standard/Full) and “Strict numeric table + narrative.”

Context controls: Preload/Refresh digests before broad questions. The chat shows context mode, models tried, portfolio, scope, company count, and response time.

Good questions: Be specific and scoped: “Compare EBITDA margin and CAGR drivers across all companies; rank top/bottom and cite risks.” Name scenarios explicitly (e.g., “AOM Growth vs Baseline”). Ask for rankings, deltas, risks, and numbers.

Strict mode: Use when you want a table-first answer with a short narrative. Use Standard/Brief for quicker free-form summaries.

Privacy & security: See Privacy & Security. ChatGPT Business API: data not used for training by default; encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest; access limited to authorized personnel. Trust center: trust.openai.com.

6. Calculated Metrics Reference

Revenue CAGR (3yr): Compound annual growth rate using the current period and the value three comparable periods back.
Gross Margin %: Gross profit divided by revenue; highlights pricing power and manufacturing efficiency.
EBITDA Margin %: EBITDA as a percentage of revenue; measures cash earnings power before depreciation and amortization.
FCF Margin %: Free cash flow (cash from operations minus capex) as a percentage of revenue; measures cash conversion quality.
ROIC %: After-tax operating profit divided by invested capital; measures the efficiency of value creation.
DSO / DIO / DPO: Days sales outstanding, days inventory outstanding, and days payables outstanding quantify how quickly receivables turn, how long inventory sits, and how slowly the company pays suppliers.
Cash Conversion Cycle: DSO + DIO − DPO; the net number of days working capital ties up cash.
EV / Revenue: Enterprise value divided by revenue; a top-line oriented valuation multiple.
EBITDA (computed): EBIT plus depreciation and amortization; provides the derived EBITDA figure used in multiples.
EV / EBITDA & EV / EBIT: Enterprise value divided by EBITDA or EBIT; core valuation multiples that incorporate profitability.
WACC: Weighted average cost of capital that blends the cost of equity and debt based on capital structure.

7. User Management & Security

Only admins see the sidebar user-management panel. Admins can create additional usernames, assign admin privileges, and delete accounts (at least one admin must remain).
Each user stores uploads, framework overrides, and scenarios in an isolated vault. Switching accounts never exposes another user’s data.
Encourage users to export their work regularly for archival purposes or to share with stakeholders.

8. Quick Checklist

Download the template and populate the required tabs.
Ensure the file is named [business]_metrics.xlsx.
Sign in (or ask an admin to create your credentials).
Upload the workbook, adjust assumptions, compare companies, and document frameworks.
Export the final package when analysis is complete.

Need additional guidance? Refer back to this page anytime via the sidebar “Instructions” link.