Architect vs Planning Analytics Workspace for TM1 Modelling and Administration

Planning Analytics Workspace has been available now for us to use for modelling and administration of TM1 models. I was asked recently by a client what the main differences were between the two—Architect vs PAW. Here is our summary of what the primary differences are between TM1 Architect and Planning Analytics Workspace for a TM1 Modeller or Administrator.

The analysis is broken down into five sections:

1. Platform Nature & Interface
2. Administration & Modelling Capabilities
3. Feature Gaps & Migration Path
4. Licensing & Access Considerations
5. Strategic Advantages of PAW
6. User Defined Consolidations

Platform Nature & Interface

TM1 Architect

A legacy rich-client (desktop) application used for development, modelling, and administration. It’s tightly coupled with TM1 Server and offers direct control over objects like cubes, dimensions, rules, and TI processes.

Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW)

A modern, fully browser-based interface. Designed for planning, reporting, analysis, and eventually full admin and development functions.

Administration & Modelling Capabilities

TM1 Architect

Allows full administration: define cubes, dimensions, rules, TurboIntegrator processes, and manage security directly. A classic but powerful environment.

PAW

Over recent versions, increasingly includes admin/modeler capabilities:

• Modelling Workbench: Create/edit cubes, dimensions, rules, TI processes.
• Operations Console equivalent: Monitor TM1 databases, start and stop TM1 databases, download PAfE, change TM1 database config settings, define auto emails for system monitoring, create satellite connectors, PAW deployment
• User and Group Admin: Administrators can Manage TM1 security,
• Manage PAW Security: Assign PAW roles; PAW can sync Workspace groups into TM1 databases.

Feature Gaps & Migration Path

Some legacy features are already deprecated or scheduled for removal:

• TM1 Applications (used for web-based workflows) is no longer supported in PAW; it’s being replaced by “Plans”—adding workflow, locking, approvals, etc.
• Architect and Perspectives are being phased out: IBM intends to consolidate modelling/admin into PAW.

Licensing & Access Considerations

PAW requires appropriate licensing (Modeller/Admin licenses) for access to modelling features. Non-admin users without proper licensing may be restricted to reporting views.

PAW (SaaS only) also includes a direct link to the licensing portal where you can manage the number of licenses assigned to your account.

The first user to log into PAW becomes an Administrator by default — subsequent users get Analyst roles unless upgraded.

Strategic Advantages of PAW over Architect/Perspectives

• Modern UI: Web-based, drag-and-drop dashboards, interactive visualisations, mobile-ready.
• Advanced Analytics: Leverages virtual/attribute-based hierarchies, more efficient rule engines.
• AI forecasting and the AI assistant through PAW
• Simplified Infrastructure: Future versions retire legacy clients in favour of REST-based components.
• Improved Excel Integration: PAfE/PAX (Planning Analytics for Excel) is WAN-optimised, supports quick reports, set editor, input, comments—all in sync with PAW.

Summary of Architect vs PAW

Final Take

PAW represents IBM’s future — a unified, modern, and capable environment that consolidates modelling, administration, analysis, visualisation, and workflows. While TM1 Architect remains powerful and familiar, it’s being phased out. Migrating enables access to better UI, improved performance, mobile support, and streamlined admin—all supported by IBM’s roadmap.