IBM Planning Analytics vs. Limelight Software

For a CFO or a COO to do budgeting and planning, IBM Planning Analytics would be essential. It is a tool that can take in multiple data sources and showcase them in a multidimensional way. If you are looking just for a BI or reporting tool, Planning Analytics would be considered "overkill".

Limelight is well suited for reporting, especially if you're GL is integrated with it. I've been able to create many different types of reports for a wide user base. It's easy to copy reports and change them based on different scenarios. Limelight has been great as a replacement for Excel for forecasting and budgeting. We have many users updating their individual forecasts, which then get consolidated. Previously, we would have to manually consolidated many Excel workbooks. Now this is done automatically by Limelight. Limelight struggles with processing speed if you create more complex reports/templates. I've asked how to speed up reports and most of the response is to make them less complex or have less people using the templates, neither of which work well for us as a solution. The help desk response use to be much better in the past. They have struggled in this area recently.

Incentivized

• Handle very large data volumes.
• Scale to a large number of users.
• Not having to compromise on business complexity.
• It can be run by business users.
• Availability of highly qualified consultants to support businesses.
• REST API allows for an open eco system and a variety of solutions to extend the product.
• Vast integration possibilities.
• AI-infused engine with IBM Watson.

Incentivized

• Agile reporting
• Collaborative forecasting and budgeting
• Up to date reporting with GL integration

Incentivized

• sometimes it is hard to produce pixel perfect reports from the Web UI. I know it is not made for this, but still, it'll be great
• getting in e.g. an Excel file just by drag and drop, and the AI should "understand" what the data is all around

Incentivized

• Complex template speed
• Customer service response - was good initially, but has become worse recently
• Formatting options in charts

Incentivized

Since IBM Cognos Express is suitable only for medium data warehouse environment, we are not sure if this tool solves the long term need as the business keeps growing rapidly. So its a 50/50 ratio to renew Express license. But having said that, the components of IBM Cognos Express are also available in other Cognos BI suites like Cognos 10.x version. So we will probably upgrade our environment to IBM Cognos 10.x which comes with more new features.

IBM Planning Analytics is generally good in terms of functionalities. It can be used reduce time for budget planning, resource planning, demand forecasting, etc. The performance of IBM Planning Analytics is acceptable, but user interface can be improved. It would be good to see new features that allow users to customise the dashboard.

Incentivized

Although I find the IBM Planning analytics documentation quite time consuming, their support with email and call is something i can term as very considerate and patient, I have had few calls about the features and how i would want to implement them within my projects, and the teams have been super helpful to resolve my issues

Incentivized

For strong technical teams and flexibility IBM Planning Analytics is the way to go. For quicker adoption and less technical teams Anaplan is the best option. If consolidation, financials, and moving from legacy tools are main focus than OneStream will be a really good choice. If deeply invested into SAP already than the SAP BPC will be the best fit to maintain the investment.

Incentivized

Felt modern. Liked how it was similar to Excel. Liked the flexibility.

Incentivized

• Much higher degree of accuracy in forecasting with the use of predictive analysis from historical data
• Dozens of man hours saved in routine processes that are now handled with minimal human interaction
• One system that holds the "source of truth," consolidating multiple systems together that were only accessible individually before

Incentivized

• Limelight has helped us increase the speed of our forecasting, budgeting, and reporting
• Limelight has helped us create models to look at many years in the future.

Incentivized