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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    IBM Planning Analytics

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AIBM Planning Analytics, powered by IBM TM1®, is an integrated planning solution designed to promote collaboration across the organization and help keep pace with the speed of modern business. With its calculation engine, this enterprise performance management solution is designed to help users move beyond the limits of spreadsheets, automating the planning process to drive faster, more accurate results. Use it to unify data sources into one single repository, enabling users to build…

    $825

    per month 5 users

    Sigma

    Score8.4 out of 10
    N/ASigma Computing headquartered in San Francisco provides a suite of data services such as code free data modeling, data search and explorating, and related BI and data visualization services.N/A
    Pricing
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Editions & Modules
    Essentials
    $825
    per month 5 users
    Standard
    $1,650
    per month 10 users
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalOptional
    Additional Details—Contact us for pricing.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Considered Both Products
    IBM
    No answer on this topic
    Sigma Computing
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    99%
    Would buy again
    128 Answers
    94%
    Would buy again
    118 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    97%
    Delivers good value for the price
    114 Answers
    97%
    Delivers good value for the price
    77 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    97%
    Happy with the feature set
    125 Answers
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    116 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    97%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    89 Answers
    97%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    68 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    93%
    Implementation went as expected
    104 Answers
    97%
    Implementation went as expected
    77 Answers
    Features
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    BI Standard Reporting
    Comparison of BI Standard Reporting features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    7.6
    116 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    7.5
    163 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Pixel Perfect reports7.6102 Ratings5.4104 Ratings
    Customizable dashboards7.7116 Ratings9.3161 Ratings
    Report Formatting Templates7.5109 Ratings7.7133 Ratings
    Ad-hoc Reporting
    Comparison of Ad-hoc Reporting features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.0
    122 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    7.5
    166 Ratings
    6% below category average
    Drill-down analysis8.5119 Ratings8.0155 Ratings
    Formatting capabilities7.9120 Ratings7.0163 Ratings
    Integration with R or other statistical packages7.992 Ratings7.35 Ratings
    Report sharing and collaboration7.8118 Ratings7.7162 Ratings
    Report Output and Scheduling
    Comparison of Report Output and Scheduling features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.1
    116 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    7.5
    156 Ratings
    9% below category average
    Publish to Web7.9109 Ratings7.3103 Ratings
    Publish to PDF8.2109 Ratings7.7130 Ratings
    Report Versioning8.3106 Ratings7.0120 Ratings
    Report Delivery Scheduling8.298 Ratings7.6132 Ratings
    Delivery to Remote Servers00 Ratings7.968 Ratings
    Data Discovery and Visualization
    Comparison of Data Discovery and Visualization features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    7.5
    117 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    6.8
    149 Ratings
    16% below category average
    Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)8.1117 Ratings8.6147 Ratings
    Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization7.7109 Ratings5.626 Ratings
    Predictive Analytics7.8107 Ratings6.218 Ratings
    Pattern Recognition and Data Mining6.638 Ratings00 Ratings
    Access Control and Security
    Comparison of Access Control and Security features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.0
    122 Ratings
    5% below category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Multi-User Support (named login)8.1120 Ratings00 Ratings
    Role-Based Security Model7.7121 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)8.0122 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report-Level Access Control7.549 Ratings00 Ratings
    Single Sign-On (SSO)8.4114 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile Capabilities
    Comparison of Mobile Capabilities features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    7.6
    105 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Responsive Design for Web Access7.7102 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile Application7.666 Ratings00 Ratings
    Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile6.676 Ratings00 Ratings
    Budgeting, Planning, and Forecasting
    Comparison of Budgeting, Planning, and Forecasting features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.4
    131 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Long-term financial planning8.0127 Ratings00 Ratings
    Financial budgeting8.4130 Ratings00 Ratings
    Forecasting8.7130 Ratings00 Ratings
    Scenario modeling8.6129 Ratings00 Ratings
    Management reporting8.6129 Ratings00 Ratings
    Consolidation and Close
    Comparison of Consolidation and Close features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.5
    122 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Financial data consolidation9.1118 Ratings00 Ratings
    Journal entries and reports9.2108 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multi-currency management8.5110 Ratings00 Ratings
    Intercompany Eliminations8.4107 Ratings00 Ratings
    Minority Ownership8.6101 Ratings00 Ratings
    Local and consolidated reporting7.8114 Ratings00 Ratings
    Detailed Audit Trails8.1115 Ratings00 Ratings
    Financial Reporting and Compliance
    Comparison of Financial Reporting and Compliance features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.8
    123 Ratings
    8% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Financial Statement Reporting8.2119 Ratings00 Ratings
    Management Reporting8.7120 Ratings00 Ratings
    Excel-based Reporting9.4122 Ratings00 Ratings
    Automated board and financial reporting9.1111 Ratings00 Ratings
    XBRL support for regulatory filing8.680 Ratings00 Ratings
    Analytics and Reporting
    Comparison of Analytics and Reporting features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.4
    125 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Personalized dashboards8.7124 Ratings00 Ratings
    Color-coded scorecards8.4119 Ratings00 Ratings
    KPIs8.1122 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost and profitability analysis8.2120 Ratings00 Ratings
    Key Performance Indicator setting8.5119 Ratings00 Ratings
    Benchmarking with external data8.590 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integration
    Comparison of Integration features of IBM Planning Analytics and Sigma Computing
    Feature
    IBM Planning Analytics
    8.7
    123 Ratings
    7% above category average
    Sigma Computing
    -
    Ratings
    Flat file integration8.7120 Ratings00 Ratings
    Excel data integration9.0120 Ratings00 Ratings
    Direct links to 3rd-party data sources8.6112 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Small Businesses
    No answers on this topic
    Cyfe
    Score4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Centage
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Qlik Cloud Analytics (Qlik Sense)
    Score8.1 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management
    Score7.2 out of 10
    Sisense
    Score6.9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (132 ratings)
    8.2
    (170 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    9.1
    (5 ratings)
    10.0
    (6 ratings)
    Usability
    7.8
    (69 ratings)
    7.6
    (48 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.2
    (2 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.3
    (93 ratings)
    10.0
    (47 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.3
    (1 ratings)
    Data Sharing and Collaboration
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Data Sources
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (1 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    9.1
    (1 ratings)
    8.2
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.3
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    IBM Planning AnalyticsSigma
    Likelihood to Recommend
    IBM
    Ideal for large organization with complex multi-dimensional data, large budgets and dedicated administrator support. The performance of the TM1 data base is unmatched. The PAW and PAX options providing planners to work in both Excel and workspace environment. Higher Implementation efforts due to the greenfield implementations. Visualization features are not up to the mark.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    We were able to set up client-facing embedded reports with ease and security. The interface is not difficult to learn, although we may not be aware of or lack the necessary expertise to utilize more advanced features that would likely benefit us.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    IBM
    • 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
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    • Allows end users to easily dive into the data without having direct access to the table in our database management software.
    • Can easily turnaround dashboards that are detailed and visually pleasing.
    • Sigma is intuitive and as new features are rolled out it is easy to adopt and incorporate them into new and existing dashboards.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    IBM
    • 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
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    • Sigma Computing does not allow custom ordering of pivot fields in pivot tables easily
    • Sigma Computing lacks functionality for creating tables or sections that dynamically adjust to the browser window's height while maintaining a fixed height textbox at the bottom
    • Sigma Computing does not provide straightforward options for formatting totals in tables, such as renaming 'Total' to 'Average', 'Team Total', etc
    • Sigma Computing does not support searching by individual tab names within a workbook
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    IBM
    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.
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    Sigma has helped us a lot and has become an integral part of our daily workflow. It would be difficult to switch to another platform and have to rebuild the numerous metrics and performance reports that we have already established
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    IBM
    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
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    It has a clean and modern interface. However, it is not completely intuitive. I think it would be better and easier to navigate with more Windows style drop down menus and/or tabls. There is a significant learning curve, but that may be due in part to the technical nature of this type of software tool.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    IBM
    No answers on this topic
    Sigma Computing
    Yes, as long as you don’t conduct user error sigma is always up and running and waiting for you to complete your dashboards
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Performance
    IBM
    No answers on this topic
    Sigma Computing
    It depends, it loads quickly for smaller dashboards but when loading larger amounts of data it takes more time to do so
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    IBM
    IBM support has been very quick to respond and handle the very few issues we've had. We've had a third-party who partners with IBM to be our consulting team which has helped greatly reduce the need for us to contact IBM directly. I highly recommend researching and selecting a well-respected partner to help with an implementation as well as ongoing support as needed.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    They are very friendly and informative. They are quick in resolving our queries and help us understand very minute things as well. They are quick in creating feature tickets based on our custom requirements, and they would also create a bug ticket if there is any discrepancy and get that checked on time.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    IBM
    No answers on this topic
    Sigma Computing
    Was not involved in implementation
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    IBM
    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
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    With Looker, to be effective, a substantial amount of coding & modeling needs to happen in LookML. Being another language to learn, users have to context switch again from at a minimum either SQL or Python into LookML. The concept of being able to source control, code review, and deploy your models is a plus though.
    Tableau is the gold standard for data visualization, no question. Power users will be able to create dazzling content that Sigma won't necessarily be able to easily match. However, since development usually happens via an extract, helping other users troubleshoot is an arduous process. Trying to re-do or un-do all the transformations and calculations that cause a certain number is very difficult.
    With Sigma, all the queries happen directly against Snowflake and you can see the query logs. The data modeling happens right in a tabular, spreadsheet-like manner, so within only a few minutes, substantial transformations can happen, with visualizations just a few more clicks away.
    Read full review
    Scalability
    IBM
    No answers on this topic
    Sigma Computing
    It is a cloud service offering that is able to expand based on your usage
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    IBM
    • Automate direct data connections to multiple data sources
    • One secured version of the the truth (for data and formulas)
    • Ability to scale to much more detailed planning with option to create predictive forecasts at detail
    • Business user friendly with powerful Excel integration
    • Very flexible and powerful modeling, can handle custom modeling needs at scale
    • Can make the same data available across finance and ops, but at the level of details and timeline that makes sense for them
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sigma Computing
    • Monitoring health of cloud platform has allowed the company to anticipate issues before they affect customers – Sigma prompted us building a canary monitoring process that provides customer container health.
    • Customer success has used an activity report to discover customers running runaway processes that they were unaware of, creating an alert to contact the customer and prevent an embarrassing situation.
    • Customer success uses the activity report to prompt conversations regarding increases or declines in behavior that led to increasing contract limits or addressing churn concerns.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    IBM Planning Analytics Screenshots

    Screenshot of Workflow managementScreenshot of Income statementScreenshot of Margin analysisScreenshot of Metrics managementScreenshot of Income statementScreenshot of Expense analysis