Anaplan, still a very powerful tool with a promising roadmap
Updated May 31, 2023
Anaplan, still a very powerful tool with a promising roadmap
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Anaplan
Use Cases: Reserves Reporting, Forecasting, Cost Management, and planning. For all use cases, we had multiple spreadsheets that no one person fully understood. By implementing Anaplan we have removed duplicate spreadsheets, simplifying reporting processes and ensuring one version of the truth. We have also improved forecasting accuracy and processes leveraging inbuilt version control as well as general controls [functions] such as access controls and model deployment via application lifecycle management.
- Multidimensional modelling
- Forecasting and Planning
- Realtime calculations
- Large datasets
- Flexible solution, can be adapted
- Outer year modelling
- Self documenting
- Auditable
- Application lifecycle management, controlled deployments
- Sparcity- Anaplan should be able to discount unused cells from storage usage
- Licence type management - currently difficult to keep tabs of this
- More flexible pricing model
- Powerful in calculation engine
- Multi dimensionality
- Ability to project and plan into future financial years
- Scalability
- Flexibility
- Process improvement
- Time savings
- Forecast Accuracy
- Removal of pain points
- Improved controls
Anaplan is a lot more powerful. Power BI is great for 2D visualisations. Anaplan is great for handling big data in a multi-dimensional controlled environment. Anaplan also now has great visualisation capability in an Application environment, however; you still need an Anaplan licence to access these visualisations.
Do you think Anaplan delivers good value for the price?
Not sure
Are you happy with Anaplan's feature set?
Yes
Did Anaplan live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Anaplan go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Anaplan again?
Yes
Anaplan Feature Ratings
Using Anaplan
140 - Finance
3 - Master Anaplanner/Solution Architect
- Expense planning
- Reserves Reporting
- Expense Allocations
- Scenario snapshots
- FTE planning
- Scenario bridging and Control and workflow in relation to Forecast Group submissions
- More connecting infrastructure across the group
Evaluating Anaplan and Competitors
- Cloud Solutions
- Scalability
- Ease of Use
Scalability and flexibility of the solution. Knowing that even if it's not perfect there are multiple use-case and ample opportunity to use the platform and maximise the return on the investment.
Perhaps insist on a more flexible costing model
Anaplan Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes - Minimal viable product - first phase
Nice to haves - second phase
Enhancements - third phase
Hypercare, Support and BAU - ongoing
Nice to haves - second phase
Enhancements - third phase
Hypercare, Support and BAU - ongoing
Change management was minimal - Don't underestimate the time needing to embed the solution
- Resource availability for testing
- BAU tasks taking priority
Anaplan Training
Configuring Anaplan
Anaplan Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
Yes - it was part of the negotiated deal
Yes - Yes
The product is very good and to be fair I have note had to raise many issues. However, one such occasion was a knowledge-gap that I had in that I did not know if you could copy a model from one workspace to another. The support team advised that I could indeed do so that gave me a step by step guide as to how to successfully do so. Job done.
Using Anaplan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | None |
- Deploying dashboards
- Deploying Applications
- Navigation
- Setting application controls
- ALM
- Reviewing, tracking and governing user access levels
Yes - As long as designed in a logical way (i.e. no massive grids etc.) then it works brilliantly.
Anaplan Reliability
Upgrading Anaplan
Yes - No impact to our business