Item: Anaplan
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Current set up we've got is:

Data Hub (allowing for one source of the truth)
Finance Dev (Group & 5 Markets)
Finance Test (Group & 5 Markets)
Finance Prod (Group & 5 Markets)

This allows the business to get away from the traditional excel submissions to Group and allows for a streamlined forecasting process, having a data hub allows consistent accurate data being provided to all spoke models.
Model to Model integrations allows a stress free monthly submission process, being able to have preliminary reviews pre close

Pros and Cons

One source of the truth via the data hub
Model to Model submissions
Assumption based forecasting
Real time results

Excel Add-in does the job but could be improved
UX pages standardised filtering
Formula assistance ie finishing off formulas to achieve the correct result like excel

Most Important Features

Data Hub - One source of the truth
Streamline monthly market submission (Model to Model)
Real time results
Assumption based forecasting

Return on Investment

Third party consultancy costs
Quicker quarterly forecast submission
One source of the truth
Standardised hierarchies / CoA across the business

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Excel

Hierarchy changes are must easier and effective in Anaplan, if you were to add a new product across 15 different markets you'd have to go through each tab of excel and manually insert the new product and ensure all formulas are copied down and are following the logic of other products. Whereas in Anaplan you add it once and it flows through the whole model

Key Insights

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?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Anaplan go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Anaplan again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Excel, Apollo Optical Systems (ECI TM1200)

Likelihood to Recommend

Forecasting tool, it allows for rolling forecasts to be completed in a streamlined way where you can just increase/decrease your assumptions and see the real time impact of what the changes can look like for the business.

Mobile app is another great feature for senior management as they can view results and a high level and have the ability to drill down into the detail if need be

Anaplan Review

Overall Satisfaction with Anaplan