Prophix 12 Review
Updated March 29, 2021
Prophix 12 Review
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Prophix
Prophix is being used for our financial reporting, planning/forecasting and hopefully on down the road for dashboards, detail sales reporting, etc.
The finance department is the main user of prophix, however, line departments are asked to input plan and forecast data for review and consolidation.
Prophix allows us to maintain current and historical data that was previously being handled by excel spreadsheets. Monthly consolidation of multiple entities, planning and forecasting are now done more quickly with detail and commentary that can be made part of the record.
Pros
- Financial reporting and consolidations - flexible!
- Planning and Forecasting - detail planning for headcount, capex, fixed assets, etc. and department mgrs. can input data.
- Ad Hoc Analysis - ability to slice and dice data and drill down to transaction level.
Cons
- Prophix needs to have a better interface with Excel for downloading, uploading, and analysis of data. Moving to the cloud (SaaS) and using web client solves this problem.
- Report writing with smart client has a long learning curve, web client may be better but we are just getting started with web client.
- Due to its flexibility Prophix requires dedicated training and use of consultants for implementation.
- Cost effective solution for mid-sized companies when compared with Oracle/HFM and the like.
- Time savings has allowed for less number crunching and more analysis of data.
- Variance analysis has improved due to line item details in the plan or forecast which can be compared to actual results.
Prophix allows managers access to their departmental data to easily see trends, review comparatives to plan and forecast, last year, etc. It has drill down capability as well. Data can easily be downloaded or copied and pasted into excel and vice versa. Data can be spread via a number of different methods and % applied to increase or decrease results. Line item detail and notes can be added to fully communicate reasoning behind financial figures. Templates are used to input data and personnel can be budgeted using the detail planning module.
We actually set up a new chart of accounts in prophix, which is different from our legacy system due to how bad it was initially set-up. We have automated the mapping and integration of data from our main system and use flat file uploads from Excel templates for consolidated entities. Automating the import of data from our main system required an investment in time and resources on initial implementation. This is not a product you can have your IT team install and set-up! Things are running smoothly now that IT does understand how the staging of data occurs. Flat file uploads from consolidated entities is quick and simple.
We are using on-premise right now but the flexibility will be very important when we begin automating data integration from entities in foreign countries. Prophix is moving away from on-premise to SaaS cloud/web based platform which will eliminate the need for upgrades, improve security and reduce a companies reliance on it's own IT department.
Do you think Prophix delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with Prophix's feature set?
Yes
Did Prophix live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Prophix go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Prophix again?
Yes
Initial presentation was effective at showing how prophix could be used to solve our problems. It was also a cost effective solution. Prophix handles the planning and forecasting process along with the financial reporting. Most BI modules or add-ons are good at allowing financial reports or historical data analysis but Prophix is also geared for budgeting planning and forecasting which is why it adds value in ways some of the others don't.
Prophix Feature Ratings
Using Prophix
It has taken a couple of budget cycles but we are now starting to benefit from Prophix features when completing an annual plan. Managers can now easily access prior year budget, current year actual and forecast data, etc. along with commentary and line item detail (by vendor) when planning for future periods. The workflow process within Prophix allows us to roll-out, prepare, review and approve our budgets and forecasts in a timely manner.
Our organization uses workflow in the annual planning process. We are also starting to use dashboards that are tailored to the user for pertinent information. We are not currently using automated report distribution but will be in the near future, it is easy to set up report binders that are emailed to recipients manually or automatically.
20 - Accounting, finance, manufacturing, sales, marketing, engineering and management.
2 - Prophix is available in-house or as a service (cloud based). We are currently using the smart client in-house but trend is towards the cloud and web-client application. Our IT department has SQL skills and those required to maintain the server, etc. Our legacy system data is mapped to Prophix through a staging area on the server that is maintained by IT. Prophix staff is also available to assist with technical issues that may arise.
Using Prophix
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent | Feel nervous using Lots to learn |
- Ad Hoc reporting is a powerful tool and easy to experiment with and learn to use with minimal effort.
- The document explorer is a recognizable and easy to use file management tool for organizing data views and reporting templates.
- Security manager (administrator use) is easy to use and maintain.
- Setting up new Cubes requires complete understanding of all requirements - dimensions cannot be changed once cube is established.
- Detailed planning manager is used for personnel planning and capex, etc. when you have complex calculations for many items. This is very difficult to learn and set-up without training.
- Template studio which is used for setting up reports requires a significant investment in time and training to become proficient in its use.
Yes, but I don't use it
Prophix Reliability
Prophix Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Kept well informed Immediate help available Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
We pay for standard support.
Whenever I need something done quickly I am able to escalate it through my dedicated success contact. Prophix does seem genuinely concerned and helpful in resolving issues. Support staff are trained to know the capabilities and limits of the software. They have come up with alternate solutions to problems when there doesn't seem to be a "fix".
Prophix Implementation
- Implemented in-house
- Third-party professional services
RSM was used as the consultants for the implementation of Prophix. We also had an in-house project team of six individuals including IT that worked with RSM to get things up and rolling.
Yes - Analysis and design including a business process assessment and requirements.
Building and validating the Prophix model
Data Integration from our legacy system
Report template building
Training
Live operations
Building and validating the Prophix model
Data Integration from our legacy system
Report template building
Training
Live operations
Change management was a minor issue with the implementation - We implemented Prophix as a budgeting and reporting tool. It is not a full ERP/CRM solution for us, therefore we continue to use the month end process and reporting we used before Prophix. Prophix has however, allowed us to improve dramatically the time it takes and the accuracy and confidence we have in our reporting.
- Managing our expectations and consultant requirements and objectives so that we were on the same page was a challenge.
- Staying within the implementation budget required pulling a few strings, Prophix was very helpful in this area.
- User training was not factored into the implementation to the level it should have been.
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