SAP Analytics Cloud - Implementation overview
July 20, 2022

SAP Analytics Cloud - Implementation overview

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with SAP Analytics Cloud

Initially wanted to update our planning process (BPC 10.1) to SAP Analytics Cloud. After implementation, we established our BPC data cube in SAC (as an analytics model) for general visualizations. Users did not want to use SAC initially because all information provided in SAC was already available through BPC reports. However, with the flexibility to connect to other sources, we began to relate to tables housed in our AWS Data Lake environment. With SAC, we were able to visualize daily data instead of just monthly data (BPC cube structure), and that gave us more insights into trends. However, the quality and completeness of our data were rather bad, so our CEO and CFO pressed the IT and Finance teams to build better operational data visibility. Projects began, and within a few months IT had established connections to legacy systems that were not previously available. Additional use cases for SAC continued to crop up as more data was connected and new analysis views were developed. We learned that overhauling the entire planning process would require much more effort (Change Management Internally), however SAC is the right tool for us, we just need to mature more as an organization to fully take advantage of the capabilities.
  • Automatic Visualizations (no updating Excel/PowerPoint)
  • Automatic data connections (no having to download to Excel, access to AWS Data Lake)
  • Data Visibility (better visibility to our bad data)
  • Landing Page - easy access to key reports
  • Flexibility in linking fields across models (make it look like MS Access, that was easier)
  • Helped drive priorities to improve data quality
  • Allowed more user access to data sets (AWS / SFDC / SuccessFactors)
Like any of the other visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI), SAP Analytics Cloud is intuitive once you start using it. You can learn this on your own, but I do recommend getting real training from a trusted SAP partner specializing in SAC to get the full benefit of all the functionality (Predictive Forecast, Analytic Applications, Data Actions). The differentiator for SAC is that it allows for 'write' actions; you can perform forecasting and plan with this tool; Tableau and Power BI do not have any planning 'write' capabilities.
  • Product Features
Needed to upgrade planning process from older BPC 10.1 technology to new-gen SAP Analytics Cloud technology that included Predictive, AI/ML, Visualization, and mobile device access.
SAP Analytics Cloud is the only tool with all of these features: solid visualizations, ability to perform planning, predictive AI/ML, and mobile capability.

Do you think SAP Analytics Cloud delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SAP Analytics Cloud's feature set?

Yes

Did SAP Analytics Cloud live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of SAP Analytics Cloud go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SAP Analytics Cloud again?

Yes

SAP Analytics Cloud is Great for gathering data from multiple sources. Learning that analysis can be a point solution; not all data has to be connected. SAC Planning a very good fit for Finance and HR planning - not a replacement for Integrated Business Planning (IBP). However, final plans from IBP can be visualized in SAC, which is good tool to use.

SAP Analytics Cloud Feature Ratings

Long-term financial planning
10
Financial budgeting
10
Forecasting
10
Scenario modeling
10
Management reporting
10
Multi-currency management
10
Local and consolidated reporting
10
Detailed Audit Trails
10
Financial Statement Reporting
8
Management Reporting
8
Excel-based Reporting
8
Automated board and financial reporting
10
Personalized dashboards
10
Color-coded scorecards
10
KPIs
10
Cost and profitability analysis
10
Key Performance Indicator setting
10
Benchmarking with external data
10
Flat file integration
10
Excel data integration
10
Direct links to 3rd-party data sources
10
Pixel Perfect reports
10
Customizable dashboards
10
Report Formatting Templates
10
Drill-down analysis
10
Formatting capabilities
9
Integration with R or other statistical packages
10
Report sharing and collaboration
10
Publish to Web
10
Publish to PDF
10
Report Versioning
10
Report Delivery Scheduling
10
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)
10
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization
5
Predictive Analytics
10
Multi-User Support (named login)
10
Role-Based Security Model
10
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)
10
Single Sign-On (SSO)
10
Responsive Design for Web Access
10
Mobile Application
10
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile
10