Likelihood to Recommend I'm sure that Budgyt would not be the most appropriate solution for large, complex organizations with numerous entities or overly complicated structures. Those org's likely have solutions within their ERPs or other sophisticated finance systems with budgeting/reporting capabilities that mirror Budgyt, making it redundant. However, for an easy, and relatively cheap solution to meeting those needs, as well as forecasting and analysis, I would recommend Budgyt to anyone with the need.
Read full review I would be likely to recommend IBM Planning Analytics, particularly in scenarios where comprehensive financial and operational planning is essential. For instance, in our construction company, it is awesome for optimizing resource allocation across multiple projects, creating detailed project budgets, and conducting risk analysis to mitigate project uncertainties.
Read full review Pros Combining departments (components of an entity or a component of various entity's income statement) or isolating departments (small slivers) of an entity's income statement. We can look at specific departments of specific entities together, with ease. Splicing / flipping reports into countless formats. Helpful for users of the financial statements that digest data/numbers differently than the financial accountants who prepare the numbers. It is relatively easy to import data from our Jonas accounting program into Budgyt. We've had prompt customer service when we've encountered issues and they were readily available during implementation. Read full review Forecasting after taking into account seasonal trends and exceptional transactions Unlike spreadsheets, there is no fear of an user making changes to the mastercopy accidentally. Each user gets his or her own workspace to analyze. For entities operating in multiple countries, connects seamlessly with IBM Cognos Controller for taking into account variation in currencies Read full review Cons Inside setting up HR forumlas, it should give more than one filter criteria. Application got slow after putting the information of HR module and formuals, need to speed up. Selection of multiple companies with different GLs can be an option where it is lacking. Didn't see the multicurrency feature, can be a good add on. Read full review IBM Planning Analytics was an upgrade from an older version of TM1 that is experiencing some growing pains, some functionality is harder to reach than it has been in the past It is easy to learn as a surface user with created reports, but it does require some technical skills to make advanced calculations and reports if there is no reliable consultant available, much like Excel Read full review Likelihood to Renew Our organization has increased our level of financial reporting and decreased the time it takes to build a budget with the Budgyt platform. Because our budget managers have access, it allows them a higher level of ownership for their areas.
Read full review 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 Usability Has the spreadsheet feel without the clunky formulas. Prior years monthly numbers easily visible on the data sheet to compare with. Easily run various reports on the dashboard. Easy to clone/create new scenarios. Custom template to import GL detail the way want to see it. User friendly for non-finance managers to use. Options to add comments on data sheet. Approval process - easy of viewing what needs to be approved.
Read full review For developers, admins and end users looking for flexibility, IBM Planning Analytics would rate very highly on usability. For example, a developer has access to a highly performant built-in ETL (Extract Translate Load) tool and scripting language called Turbo Integrator that can (among other things) bring in data via flat file or direct connection from many data sources, move data around Planning Analytics, perform batch calculations, export to files or other data stores. In the rare situation where limitations are encountered there is a well documented REST API. Admins and end users benefit from the intuitive PAW (Workspace) interface as well as the rich Excel integration through Planning Analytics for Excel (PAfE). Since flexibility inherently comes with a little more complexity, so an organization with simple and "cookie-cutter" requirements may rate Planning Analytics a little lower.
Read full review Support Rating During my first year of working within the budget software, I had to go through some training while trying to meet deadlines for meetings. The team at Budgyt was very accommodating and made sure I was equipped with the knowledge that I needed to be successful
Read full review Although I find the IBM Planning analytics documentation quite time consuming, their support with email and call is something i can term as very considerate and patient, I have had few calls about the features and how i would want to implement them within my projects, and the teams have been super helpful to resolve my issues
Read full review Implementation Rating We were fortunate to have the founder lead us through a video conference to teach our users how to use the system. Totally invaluable!
Read full review Alternatives Considered Forecaster was terrible. We switched from that. We looked at multiple products, either too expensive or not user-friendly. We switched 4 years ago. I do not recall the companies we visited back then. There are certainly more on the market now, but I have no interest in switching as our entire office loves the product.
Read full review Anaplan does not handle sparsity; this is very problematic for large volume data sets (many 0's). There also are limitations to the number of dimensions that can be used in a module. If more dimensions are required, then separate modules need to be built and intertwined. IBM PA does not have these limitations.
Read full review Scalability Budget scenarios are amazing, when it comes to educational funding, were always having to pivot. Having multiple scenarios for financial planning is key to being economically sustainable. We can quickly add services or staffing based upon funding adjustments/projections and see if they will work in our current climate. This supports leaderships ability to make quicker decisions.
Read full review Return on Investment We have had better control on labor cost. The software has helped us project when we need to add new employees to handle our contact center volume. Running different budget scenarios helped us navigate the impact of Covid on our business. Read full review One of the advantage is on its ability to ease budget and planning Secondly,the fact that it allows for forecasting means based on such insights means that organisations are able to prepare for future eventualities Thirdly, since it can accommodate data from multiple sources means that one is able to carry out best business practices like planning. Read full review ScreenShots IBM Planning Analytics Screenshots