EPM Product Comparison BPC vs Others
FP&A Upgrade Strategy Recommendation
Why upgrade?
- Current version of Hyperion Planning would not scale well with a growing global user base.
- Current version of Planning requires that many common admin functions be centralized.
- Consolidation of multiple applications (Enterprise, Planning, Cognos) would simplify the FP&A close process (reporting & analysis), and reduce total IT system costs.
Please note: This comparison is based on my experience; it’s not an official response. Please Scroll-to right to see complete comparison
What are the choices?
|
|
SAP Business Planning and Consolidation |
Oracle Hyperion System 10X |
IBM Cognos Business Intelligence |
|
Product Summary Info |
§ BPC takes advantage of SAP new NetWeaver platform (Newer BPC v10 based on NW and HANA architecture) § Included are legacy OutlookSoft and Cartesis products (strong reputation in consolidation, multi-country reporting) § Each module is designed to be managed and maintained by the business users that own the business processes § Primary end user interface through MS Office (mainly Excel) § Integrated Planning and Consolidation module § Tightly integrated to core SAP ECC and BW system § Ease of reporting as it is excel based § Business Managed |
§ Complete suite of “Enterprise Performance Management” tools § HFM replacing legacy Enterprise § Planning could sit on top of either Essbase or HFM, and offers a process-driven workflow manager. § Smart View offers spreadsheet reporting, offline planning, and report display in all MS Office format. § BI+ provides a self-service reporting platform and executive dashboard. § DQM (ETL tool) implements a self-service data load workflow process. |
§ Each module tailor made for specific purpose or defined process § Planning – budgeting/forecasting § Controller – consolidation and month-end close from different ledgers into a common chart of account structure § Workforce Performance – detailed HC analysis. § Performance Applications – predefined reporting modules for customer, financial, and supply chain reporting. § MS Excel interface available for complex needs |
|
Key Advantages |
§ Fully integrated multi-dimension model § Full integration with MS Excel § More flexible data write back. § No aggregation calc needed § Pre-packaged business process flows and self-service flows (the workflow feature) § Cross-training opportunity for existing AV SAP resources § Upward compatibility for future versions for SAP. § Zero foot print (Highly Scalable) § Automated predictive analytics ( what if Analysis) § Collaborative Forecasting § Audit trails can be tracked for SOX Compliance § Can support leading ledger for IFRS Support § Highly Customizable UI § Highly mature due to tight integration with NetWeaver |
§ Familiar interface for FP&A users § Significant synergy if integrating AV’s existing Hyperion consolidation and planning solutions § Fastest response time for user queries § Full integration with MS Office § Offline planning available § “Workforce” planning module tailored to the detailed HC planning here in AV § Distributed admin functions via full web interface |
§ Existing Cognos knowledge available within AV (IT and Finance) § Planning module can scale to thousands of users § Pre-defined modules and rolling forecast approach help shorten planning cycle § Distributed admin function § Offline planning available |
|
Key Disadvantages |
§ Two versions – MS versions and NW versions § Core SAP skill set not directly transferable to BPC technology § Can leverage BW skills for BPC Backend for NW version only. |
§ IT architectural complexity would increase if implementing all web-based features § Highest need for technical BI resources vs. the other two choices. § Planning, Consolidation and reporting needs different skills |
§ Need to redesign based on existing Hyperion app. § Need to design interface with Corporate Hyperion Planning application |
|
Implementation Effort (typical – Can vary based on client’s requirements) |
§ Typical effort to implement the application infrastructure and base solution: 3-4 HC, 3-4 months, total $700K – $950K. § Pre-Engineered content like RDS are available for certain business functions which would reduce the implementation time considerably. § Phased roll-out to each group / region is recommended. § Training Cost is very minimal |
§ Typical effort to implement the application infrastructure and base solution: 4-5 HC, 4 + months, total $1.200M – $1.500 M. § Phased roll-out to each group / region is recommended. § Training Cost is high |
|
|
Other Consideration |
§ SAP BPC 10 is in the flagship product for SAP § Tightly integrated to SAP HANA § Replaced BW SEM’s position as the focus of SAP’s next generation EPM Platform § Recommended for iterative implementation |
§ Flagship BI product for Oracle § Leverages OBIEE for data integration |
§ Widely recognized as a leading BI product (not EPM product) along with Essbase for many years § Very mature product |
Excellent Document Suresh!!, Especially the product features which all BPC folks can use to pitch to potential customer. You summed up the the features very well and highlighted the SAP EPM Excel features where SAP has taken a lead from Oracle in terms of integrating and ROI to customer.
Rajesh & Rao-
Thx for your feedback. Please lookforward EPM products comparison within SAP protfolio.
Enjoy reading !!!
Suresh,
Thanks!. We will be looking forward 🙂
U have been a Guru in handling Consolidations for big shots.
If possible can you share something on implementing multiple accounting standards (GAAP or IFRS) on the same environment.
Thanks
Rajesh
Thanks for the suggestion. Though the IFRS Vs GAAP differences are too log, I will try to summarize and put it in the consize format. Also I will follow it up with the BPC implementation differences too. Thx Rajesh
Great Document.
This will definitely help my Clients as well.
Thank You! Appreciate getting hold of this document. 🙂
Can you please clarify in key disadvantages and Other consideration you mention in IBM cognos column - Essbase and Hyperion planning (Oracle products)?
I think this is a very weak comparison from IBM Cognos point of view. It does not mention anything about IBM Cognos TM1, which is the competing product for BPC and Hyperion for Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting solutions. Check this page for a comparison of BPC and TM1 from an expert of both.
Very good document
Hi! I´m conducting an investigation in order to define the best EPM tool for planning and forecasting in a large business (composed of multiple entities). We are currently using HSF (Hyperion Strategic Finance) but we want to consider using BPC from SAP. We already have BPC but we only use it to consolidate results. The entire planning and forecasting process is made through HSF(Oracle). Which EPM is more recommendable for this type of business? Our ERP is currently SAP.