IBM Planning Analytics vs. Quantrix

For a CFO or a COO to do budgeting and planning, IBM Planning Analytics would be essential. It is a tool that can take in multiple data sources and showcase them in a multidimensional way. If you are looking just for a BI or reporting tool, Planning Analytics would be considered "overkill".

Quantrix Modeler is one of the most appropriate software tools for developing dynamic financial planning models in small teams composed by skilled power users. There is an also Enterprise version supporting larger user bases and stronger integration with company backend systems. It's not advisable to put Quantrix desktop application in the hands of non-skilled staff since the learning curve is much steeper than what's the typical experience with spreadsheets. Adding a table with ad hoc simple calculations can be done by anyone in a spreadsheet, but requires knowledgeable design in a Quantrix model. On the positive side, experience with students in our classes shows that with focused training an user can be become productive in a relatively short time. There is a web version of Quantrix Modeler, Qloud, that is aimed to end users that only modify input data and consume model results, without the possibility of changing the model logic (structure and formulas)

Incentivized

• Handle very large data volumes.
• Scale to a large number of users.
• Not having to compromise on business complexity.
• It can be run by business users.
• Availability of highly qualified consultants to support businesses.
• REST API allows for an open eco system and a variety of solutions to extend the product.
• Vast integration possibilities.
• AI-infused engine with IBM Watson.

Incentivized

• Quantrix gathers info from numerous sources in a single click. Thereby making structure to process sustainable and scale-able. Once the logic is written the data refreshes and you are good to go with furture analysis and planning. There is no need for rework, copying down formulas, etc. In our latest product wheel build process we reduced our time from 3 weeks of time to 2 days to build out product wheels. There was a sharp contrast between Excel ( previous method) and Quantrix.
• Quantrix links perfectly to SQL Server which allows us to get actual data quickly, push out forecasts or other data for other systems to consume.
• Quantrix range based formula writing and common term formulas are a HUGE time saver. Debugging formulas is a breeze in Quantrix using what is called the dependency inspector. There is no need to copy down formulas; make sure cell ranges are locked etc. It is one formula controlling a multitude of cells that scales as the data set shrinks or grows. Also if there is an error in the formula you have 1 formula to fix not hundreds or even thousands. Common terms in your formulas helps immensely and reduces the amount of headache of debugging your formulas.
• Quantrix Scales with ease. Adding additional data or shrinking the data does not require (manual) structure updates to Quantrix. It accordions according to the data imported. Pivoting data and looking at it as well as filtering it and then building off of those filters and pivots is a joy to do in Quantrix!
• Complexity - Excel does not have it! Where the vlookup ends in Excel the Quantrix Select statement is just warming up. Functions like: Select, Selects, SelectList, SelectGreaterThan, SelectBetween, SelectLessThan, and one of my new favorites SelectLike in addition to CASE and Switch Logic make Quantrix a dominating force when it comes to writing complex logic in your business model. Quantrix does is beautifully.

• sometimes it is hard to produce pixel perfect reports from the Web UI. I know it is not made for this, but still, it'll be great
• getting in e.g. an Excel file just by drag and drop, and the AI should "understand" what the data is all around

Incentivized

• Quantrix was able to free the definition of calculation rules from cells. It would be interesting to be able to separate the default template structure from changes when importing data.
• Just to be clear to prevent the import (example from a CSV or DB) the creation of new items in addition to those already existing.
• An import navigation by level would be interesting. Or to obtain a split of the number on a tree structure (I bring as an example that of Corporate Planning (https://www.corporate-planning.com/de/).
• As a further enhancement of the above, it would be interesting to be able to define reports like an explosion of a tree structure.

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.

IBM Planning Analytics is generally good in terms of functionalities. It can be used reduce time for budget planning, resource planning, demand forecasting, etc. The performance of IBM Planning Analytics is acceptable, but user interface can be improved. It would be good to see new features that allow users to customise the dashboard.

Incentivized

For a newbie it can be difficult until you get the hang of the system. Quantrix is a very logical system, once you understand its underlying ideas.

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

Incentivized

For strong technical teams and flexibility IBM Planning Analytics is the way to go. For quicker adoption and less technical teams Anaplan is the best option. If consolidation, financials, and moving from legacy tools are main focus than OneStream will be a really good choice. If deeply invested into SAP already than the SAP BPC will be the best fit to maintain the investment.

Incentivized

Microsoft Excel, Infor, Tagetik, Palantir Quantrix is not ready to use budgeting and planning tool, it is basically data modeling tool. That makes Quantrix different. You yourself or with help of consultant create model according to your specific business needs. You will get cost-effective, tailored solution. It is a modeling tool that allows the easy and quick creation of multiple scenarios, conducting “what-if” analysis to accommodate uncertainty associated with forecasts.

• Much higher degree of accuracy in forecasting with the use of predictive analysis from historical data
• Dozens of man hours saved in routine processes that are now handled with minimal human interaction
• One system that holds the "source of truth," consolidating multiple systems together that were only accessible individually before

Incentivized

• Quantrix has boosted profitability and has proven its worth time and again. The platform has put us on the radar doing things even our biggest competitors could only dream of. We are still early in the development and deployment of our Quantrix Qloud based system to clients, but we already have early adopters coming over from competitor systems that cost exponentially more and do significantly less than what we provide. We feel it is only a matter of time for our Qloud driven analytics to become more mainstream in our space.