Planning with SAP Analytics Cloud - increase efficiency, secure competitive advantages
Within a single platform, companies receive a comprehensive solution for data analysis and planning. By integrating data from various sources, the SAP Analytics Cloud enables real-time analyses and well-founded decisions.
With functions such as ad-hoc reporting, planning tools and intelligent insights , it helps companies to improve their performance, increase efficiencies and gain a competitive edge by creating a seamless analytics cycle that extends from data preparation to the implementation of recommendations for action.
Cooperative business planning
Cooperative business planning is a holistic process that integrates and coordinates all planning activities within a company. Silos are broken down by teams from different areas such as finance, HR, sales, marketing, IT and logistics working together to develop plans in order to achieve optimal business results.
Corporate planning, consisting of budgeting, forecasts and medium-term planning, plays a central role as it serves as a basis for measuring efficiencies and inefficiencies in comparison to the company's objectives in management reporting. On this basis, recommendations can be derived and corrective measures initiated if necessary.
Areas of application of SAC planning in various company departments
"The subject of planning has become increasingly important for our customers in the Swiss market in recent years. Particularly in uncertain times such as these, SAP's planning tools help to implement faster, forward-looking action and thus make a lasting contribution to the success of the company.
We would be delighted to help you tackle the topic of planning using our coaching-style approach!"
Our range of services includes:
We provide you with expert support in expanding and exploiting the potential of your planning with SAP technology as efficiently as possible.
Ownership
Assuming overall responsibility for the topic of "planning" in the event of expansion or new introduction
Reporting Framework
Development, setup and implementation of an efficient reporting framework
System architecture
Design of system architectures with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and SAP Datasphere (DSP)
Interactive planning applications
Development, setup and implementation of interactive planning applications with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
Customized dashboards
Development, setup and implementation of customized dashboards
Support
Support for application issues and ensuring smooth functionality
Our planning technologies
The SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is not just a tool for visual presentation - it represents a unified concept with a strategic element. The SAP product combines all the relevant BI/analysis, planning, data connection, dashboarding, reporting, simulation and advanced analytics functions on a single platform that can be extended with options for forecasts via predictive analytics. The individual functionalities complement each other and thus increase overall performance, with the possibility of seamlessly integrating a wide variety of data sources (including on-premise and non-SAP) at the same time.
Central access via self-service BI enables end-users in the business units to retrieve and visualise data directly and in a very user-friendly way, and also create their own reports and stories. IT provides the governance and qualitative data centrally for this purpose, with users networked via one single platform and able to benefit from simplified cooperation through modern, interactive collaboration functions.
Individual analyses using SAC are based on what is known as storytelling, with each story consisting of various elements (e.g. diagrams, tables and geo-analyses). The SAC system generates suggestions for visualisations and the structure of storyboards, with reports and dashboards created intuitively. SAC is currently the only SAP product that has already fully implemented the standardised (and highly beneficial) visualisation based on the IBCS® notation concept, which removes the need for add-ons from external manufacturers.
Thanks to the high-performance in-memory technology of SAP HANA, detailed data analyses can be carried out in real time using SAC, with a dedicated app also available for use. A responsive design component enables the displays to adapt to the end device. SAC can be used very easily and cost-efficiently as an SaaS (software-as-a-service) solution, with the software therefore always up-to-date and providing maximum performance. The SAC can also be implemented quickly, enabling a productive start at short notice.
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Reporting and planning: basic functions in the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
Business Intelligence (BI): SAC combines data from a wide variety of sources (internal, external, on-premise, SAP and non-SAP) to create the basis for solid (real-time) analyses, even for complex questions or problems. The results and findings can be visualised via ad-hoc reports.
Planning: SAC removes the separation between reporting and planning, with separate planning environments no longer necessary. Data can now be entered directly (i.e. without moving it back and forth), and actual data integrated into different planning versions. Integrated, interactive functions for live collaboration (e.g. comments, chats and calendars) make planning processes significantly faster and more efficient.
With the functions already integrated into the standard system, various forecast models can be generated for end-users based on time series analyses. There is also the opportunity to use "smart insights" to identify certain correlations of effects based on various factors of influence (e.g. turnover, sales area or product groups). In addition, value factor trees can be determined and alternative courses of action simulated.
Together, all of these options complete the analytics loop perfectly - for example when different planning possibilities are being weighed up and then transferred into the actual process.
Advantages of the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
- High-performance HANA platform with real-time access and the ability to connect a wide variety of data sources (internal, external, on-premise, SAP and non-SAP)
- Seamless combination of business intelligence, planning, and advanced and predictive analytics, all on a single platform
- Highly user-friendy courtesy of self-service BI
- Optimal visualisation (including dashboards, diagrams and tables)
- Ability to use the IBCS® notation concept for maximum efficiency in decision-making
- Interactive functions for collaboration and planning
- Ability to send analyses and reports to mobile devices
- Cost-efficient, up-to-date and effective all to the highest levels thanks to SaaS (software-as-a-service)
- Implementation and production start-up possible very quickly
Most SAP solutions for reporting and planning can be operated on company-owned hardware. These components are complemented by the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), which provides new analytics solutions combined with rapid implementation.
Companies are by no means forced to replace their on-premise systems immediately and entirely with Cloud solutions. In fact, it makes more sense to gradually set up a hybrid solution of SAC and on-premise, so that existing systems can continue to be used, while at the same time expanding the system in a targeted and efficient manner with innovations in the Cloud. For the implementation of new reporting and planning projects, it is particularly advisable to opt for a Cloud solution right from the start.
As already mentioned, SAC opens up the possibility for you to continue to keep data and results securely within your company.
BPC (Business Planning and Consolidation) is SAP's planning, budgeting and consolidation platform. This interactive solution for corporate planning provides business process flows to support planning processes based on transactions. In addition, you benefit from the potential of a seamless integration of SAP BW and the SAP BOBI Suite. Data from non-SAP systems can also be easily integrated.
Training: Planning with SAP
- We also offer regular training in small groups on the topic of planning with the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
- Duration of the introductory training: 1 day
- Duration of further training: 1 day
- We are an SAP training partner - so you also receive a globally recognized certificate
- On site or online possible
KNOWLEDGE
Useful information
The theme of the Analytics Summer Apéro was "Surf's Up! Catch the Google & SAP Analytics Wave" took center stage. Participants immersed themselves in the world of data analysis and business intelligence tools from SAP and Google at Urbansurf in Zurich. Discover the exciting recordings of the keynotes with personal insights and innovative trends.
The webinar will explain how integrated planning software can help companies analyze different scenarios and understand their impact on workforce planning.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating presentations at the Analytics New Year's Apéro 2024 - from the comfort of your desk! Discover exciting insights and innovations online.
In this webinar, Andreas Wendt from AXA Switzerland and our expert Nadine Matt will give you an insight into how s-peers AG supported AXA Switzerland in implementing the SAP Analytics Cloud in the context of its data-driven corporate strategy.