Planning & Forecast Reporting
Plan-vs-actual comparisons automated, instead of painstakingly maintained Excel planning tools.
We integrate budget, forecast and actual data from SAP FI/CO and departmental planning tools. This creates automated plan-vs-actual comparisons and rolling forecasts instead of manual Excel planning rounds.
- Faster and lighter planning rounds.
- Early detection of variances from plan.
- More realistic forecasts thanks to monthly updates.
effort for planning rounds
rolling instead of annual forecast
forecast accuracy
version conflicts in planning spreadsheets
The business case weighs person-days saved in planning rounds against tool cost.
- 01
Analyze planning process
We understand the existing budget and forecast process and its weak points.
- 02
Build planning model
A structured planning model replaces scattered Excel files.
- 03
Connect actuals
Actuals from SAP FI/CO are automatically compared against the plan.
- 04
Introduce rolling forecast
Instead of an annual plan, a monthly updated forecast is established.
- 05
Anchor reporting
Plan-vs-actual variances are firmly integrated into monthly reporting.
Steps
Data sources
Stakeholders
From first data access to production – every step delivers a tangible interim result.
Budget data
Approved budgets from the latest planning round.
Actuals
Posted actuals from SAP FI/CO or DATEV.
Forecast inputs
Rolling estimates from departments on revenue and cost.
Demand plan
Volume and revenue planning from sales.
Personnel cost plan
Planned personnel cost from the HR system.
Capex plan
Planned capex and its impact on the result.
Controlling
Produces plan-vs-actual comparisons automatically instead of manually.
Executive management
Sees plan deviations early enough to act.
Department heads
Updates forecasts directly instead of emailing Excel files around.
IT
Operates one planning tool instead of maintaining dozens of Excel templates.
Faster and lighter planning rounds.
Early detection of variances from plan.
More realistic forecasts thanks to monthly updates.
Less version chaos in planning spreadsheets.
More time for analysis instead of data entry.
With a solid data foundation this use case gets faster, cheaper and far more stable.
A central planning model replaces scattered Excel versions.
Automated actuals connectivity makes variance analysis instantly available.
Historized plan versions make forecast quality measurable.
A scalable structure allows extension to further planning levels.
Finance & controlling reporting
Uses the same actuals as the month-end close.
Sales analytics
Pipeline data feeds directly into revenue planning.
Management cockpit
Plan-vs-actual variances become visible in the management cockpit.
Management Cockpits
Revenue, margin and cash at a glance – updated daily instead of once a month.
Finance & Controlling Reporting
Month-end close and cost-center reports without an Excel marathon at the start of the month.
Sales & CRM Analytics
Make pipeline, forecast and customer potential visible instead of guessing in the CRM.