Name: IBM Planning Analytics
Brand: IBM
Rating: 4.2 (28 reviews)

Developer at a non-tech company with 51-200 employees

Jun 4, 2013

Several new features in TM1 9.5

IBM Cognos TM1 (formerly Applix TM1) is enterprise planning software used to implement collaborative planning, budgeting and forecasting solutions, as well as analytical and reporting applications. Data in IBM Cognos TM1 is stored and represented as multidimensional OLAP cubes, with data being stored at the "leaf" level. Computations on the leaf data are performed in real-time (for example, to aggregate numbers up a dimensional hierarchy). IBM Cognos TM1 includes a data orchestration environment for accessing external data and systems, as well as capabilities designed for common business planning and budgeting requirements (e.g. workflow, top-down adjustments).

Several new features were added to IBM Cognos TM1 9.5, the most visible being TM1 Contributor, which combines an OLAP engine with the enterprise planning capabilities of IBM Cognos Planning in a Web-based client. Other features include an "Undo/Redo" capability that lets users store a collection of data value changes and walk back through the actions to undo them; pick lists for cells to reduce the amount of data entry performed; sandboxes for creating personal modeling scenarios; and data entry shortcuts.
Another Web client option for IBM Cognos TM1 is IBM Cognos TM1 Web, which enables business users to develop and publish web-based applications, using Microsoft Excel as an authoring medium. IBM Cognos TM1 Web is developed in ASP.NET, and is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
With its flagship TM1 product line, Applix was the purest OLAP vendor among publicly traded independent BI vendors prior to OLAP industry consolidation in 2007, and had the greatest growth rate.
The latest version, IBM Cognos TM1 10.1, became publicly available on February 7th, 2012.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

it_user6849

Project Manager at a tech company with 51-200 employees

Jun 4, 2013

Provides the users with flexible modeling environment that does not call for much of the programming or IT skills

Performance Management is an integral part of Business Intelligence Software and Analytics. As mentioned in the article on Performance Management. Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting and Analysis need a systematic approach. There are challenges experienced in each of these processes.

When these activities are carried out in a traditional way, they take longer time delivering limited value. Technology is used to support the best practices and address the full life cycle planning processes – analytics, modeling, contributing and reporting on common IT platform. Streamlining the planning process demands technological tools capable of supporting a faster, more flexible and adaptive approach. IBM Cognos TM1 software is used exactly for this purpose. In addition to enabling collaborative participation by all users, IBM Cognos TM1 can radically transform the enterprise processes by using powerful analysis and flexible modeling.

If we look at the history briefly, the word TM used to stand for Table Manager. A company called Applix developed TM1 software and this was absorbed by IBM about 5 years back. And then this became part of the Cognos software family and part of OLAP – Online Analytical Processing architecture. Though we can figure out several other planning and forecasting software tools, including competing SAP BPC or Oracle’s Hyperion essbase OLAP, IBM Cognos TM1 is extensively found used by enterprises drilling down large datasets. According to IBM, Cognos TM1 can reduce planning cycles in enterprises by 75 percent. The power to various layers and slicing the complicated financial data of a large or even medium-size company means TM1 can be used to perform a number of functions.

It is well known that IBM Cognos Business Intelligence (BI) software provides a proven enterprise BI platform with an open data strategy, providing customers with the ability to leverage data from any source, package it into a business model, and make it available to consumers in various interfaces that are tailored to the task. From business intelligence to financial performance, from strategy management to analytics applications, Cognos software makes enterprise top-performing and analytics-driven. In the featured Cognos software products – Cognos TM1 is used by Finance line of business for planning and reporting. Cognos TM1 provides the users with flexible modeling environment that does not call for much of the programming or IT skills. Also, there are interfaces choices for the users like Microsoft Excel or it can be TM1web interface. Participation by all is facilitated by Contributor client.

When we look at the features and capabilities of Cognos TM1, we find that in addition to collaborative planning, budgeting and forecasting solutions, analytical and reporting applications are definite attractions. Data in IBM Cognos TM1 is stored and represented as multidimensional OLAP cubes. OLAP can be termed as a computer based technique for analyzing data and OLAP cube is a multi dimensional data set. IBM Cognos TM1 also includes a data orchestration environment for accessing external data and systems, as well as capabilities designed for common business planning and budgeting requirement including work flow. Unique value propositions of Cognos TM1 are excel spreadsheet based approach, usage facility by non technical users, large data base handling and real time faster performance. TM1 is available as Modular, Contributor and Viewer licenses. The current version is 10.1. Personal, Mid Market and Enterprise editions are available.

As corporate performance management (CPM) supports cost optimization leading companies worldwide take steps to manage this effectively. Budgeting Planning and Forecasting (BP&F) is one of the important constituent of CPM. IBM’s core strength remains in BP&F with its offering of TM1. It is not only TM1 users are growing but it is also reported most of the cases most of the user acceptance is on the higher side. IBM Cognos TM1 is packed with right features and certainly considered as a leader in this space.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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Vivek Mathur

Managing Consultant at a tech services company with 201-500 employees

Apr 18, 2023

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Is robust and stable, and easy to implement

Pros and Cons

"It's a very stable, robust product."

"The dashboard is very poor and needs a lot of improvement."

What is most valuable?

My favorite features of IBM Planning Analytics are the integration with Access and the ETL integration tool, TurboIntegrator.

What needs improvement?

The dashboard is very poor and needs a lot of improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have more then 10 years of experience with IBM Planning Analytics.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a very stable, robust product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the scalability of IBM Planning Analytics at nine out of ten. There may be 400 to 900 users depending on the client.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate IBM's customer service at nine out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward, and I'd rate it at nine out of ten. Depending on the complexity of the requirements, the deployment can take a minimum of one month to a maximum of three months. A team of five to 10 can handle the deployment.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

IBM Planning Analytics is not the cheapest solution, but it's priced per the market standard for this type of solution. I rate the price at seven out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend IBM Planning Analytics and rate it at nine out of ten. It's a great tool.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner

reviewer2260485

Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Aug 24, 2023

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An easy-to-use solution which is quick to deploy and comes with a fast calculation machine

Pros and Cons

"IBM Planning Analytics is easy to use and deploy. It is quick to develop. The calculation machine is also very fast."

"The tool's transport layer could be improved when promoting development between environments."

What is our primary use case?

I use IBM Planning Analytics for financial planning and budgeting.

What is most valuable?

IBM Planning Analytics is easy to use and deploy. It is quick to develop. The calculation machine is also very fast.

What needs improvement?

The tool's transport layer could be improved when promoting development between environments.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with the solution for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

IBM Planning Analytics is robust and stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The tool is very scalable, and I have 1000 users for it.

How are customer service and support?

We get good support from IBM; their release notes are easy to follow.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used SAP solution before. SAP is rigid, and I prefer IBM since it is easy to deploy.

How was the initial setup?

IBM Planning Analytics' installation and maintenance is easy. You can install the basic layer in a week. You need six engineers to deploy the product.