IBM Planning Analytics Reviews and Pricing

Ayman Alshabani

Financial Performance Manager at a retailer with 1,001-5,000 employees

Apr 24, 2025

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Scenario-building and forecasting with advanced machine learning features

Pros and Cons

"IBM Planning Analytics can help us build scenarios through a sandbox environment, allowing us to test multiple variables and assess their impact on our budget and planning."

"IBM is behind competitors like Tableau and Power BI in terms of visualization. Their visuals are less innovative and practical with fewer varieties."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for IBM Planning Analytics is for budgeting, planning, and forecasting. We also use it as a reporting tool, preparing our database to get our P&L and trial balance, and disclose financial data.

What is most valuable?

IBM Planning Analytics can help us build scenarios through a sandbox environment, allowing us to test multiple variables and assess their impact on our budget and planning. The ability to maintain multiple versions is crucial for us. It also integrates machine learning and AI engines, enabling us to use algorithms for inventory forecasting which optimizes our inventory and replenishment rates, making it valuable for data-intensive forecasting.

What needs improvement?

IBM is behind competitors like Tableau and Power BI in terms of visualization. Their visuals are less innovative and practical with fewer varieties. IBM's visualization needs significant improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using IBM Planning Analytics since 2016, but our organization has been with IBM Cognos solutions for planning since around 2006.

Buyer's Guide

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has been stable enough, as we have been using it since 2008 without major issues.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is straightforward but it is pricey since it's a SaaS model priced per user.

How are customer service and support?

We do not use IBM directly for technical support due to their high prices. Instead, we rely on third-party partners recognized by IBM, who provide cost-effective support.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

Before IBM Planning Analytics, we used IBM Enterprise Planning, which was also a Cognos product. It was eventually updated to the version we use now.

How was the initial setup?

Installation typically involves third-party assistance, either from IBM or a partner, as they have the expertise required for migrating data and setting up servers, especially in a SaaS context.

What about the implementation team?

Implementation is generally handled by third parties who are experts in IBM services.

What was our ROI?

Transforming IBM Planning Analytics into a reporting tool saves costs by eliminating the need for a separate reporting solution.

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

While IBM's solutions were costly before, the introduction of SaaS models has reduced prices significantly. Comparatively, IBM rates may be better than those of competitors, such as Hyperion and SAP's Business Objects.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We considered Oracle's Hyperion for integration with our systems, but found it to be very expensive compared to IBM.

What other advice do I have?

I rated IBM Planning Analytics eight out of ten points. IBM should focus on integrating their various products into a single solution as well as improving their visualization capabilities.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

Last updated: Apr 24, 2025