IBM Planning Analytics vs MicroStrategy comparison

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IBM Planning Analytics

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM Planning Analytics and MicroStrategy based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

7.3

IBM Planning Analytics boosts ROI by enhancing budgeting, analysis, and productivity but faces affordability issues due to increased pricing.

Sentiment score

7.2

MicroStrategy improves business efficiency, enhancing reporting capabilities and perceived value, though ROI measurement is challenging for some users.

I have seen a return on investment, as the accuracy has really improved in my organization since everything is automated.

Sai Tilak

Team Lead Manager at Finlays

Since using this tool, I can now make decisions faster, even when there is just a small change in the data.

Gladys Njeri

Key Account Manager at DHL

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

7.0

IBM Planning Analytics support is responsive and efficient, rated highly by users, yet there's room for faster direct resolutions.

Sentiment score

5.2

MicroStrategy's customer service relies on a knowledge base, facing mixed reviews due to response times and support quality disparities.

We have a multi-level support system, with the initial level handled by the company we bought the license from and subsequent support from IBM.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

Instead, we rely on third-party partners recognized by IBM, who provide cost-effective support.

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

They have been very dedicated and provided top-notch solutions.

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

I would rate the technical support from MicroStrategy as nine out of 10.

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Lead Software Engineer at Momentus

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.9

IBM Planning Analytics offers high scalability, efficiently managing data with real-time handling and flexibility for small to enterprise businesses.

Sentiment score

7.6

MicroStrategy offers strong scalability and performance, though high costs and memory requirements can influence its enterprise usage efficiency.

IBM Planning Analytics' scalability is impressive, as it is able to gather data from multiple sources and handle huge amounts of data without any lagging or downtime.

Sai Tilak

Team Lead Manager at Finlays

Scalability is quite hard to implement in TM1, largely since the on-premise installation chosen back in 2014.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

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

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

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

We have moved from on-premises to cloud-based infrastructure.

Harjinder-Singh

Data Engineer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

MicroStrategy's scalability is good, as it has the possibility to read a lot of data and works fine with all the information that we have.

reviewer2772093

Analyst - IM at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.9

IBM Planning Analytics offers stability and reliable performance for forecasting, with occasional fixable issues requiring vendor support.

Sentiment score

7.3

MicroStrategy is reliable and stable, with strong performance; minor issues are typically resolved through support or configuration adjustments.

The performance of IBM Planning Analytics has always been fast and reliable for my needs, even when dealing with huge volumes of data.

Gladys Njeri

Key Account Manager at DHL

This stability is really important as we use it for budget calculation, which is time-consuming.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

IBM Planning Analytics is stable because the reason we switched from IBM Cognos is that IBM Planning Analytics capability allows us to connect to multiple tools, which we could not do before.

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

I would rate the stability of MicroStrategy as nine out of 10.

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Lead Software Engineer at Momentus

Room For Improvement

Users recommend improving IBM Planning Analytics usability, interface design, automation, integration, performance, scalability, offline access, and reducing upgrade frequency.

MicroStrategy needs improved modeling, visualization, usability, cloud integration, support, and pricing to enhance smaller organizations' adoption.

The abundance of features results in complexity, requiring strict guidelines for developers to ensure simplistic approaches are adhered to.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

IBM's visualization needs significant improvement.

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

The advanced features are somewhat complex to understand, and if the data set is very large, it takes a lot of time to process, which causes performance to become slower.

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Creating hierarchies and the modeling part is challenging because data modeling is one of the most important aspects of any BI project.

Harjinder-Singh

Data Engineer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

Organizations that are well-established and have more money can afford MicroStrategy, but startups and mid-level organizations who do not have this much budget have to opt for other cheaper tools.

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Lead Software Engineer at Momentus

MicroStrategy could learn from Power BI's user-friendly interface.

AJIN S L

Technical Analyst at Allianz

Setup Cost

IBM Planning Analytics offers flexible licensing models and competitive pricing, with consulting fees impacting overall costs significantly.

MicroStrategy's high pricing is due to licensing costs, though long-term benefits exist; licensing complexity concerns users.

TM1 is quite expensive, and I'd rate the pricing as an eight out of ten.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

While IBM's solutions were costly before, the introduction of SaaS models has reduced prices significantly.

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

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for IBM Planning Analytics is that the pricing and licensing cost can be somewhat on the higher side, especially for small organizations.

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Valuable Features

IBM Planning Analytics provides fast calculations, customization, Excel integration, and automation for efficient financial performance management and data analysis.

MicroStrategy excels in flexibility, scalability, and user-friendly reporting, supporting large data volumes with strong security and Visual Insights features.

Its stability helps controllers win time in their planning processes.

Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees

It also integrates machine learning and AI engines, enabling us to use algorithms for inventory forecasting which optimizes our inventory and replenishment rates.

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

Some of the valuable features of IBM Planning Analytics are its intuitive and user-friendly interface, reporting output and scheduling, access control and security, and mobile capabilities.

For more quotes and insights, download the IBM Planning Analytics report

Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

It's important because with MicroStrategy we can manage all our cubes and show data to our clients.

reviewer2772093

Analyst - IM at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

The MicroStrategy interface is not as good as Power BI, especially concerning the user-friendly aspects.

AJIN S L

Technical Analyst at Allianz

The most effective features of MicroStrategy for data analysis in my experience are the security, the metadata management, and the administration, along with the options of different workarounds available to accommodate different types of requirements.

For more quotes and insights, download the MicroStrategy report

Lead Software Engineer at Momentus

Categories and Ranking

IBM Planning Analytics

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Business Performance Management (4th)

MicroStrategy

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

163

Ranking in other categories

BI (Business Intelligence) Tools (13th), Embedded BI (4th)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Business Intelligence solutions, they serve different purposes. IBM Planning Analytics is designed for Business Performance Management and holds a mindshare of 4.4%, down 10.9% compared to last year.
MicroStrategy, on the other hand, focuses on BI (Business Intelligence) Tools, holds 1.2% mindshare, down 3.0% since last year.

Business Performance Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IBM Planning Analytics	4.4%
Anaplan	6.8%
Adaptive Insights	5.0%
Other	83.8%

Business Performance Management

BI (Business Intelligence) Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
MicroStrategy	1.2%
Microsoft Power BI	8.1%
Tableau Enterprise	6.2%
Other	84.5%

BI (Business Intelligence) Tools

Featured Reviews

Gladys Njeri

Key Account Manager at DHL

Data-driven planning has transformed financial decisions and now saves major reporting time

IBM Planning Analytics helps with collaboration between teams by allowing us to gather data from various departments, analyze it, and collaborate on the data to make data-driven decisions between different departments easily. As I mentioned previously, I mainly use IBM Planning Analytics to visualize the existing data to generate meaningful report dashboards and use it during stakeholder meetings to arrive at the right decision. The best features IBM Planning Analytics offers include budgeting, forecasting, and what-if scenario analysis. The scenario modeling feature in IBM Planning Analytics is probably the most robust planning and forecasting solution we use, especially for what-if scenarios, where we are able to forecast using Watson Studio, which helps in better prediction. I really appreciate the Excel integration in IBM Planning Analytics because it keeps things familiar and adds more power.

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Harjinder-Singh

Data Engineer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

Reporting on insurance finances has become robust and supports detailed geo-spatial analysis

I am quite satisfied with the reporting part of the product. However, compared to other tools, the modeling part is not as strong. Data modeling is not as easy on MicroStrategy as it is on other platforms. I have worked with the administration tool and the Architect tool for MicroStrategy, but creating a star schema is not as easy compared to other tools. Creating hierarchies and the modeling part is challenging because data modeling is one of the most important aspects of any BI project. If you can create a star schema or Snowflake schema easily, then report building becomes straightforward. Additionally, MicroStrategy's Workstation tool compared to Developer still lacks some functionality that can be done more easily on the Developer side. Workstation is a great tool, but they have not given it full functionality.

Read full review

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Comparison Review

it_user6330

Product Manager at a retailer with 10,001+ employees

May 2, 2013

MicroStrategy vs. Tableau

After a recent presentation, several attendees asked me about the applications of Visual Insights and Tableau. Many companies are investing in both tools and are trying to figure out the right tool for specific applications Tableau has found its sweet-spot as an agile discovery tool that analysts…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Retailer

Insurance Company

Financial Services Firm

16%

Marketing Services Firm

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	15

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	37
Midsize Enterprise	26
Large Enterprise	101

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM Planning Analytics?

The most valuable features of IBM Planning Analytics for streamlining planning processes include a unified database where all data are centralized.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Planning Analytics?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for IBM Planning Analytics is that the pricing and licensing cost can be somewhat on the higher side, especially for small organizations. Howev...

What needs improvement with IBM Planning Analytics?

IBM Planning Analytics could be improved by simplifying the learning curve, as it requires a lot of time to learn and master it. The advanced features are somewhat complex to understand, and if the...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MicroStrategy?

My company has many licenses for MicroStrategy because we can build reports in this tool. I don't know what the cost is for these licenses.

What needs improvement with MicroStrategy?

What is your primary use case for MicroStrategy?

Harjinder, I recall approximately two years back we had a conversation with you about ForgeRock and Auth0, and I think we had discussed MicroStrategy as well. Currently, we are using it for financi...

SAP Business Data Cloud vs IBM Planning Analytics

Comparisons

Compared 9% of the time

Microsoft Power BI vs IBM Planning Analytics

Compared 9% of the time

Anaplan vs IBM Planning Analytics

Compared 7% of the time

Board vs IBM Planning Analytics

Compared 5% of the time

Pigment vs IBM Planning Analytics

Compared 3% of the time

More IBM Planning Analytics Competitors

Microsoft Power BI vs MicroStrategy

Compared 9% of the time

Tableau Enterprise vs MicroStrategy

Compared 9% of the time

SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence vs MicroStrategy

Compared 6% of the time

QlikView vs MicroStrategy

Compared 6% of the time

More MicroStrategy Competitors

Product Reports

IBM Planning Analytics

Download IBM Planning Analytics product report

Download MicroStrategy product report

Also Known As

Cognos TM1, IBM Cognos TM1

No data available

Overview

IBM Planning Analytics offers a robust planning, budgeting, and forecasting platform powered by TM1 technologies, integrating with Excel while offering real-time calculations, data governance, and security.

Supporting flexible scenario modeling and forecasting, IBM Planning Analytics enhances planning processes via machine learning, real-time data calculations, and meaningful collaboration. In-memory processing and data slicing boost automation, reduces errors, and increase performance, while the centralized database facilitates secure and governed data management. Sandbox environments assist users in testing scenarios, and integration with Excel is crucial for financial planning and resource allocation.

What are the key features of IBM Planning Analytics?

TM1 Perspective Client: Integrated Excel-like interface for a familiar user experience.
Centralized Database: Provides robust and secure data management capabilities.
Sandbox Environments: Enables scenario testing without impacting live data.
Real-Time Calculations: Offers immediate data processing and analysis.
Excel Integration: Provides seamless transition and collaboration for planning tasks.

Which benefits and ROI should users consider?

Collaboration: Enhances teamwork in decision-making processes.
Automation: Streamlines processes, reduces errors, and accelerates tasks.
Data Governance: Ensures data security and compliance.
Performance: Faster processing through in-memory technology.
Scenario Modeling: Allows comprehensive comparisons for effective planning.

In multiple industries, IBM Planning Analytics is key in supporting budgeting, planning, and forecasting efforts. Financial services use it for cash flow modeling and resource allocation, while manufacturing sectors benefit from its dashboard-driven data visualization capabilities. Businesses utilize its robust reporting and real-time analysis functionalities to manage resources and assess future risks effectively.

IBM

MicroStrategy is known for its scalability and stability. It supports complex analytics and seamless mobile integration. With features like geo-spatial mapping and easy dossier creation, it's compatible with Teradata, offering robust metadata management and customizations through its SDK.

MicroStrategy provides enterprise-class business intelligence with streamlined data governance and efficiently handles diverse data sources. Its platform offers ad-hoc reporting, self-service features, and interactive visualizations. The active user community and customization options ensure adaptability, while enhancements are needed in data modeling and visual capabilities. The administration tools, schema creation, and dashboard development can be complex, and licensing costs are significant. Improvements in cloud integration, multi-device support, community support, and training are necessary for wider adoption.

What are the features of MicroStrategy?

Easy Dossier Creation: Allows for creating intuitive data reports.
Geo-Spatial Mapping: Integrates geographic data for insightful mapping.
Compatibility with Teradata: Ensures smooth data interaction.
Mobile Integration: Supports mobile app compatibility for enhanced accessibility.
Robust Metadata Management: Provides comprehensive data management capabilities.
SDK Customization: Offers software development kits for tailored solutions.

What benefits do users find in MicroStrategy?

Enterprise-Class BI: Offers a stable and scalable BI platform.
Streamlined Data Governance: Efficiently manages data policies and procedures.
Interactive Visualizations: Delivers engaging data presentations and dashboards.
Ad-Hoc Reporting: Supports flexible and immediate report generation for data analysis.
Active Community Support: Enhances adaptability and provides ongoing assistance.

MicroStrategy is implemented for reporting and analytics in industries like finance and operations. Corporations utilize it for creating dashboards, financial reporting, and operational data analysis. It's effective for management reporting, tracking sales, inventory, and providing real-time insights. Integrations with CRM applications enhance its utility in producing interactive digital formats, replacing traditional reporting methods.

Sample Customers

ManpowerGroup, Convergys, AIG, Orchard Brands, Citibank, InterGen, Northwestern University, EF Education First, Ironside, Bazan Group, CSOB Insurance, Macquarie Group, Charles Stanley, SATO, Government of Sint Maarten, BMW Financial Services

Allstate Insurance, Barneys New York, Boston Children's Hospital, Buenos Aires Department of the Treasury, Campbell Soup Company, DHL, eBay, eHarmony, Facebook, Four Seasons Hotels Inc., Godiva, Hard Rock International, LinkedIn, Netflix, Pfizer, SECO (Swiss Government Unemployment Agency), Starbucks, Texas A&M University, Thomson Reuters Markets, US House of Representatives, and the US Postal Service.

Business Performance Management