Director of Business Development at CFO Solutions LLC
Real User
Top 20
Oct 2, 2017
The only reason to consider BPC at this point is if you are locked into an SAP architecture. SAP is re-architecting BPC to utilize their HANA memory-resident database, which is basically a heart-lung transplant - long, costly and complex. BPC is also known as one of the most costly CPM implementations in the market, which is not likely to get better as SAP rejiggers it for HANA.
Hyperion Planning is a long-time leader in on-premise CPM, and Oracle is 2-3 years ahead of SAP in moving to the Cloud. Oracle's PBCS product is basically Hyperion Planning with an HTML5 user interface, and is substantially more mature than BPC at this point. Gartner judged it to be one of 4 apps in it's Strategic CPM Magic Quadrant this past June. (SAP was not even listed by Gartner.) It's also priced very aggressively, like all of the new Oracle Cloud Service apps - $14-30K per year, list.
So if there are strong reasons for you to go with either SAP or Oracle, and you're OK with a cloud solution, then Oracle PBCS would be the better choice at this point. If you're not locked into these two vendors, as the responder above mentioned, there are some other cloud CPM vendors like Host Analytics or Adaptive insights in the Gartner MQ that have lower cost of ownership than on-premise solutions.
Chairman Of The Executive Board with 1-10 employees
Real User
Oct 6, 2017
I have hands-on experience using both products. However, I wish there were cloud-based tools available during that time. I am currently working with a client where we completed an assessment of four major players in the CPM space. Your company may want to consider a similar approach prior to making this capital expenditure. The results may surprise you. If you are a growing company, you may want to consider products that have the flexibility to change as your company's needs will change.
SAP Sales Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
MSP
Oct 2, 2017
Hi
It depends on a few factors:
1. Is their backend ERP SAP? If so then SAP BPC has a “chance”. If not, go Hyperion as it is the market leader and accountants are more familiar with the tool.
2. If they do have SAP, then
a. What version of SAP? If they are on or are intending to go S/4 HANA then I would go BPC as it is integrated and is much improved on previous versions.
b. If they are not intending on going to S/4 now but intend on staying on SAP, then in most likelihood they will be going S/4 in the next 2 years. If they can wait… then I would wait to avoid the costs of a “double” implementation.
A choice between two vendors rarely comes down to the tool (software) itself. This is usually because they both have strong selling points that got you to thus point.
I have not used thesee two personally but offer you thus advise.
1. If you have the time request a demo based in what you leadership team would need to see. Never accept the canned demo which shows the app in the best possible light. Use your data if possible.
2. An application is only as good as its usefulness to its users. I have bought great software and no one really used it. So again whatever the choice ensure that you get the buy-in from your user community.
3. Let the vendor explain how they can fill the gap between your expectations and the app capabilities (always is something ).
4. Ensure that you will be able to access the needed support post implementation. This will allow for the continued success of the app use.
Lastly trust your gut and spend time doing the research and asking the questions.
Noone else does it like you and your team is depending on you to paint a way forward.
Remember it's just a tool. Right now you got it down to 2. So review the above and take your shot.
Depends. In terms of functionality, they both do similar things. I'm sure a lot of users can give you a long list of pros and cons of both, but the choice often comes down to what works well in your environment. The best way to find out is by getting your hands on it and try a proof of concept. I would start by defining exactly what you will be using it for, you may find that lighter weight cloud CPM solutions may be a better fit and with a faster deployement.
The only reason to consider BPC at this point is if you are locked into an SAP architecture. SAP is re-architecting BPC to utilize their HANA memory-resident database, which is basically a heart-lung transplant - long, costly and complex. BPC is also known as one of the most costly CPM implementations in the market, which is not likely to get better as SAP rejiggers it for HANA.
Hyperion Planning is a long-time leader in on-premise CPM, and Oracle is 2-3 years ahead of SAP in moving to the Cloud. Oracle's PBCS product is basically Hyperion Planning with an HTML5 user interface, and is substantially more mature than BPC at this point. Gartner judged it to be one of 4 apps in it's Strategic CPM Magic Quadrant this past June. (SAP was not even listed by Gartner.) It's also priced very aggressively, like all of the new Oracle Cloud Service apps - $14-30K per year, list.
So if there are strong reasons for you to go with either SAP or Oracle, and you're OK with a cloud solution, then Oracle PBCS would be the better choice at this point. If you're not locked into these two vendors, as the responder above mentioned, there are some other cloud CPM vendors like Host Analytics or Adaptive insights in the Gartner MQ that have lower cost of ownership than on-premise solutions.
I have hands-on experience using both products. However, I wish there were cloud-based tools available during that time. I am currently working with a client where we completed an assessment of four major players in the CPM space. Your company may want to consider a similar approach prior to making this capital expenditure. The results may surprise you. If you are a growing company, you may want to consider products that have the flexibility to change as your company's needs will change.
Hi
It depends on a few factors:
1. Is their backend ERP SAP? If so then SAP BPC has a “chance”. If not, go Hyperion as it is the market leader and accountants are more familiar with the tool.
2. If they do have SAP, then
a. What version of SAP? If they are on or are intending to go S/4 HANA then I would go BPC as it is integrated and is much improved on previous versions.
b. If they are not intending on going to S/4 now but intend on staying on SAP, then in most likelihood they will be going S/4 in the next 2 years. If they can wait… then I would wait to avoid the costs of a “double” implementation.
I like Hyperion because of the pre-set modules. CFOs seem to like it.
I would agree with Tanbir. It really depends on the need of the client.
A choice between two vendors rarely comes down to the tool (software) itself. This is usually because they both have strong selling points that got you to thus point.
I have not used thesee two personally but offer you thus advise.
1. If you have the time request a demo based in what you leadership team would need to see. Never accept the canned demo which shows the app in the best possible light. Use your data if possible.
2. An application is only as good as its usefulness to its users. I have bought great software and no one really used it. So again whatever the choice ensure that you get the buy-in from your user community.
3. Let the vendor explain how they can fill the gap between your expectations and the app capabilities (always is something ).
4. Ensure that you will be able to access the needed support post implementation. This will allow for the continued success of the app use.
Lastly trust your gut and spend time doing the research and asking the questions.
Noone else does it like you and your team is depending on you to paint a way forward.
Remember it's just a tool. Right now you got it down to 2. So review the above and take your shot.
Good luck, let me know how it works out.
Regards,
Andrew
Depends. In terms of functionality, they both do similar things. I'm sure a lot of users can give you a long list of pros and cons of both, but the choice often comes down to what works well in your environment. The best way to find out is by getting your hands on it and try a proof of concept. I would start by defining exactly what you will be using it for, you may find that lighter weight cloud CPM solutions may be a better fit and with a faster deployement.