Transforming Business Performance:
The Power of Connected Planning by Accelalpha
In a dynamic business landscape, where change is constant and opportunities arise swiftly, companies are realizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to planning. Connected planning, also known as integrated business planning, is a strategic methodology that brings together various functions within an organization to ensure the achievement of overarching business goals by working together more effectively. At Accelalpha, we recognize the critical role connected planning plays in enhancing corporate performance, agility, and decision-making.
The connected planning solution consolidates and streamlines planning processes across demand planning, supply chain management, inventory, human resources, sales, finance, and operations. This holistic approach enables companies to anticipate market changes, respond effectively to dynamic shifts, and make the appropriate strategic, well-informed decisions in response. The overarching goal of connected planning is to strike the delicate balance between these diverse objectives, ultimately yielding the greatest possible outcome for businesses.
Why Connected Planning Matters
Many companies face challenges when responding effectively to market opportunities due to historical planning practices conducted in isolated silos. Disconnected plans across different functions can lead to inefficiencies, resource wastage or duplication, missed opportunities, and unaddressed risks. Connected Planning emerges as the best solution by establishing an integrated and collaborative planning process that incorporates data from diverse departments augmented by advanced analytics and scenario modeling.
Connected Planning by Accelalpha
Accelalpha's expert team has harnessed the power of Oracle Cloud EPM and other Oracle Cloud applications to develop a unique connected planning solution seamlessly integrated with related ERP modules. Our solution covers a spectrum of planning processes, including demand planning, shipments and delivery planning, detailed revenue and cost of sales planning, as well as financial planning encompassing workforce, capital, and projects. What sets our solution apart is its scalability, allowing businesses to start small and expand gradually, so they can adapt to evolving needs.
Figure 1: This diagram illustrates the monthly Gross Margin calculation process and its components—Volume, Revenue, and COGS
Key Elements of Our Solution
The Oracle Cloud applications provide a robust and cohesive approach to connected planning, including:
1. Requisition and Order Management Review:
- Collects requests and orders from diverse corporate customers.
- Utilizes historical demand data to determine near-future demand
2. Demand Planning:
- Receives a data feed from order/demand management through seamless integration.
- Generates forecasts for the next 12, 18, or 24 months, allowing user adjustments.
Figure 2: This dashboard visualizes a company's Demand Plan, featuring a detailed monthly and annual forecast for product volumes, alongside insightful charts depicting demand by product and customer.
3. Delivery/Supply Planning:
- Links with demand planning to determine the number of units to be delivered to each customer.
- Provides additional breakdown by source location.
4. Shipment to the Client:
- Dependent on data from supply planning and rate cards from the OTM system.
- Calculates shipment costs, contributing to a detailed revenue plan.
Figure 3: This spreadsheet captures shipment inputs, outlining transportation models, costs, and volumes on a month-to-month basis, along with a comprehensive yearly overview.
5. Gross Margin Analysis:
- Automatically fed by demand, supply, and shipment plans.
- Allows adjustments and provides visibility into product revenue and standard cost of sale.
6. Integrated Reconciled Plan:
- FP&A team gains visibility into individual plans and a consolidated financial plan.
- Encompasses workforce, operating and non-operating expenses, capital, and project planning
Figure 4: This graphic provides a comprehensive view of Gross Margin calculations, breaking down monthly revenue, costs, and resulting margins, accompanied by a bar chart illustrating the trends in Gross Margin throughout the year.
7. Adoption & Rollout:
- The executive team resolves any conflicts and rolls out the updated plan company-wide.
- Enables the generation of financial statements and reports by various dimensions.
From demand planning to financial reporting, Accelalpha's connected planning solution streamlines the entire process, providing a holistic view for informed executive review and strategic decision-making.
Benefits of Using Our Solution:
The benefits of connected planning enhance overall business efficiency and effectiveness. They include:
1. Efficiency:
- Significantly reduces the time spent on data collection, empowering finance teams to redirect efforts towards value-added tasks.
2. Real-time Insights:
- Provides a fully integrated system with self-service dashboards, enabling users to analyze data in real-time from various perspectives, fostering a dynamic and responsive decision-making environment.
3. Enhanced Forecasting:
- Facilitates agile forecasting, breaking free from the constraints of traditional planning tools and manual procedures. This not only improves productivity but also ensures accurate findings that are crucial for business success.
4. Standardization:
- Establishes a connected enterprise by connecting disparate data structures and planning methods, promoting a common language across the organization. This standardization boosts productivity, builds resilience, and streamlines operational procedures.
5. Improved Customer Satisfaction:
- Extends benefits beyond operational efficiency, elevating customer satisfaction through punctual and complete deliveries. The improved customer loyalty derived from a strong corporate culture is a direct result of better planning, providing valuable insights into customer desires.
Accelalpha’s connected planning solution, built on Oracle applications like Oracle Cloud EPM, transcends traditional planning approaches, offering a holistic and integrated framework that empowers organizations to thrive. By streamlining processes, providing real-time insights, and fostering a customer-centric approach, our solution is designed to drive sustained success and growth.
A Partner You Can Trust
Our connected planning solution empowers organizations to navigate uncertainties, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve sustained growth.
Schedule a consultation with Accelalpha today and gain the full benefits of connected planning for your business.