Product comparison - Prophix: A Unified CPM Software for...

Product comparison:

Prophix Enterprise vs. PROPHIX 10 R3

Prepared by Prophix Software

P r o d u c t c o m p a r i s o n : P r o p h i x E n t e r p r i s e v s . P R O P H I X 1 0 R 3

PurposeThis document is intended for current Prophix Enterpr ise customers who are consider ing migrat ing to PROPHIX 10 R3.

IntroductionPROPHIX 10 R3 is an integrated appl icat ion that is bui l t on an open architecture with Microsoft technology and was in it ial ly developed to offer customers greater f lexibi l i ty and scalabi l i ty. Unl ike the propr ietary OLAP database in Prophix Enterpr ise, PROPHIX 10 R3 ut i l i zes Analys is Services, the leading OLAP database in the world. Also, compared to Enterpr ise, PROPHIX 10 R3 is h ighly scalable with the abi l i ty to support a s ingle user to hundreds of users and more than 2000 accounts. In terms of product features, PROPHIX 10 R3 offers more f lexibi l i ty and advanced functional i ty: business model ing, budgeting and planning, forecast ing and re-forecast ing, consol idat ion, business report ing, and f inancial analys is . Some key features in PROPHIX 10 R3 include:

• Shared dimensions—e.g., use the same product dimension in more than one cube to reduce maintenance and improve conformity.

• Easy-to-use report ing capabi l i t ies—e.g., create ‘double-down’ reports with mult iple dimensions on a s ingle axis .

• Integrated off l ine and workf low capabi l i t ies—e.g., dist r ibute Excel workbooks that maintain member secur i ty, and approve/reject submitted f i les as part of the workf low cycle.

• Prophix Extensions for SharePoint—e.g., publ ish reports to a SharePoint Document L ibrary or enable the Workf low web part to access Prophix tasks

• Detai led Planning Manager, Prophix’s replacement for P3. With Detai led Planning’s f lexibi l i ty, users can produce not only personnel planning models, but also create other, non-personnel based models l ike capital expenditures, planning vehicle costs, or planning cash

Product features Business modeling

PROPHIX 10 R3’s sophist icated model ing capabi l i t ies al low companies to bui ld complex business rules. PROPHIX 10 R3 supports a wide range of f inancial business models, with over one hundred dimensions, and manages t ime in dif ferent scenarios, including days, weeks, months, 13 per iods, rol l ing per iods and more.


Prophix Enterprise PROPHIX 10 R3 Details

Multiple model support

Unlike Enterprise, you can work on multiple models at the same time and even share data from multiple models for a single report. Plus, share dimensions between multiple models, allowing automatic updates to those dimensions when changed from any model containing the shared dimension. Data can also be shared between models, eliminating the need to import data from other cubes.

Formula support Basic Advanced

PROPHIX 10 R3 offers advanced formula support such as IF, IsEmpty, MDX, LAG, LEAD. With MDX, the standard language of OLAP databases, you can create any calculation necessary. Rebuilding models with better formulas may reduce model sizes and increase the breadth of applications possible with PROPHIX 10 R3; for example, PROPHIX 10 R3 supports formulas for automatic calculation of ‘smart’ variance based on the debit/credit settings of accounts.

Standard model types

PROPHIX 10 R3 provides a wizard-driven interface to easily create standard models (Generic, Exchange Rate, Financial Consolidation, Intercompany, DP General, and DP Personnel) and custom models.

Flexibleplanningperiods

While Prophix Enterprise only offers monthly planning periods, PROPHIX 10 R3 supports daily, weekly, monthly, 13-period, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, and other time periods.

Cross dimensional calculations

Conditional logic allows for use of various formulas across different dimension members on the same account—for driver-based budgeting.

Multiplecurrencysupport Basic Advanced

With PROPHIX 10 R3, you can:• Convert calculated accounts, instead of recalculating based on

converted values• Convert data using exchange rate information for a specified period

and/or version other than the currently selected periods in order to facilitate what-if modeling for different currency assumptions. E.g., convert 2012 budget using 20011 actual exchange rate information

• Convert data using fixed or variable exchange rates• Convert periodic changes then recalculate account formula• Vary exchange rates by organizational entity• Convert using historical (temporal) or current rate methods

Alternate hierarchy support

In PROPHIX 10 R3, dimensions can have more than five (5) alternate hierarchies. Versions, Accounts, Time Perspective, and Currency dimensions do not support multiple hierarchies.

Advanced member properties

Custom member properties can include qualitative information. E.g., color, brand, etc., and can be used to form calculations and alternate hierarchies.


Figure 2. An example of an account calculation in Formula Editor.

Figure 1. An example of a time period setting in Business Model Wizard.


Budgeting and planningPROPHIX 10 R3 makes budgeting and planning more straightforward for companies with larger business models or for organizat ions with many users involved in the budgeting process. Workf low noti f ies users when their tasks are ready or overdue. Workf low users are also ass igned specif ic data entry templates, providing only the data relevant to them, which can involve data sets f rom mult iple models.With PROPHIX 10 R3, you can prepare an unl imited number of vers ions for your plan and incorporate more than 5 years of histor ical data. Store al l of your histor ical/actual data without receiving prompts to per form a year-end rol lover.

ProphixEnterprise PROPHIX 10 R3 Details

Collaborative participation Basic Extended

PROPHIX 10 R3 workflow functionality includes workflow tasks linked to due dates, data entry templates, and processes. Multiple reviewers, approvers, observers, and contingent task capabilities are available. Workflow tasks can also be integrated into SharePoint using Prophix Extensions, enabling users to access tasks directly from an intranet portal.

Workflow management

Instead of creating copies of the database for data entry, PROPHIX 10 R3 uses a single database with submission and approval processes embedded in the templates— eliminating the need for frequent database structure updates. Workflow in PROPHIX 10 R3 can also include processes so that they run automatically as part of a sequence.

Flexible Workflow submission hierarchy

Unlike in Enterprise, workflow submission hierarchy in PROPHIX 10 R3 is not restricted to the primary dimension hierarchy.

Multi-dimension Workflow security

In PROPHIX 10 R3, security can be based on multiple dimensions and is role based.

Support for multiple versions of a budget or plan

Up to 99 versions

Unlimited

Calculated versions

Versions in PROPHIX 10 R3 can be ‘calculated’—versions created by combining multiple versions with a calculation. E.g., a ‘variance version’.

Actual and historical data support

Up to 5 years

UnlimitedPROPHIX 10 R3 does not have any requirements to perform a year-end rollover.

Reusable data entry template layouts

PROPHIX 10 R3 offers the ability to reuse content for Ad Hoc Analysis and reports.



Offline data entry Basic Advanced

In PROPHIX 10 R3, offline data entry involves the automated creation and distribution of Excel workbooks based on templates and member security, workbooks are later submitted back to the model by offline users via a controlled workflow process or on the fly. Offline data entry templates can also be distributed via SharePoint, where users can access the files and check in appropriately.

Supporting detail summary reports

Line item detail and cell comment.

Data entry templates with multiple model requirements

Data entry requirements from multiple models can be combined within a single template.

Template support for multi-dimension axis

PROPHIX 10 R3 supports template layout with multiple dimensions on any axis, i.e. ‘double down’.

Top-down budgeting support in multiple modules

Execute spreading in multiple PROPHIX 10 R3 modules, such as Delta Analysis, Ad Hoc Analysis, and Data Entry, and in any dimension on any axis.

Figure 3. An example of a budgeting data entry template with two dimensions (Products and Salesperson) displayed in the rows. In data entry, time spreading options include spreading evenly, based on existing data, and based on a member property. Dimension spreading is also available.


Forecasting/re-forecastingPROPHIX 10 R3 offers f lexible Process Manager functions to adjust data with greater sophist icat ion. The InfoFlex process offers forecast ing abi l i t ies, such as project forecasts based on seasonal i ty or mid-year re-forecast ing.


Rolling forecasts

Workaround only

PROPHIX 10 R3 provides the ability to create proper dynamic periods (‘rolling buckets’).

Ability to apply projections and changes to specific data sets

Basic Advanced

Process Manager functions in PROPHIX 10 R3 are more flexible, allowing users to apply complex manipulations. Define processes that span multiple models—making Process Manager a central hub for ultimate control over all data in all models

ConsolidationUnl ike in Prophix Enterpr ise, there is no ‘Consol idate’ button in PROPHIX 10 R3. Data consol idat ion occurs automatical ly, but can also use a process s imi lar to consol idat ions in Enterpr ise.


Large-scale data adjustments

PROPHIX 10 R3 Process Manager capabilities support any type of data adjustments.

Journal entries

The Financial Controller module allows users to create journal entries of various types: Regular, Allocation, Reversal, and Intercompany.

Automatic data consolidations

Data consolidation occurs automatically, unlike in Prophix Enterprise, where a consolidation process is managed.

SmartSwap

SmartSwap is an intelligent accounting tool that allows users to make minor adjustments to cube data. I.e., SmartSwap transfers data between specific source and target leaf-level member combinations of a given version.


Figure 4. An example of a regular journal entry.

Business reporting and financial analysisWith an Excel- l ike inter face report designer, PROPHIX 10 R3 offers more power ful graphs and charts. In addit ion to Prophix reports, external documents such as Microsoft Word or Excel can be included in Prophix report binders and automatical ly dist r ibuted to users. PROPHIX 10 R3 also supports URLs, which permits di rect access to internal portals such as Microsoft SharePoint and external data sources such as Report ing Services documents.



Ad Hoc Analysis

In PROPHIX 10 R3, Ad Hoc Analysis and reports do not share the same user interface. Reports can be tailored to meet the needs of each user, while Ad Hoc Analysis is reserved for ‘power users’ who want unlimited analysis capabilities. Reports can also link to Ad Hoc Analysis.

Ad hoc visualizations

Basic AdvancedPROPHIX 10 R3 offers more features such as choosing the type of chart to display, choosing the display configuration, as well as interactive capabilities within the chart such as drill up/down, pivot, and drill-across.

Slice, dice, drag and drop data analysis

PROPHIX 10 R3 offers more features such as any number of dimensions on rows and columns, expand/ collapse, and forward/ back navigation options.

External document support in reports

PROPHIX 10 R3 reports can include external Word, Excel, and PDF files.

Integrated charting within reports

Charts and graphs can be embedded directly in reports.

Delta Analysis Basic Advanced

Delta Analysis in PROPHIX 10 R3 offers much more analysis capabilities: • Allocate data across any time period• Compare against any time periodicity• Compare any member for each dimension• Use a Time Slider to navigate Time• Adjust data by an amount or percentage, inflate/deflate by percentage,

or extrapolate data using a straight line• View data as chart• Utilize time spreading, with optional cell locking• Edit/view line item details or cell commentsIn PROPHIX 10 R3, Delta Analysis is integrated in reports, as well as in data entry.

Support for dynamic reports

In PROPHIX 10 R3, templates can contain dynamic members and lists (named sets), which automatically maintain reports because they adapt to account structure changes such as new or deleted accounts. This also applies to dimension member selection, such as Top 10 products for a given month.

Automatic report distribution via web or email


Figure 5. A comparison between budget and actual values in Delta Analysis.

Figure 6. An example of a straight-line interpolation for data adjustment.


Figure 7. An example of a sales analysis report.

Performance managementSmartMonitor enables users to def ine and display key per formance indicators (KPIs) , which contain attr ibutes such as per formance thresholds and display type, and al low users to set requirements for making comments on exceptions.


Dashboards and scorecards

PROPHIX 10 R3 reports can be highly graphical, interactive, and displayed as dashboards.

KPI definition Multiple methods to create.

Exception reporting

Trend charting, exception management

Scorecards

Support for dashboards

PROPHIX 10 R3 supports publishing dashboards to Microsoft SharePoint.


Figure 8. SmartMonitor: exception reporting.

Personnel planning


Payroll planning

Personnel planning has been completely redesigned within PROPHIX 10 R3 through the new application, Detailed Planning Manager (DPM).

Benefits expenses

Headcount reports

Allocation of personnel costs to various accounts

Standard annual increases

Overtime calculations

Job position expense templates

Personnel report designer

See also: Detailed Planning Manager to P3 comparison document


TechnologyA major dif ference between Enterpr ise and PROPHIX 10 R3 is the underly ing technology. Being bui l t on Microsoft technology, PROPHIX 10 R3 supports var ious deployment scenarios f rom s imple to complex, yet offers a low maintenance, web-enabled cl ient appl icat ion. When connected to the internet, cl ient appl icat ions receive automatic updates.


OLAP engine for slicing, dicing, and multiple views of data

Pilot OLAPMicrosoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2008

Microsoft SQL Analysis Services is an industry-standard open database that can be accessed by any third-party client application that supports OLAP standards.

Simple install on a standalone PC

Ability to deploy in a client/server environment

Direct connection to G/L, ERP system

Systems can be connected via ODBC-compliant drivers.

Spreadsheet look, feel, and functionality

Open connectivity to BI, reporting, and data analysis products

‘Smart Client’ technology

Smart Client technology encompasses the best of both worlds: web functionality with a rich user interface, and Click-Once deployment.

Excel add-InWith PROPHIX 10 R3, Excel 2003 and 2007 can connect to Microsoft OLAP cubes directly without third-party drivers.

Ability to seamlessly share cubes

In PROPHIX 10 R3, models are created once and dimensions can be shared amongst other models or applications.

SchedulingFile/server mode only

Web Functionality Limited

Web applications can be embedded directly into PROPHIX 10 R3.


Other features

Prophix Enterprise PPROPHIX 10 R3 Details

Audit tracking

Implementation time 3 days

As little as 5 days

The Prophix Technology Migration Program simplifies the migration of Enterprise models to PROPHIX 10 R3. With this program, product installation, training, and model development can be completed in as little as 5 days. The average time for completely new implementations is 4-6 weeks

Administrator roles 1 3

PROPHIX 10 R3 includes three types of administrators: Global, Model, and Security, which segregates data and administrative access and allows for the separation of responsibilities. In Enterprise, the BUDADMIN is solely responsible for role assignment and data security throughout the application. PROPHIX 10 R3 allows different administrators to manage their own department’s users and data.

ProphixProphix is a leading developer of innovative per formance management solut ions designed to automate f inancial and operat ional processes, making companies more prof i table and reducing their r i sks. Thousands of f inance leaders in near ly one hundred countr ies use Prophix to empower their organizat ions and gain valuable ins ight into business per formance.

Prophix and i ts partners del iver super ior value by combining high-end functional i ty with low cost-of-ownership and fast implementat ions. With power ful and adaptable solut ions bui l t ent i rely on the Microsoft SQL Server stack, Prophix st reamlines budgeting, planning, report ing, consol idat ion, and more.


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www.prophix.com

© 2012 Prophix Software Inc. Al l r ights reserved. Prophix and the Prophix logo are registered trademarks of Prophix Software Inc. in Canada and other countr ies. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted, or amended without the express wr i tten consent of Prophix Software Inc. Microsoft , Windows, SharePoint, SQL Server, Access, Word, and Excel are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporat ion. Al l other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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