Planful Overview
What is Planful?
Planful (formerly Host Analytics) offers a suite of financial performance management tools including modeling, planning, consolidation, analytics, and reporting, all within a unified, cloud-based platform. The application suite runs natively on Mac OS as well as from the Web on any type of device. Planful is also mobile-friendly for all types of devices, included tablets.
Users of Planful can perform a wide range of modeling operations and can develop 'what if' scenarios. The application allows users to test various dimensions, metrics, and calculations in relevant, real-world scenarios.
Users can also connect realistic modeling data to financial and operational business plans, compare outcomes to projections, and collaborate with key stakeholders all from a single interface.
A free demo is available by contacting Planful (formerly Host Analytics) directly.
Planful Overview
Pricing
Pricing options
Pricing information is available by contacting Host Analytics.
Planful Features
Media
Planful Reviews
Planful Reviews
HA is really an efficient tool which made our FP&A activities automated to certain exten
Automation , easy to use
We had a quick implementation, and find that the environment is very flexible. All end users...
Monthly operational reporting time reduced from 3 days to 3 hours. We built alternative hierarchies for our chart of accounts and entities, so that operations can see their relevant data in the format they prefer, whereas accounting can see it based on GAAP. Modeling transformed our budget process from Excel spreadsheets to a cloud-based solution accessible to all end users, so budget creation migrated from FP&A to the process owners. Budget consolidation process was reduced from 2 days to 2 minutes. We have also transformed to a rolling forecast using modeling, so that the annual budgets required by lenders comes from the forecasts, and is no longer a time-consuming annual task.
We have also since identified other uses for modeling, including complex calculations for our formula pricing that is based on external data imported into tables. We are also importing non-financial data to enhance our asset management deferred maintenance program.
Very slow, but highly customizable
Implemented this software solution at my office. It was less expensive than some of the other providers, and we expected the product to perform as such. There are some drawbacks to the product, but I think these are in-line with the price.
User friendly product. Great customer support
We generate our reporting package quicker and with less errors. Our planning process runs more smoothly and efficiently again with less errors. We are able to consolidate our plans quicker.
High Quality Financial Reporting Platform
Used this software to simplify reporting from 8 companies with varying charts of accounts and 10,000 accounts to a single, comparable reporting structure. Greatly reduced effort and time spent on consolidating and preparing financial reports.
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HA is really an efficient tool which made our FP&A activities automated to certain exten
Pros
Reusable formats in Reports makes Reporting easier and customer support responds usually in hours and makes our job more easy.
Cons
I think they should have more tutorials on their Training website.
We had a quick implementation, and find that the environment is very flexible. All end users :-)
Monthly operational reporting time reduced from 3 days to 3 hours. We built alternative hierarchies for our chart of accounts and entities, so that operations can see their relevant data in the format they prefer, whereas accounting can see it based on GAAP. Modeling transformed our budget process from Excel spreadsheets to a cloud-based solution accessible to all end users, so budget creation migrated from FP&A to the process owners. Budget consolidation process was reduced from 2 days to 2 minutes. We have also transformed to a rolling forecast using modeling, so that the annual budgets required by lenders comes from the forecasts, and is no longer a time-consuming annual task.
We have also since identified other uses for modeling, including complex calculations for our formula pricing that is based on external data imported into tables. We are also importing non-financial data to enhance our asset management deferred maintenance program.
Pros
There are no limits to the types and volume of data that you interface within Host Analytics, as long as you maintain a common field. Implementation went well (with a consulting partner), and it enabled our budget manager to trim his reporting time from 3 days to 3 hours. The modeling module uses an Excel add-in, so the feel and use of Excel is still available, but the results are stored centralized, so when any end user retrieves data, there is one version of the truth. Customer service is second to none. In my 30+ years in planning and analysis, I have never found a team so dedicated to ensuring their customer's success. Feature updates are either monthly or quarterly, and are focused on what the customers have expressed are their needs or wishes.
Cons
It required that we use a partner consultant to implement. This may be due mostly to the fact that as a small company, we do not have the internal IT resources; the initial implementation without a partner stalled due to resource and communication issues.
Very slow, but highly customizable
Implemented this software solution at my office. It was less expensive than some of the other providers, and we expected the product to perform as such. There are some drawbacks to the product, but I think these are in-line with the price.
Pros
Very deep database and highly flexible integration with our disparate data feed.
Cons
Slow. A data pull is not immediate and can cause some frustration if data is not pulled 100% accurately the first time. Collaboration can also be difficult, as the individual models are fragile and must be updated online.
User friendly product. Great customer support
We generate our reporting package quicker and with less errors. Our planning process runs more smoothly and efficiently again with less errors. We are able to consolidate our plans quicker.
Pros
How easy it is to create basic reporting and customize and scheduled distribution. Interface that is scheduled nightly to automatically populate Host with data from our G/L. Consolidation of our plan is more efficient and timely so changes aren't such a nightmare to make.
Cons
Quarterly releases are great, but they don't give you enough time to test them before they are automatically put into production.
High Quality Financial Reporting Platform
Used this software to simplify reporting from 8 companies with varying charts of accounts and 10,000 accounts to a single, comparable reporting structure. Greatly reduced effort and time spent on consolidating and preparing financial reports.
Pros
Dynamic reports and the ability to get the precise financial information you need, with drill down capabilities is a huge plus. Can include links to images of transaction source documents, providing great transparency in reporting. Spotlight for Excel add in to develop custom, refreshable reports is a great help. Forecasting and budgeting tools are good as well.
Cons
Learning curve of implementing a new software for financial reporting is always going to be somewhat significant, but there are several quirks in data loads and reporting cube processing that make things harder than they should be.
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Planful Pricing
Planful Pricing
Pricing information is available by contacting Host Analytics.
Pricing information is available by contacting Host Analytics.
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Planful Features
Planful Features
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Categories
Categories
Additional information for Planful
Additional information for Planful
Key features of Planful
- "What If" Scenarios
- Budget Control
- Cost Analysis
- Customizable Reporting
- Financial Analysis
- Microsoft Office Integration
- Multi-Currency
- Performance Support
- Predictive Modeling
- QuickBooks Integration
- Real Time Reporting
Benefits
- Use predicative financial analysis to identify trends and develop informed plans
- Collaborate around financial information, securely, from the Web, via the Planful dashboard
- Model a wide range of financial activities and actions with detailed models
- Consolidate modeling functions throughout the organization
- Easily export model information from Planful to Excel and share it on the Web
Planful FAQs
Planful FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions for Planful.
Q. What type of pricing plans does Planful offer?
Planful offers the following pricing plans:
Free Trial: Available
Pricing information is available by contacting Host Analytics.
Q. What are the main features of Planful?
Planful offers the following features:
- "What If" Scenarios
- Budget Control
- Cost Analysis
- Customizable Reporting
- Financial Analysis
- Microsoft Office Integration
- Multi-Currency
- Performance Support
- Predictive Modeling
- QuickBooks Integration
- Real Time Reporting
Q. Who are the typical users of Planful?
Planful has the following typical customers:
Mid Size Business
Q. What languages does Planful support?
Planful supports the following languages:
English
Q. What type of pricing plans does Planful offer?
We do not have any information about what Planful pricing plans
Q. Does Planful support mobile devices?
We do not have any information about what devices Planful supports
Q. What other apps does Planful integrate with?
Planful integrates with the following applications:
FinancialForce Accounting, Microsoft Excel
Q. What level of support does Planful offer?
Planful offers the following support options:
Knowledge Base, Online Support, Phone Support
Automation , easy to use