Planful (Host Analytics) Review - why 4.2 stars?

Shlomi Lavi

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What is Planful (Host Analytics)?

Planful is a cloud-based financial planning and analysis software that is designed to help businesses of all sizes manage their budgeting, forecasting, and performance management needs. Formerly known as Host Analytics, Planful was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California. With over 450 employees, Planful serves a diverse range of customers across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services.

Planful offers several features that make it a popular choice among finance professionals. One of its key features is its easy-to-use interface, which allows users to create and manage budgets and forecasts quickly and efficiently. It also offers robust financial modeling capabilities, allowing users to create and analyze complex financial scenarios.

Another key feature of Planful is its ability to integrate with a wide range of data sources, including ERP systems, CRM systems, and other financial data sources. This allows users to access all of their financial data in one place, making it easier to make informed decisions and drive business outcomes.

Planful also offers advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, including dashboarding and visualizations, which allow users to monitor and analyze financial performance in real-time. This helps businesses stay on top of their finances and make informed decisions that drive growth and profitability.

Finally, Planful offers a range of planning and modeling tools, including cash flow forecasting, scenario planning, and driver-based planning. These tools help businesses create accurate financial forecasts and models that reflect the changing business landscape, ensuring that they can make informed decisions based on the latest information.

Overall, Planful is a powerful financial planning and analysis software that is designed to help businesses of all sizes manage their budgeting, forecasting, and performance management needs. With its easy-to-use interface, robust financial modeling capabilities, and advanced reporting and analytics features, Planful is a great choice for finance professionals who want to take their financial planning to the next level.

Who is it best for?

Planful Budgeting & CPM Software is used by businesses of all sizes across various industries. Some of the industries that Planful serves include manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and technology.

Here are five examples of companies that use Planful:

1. NetBrain Technologies: NetBrain Technologies is a software company that specializes in network automation solutions. They use Planful to manage their financial planning and analysis needs, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

2. Helly Hansen: Helly Hansen is a leading provider of technical outdoor clothing and gear. They use Planful to manage their financial planning and analysis needs, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.

3. Fresenius Medical Care: Fresenius Medical Care is a global healthcare company that provides products and services for people with chronic kidney failure. They use Planful to manage their financial planning and analysis needs, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

4. Teva Pharmaceuticals: Teva Pharmaceuticals is a global pharmaceutical company that develops, produces, and markets generic drugs. They use Planful to manage their financial planning and analysis needs, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.

5. Western Digital: Western Digital is a leading provider of data storage solutions. They use Planful to manage their financial planning and analysis needs, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

Overall, Planful serves a diverse range of customers across various industries. Its powerful financial planning and analysis capabilities make it a popular choice for businesses looking to improve their financial performance and drive growth.

Main features and functionalities

Planful Budgeting & CPM Software can help your business in several ways. Here are a few examples:

1. Streamline budgeting and forecasting: Planful can help you streamline your budgeting and forecasting processes, allowing you to create accurate financial models and scenarios quickly and efficiently. This can help you make informed decisions about your business and adjust your plans as needed.

2. Improve financial reporting and analysis: With Planful, you can access all of your financial data in one place, making it easier to create reports and analyze performance. You can also use advanced analytics and visualization tools to gain deeper insights into your financial data and identify areas for improvement.

3. Increase efficiency and productivity: By automating repetitive tasks and reducing manual data entry, Planful can help you increase efficiency and productivity, freeing up your finance team to focus on more strategic tasks.

4. Collaborate more effectively: Planful allows you to collaborate with team members across different departments and locations, making it easier to work together to achieve your financial goals. You can also share reports and data visualizations with stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Overall, Planful can help you improve your financial planning and analysis processes, drive growth, and make informed decisions about your business. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, Planful can help you streamline your financial operations and achieve your goals.

What is the actual cost?

Here is an overview of the different pricing plans for Host Analytics:

• Professional Edition: This is the basic pricing plan for Host Analytics, which offers basic financial planning and analysis features. It is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.

• Enterprise Edition: This pricing plan offers more advanced features and is suitable for large businesses. It includes features such as driver-based planning, advanced allocations, and data integration.

• Premier Edition: This is the top-tier pricing plan for Host Analytics, which includes all of the features of the Professional and Enterprise editions, as well as additional features such as advanced analytics, financial consolidation, and strategic modeling.

ITQlick pricing score is 8 out of 10 (10 is most expensive). Access ITQlick pricing guide for Planful (Host Analytics). You can also find here pricing information from Planful (Host Analytics)'s website.

Pros

• Ease of use: Planful is known for its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use tools, making it a popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have dedicated financial staff.
• Flexibility: Planful offers a wide range of customizable templates and models that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business.
• Collaboration: Planful cloud-based platform allows for easy collaboration and sharing of financial data across teams and departments, helping to streamline workflows and increase productivity.
• Host Analytics CPM Suite’s dashboards are pre-configured so that it could be used immediately
• It integrates with other applications such as Netsuite, MS Dynamics, Oracle CRM and many others

Cons

• Higher cost: Planful budgeting and CPM software can be more expensive compared to some competitors, which can be a barrier for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
• Steep learning curve: Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and navigate, which may require additional training and support.
• Limited customization: While Planful offers a range of features and functionalities, some users may find that the software has limited customization options compared to other budgeting and CPM software on the market.
• Host Analytics has no mobile native application
• Host Analytics does not have drag and drop reporting feature.

How it stacks up?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)