PPS 2007 vs FRx Forecaster
Posted on января 7, 2009
Filed Under Microsoft, PerformancePoint Server
Не совсем актуально для России (ибо у нас MS Forecaster не продается), но очень хороший пост — PerformancePoint Planning vs. FRx Forecaster. Приведу табличку оттуда:
Item |
FRx Forecaster |
PerformancePoint |
Out-of-the-Box Solution | Yes | No |
Model Types Supported | Four (4) total types that have been preconfigured to handle Expenses, Revenue, CapEx & HR (one of each) | Unlimited types can be created and they can be whatever you can dream, but no models are provided out-of-the-box |
Number of Models Supported | Four (4) models per company (as detailed above) with unlimited companies supported | Unlimited, but no models are provided out-of-the-box |
Supports Linked Models | Yes, but only within the four model type structure above | Yes |
Supports Allocation Models | Yes | Yes |
Supports Multiple Currencies | Yes | Yes |
Number of Dimensions | Ten (10) maximum across all models and companies with nine (9) being user definable and one (1) needed to handle time | Unlimited |
End User Interface | Web interface or FRx Forecaster client | Excel 2003 or Excel 2007 |
Use Excel Formulas / Functions During Data Entry | No | Yes |
Supports Spreading / Calendarization of Values | Yes and it does it quite well | No, but back-end PEL rules or Excel functionality can be implemented to assist the user |
Approval Workflows | Yes | Yes |
Workflow Statuses | Unlimited and configurable | Fixed |
Workflow Alerts via Email | Yes | Yes |
Audit History by Cell | Yes and available from within the user interface | Available, but requires creation of custom reports that are run separately |
Copying of Budget Versions | Yes and is a built-in function | Yes, but requires development of custom PEL rules |
Data Storage Structure | SQL Server table with all data for all models in a single table | SQL Analysis Services and SQL Server tables with each model having a unique cube and series of tables |
Reporting Tool(s) | Reporting is limited as the tool is geared towards budget capture and approval. FRx Financial Report Writer can be utilized | PerformancePoint Excel Add-In, Excel pivot tables, Management Reporter, SQL Reporting Services, PerformancePoint M&A components |
Integration to/from Other Data Sources | Limited and primarily GL level data only | Unlimited and can include both dimension members and fact data |
M&A Components Available | None as FRx Forecaster is a budgeting / forecasting solution only | Yes and therefore provides a complete performance management suite |
Short Term Solution (<3 Years) | Yes | Yes |
Long Term Solution (3+ Years) | No as it is being phased out in favor of PerformancePoint | Yes |
Deployment Ease/Speed (Scale 1 — 10) | 8 out of 10 as working within a set framework means quicker deployment | 5 out of 10 as you can create whatever you like, but you are starting with a blank canvas |
Deployment Power/Potential (Scale 1 — 10) | 5 out of 10 as you are forced to work within the existing framework that has been pre-developed for you | 7 out of 10 since the product is still at v1.0 and lacks some features, this should be a 9 after v2.0 is available |
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