To find the right technology to help transform its business, ARDIC trialed a variety of solutions offered by companies operating in Egypt. After testing multiple solutions, the company decided to deploy IBM Planning Analytics to power more efficient budgeting and planning as well as streamline project management.
Soueif comments: “Initially, we looked at out-of-the box planning, budgeting and project management systems. However, we soon realized that our complex business model required a much more versatile solution that could be customized to meet our unique needs.
“We were impressed with the robustness and flexibility of IBM Planning Analytics. We also liked the fact that we could implement Planning Analytics in the cloud and avoid the expense of managing and maintaining a solution on premises. IBM also recommended working with Business Vision to help us through the implementation process.”
Business Vision, an IBM Business Partner, worked closely with ARDIC to develop a comprehensive solution for strategic, operational and project planning in IBM Planning Analytics. By defining the relationships between the three plans explicitly within the system, ARDIC will be better able to align its business with changing market conditions.
To help control and allocate costs effectively, ARDIC is building a module in IBM Planning Analytics that will enforce its policy of checking purchase requests against project budgets before a payment is made, reducing the risk of unplanned expenditures.
At the time of writing, ARDIC and Business Vision are also in the process of integrating IBM Planning Analytics with the company’s Maisonette ERP system. Once the integration is complete, ARDIC will be able to import actuals automatically from its finance system into its plans and ensure that each project remains on track.
“We are very pleased with Business Vision,” continues Soueif. “Their team were easy to work with and they adopted a friendly and professional approach to the implementation. For instance, they were willing to extend the scope of the project when we realized that our requirements were more complex than they originally appeared. Throughout the whole process, Business Vision demonstrated that they are 100 percent committed to helping us utilize IBM Planning Analytics to its full potential.”