Almost every large company today works with SAP—whether in accounting, controlling, or logistics. When it comes to planning, forecasts, and scenarios, the question often arises: “Do we even need a planning tool like IBM Planning Analytics—and doesn’t it compete with SAP?”
Our answer: No. SAP and Planning Analytics are not rivals, but rather the perfect complement to each other. Combining both systems creates a solution that combines reliable data with flexible planning.
The most important information in brief
- SAP provides the proven master data, postings, and processes.
- IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) handles planning, simulations, and what-if analyses.
- Together, they create a controlling system that is both precise AND flexible—without duplicating effort.
- At BI2run, we connect both worlds—with clear processes, stable interfaces, and a focus on applicability.
Why people often think: SAP vs. planning tool
Many managers initially assume that an additional planning tool such as IBM Planning Analytics would “replace” SAP. This raises concerns: more effort, duplicate data, confusion over responsibilities.
In fact, this is a misunderstanding. SAP remains the mandatory system for postings and master data. Planning Analytics is simply added on top – as a flexible tool for controlling and management.
You can imagine it like a car:
- SAP is the engine — powerful, reliable, ensuring that the company runs smoothly.
- Planning Analytics is the cockpit — it shows you how fast you are going, where you are headed, and which route you need to change if necessary.
No car can run without an engine. Without a cockpit, you are driving blind. Only when both are combined do you have a safe and controllable vehicle.
What SAP does best
SAP is the system of record:
- All transactions (e.g., bookings, invoices)
- Master data (e.g., cost centers, articles, customers)
- Financial processes (e.g., monthly and annual financial statements)
The system is optimized for collecting and securing data. This gives companies a reliable foundation—but not yet flexible planning.
What Planning Analytics does better
IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) is the planning layer:
- Creation of budgets, forecasts, and what-if scenarios
- Driver-based models (e.g., “What happens if raw material costs increase by 5%?”)
- Flexible input via Excel-like interfaces (PAfE)
- Instant simulations thanks to powerful in-memory technology
While SAP provides stable data, PA transforms it into options for action.
Interaction in practice
- SAP provides the data — e.g., cost centers, sales, bookings.
- Planning Analytics uses this data — controllers plan scenarios, adjust forecasts, or write back budgets.
- The results flow back into reporting — keeping management on the same page.
Example
A manufacturing company used SAP for all its financial data. Planning took weeks every year because scenarios were difficult to map. With Planning Analytics, forecasts became possible on a monthly basis. SAP remained the data source, while PA became the tool for quick scenarios. The result: greater speed, fewer errors, and more control.
Common misunderstandings
- “SAP and PA compete with each other.”
No. SAP secures processes, PA complements them with flexible planning. - “Then we have to maintain data twice.”
Wrong. SAP remains the leader—PA uses and complements the data. - “Excel is enough.”
Excel is flexible, but not centralized. With PAfE, you work in a similar way to Excel, but in an integrated, secure, and version-controlled manner.
Why BI2run is the right partner
We know both worlds—SAP and Planning Analytics—and build bridges between them.
- Interfaces & data flows: We ensure stable connections so that SAP data can be used in PA.
- Modeling: We build the appropriate forecast and scenario models in PA.
- User-friendliness: We design planning interfaces that specialist departments can understand immediately.
- Governance: We establish clear rules and versioning so that planning remains audit-proof.
➡ Our strength: We combine two systems into one integrated solution – for modern, future-proof controlling.
Why the combination is worthwhile now
- SAP alone: reliable, but not very flexible for planning.
- PA alone: flexible, but requires clean data.
- SAP + PA: stability AND agility – the perfect foundation for controllers.
👉 We implement SAP + IBM Planning Analytics in your company – from data connection to productive use. Contact us now and we will show you how this combination can work for you too.
