tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16907650.post8839902737820774284..comments2023-10-23T08:51:50.686-07:00Comments on Strategy-Driven Execution: SAP acquires OutlookSoft and launches the Next-Generation of Corporate Performance Management solutionsNenshad Bardoliwallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253061134385821014noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16907650.post-75316729457900041602007-08-17T06:55:00.000-07:002007-08-17T06:55:00.000-07:00Nenshad - I enjoyed reading your article. You give...Nenshad - I enjoyed reading your article. You give a very enthusiastic account of OutlookSoft and the reasons for SAP acquiring this innovative product. Having had experience of all of the planning and consolidation products you mention (and many that you don't mention including SAP SEM ECCS/BCS) I have to agree that OutlookSoft does have many innovative features. However, your article raises as many questions for me as it answers. <BR/><BR/>First, you do not mention in any great detail the extent of the OutlookSoft integration with Microsoft, you do mention integration with Office as a data reporting, presentation and manipulation toolset (which I agree is one of the key reasons for OutlookSoft's popularity) but also in terms of placing total reliance on SQL Server and Analysis services. A key question for me, therefore, is, will OutlookSoft be integrated into the SAP BW platform? Obviously many SAP users are exploiting SAP BW and to avoid further data integration across multiple data cubes and data repository types integration of OutlookSoft with BW would be important. <BR/><BR/>A second key question for me, particularly from a European perspective, is: what does the SAP acquisition of OutlookSoft mean for the future of SAP SEM and all its component applications, including SAP Business Planning Solution (BPS) - Integrated Planning and Business Consolidation Solution (BCS). <BR/><BR/>With OutlookSoft in the SAP portfolio SAP now has two comprehensive and distinct integrated toolsets for addressing the key processes of the Office of the CFO, particularly at large international Groups. <BR/><BR/>Going forward, if my clients are considering the two SAP options for these business processes, which is the best option for them to take to ensure they maximize their return on investment and minimize the risk of disruption of major technical upgrades as you move the products along their development rout map, SAP SEM or SAP Business Planning & Consolidations (OutlookSoft). <BR/>I would welcome your comments on these two questions or perhaps advice as to where I can find guidance from SAP on these two key questions.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11485095786795819481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16907650.post-69226517198906410402007-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:002007-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11485095786795819481noreply@blogger.com