Understanding Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)

Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) refers to a category of software that is essential for analyzing, understanding, and reporting on a business's performance. It serves a crucial role for CFOs and the office of finance in carrying out operational planning, budgeting, and reporting. By providing insights into management, EPM software complements Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, which focus on operating the business, thereby aiding in managing the business more effectively.

EPM tools are enterprise project management tools that aid in planning, tracking, and managing enterprise-level projects. With features like a centralized repository for project information and analytics, these tools enable collaboration among stakeholders and help monitor project progress. EPM tools have evolved to become web-based applications and are often offered as Software as a Service (SaaS), such as Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management (EPM).

In addition to the software aspect, EPM also stands for Electronic Postmark (EPM), a service provided by Authentidate under license from the USPS. This EPM service is a content integrity and time and date stamp service, which includes storing information about electronic files and ensuring non-repudiation. It demonstrates the versatility of EPM as both a software tool for business management and a type of service ensuring data integrity.

EPM Plugins for Excel

EPM Add-in Client Features

The EPM Add-in client is an Excel plugin designed to facilitate system migrations from SAP BPC 7.x to BPC 10.x and provides compatibility with various versions of Microsoft Office. It allows for separate downloading of the Excel client and offers the capability to interact with the BPC server across all major Windows versions. This plugin is testable by upgrading a single user and supports Excel versions 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 365, and 2016.

Top EPM Plugins for Excel

Among the leading EPM plugins for Excel are Anaplan, Jedox, Prophix, SAP Analytics Cloud, OneStream XF, and others, each offering unique features for enterprise performance management. Planful, for instance, provides a holistic planning solution suitable for both large and small businesses, featuring a highly configurable application with a rolling forecast capability. Tagetik serves as an executive strategy cockpit, delivering immediate visualizations of changes in graphs or charts, and supports various planning approaches with fewer clicks needed for report building. Oracle Fusion, Kepion, and Adaptive Planning also offer specialized solutions tailored for different industries and organization sizes, emphasizing cloud-based capabilities and sector-specific functionalities.

Using EPM Plugins in Excel

During migrations or system upgrades, especially from BPC 7.x, the EPM Add-in client is a critical tool. It necessitates that the Excel client version matches the installed version on the server. The plugin is compatible with different BPC server versions and operates on Windows XP through Windows 10. However, specific service pack requirements must be met for compatibility with newer versions of Microsoft Office and Windows, such as SP20 for Office 2013 and SP25 for Office 2016 and Windows 10.

Common Use Cases

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  Running ad hoc SQL queries for EPM data analysis
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  Creating and analyzing reports using Analytic Views with a wizard
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  Accessing both cloud and on-premises Oracle EPM sources for data consolidation
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  Saving and reusing EPM analysis reports from period to period
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  Performing flex form interactions and accessing pre-created EPM content within Excel

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the EPM Add-in for Excel experiencing performance and stability issues?

Performance and stability issues with the EPM Add-in have increased with Office 2013 and Office 365. This can be due to Microsoft patches and security updates, which may cause slow program response, Excel crashing or becoming unresponsive, view distortion, and unexpected user interface behavior.

What are the compatibility requirements for using the EPM Add-in with Office 2016?

To use Office 2016 with the EPM Add-in for BPC 10.0, the BPC server must be on SP21 or higher. For BPC 10.1, Office 2016 requires the BPC server to be on SP05 or higher. Additionally, support for Office 2016 in the EPM Add-in started with the SP25 version.

Can the EPM Add-in client support different versions of Windows?

Yes, the EPM Add-in client supports Windows operating systems XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. Windows 10 support started with SP25 of the EPM Add-in client.

What should I do if I encounter a compatibility issue with the EPM Add-in after a Microsoft Office update?

Troubleshooting a compatibility issue may involve checking if the EPM Add-in is enabled and disabling any conflicting add-ins. Keeping Microsoft Office updated ensures compatibility with the EPM Add-in. Additionally, it's recommended to install regular updates and improvements for the EPM Add-in.

How can I improve the efficiency of using the EPM Add-in for Excel?

To improve efficiency with the EPM Add-in, customize it to fit your organization's needs and workflows, receive training to maximize its features, and provide user feedback for necessary changes. Using keyboard shortcuts to enable or disable the EPM Add-in quickly can also help.