Feb 9, 2026
•8 minute read
FP&A
The Excel Paradox: How to Combine User Flexibility with SAP PPM Enterprise Integrity to Win the Data WarThe article highlights the challenges of using unauthorized Excel workarounds within SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM), known as the Excel Paradox, which compromises data integrity and governance, and proposes a strategic, integrated solution that combines user familiarity with the necessary enterprise integrity of SAP to enhance operational efficiency and trust in decision-making.
SAPinsider Research Webinar: The Office of the SAP CFO and the Future of FinanceAs regulatory complexity, cyber risk, and economic volatility converge, the Office of the SAP CFO is being pushed beyond stewardship into a new role as strategic co‑pilot of the enterprise. At the same time, most SAP-centric finance organizations remain stuck at an “established but not optimized” maturity plateau, constrained by fragmented data, manual close processes, and slow, spreadsheet-driven reporting that limit the impact of AI and automation.
In this research-driven session, SAPinsider unpacks findings from the 2025 benchmark study of 110 SAP-centric organizations to show how leading finance teams are modernizing the core, automating the close, and building an AI-ready data foundation on SAP S/4HANA. You will see how “optimized” organizations are using solutions such as SAP S/4HANA Finance, SAP S/4HANA for Advanced Financial Closing, SAP Business Warehouse, and complementary close automation tools to move toward a continuous close, cut cycle times from week-long marathons to as little as 1–3 days, and free scarce finance talent for higher-value analysis and business partnership.
Watch this webinar to learn how to:
- Identify where your finance organization sits on the SAPinsider maturity curve and what separates “established” from “optimized” finance teams in SAP environments.
- Use your SAP S/4HANA journey to consolidate financial activities, standardize data with Universal Journal, and lay the foundation for AI-enabled forecasting and anomaly detection.
- Accelerate the shift from efficiency to automation in the financial close, including practical steps toward a continuous close powered by orchestration and close automation tools.
- Overcome the top barriers to AI adoption in finance—organizational complexity, security and privacy concerns, and competing priorities—through focused pilots, governance, and change management.
Jan 7, 2026
•1 minute read
The Office of the SAP CFO and the Future of FinanceSAP CFO organizations are at a turning point. Our latest benchmark study of 110 SAP-centric enterprises reveals how finance leaders are modernizing their core, automating the close, and leveraging AI to move from transactional efficiency to strategic intelligence.
The Office of the CFO is evolving from a compliance-driven function into a strategic co-pilot for the enterprise. SAPinsider’s 2025 research shows that 54% of organizations have migrated core financial activities to SAP S/4HANA, creating the digital backbone for automation and AI. Yet only 17% report fully integrated finance systems, leaving most stuck at “Level 3 – Established” maturity. This plateau limits agility and slows transformation. CFOs face mounting pressure from regulatory complexity and cybersecurity risks, while internal demands for efficiency and performance drive a shift toward automation and real-time insights.
Modernization isn’t optional. 47% of organizations now prioritize automating the financial close, and leaders achieving 1–3 day close (just 5% today) gain a decisive competitive advantage in agility and decision-making. AI adoption is accelerating, 69% of respondents use AI in finance, primarily for forecasting and anomaly detection. Those leveraging AI report faster cycle times and less manual effort, freeing capacity for strategic planning. The report provides actionable recommendations for CFOs at every maturity level, from fixing data foundations to piloting agentic AI and moving toward autonomous finance.
Download the full report to benchmark your SAP CFO transformation and learn how to accelerate modernization.
Dec 31, 2025
•2 minute read
Enhancing FP&A by Integrating SAP Data with Databricks and SnowflakeTo enhance financial insights for FP&A teams, effective integration of complex SAP systems like S/4HANA with agile cloud analytics platforms such as Databricks and Snowflake is crucial, requiring specialized connectivity tools like those from CData that enable near real-time data access, harmonization across diverse systems, and stringent security measures.
May 22, 2025
•3 minute read
How Manufacturing Companies Can Leverage FP&A to Defend Against Economic UncertaintyManufacturing companies face significant challenges from external forces like tariffs and inflation, prompting the need for robust financial planning and analytics (FP&A) processes, which can be strengthened through AI-powered solutions, as highlighted in a recent SAPinsider report and an upcoming CCH Tagetik webinar aimed at enhancing resiliency and strategic insights.
Feb 28, 2025
•3 minute read
Streamlining Tax Compliance within SAP S/4HANAAs SAP organizations complete the move to SAP S/4HANA, they are optimizing their overall SAP landscape to meet their business needs and drive innovation. These businesses need solutions that maximize this important investment, addressing critical requirements throughout vital workflows like tax and compliance. SAPinsider’s recent AI and Automation in Finance 2024 benchmark research report found […]
Dec 4, 2024
•2 minute read
Streamlining Financial Planning with Web-based Solutions from PhocasPhocas' web-based financial planning solutions offer a modern alternative to traditional Excel spreadsheets, addressing the complexities of growing businesses. While Excel is user-friendly and cost-effective, it falls short as data volumes and organizational structures expand, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. In contrast, web-based budgeting and forecasting (B&F) software integrates seamlessly with ERP systems, handles large datasets, and automates processes, enhancing cross-functional collaboration and ensuring real-time data accuracy. Solutions like Phocas provide comprehensive FP&A capabilities, including scenario planning, sales forecasting, and automated financial statements. These tools support finance teams in linking financial performance to broader business objectives, ensuring data protection and compliance. Phocas' BI analytics and financial statement features further enable dynamic reporting and quick adjustments, transforming the finance function into a strategic driver for business growth.
Jul 19, 2024
•2 minute read
BARC Recognizes Phocas’ FP&A Software in Global Planning SurveyPhocas has established itself as a prominent player in the FP&A domain, as highlighted in BARC's 'The Planning Survey 24'. This survey, conducted between November 2023 and February 2024 with 1,272 participants, evaluated 21 products on 33 KPIs, including Business Benefits and Customer Satisfaction. Phocas excelled, securing top positions in multiple KPIs and leading in user-friendliness within the 'Integrated Products for Planning and BI & Analytics' peer group. Its robust BI foundation supports comprehensive financial planning, reporting, and analysis, which is highly adopted across organizations, with 27% employee usage compared to the average 10%. Phocas's integrated suite—covering Analytics, Budgets and Forecasts, Financial Statements, and Rebates—caters to mid-market sectors like manufacturing and retail, ensuring dynamic budgeting and real-time performance comparison. This integration eliminates the need for additional BI solutions, fostering better collaboration and performance understanding across business segments.
Jun 24, 2024
•2 minute read
Actionable insights into cash flow dynamics with Phocas’ 3-way forecastingFor SAP users, maintaining financial health supports growth investments, secures strong credit ratings through timely debt repayments, and offers flexibility to adapt to market shifts, economic downturns, or unforeseen challenges. In the distribution sector, cash flow management is crucial due to the dynamic nature of inventory, accounts receivable, and payable cycles. This requires optimal inventory levels, timely collection of receivables, and efficient management of payables, supported by dynamic financial planning and analysis (FP&A) tools like Phocas Software, which integrates with SAP products.
Adequate cash reserves are essential for smooth operations and responding swiftly to market opportunities and challenges, while excessive reserves can hinder profitability and strategic investments. A three-way cash flow forecasting model, integrating the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, provides a comprehensive view of financial health. This model is particularly valuable for wholesale distributors, enhancing forecasting accuracy by addressing the interactions between sales, inventory, and receivables. Phocas's three-way forecasting model includes financial mini-drivers—specific metrics that directly influence cash inflows and outflows—allowing CFOs to refine forecasts and gain deeper insights into financial performance.
May 28, 2024
•2 minute read
Surfacing SAP Data Clarity with insightsoftwareMultiple data sources, data complexity and silos, difficult data preparation processes, inadequate automation, and a lack of strategic direction and governance are the challenges that organizations often face. Consequently, a disparity emerges between business performance and transparency, leaving IT and business functions like finance and supply chain entangled in technical intricacies. As enterprise data landscapes evolve, organizations are finding it crucial to reevaluate data analysis strategies and tools for real-time reporting and generating business insights.
insightsoftware is a global provider of reporting, analytics, and performance management solutions, dedicated to empowering organizations to extract valuable insights from their business data. With solutions across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and operations, the company enables organizations to transform and automate their processes, generate trusted insights, boost predictability, and increase productivity.
Mar 5, 2024
•7 minute read
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