Ten points - why Spreadsheet Automation?

1 of 10 – Why Spreadsheet Automation?

 The business world runs on Excel.  Excel is unquestionably THE user application of choice for data analysis and presentation.  Every day over three million users log onto Excel and will continue to do so in increasing numbers…..

a.     Many Users ( Accountants especially ) aggressively resist alternative, corporate  reporting applications and will continue to use Excel as their solution of choice.  Countless times, even in the largest organisations, figures from other applications, or the numbers from the bottom line are fed into Excel to make the “real” report or graphic sent to the top. Forrester Research estimates 50 to 80 per cent of enterprises still use stand-alone spreadsheets for critical applications like financial reporting……

b.     Because of this strong preference and their existing skills, we find many ( disgruntled ) users rely on cut & paste, rekey data or create their own one-off extracts from their business systems into Excel which results in -

Duplication of effort and data, inefficiencies, delay, inconsistencies, errors, manual adjustments, lack of control, no auditability.….

Resistance, fear and resentment from many IT teams who see these as “Spreadsheet Chaos” and strive to prevent ( usually with little success ). 

 

Yet these same IT teams are unable to react swiftly to changes in reporting requirements to supply a credible alternative - a vicious circle.... 

c.      IT management however, can be ( rightly ) concerned about any approach or tools which could enable users to update the ERP/Business System’s data itself and risk it’s integrity and prejudice on-going support from the author….

We find a common on-going situation is - users would give their eye teeth to be able to create and manage their own reports and ad-hoc analyses from within Excel and refresh these on demand with LIVE business data whilst at the same time there's strong resistance from IT teams.

The answer is – Spreadsheet Automation  - which allows Users to manage their own reports and graphics containing LIVE information from their Business System and distribute these in a controlled and auditable manner - a WIN-WIN for all concerned…

 

 

Any data, any ERP - any time……  If you are interested in Spreadsheet Automation, come & see us at the Movex UK User Association Conference in October or contact us for an informal no-obligation chat or to attend one of our free webinars -  info@excelogy.co.uk