In the constantly evolving business landscape, organizations using Microsoft Power BI often seek to extend their data visualization with enhanced functionalities such as budgeting, planning, and real-time data input. AccoPlanning, a so-called ‘Custom Visual’ developed by the Danish consulting firm Accobat AS, provides basic write-back capabilities for Power BI. The Accobat consulting organization developed the visual to address write-back challenges that their consultants experienced while working with clients.
Introduction to accoPlanning
AccoPlanning is marketed as a write-back visual available on Microsoft AppSource that can be added to Power BI reports. AccoPlanning is a “visual-only” Custom Visual; there is no server-side logic of any kind. Instead, the visual uses JavaScript in the browser, connecting directly to a SQL database and writing data to a table. This implies that the user must have a direct connection to the database from the web browser.
AccoPlanning targets technical users who need to edit various types of numbers and data within Power BI. Its price point is one of its strongest advantages. Priced at $14 per user per month, AccoPlanning is an inexpensive visual.
Pros of accoPlanning
Cost-Effective: AccoPlanning is an affordable custom visual for organizations needing basic write-back functionality.
Basic Write-Back for Power BI: AccoPlanning allows users to enter and save data within Power BI, sending data to a SQL database directly from the web browser.
Familiar Matrix Interface: Based on a pivot-table or matrix format, AccoPlanning is simple for users familiar with Power BI’s native matrix pivot-table concept.
Why Consider Alternatives to accoPlanning?
Although AccoPlanning may suit organizations with limited write-back needs, several reasons lead companies to seek more comprehensive solutions. Key risks and limitations of AccoPlanning include:
Requirement for a Solution, Not Just a Write-Back Visual: Planning, budgeting, and forecasting go beyond basic write-back, particularly considering the requirements of Controllers, CFOs, and other stakeholders in an FP&A solution. Functionality such as scenario management, commenting to add context, process and approval workflows, audit trails, pre-calculated suggestions, cell-locking, access rights, and the ability to design advanced, visually appealing reports are all important. AccoPlanning is not designed for reporting; instead, customers must rely on other visuals, such as those from Zebra BI.
Limited Input Form Design Flexibility: AccoPlanning is based on a classic pivot-table/matrix concept, where dimensions are added to rows and columns, and measures are placed between them. While this is effective for creating analytical solutions, it often does not meet the needs of end-users and managers for efficient planning, forecasting, or data entry. For example, if an organization wants to first see a column with the last 12 months of sales by product, another column with the average price over the last 12 months, and then two separate column sections simulating volume and price development for the coming 12 months, month by month, and finally a calculated column showing the total revenues for the fiscal year—such a design is challenging if restricted to a matrix layout.
Security Concerns: AccoPlanning stores the SQL server name, username, and password within the Power BI .pbix file. From a security perspective, this setup poses two concerns:
A) The risk of someone capturing the complete login information, including the password, in the browser or during transmission from the browser to the database.
B) The risk of someone accessing the database login information by opening the .pbix file and reverse engineering the password.
C) If a former employee has access to the .pbix file and the target database runs in Azure SQL, the employee may get unauthorized access to the data directly within Power BI.
Technical Setup and IT Dependency: AccoPlanning requires technical expertise, including SQL database setup and management. Users must configure their own SQL databases and tables using tools like Management Studio, making it less accessible for business users to create self-service solutions without significant IT resources or knowledge.
Reliance on Consulting with Minimal Documentation: It’s important to note that the AccoPlanning visual is developed and maintained by a consulting firm. Be sure to review AccoPlanning’s documentation and training resources. Users may become dependent on consulting support, which restricts the flexibility and scalability of the tool. Additionally, there is no partner program available for AccoPlanning, limiting options for businesses that want more comprehensive support from other consulting firms.
Aimplan: The Superior Alternative to accoPlanning
For organizations looking for a more comprehensive and scalable solution for Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, Master Data Management, Commenting, and Approval Processes within Power BI, Aimplan may be the answer. Aimplan provides a sophisticated, cloud-native alternative that overcomes the limitations of AccoPlanning.
Here’s how Aimplan stands out:
Aimplan is a Solution—Not Just a Custom Visual: Aimplan currently has four custom visuals in Microsoft AppSource. Aimplan is also supported by a back-end SaaS service with advanced business logic and data storage (with customer storage in their own Azure tenant as an option). The visuals and service support a wide range of capabilities:
Aimplan Planning and Reporting Visual – advanced reporting and planning/forecasting, including commenting, based on the existing Power BI semantic model combined with the Aimplan SaaS Service.
Aimplan Commenting Visual – enables managers and end-users to add ‘page comments’ in Power BI reports connected to the data shown on screen, providing context to both reporting and planning processes, and aggregating comments across the organization.
Aimplan Data Input Table – enables data management and master data management directly within Power BI. It allows users to extend existing Power BI tables or create new registers and tables that selected end-users can maintain.
Aimplan Processes and Status Visual – allows control over reported data by implementing approval processes and status control.
Multi-Section Planning Form and Report Design: The Aimplan Planning and Reporting Visual can be uniquely configured to build user-friendly and advanced forms and reports. Unlike the matrix concept, it allows multiple row and column sections, each containing different dimensions and measures. No other Power BI solutions on the market provide this level of control over design.
High Security with Centralized Management: Unlike AccoPlanning, Aimplan employs secure server-side architecture on Microsoft Azure, with all database credentials securely managed on the backend. Aimplan implements Microsoft Entra ID authentication, providing access to specific user rights. The Aimplan administration portal allows users to control scenarios, tables, and more.
Built for Ease of Use and Self-Service: Aimplan is designed for both business professionals and technical users with Power BI skills. The platform’s straightforward implementation allows teams to deploy and configure Aimplan quickly and easily. Users can leverage their existing semantic models with dimensions and actuals. The Aimplan admin portal allows storage tables for write-back data, comments, and status changes to be designed without SQL knowledge.
Aimplan is a SaaS/Software Company: Aimplan is committed to providing excellent documentation, training materials, and tutorials. If you need assistance, Aimplan has a network of professional partners worldwide.
Future-Proof Unique Technology: Aimplan is built with the latest Azure, cloud, and Power BI technologies. Designed specifically for Power BI and the cloud, Aimplan implements proprietary technology for high-speed data storage. When the end-user clicks the Save button, data is stored within seconds or milliseconds.
Superior Value for Money: Although AccoPlanning’s price is attractive, Aimplan’s features deliver a significantly higher return on investment by combining planning, budgeting, and forecasting in one platform. With integrated reporting and comprehensive FP&A capabilities, Aimplan enables organizations to save on consulting fees and additional visual subscriptions, offering a streamlined and cost-effective solution.
Conclusion
While AccoPlanning provides a basic write-back feature within Power BI, it lacks the depth, security, and usability that organizations require for real-life planning and write-back scenarios. With its cloud-native design, robust security, extensive functionality, and self-service support, Aimplan offers a scalable and future-proof alternative that truly enhances Power BI. For companies looking to maximize their Power BI investment with more than simple write-back, Aimplan is the ideal solution.
Explore how Aimplan can transform your financial planning process—schedule a demo today and discover the difference.