CASE STUDY Controlling Instruments in a Turbulent Market “With CUBUS ABC we have introduced a web-based, multi-user system in only 6 weeks, which has stabilised our planning and made crucial improvements to our forecast quality.” Ulrich Coenen E-Plus E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG, established in 1993, has 7.6 million customers in the German mobile phone market and innovates to such a degree that in many business areas it is the pioneer for the entire industry. They also use the best new technologies and creative solutions in-house. In order to supply sales, marketing and financial controlling with current information around the clock, a reliable database was created, on which numerous solutions for evaluation and analysis were established. In the controlling (oversight) department, they rely on ABC from CUBUS for their planning and forecasting. The basis for the information retrieval for the strategic and operational controlling of E-Plus is the Enterprise Data Warehouse. Here terabytes of data from all areas of the enterprise are collected, linked and processed. The analysis data is held in Oracle OLAP database, Essbase. At present 27 OLAP models are available daily and/or monthly for evaluation. In addition models facilitate the analysis of subscriber growth, air time and i-mode use. Fast access times to the data make it easy for the users to work with the models. Controlling with a Data Mart In 2001, encouraged by good experiences, a model was developed tailored to the controlling department’s requirements. For these controlling models, data from the data warehouse and SAP are integrated. They support analysis and reporting systems as well as planning and budgeting processes. Since the individual models are linked to each other and regularly exchange data, the users work with a consistent database across department borders. In contrast to the data warehouse, the controlling data mart is maintained by users from the controlling department. These ‘power users’ work hand in hand with the IT department. The custom-made models have clearly lowered the expenditure for data retrieval and processing during the budgeting and in the month-end closing processes. The controllers now use the saved time for additional analysis and simulation. Planning and Forecasting with CUBUS ABC Investment control is an important component of the controlling process. Each month over 200 users are involved with the CAPEX forecasting process (CAPEX = Capital Expenditures). Before the introduction of CUBUS’ ABC planning software this process was accomplished using Microsoft Excel. Within only 6 weeks a web-based system was implemented, which made multi-user access possible, stabilised the planning process and critically improved the forecast quality. In each case, the actual and prior forecast data is used to populate each successive forecast. The project managers then enter their new forecast and the results are consolidated and evaluated at the push of a button. Because of the intuitive prompting and familiar, Excel-like interface of CUBUS ABC, the new solution received very high acceptance from the outset. The controllers particularly appreciate that they can accomplish all changes and extensions independently. CUBUS provides made-to-measure Performance Management software and consulting. With our product ABC from CUBUS we provide a Business Performance Management (BPM) solution for planning, analysis and reporting. Strategic Project Performance Management (SPPM) fills a gap in strategy execution with the focus on initiative management. Dedicated international partners support customers all around the world. The project was accomplished using the “Coaching Consulting” method: After a short product training session, the E-Plus workers went through all the implementation steps with the CUBUS advisor. This allowed for the important transfer of knowledge and offered another level of security as they could make changes and extensions during the process without third party assistance. The E-Plus controlling department is very satisfied with its solutions. Since then, the controlling department has supplied their power users with a new application for OPEX planning (Operational Expenses) which CUBUS ABC provided, tested and took into production. This success story is sure to continue. CUBUS AG headquarters Bahnhofstraße 29 I 71083 Herrenberg (Germany) I Phone +49 70 32 94 51- 0 I Fax +49 70 32 94 51-30 I [email protected] www.cubus.eu Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. Microsoft, Microsoft Excel, Exchange, Internet Explorer, Outlook, SQL Server, Word, Windows and Windows NT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. CC-008-082008-E
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