The University of Nottingham deploys a student planning application using IBM Cognos Planning, Business Intelligence and Simpson Associates.

Challenge

• The student planning process was a lengthy and labour intensive process.
• Limitations in the existing Excel spreadsheet model meant that reconciling summary values was difficult as the calculations used to derive them were obscure.
• The planning team spent too much time answering queries from the line of business managers.
• Changes to plan took two days to recalculate.

Solution

• IBM Cognos Planning tool selected integrated with IBM Cognos BI to produce reports.
• Planning application was designed and delivered in-line with the level of detail required by the business.
• Multi-dimensional design allowed large data sets and complex calculations that were coherent and manageable..
• Menu driven screen design significantly simplified a hitherto complex student planning process.

Benefits

• The four year plan is now produced in much more detail in less time. The plan now is produced in three to four hours, before it took days
• Changes now take nearer 20 minutes to recalculate, previously it could have taken two days.
• The planning team has more time to analyse the numbers which helps drive future planning cycles.
• The business has more confidence in the numbers and a much more robust planning application.