The process was developed as follows:

1. Importing accounting data from Navision to Anaplan
2. Processing data by controllers according to closing logics (accruals, allocations, etc.)
3. Producing outputs such as Budget, P&L, Balance Sheet, and Reporting Package (i.e., account reclassification)
4. Exporting data from Anaplan to Navision

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The approach adopted was holistic. It allowed the company not only to harmonize the data flow between ERP and CPM but also to take the opportunity to fill some existing gaps, such as the total absence of store master data, which were then inserted into Anaplan.

 

The main guidelines followed during the project's development can be outlined as follows:

• Industry Specifics: Stores are the distinctive feature of retail, along with their accompanying master data characteristics, such as opening and closing dates, restructuring, and comparability in Like4Like logic.
• International Dimension of the Company: Being part of a holding company, there was a need for a sustainable and sufficiently clear process for all users. Additionally, since Anaplan was already used by the holding itself, future-proofing, cross-functionality, and preservation of best practices were top priorities for stakeholders from the outset.
• Centralization of the Process: The unregulated exchange of these data exposed the company to errors, delays, and the proliferation of Excel documents. It was necessary to identify a single access point for everyone.
• Internal Workflow: Dividing the process into phases of approval or rejection of entered data was essential to ensure clear and transparent communication among stakeholders.

Given these premises, Anaplan proved to be the ideal software because it has always provided an experience based on these pillars:

• Cloud-native software: resulting in the centralization of the data flow globally
• Security: once the data was approved, security features protected it from possible accidental overwriting errors
• Flexibility: the software's adaptability allowed for and continues to allow integrations as required by a project as susceptible to change as ESG
• User friendliness: Anaplan's user experience made the transition very comfortable, adopting an intuitive and straightforward approach without neglecting aesthetic appeal.