FAQ

What is Darwin EPM?

Darwin EPM is an integrated suite of quality controlled solution Modules for SAP BPC that enable organizations to:

• Dramatically improve the organizational benefits of implementing EPM in terms of value creation through improved financial, operational and strategic planning and results
• Significantly reduce the time taken, technical requirements, upfront and on-going ownership costs involved

Darwin EPM Modules encapsulate best practice design and approach based on 100s of BPC and EPM solutions implementations spanning over a decade of experience.

What’s different about Darwin EPM?

Darwin solutions provide unique, quality assured and tested best design and best functionality EPM Modules across all the important business planning processes The Darwin EPM Modules dramatically lower the cost and provide quicker time to value compared to any other approach for implementing an EPM solution.

Who are the customers for Darwin EPM?

Darwin EPM is designed for organizations who are looking to achieve higher quality and dramatically improved planning capabilities for individual business planning processes and across different business functions including Strategy, Operations and Finance.

What kind of User Experience does Darwin EPM have?

Darwin EPM is based on SAP BPC which uses Excel as the familiar user experience together with the SAP EPM Add-in to provide additional BPC functionality for users. The native SAP EPM Add-in requires templates, layouts and basic workflows to be designed in Excel. This can lead to a time consuming and poor end user experience. Darwin EPM provides ready-to-go, professionally designed templates with additional functionality and workflows for each Darwin Module together with a Darwin EPM Ribbon for Excel providing an intuitive and appealing experience for users.

What is SAP BPC?

SAP’s BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation (BPC) provides planning, budgeting, financial forecasting, and consolidation tools and platform for modern organizations.

SAP BPC is available on a variety of different SAP core technologies and can be deployed on-premise or on the cloud. Find out more: https://www.sap.com/product/financial-mgmt/bpc.html

Why does Darwin EPM use SAP BPC?

SAP BPC provides a tremendous technical and technology platform for EPM solutions. However, out of the box, SAP BPC is a “blank canvas” requiring expert design and technical skills to implement and deploy an EPM solution. This can be a costly, risky project approach highly dependent on the skills and experience of the resources undertaking the project. Darwin EPM uses SAP BPC “under the covers” as the platform engine and technical framework to deliver highly functional EPM Modules which are designed to provide most planning needs for a given business planning process. In this way, Darwin EPM reduces the cost, risk and time for implementing and deploying an EPM solution while ensuring that each implemented Darwin Module can be supported, maintained and upgraded by the Darwin EPM Team.   

Darwin EPM is currently available on the following SAP BPC releases and versions - check here (embed link to list of supported releases / versions)

Does Darwin EPM replace my existing BPC application or can it be added and integrated with what we already have implemented?

Darwin EPM can be integrated with and leverage an existing BPC application without replacing it. Depending on which Darwin EPM Module or Modules are being deployed will determine the extent of the integration and leverage that is made use of. This can be assessed as part of the requirements and configuration process for deploying a Module.

What if we already have BPC installed? Can Darwin EPM use an existing BPC implementation?

If you already have BPC installed, Darwin EPM can take advantage of this:

Darwin EPM Modules can be integrated with existing BPC solutions to build out a comprehensive planning approach

Darwin EPM can be deployed on an existing BPC installation subject to the supported releases and versions – check here (embed link to list of supported releases / versions)

Are Darwin EPM Modules Starter Kits?

A Darwin EPM Module has characteristics similar to a Starter Kit but, whereas, a Starter Kit typically delivers only a fraction of the functionality needed for an organization, a Darwin EPM Module delivers a complete functional solution out of the box. Unlike Starter Kits, all Darwin Modules are configurable and extensible to meet individual customer requirements, while at the same time being supported, maintained and tested against SAP BPC releases by the Darwin EPM team removing potential cost and risk. Additionally, each Darwin module has a roadmap and continued investment to:

• Include new and additional functionality (again developed natively on BPC)
• Take advantage of new capabilities and features of the BPC platform

Can Darwin Modules be extended / customized for specific customer needs?

The short answer is yes. Since a Darwin EPM Module is developed using SAP BPC functionality, the Module can be configured to support additional, specific customer needs using native SAP BPC features. Extended / customized Darwin EPM Module are still supported, maintained and upgraded as part of Darwin EPM – an approach and offering that is also unique compared to other EPM solution vendors.

What is Darwin EPM Core?

Darwin EPM Core is a set of functionality that works with the BPC technical platform to ensure that Darwin EPM Modules make the optimal use of BPC and SAP technologies including SAP HANA. Optimal use includes business calculations; data integration; master data integration; advanced analytical integrations with other SAP technologies.

Do I need a consulting partner to implement Darwin EPM?

Although Darwin EPM reduces the cost, effort and time to implement an EPM solution, using a qualified and experienced EPM Partner will provide the best approach for ensuring overall success and providing an approach that can support and incorporate future business and technical needs as they arise. Darwin EPM works very closely with our consulting partners to deliver the highest quality EPM solutions including:

• Needs and requirements assessment
• Darwin EPM Module business and technical configuration
• Darwin Core business and technical configuration
• Solution Module and System Training including BPC
• EPM Roadmap and best practice advisory

What is the relationship between Darwin EPM and Column5 Consulting?

Darwin EPM is a separate company from Column5. Column5 is a close partner and reseller of Darwin software and works very closely with the Darwin EPM team providing input and feedback in to the product roadmap and approach for enabling critical EPM capability for customers. Darwin EPM and Column5 collaborate in developing thought leadership for EPM as a fundament business and organization topic.