Board International, a global leader in Intelligent Planning Solutions, has significantly deepened its collaboration with Microsoft to enhance AI-driven enterprise planning and accelerate growth in the North American market. This strategic partnership aims to integrate Board's advanced planning capabilities with Microsoft's robust cloud infrastructure, offering enterprises a comprehensive solution for financial and operational planning.
In September 2024, Board announced the availability of its Enterprise Planning Platform on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. This move allows organizations to leverage Azure's scalability and reliability, facilitating streamlined deployment and management of Board's solutions. Jeff Casale, CEO of Board, emphasized the significance of this development, stating that it provides exposure to thousands of companies globally and offers economic benefits through streamlined procurement processes. (board.com)
This collaboration builds upon a foundation established in November 2022, when Board partnered with Microsoft to enable seamless integration of its Intelligent Planning Platform with Microsoft Azure, Power BI, and Dynamics 365. The goal was to help enterprises plan smarter and drive better business outcomes. Marco Limena, CEO of Board International, highlighted that this partnership allows customers to capitalize on their existing technology to create integrated, intelligent plans across strategy, finance, and operations. (businesswire.com)
The integration with Microsoft's Azure stack provides robust hosting, secure data storage, and cutting-edge analytics capabilities. This synergy enables faster forecasting, scenario modeling, self-service predictive analytics, and AI/ML-driven insights, empowering businesses to make informed decisions swiftly. (appsource.microsoft.com)
Furthermore, Board has been recognized for its contributions to the industry. In June 2024, Quisitive was honored with the Board Americas Solution Partner of the Year award for the second consecutive year. This accolade underscores the successful collaboration between Board and its partners in delivering transformational outcomes for clients. (globenewswire.com)
As enterprises continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the combined strengths of Board's Intelligent Planning Platform and Microsoft's cloud infrastructure present a compelling proposition for organizations aiming to enhance their planning processes and achieve better business outcomes.
Strengthening the Partnership
In September 2024, Board announced the availability of its Enterprise Planning Platform on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. This move allows organizations to leverage Azure's scalability and reliability, facilitating streamlined deployment and management of Board's solutions. Jeff Casale, CEO of Board, emphasized the significance of this development, stating that it provides exposure to thousands of companies globally and offers economic benefits through streamlined procurement processes. (board.com)This collaboration builds upon a foundation established in November 2022, when Board partnered with Microsoft to enable seamless integration of its Intelligent Planning Platform with Microsoft Azure, Power BI, and Dynamics 365. The goal was to help enterprises plan smarter and drive better business outcomes. Marco Limena, CEO of Board International, highlighted that this partnership allows customers to capitalize on their existing technology to create integrated, intelligent plans across strategy, finance, and operations. (businesswire.com)
Technological Integration and Offerings
Board's Enterprise Planning Platform combines business intelligence (BI) and corporate performance management (CPM) functions within a single graphical software environment. The BI capabilities include multi-dimensional analysis, ad hoc querying, dashboarding, and reporting, while the CPM capabilities encompass budgeting, planning, forecasting, and other finance-related activities. Notably, the platform does not require programming skills to build applications, making it accessible to a broader range of users. (en.wikipedia.org)The integration with Microsoft's Azure stack provides robust hosting, secure data storage, and cutting-edge analytics capabilities. This synergy enables faster forecasting, scenario modeling, self-service predictive analytics, and AI/ML-driven insights, empowering businesses to make informed decisions swiftly. (appsource.microsoft.com)
Expansion in North America
Board's strategic initiatives include expanding its presence in North America. The partnership with Microsoft plays a crucial role in this endeavor by providing access to a vast network of enterprises seeking advanced planning solutions. By leveraging Microsoft's established market presence and technological infrastructure, Board aims to deliver its Intelligent Planning Solutions to a broader audience, driving growth and innovation in the region.Collaborative Efforts and Industry Impact
The collaboration between Board and Microsoft extends beyond technological integration. In June 2023, Board partnered with Quisitive Technology Solutions, a premier Microsoft solutions provider, to connect its financial planning and analysis solutions directly to Quisitive’s Microsoft Dynamics offering. This partnership enhances the FP&A capabilities of enterprises leveraging Microsoft technologies, providing comprehensive visibility and efficiencies in planning and analysis. (board.com)Furthermore, Board has been recognized for its contributions to the industry. In June 2024, Quisitive was honored with the Board Americas Solution Partner of the Year award for the second consecutive year. This accolade underscores the successful collaboration between Board and its partners in delivering transformational outcomes for clients. (globenewswire.com)
Future Prospects and Considerations
The expanded collaboration between Board and Microsoft signifies a concerted effort to harness AI and cloud technologies for enterprise planning. While this partnership offers numerous benefits, including enhanced integration and scalability, organizations should consider potential challenges such as data security, compliance, and the need for ongoing training to maximize the value of these advanced solutions.As enterprises continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the combined strengths of Board's Intelligent Planning Platform and Microsoft's cloud infrastructure present a compelling proposition for organizations aiming to enhance their planning processes and achieve better business outcomes.
