Why Business Functions Still Struggle to Align — And How Connected Planning Solves It

Despite decades of investment in ERP, SCM, and BI tools, many companies still struggle to align finance, supply chain, and merchandising. The root cause isn’t poor execution—it’s that enterprise systems weren’t designed for collaborative, real-time planning. This article explores the core issues and shows how Connected Planning tools like Anaplan can bridge the gap.

---

The Disconnect Between Systems and Strategy

If you're in finance or supply chain, you've likely lived through this:

• Forecasts are updated, but nobody agrees on the numbers.

• Merchandising plans don’t match production capacity.

• Finance struggles to reconcile revenue expectations with operational reality.

The issue isn’t the people—it’s the systems.

Traditional systems serve specific functions well, but rarely communicate fluently with each other.

---

Why Traditional Enterprise Systems Fall Short

Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) like SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics are built for process execution—not collaborative planning. Each department optimizes for its own KPIs, data models, and timelines:

Function	Primary System	Core View
Finance	ERP + BI	Revenue, P&L, margins
Supply Chain	SCM, ERP	Inventory, capacity, lead times
Merchandising	POS, Retail Tools	SKUs, pricing, sell-through

They often speak different "data languages", making alignment painful. For example:

• Supply chain plans in units

• Finance budgets in currency

• Merchandising forecasts in SKU-week combinations

And if you’ve ever had to reconcile those on a deadline, you know the chaos.

The Master Data Problem: One Product, Many Codes

One of the most common root causes of misalignment is fragmented master data:

• The same store has different IDs in POS and finance.

• One product appears under different codes across tools.

• Hierarchies (e.g. product categories, regions) are inconsistent.

Even when companies claim to be “integrated,” they're often only technically connected—not logically aligned. APIs exist, but definitions and assumptions vary. Batch data loads create further delays and mismatches.

What This Looks Like on the Ground

Here's a typical scenario:

• Merchandising forecasts 100,000 units of a new product.

• Supply chain plans for 90,000 due to vendor constraints.

• Finance budgets revenue assuming 110,000 units sold at full price.

Three “correct” plans—each based on different logic, assumptions, and systems. But without a way to synchronize these perspectives, the business ends up making misinformed decisions.

---

Connected Planning: The Missing Layer Between Systems

This is where Connected Planning tools like Anaplan come in.

Rather than replacing your ERP or SCM systems, Connected Planning sits above them—linking data, logic, and workflows across functions. Think of it as a unified control panel that integrates forecasts, constraints, assumptions, and KPIs.

What Anaplan Enables:

■ Real-time data sync from ERP, SCM, POS, and more

■ Common data models across functions

■ Cross-functional scenario planning

■ Unified assumptions (pricing, calendars, product hierarchies)

■ Role-based access and auditability.

Anaplan unifies data and logic, enabling alignment without replacing core systems.

Use Case: Finance + Supply Chain + Merchandising in Harmony

Here’s how it works in practice:

1. Supply Chain uploads updated vendor lead times and capacity limits.

2. Merchandising adjusts demand forecasts based on sales trends.

3. Finance sees real-time margin impact and cash flow implications.

4. Leadership simulates alternative scenarios—such as supplier delays or pricing changes—with cross-functional input.

All of this happens within the same platform, using shared data definitions and real-time collaboration. What You Gain From Anaplan Plateforme.

Benefit	Impact on Your Business
Real-time Alignment	Finance, supply, and commercial work on the same plan
Faster Close Cycles	No more endless reconciliation of spreadsheets
Reduced Stock Imbalances	Accurate forecasting leads to better inventory control
Scenario Planning Agility	Run simulations in hours, not weeks
Strategic Clarity	One version of the truth for leadership decisions
Seamless Integration	Connects with your existing IT infrastructure, enabling current tools while unifying planning in a single platform.

---

Final Thoughts: It’s Not a Tool Problem—It’s a Planning Layer Problem

Your ERP, POS, and SCM systems do what they’re supposed to do: process transactions and manage operations. But planning is different. It’s forward-looking, cross-functional, and dynamic.

Anaplan gives your teams the platform they need to:

• Share a common vision

• Plan in sync

• Act decisively with data

If your finance, supply chain, and merchandising teams still don’t speak the same language—this is likely the missing link.

Want to See It in Action?

If you're interested in exploring how Connected Planning with Anaplan could work in your organization—across finance, supply chain, and beyond—get in touch. We can walk you through real use cases from companies like yours.

Contact us.