Review of Anaplan, Cloud-Native Planning Software Vendor

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Anaplan, founded in 2006 in Yorkshire and now headquartered in Miami, has emerged as a leading cloud‐native planning platform designed to integrate enterprise functions—from finance and supply chain to sales and HR—through a unified, real‐time planning and simulation environment. At its core lies a proprietary in‑memory calculation engine known as Hyperblock that drives rapid, multidimensional model recalculations, while robust application lifecycle management practices (including revision tagging and a locked “deployed mode”) ensure production consistency. The platform delivers integrated enterprise planning, scenario analysis, and optimization through established statistical forecasting techniques (via its PlanIQ module) and linear programming–based decision engines. Built on a scalable technology stack that includes Node.js, Docker, and Java, Anaplan consolidates data from disparate sources and offers a single source of truth for decision making—all of which positions it as a compelling, if conventional, solution for sophisticated planning that stands in insightful contrast to competitors like Lokad.

Company Background

Anaplan was founded in 2006 in Yorkshire, England, as documented on [Wikipedia]¹ and detailed in the Canvas Business Model Brief History ². Now headquartered in Miami, the company has evolved into a major provider of enterprise planning solutions and was acquired by Thoma Bravo in a multi‐billion-dollar deal ³. Today, its platform underpins collaborative planning for finance, supply chain, sales, HR, and other functions, reflecting its evolution into a comprehensive, cloud‐native planning tool ⁴.

What the Platform Delivers

Anaplan’s connected planning platform offers:

• Integrated Enterprise Planning: Empowering multiple business functions to collaboratively model and simulate diverse scenarios ⁴.
• Scenario Planning and Analysis: Enabling robust “what-if” simulations to forecast outcomes as inputs change.
• Real-Time Data Integration: Aggregating and harmonizing data from various sources to maintain a single source of truth.
• Optimization Capabilities: Employing a dedicated optimization engine that uses linear programming techniques to evaluate billions of decision alternatives and recommend trade‑offs ⁵.

How the Platform Does It

Core Engine and Architectural Model

At the heart of the platform is Hyperblock, Anaplan’s proprietary in‑memory calculation engine engineered for rapid recalculations and the handling of complex, multidimensional models. The system is supported by strong Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) practices—including revision tagging and a strict “deployed mode” that locks production models to prevent structural changes ⁶⁷.

AI/ML and Forecasting Components

Anaplan integrates its PlanIQ forecasting module to deliver time series predictions by leveraging established statistical techniques such as ARIMA, Prophet, and DeepAR+ ⁸⁹. Although often marketed as “AI‑infused,” the methods underpinning PlanIQ are based on well‑proven models that ensure consistency in forecasting across various business scenarios.

Integration and Technical Infrastructure

The platform supports a wide range of data integration methods from manual CSV imports to fully automated pipelines using tools like Anaplan Connect and REST APIs ¹⁰. Its technical backbone—documented through reviews on StackShare ¹¹ and reinforced by community discussions ¹²—employs modern development tools (including Git, Node.js, Docker, jQuery, and Java) to ensure scalability, robust security, and reliable performance across the cloud environment.

Skeptical Analysis of Vendor Claims

Despite Anaplan’s frequent use of buzzwords such as “AI‑infused” and “next‑generation connected planning,” a closer technical examination reveals that many of its core capabilities are rooted in established, industry‑standard practices. The optimization engine, which is touted as capable of processing billions of scenarios, essentially relies on conventional linear programming solvers like those found in established packages ⁵. Similarly, while the PlanIQ module incorporates machine learning elements, its forecasting methods are largely built on well‑known statistical algorithms rather than on breakthrough innovations in AI ⁸. Furthermore, the platform’s robust ALM features and integration functionalities underline a commitment to proven methodologies rather than to revolutionary new architectures.

Anaplan vs Lokad

Anaplan and Lokad represent two distinct philosophies in the realm of supply chain and planning optimization. Anaplan’s platform emphasizes enterprise‑wide connected planning by unifying diverse functional areas through an integrated, in‑memory calculation engine and conventional optimization techniques. Its forecasting and scenario simulation capabilities are built on established statistical models aimed at delivering reliable, repeatable insights for large organizations. In contrast, Lokad takes a more specialized approach focused on quantitative supply chain optimization. By leveraging probabilistic forecasting, deep learning, and a custom domain‑specific language (Envision), Lokad seeks to deliver highly tailored, prescriptive decision outputs for supply chain challenges. While Anaplan offers a broad-based planning solution designed to integrate and harmonize multiple business functions, Lokad concentrates on automating granular, function‑specific decisions with a higher degree of programmability and optimization precision.

Conclusion

Anaplan’s cloud‑native connected planning platform delivers a robust, integrated environment for enterprise planning through its Hyperblock calculation engine, established forecasting methods, and linear programming–based optimization. Although marketed with AI and next‑generation planning terminology, a critical evaluation confirms that its strength lies in effectively merging proven, industry‑standard methodologies to provide real‑time, collaborative planning and simulation capabilities. In comparison to platforms like Lokad that emphasize quantitative, programmable supply chain optimization, Anaplan is ideally suited for organizations seeking a comprehensive planning solution that bridges multiple business functions with reliability and scalability. Ultimately, enterprises that prioritize broad integrated planning and a consolidated source of truth will find Anaplan a dependable, if conventional, choice.

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