Review of Board International, Enterprise Planning Software Vendor

By Léon Levinas-Ménard

Last updated: April, 2025

Board International, established in 1994 in Chiasso, Switzerland and Boston, Massachusetts, has evolved into a mature enterprise planning platform vendor serving a global customer base of approximately 3,000 organizations across 19 countries. The company unifies financial and operational planning through an integrated suite that blends business intelligence, corporate performance management, dashboards, simulation, budgeting, forecasting, and predictive analytics. With a hybrid in‐memory engine that enables fast multidimensional calculations alongside a graphical, low-code development environment, Board International offers flexible deployment options—both on the cloud and on-premises—to suit the diverse needs of modern supply chain and business planning executives.

1. Introduction and Company History

Board International was founded in 1994 in Chiasso, Switzerland and Boston, Massachusetts ¹². Over the years the company has grown into a leading vendor in enterprise planning, business intelligence, and corporate performance management. Its long history and global presence underscore Board’s maturity and reliability in the highly competitive world of integrated decision-making software.

2. What the Board Solution Delivers

The Board Enterprise Planning Platform is marketed as an all‐in‐one decision-making tool that:

Unifies Data & Planning: Integrates financial and operational planning, consolidating dashboards, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and simulation.
Simplifies Decision Making: Empowers users from C-suite executives to analysts through intuitive “Capsules” and low-code/no-code interfaces.
Delivers Predictive Insights: Leverages both internal performance metrics and external economic data—enhanced by strategic acquisitions—to generate forward-looking, predictive forecasts.
Supports Scalability and Security: Provides flexible deployments on cloud environments (backed by Microsoft Azure) or on-premises, while emphasizing enterprise-class security and robust data connectivity.

3. How the Board Platform Works

3.1. Platform Architecture and Core Technology

Board’s platform is built on a proprietary Hybrid Bitwise Memory Pattern (HBMP) that combines disk-based and in-memory processing to enable rapid, multidimensional calculations and efficient data compression. A graphical development environment allows users to build “Capsules” (interactive dashboards) and design data models without requiring extensive programming expertise. The solution also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s .NET Framework, Office applications, and Azure cloud services ³⁴.

3.2. Deployment Options

Board International offers two primary deployment models:

Cloud (SaaS): Managed by Board’s Cloud Team on Microsoft Azure to provide automated updates, robust security, and scalability.
On-Premises/Customer-Managed: Allowing organizations greater control over upgrades and system maintenance.

3.3. ML, AI, and Predictive Analytics Components

The platform’s AI layer, branded as Board AI, is designed with enterprise-readiness in mind. It combines modern AI/ML techniques with external tools such as Microsoft AzureML and OpenAI to enable:

Predictive Forecasting & Scenario Planning: Leveraging over 40 bundled algorithms along with the option for custom model integration.
Generative and Natural Language Tools: Enhancing user experience by providing natural language summaries and contextual guidance. Furthermore, strategic acquisitions like that of Prevedere have strengthened Board’s capability to merge internal performance data with real-time external economic intelligence ⁵⁶.

4. Skeptical Analysis of the Technology Claims

While Board International positions its platform as a unified, advanced enterprise planning solution, some critical observations emerge:

Limited Technical Disclosure: The marketing materials emphasize benefits such as “accelerated planning performance” and “unified insights” but provide few technical details regarding algorithmic design, model validation, or system benchmarks.
Reliance on Third-Party Technology: The integration with external tools like Microsoft AzureML and OpenAI suggests that substantial parts of its AI/ML functionality may rely on established third-party systems rather than fully proprietary innovations.
Generality over Specificity: Board’s documentation and press releases focus on broad business outcomes and inspirational language rather than offering granular architectural blueprints or detailed specifications of its hybrid in-memory engine.

Board International vs Lokad

When comparing Board International with Lokad, distinct differences in approach and execution emerge. Board International centers on delivering a comprehensive enterprise planning solution featuring a user-friendly, low-code interface that unifies financial and operational data across dashboards, reporting, and scenario planning. In contrast, Lokad is laser-focused on quantitative supply chain optimization, employing a specialized domain-specific language (Envision) and in-house deep learning models to tackle challenges such as demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and automated decision-making ⁷⁸. While Board offers flexible deployment models—including on-premises options that allow organizations to maintain direct control—Lokad’s cloud-only model emphasizes rapid updates and integrated decision automation. Board leverages external AI/ML resources for predictive analytics, whereas Lokad distinguishes itself by developing proprietary techniques, such as differentiable programming, to deliver highly specific, actionable supply chain decisions ⁹. These strategic differences underscore Board’s broader enterprise planning orientation versus Lokad’s narrow yet deep focus on supply chain intelligence.

5. Conclusion

Board International presents a mature and integrated solution for enterprise planning, business intelligence, and performance management. Its hybrid in-memory architecture, intuitive graphical environment, and flexible deployment options make it a compelling choice for large organizations seeking to consolidate planning and predictive analytics. However, potential adopters should note that while the platform delivers robust, user-friendly capabilities for high-level decision support, it may lack the granular technical transparency and specialized optimization focus found in more quantitatively driven solutions such as Lokad. Ultimately, Board International is best suited for organizations looking to empower a wide range of users with a low-code, all-in-one planning platform, whereas those with complex, data-intensive supply chain challenges might consider platforms that offer deeper quantitative optimization.