IBM Planning Analytics
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business performance management software |
| Predecessor | Sinper TM/1, Applix TM1, IBM Cognos TM1 |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Manuel "Manny" Perez, Jose Sinai |
| Products | Business performance management software suite including TM1 Server, Planning Analytics Workspace, Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel, TM1 Web, TM1 Applications, TM1 Perspectives, TM1 Architect, TM1 Performance Modeler |
| Parent | IBM |
IBM Planning Analytics powered by TM1 (previously known as IBM Cognos TM1, Applix TM1, and Sinper TM/1) constitutes a business performance management software suite designed to facilitate collaborative planning, budgeting, forecasting, dynamic "what-if" scenario analysis, and comprehensive reporting.
At the heart of the system lies the TM1 database server, which manages data within in-memory MOLAP cubes typically organized at the most granular (leaf) level and consolidated on demand. These cubes incorporate embedded encoded business rules that enable instantaneous computations—primarily aggregations across dimensional hierarchies—without the need for prior calculation. This architecture is optimized to support frequent simultaneous data modifications by multiple users.
TM1 serves as a prime example of the functional database model. The IBM Planning Analytics solution encompasses not only the TM1 server but also includes ETL utilities, server administration and monitoring tools, plus a variety of user interfaces designed to address business planning requirements such as workflow management and commentary integration.
IBM provides this software both as an on-premises installation and as a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) offering.
History
The origin traces back to Exxon, where Lilly Whaley suggested substituting an IMS-based planning system with one leveraging IBM mainframe time-sharing capabilities to cut expenses. Manuel "Manny" Perez developed a prototype that achieved multidimensional interactivity through in-memory data structures.
Recognizing commercial opportunities, Perez initially focused on public mainframe timesharing platforms. With the emergence of the IBM PC, he transitioned to it as an affordable development environment. Influenced by Visicalc’s interface as an ideal model for his Functional Database concept, Perez partnered with Jose Sinai to establish Sinper Corporation in 1983 and launched TM/1 ("Table Manager").
Sinper was acquired by Applix in 1996; subsequently, Cognos purchased Applix in 2007, followed by IBM acquiring Cognos later that year. Prior to the OLAP market consolidation in 2007, Applix was recognized as the leading pure OLAP provider with significant growth momentum.
On December 16, 2016, IBM introduced IBM Planning Analytics Local 2.0 powered by TM1, featuring refreshed branding and enhanced functionalities. The TM1 data server maintains its versioning scheme, so Planning Analytics 2.x corresponds with TM1 version 11.x.
Current Components
- TM1 Server
- Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) – the main web interface and development platform
- Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel (PAfE, formerly PAx) – principal Excel-based front end
- TM1 Web – legacy web interface
- TM1 Applications – legacy web interface
- TM1 Perspectives – legacy Excel add-in front end
- TM1 Architect – legacy standalone Windows client and development tool
- TM1 Performance Modeler – legacy development environment