Express Edition 4.0 is a multi-user application and includes nonprofit specific functions. There are standard sheets for planning expenses and revenues, formula based modeling and management of user access rights.
The Express Edition 4.0 is Adaptive Planning’s free full version for mid-size nonprofit organizations that just require basic reporting and budgeting. The company offers two other editions for licensing fees that offer enhanced reporting and dashboards.
In Use
Advance Planning Express Edition 4.0 is easy to use and includes wizard driven interfaces to help set up the worksheets for customized budgeting and forecasting. The design and layout is user friendly. The worksheet drop down menus and layout is similar to Excel which makes creation of formulas familiar. The multi-user access is exceptional; you can control access and availability of data in detail. This system stores all your budgeting applications in one central location which is easily manageable.
The only downside I found with Express Edition 4.0 is that one of the licensed products would be more beneficial if your nonprofit organization is looking for more in-depth forecasting or dashboards.
Use, Configuration, Deployment
Adaptive Planning offers two ways to access their software.
First option is use as an on-demand application, or SaaS. After a simple registration, you receive a username and password. After logging into Adaptive Planning’s hosted software you get immediate access to the full-use version. There is no new hardware of software required. The only requirement is that you use Internet Explorer as your browser rather than Firefox, Opera, or even Safari. At this time, Adaptive Planning software is not currently available to Mac users.
The second is to install the application locally. This requires downloading the software and installing it on your hard drive. The registration process is the same as the on-demand, but the process requires more time. It takes approximately 45 minutes to download the software and 30 minutes to install. It also requires 5 GB of disk space.
Express Edition 4.0 on-demand web application is easy to set up and use. The numerous options and the ease of using the worksheets made it simple to manage your budgets, sales and forecasts. Updates for the locally installed software are available through Adaptive Planning’s website and take just minutes to install. There are numerous useful training guides available with step by step instructions.
Recap
For the mid size non-profit organization that is looking for a simple solution to providing a central location for collaborating budgets, reports and analysis for multi-users, the Express Edition 4.0 is an economical answer. The Express Edition is free application with no license fee needed. Adaptive Planning also offers Corporate and Enterprise Editions available if you are looking for dashboards or enhanced reports or administration. The fees for these editions start at $500 per year for each license.
Advantages
No cost for the basic full access system
Ability to have budgeting, forecasting and reporting in one application
Community support and training guides available
Disadvantages
Corporate and Enterprise editions can boost the cost of the system.
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