Excel has long been the backbone of enterprise data management, with over 750 million users worldwide leveraging its flexibility and power. Yet, many organizations struggle with its limitations when managing critical business processes. Issues like broken links, version control, manual errors, lack of change history, audit trails, and security often hinder effective collaboration and decision-making. As data continues to grow exponentially, these challenges demand an innovative solution.

Enter Boardwalktech’s Intelligent Information Platform (IIP): a game-changing approach that integrates the familiarity of Excel with an enterprise database-driven solution. By addressing the shortcomings of traditional Excel-based processes, the IIP empowers organizations to unlock new levels of efficiency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making while continuing to use their trusted Excel.

Challenges in Traditional Excel-Based Data Management

Despite heavy investments in ERP, BI tools, and specialty applications, many enterprises still rely on Excel for critical business processes such as forecasting, supply chain management, and financial planning.Common challenges include:

•      Lack of Real-Time Collaboration: Manual sharing of spreadsheets via email leads to version proliferation and delays in decision-making.

•      Data Inconsistencies: Broken links and errors in complex formulas result in unreliable outcomes.

•      Limited Security: Excel files lack robust access controls, making them vulnerable to unauthorized changes.

•      Scalability Issues: Managing vast datasets becomes cumbersome and error-prone.

•      Disconnected Systems: Manual processes create silos, preventing seamless integration with ERP and other enterprise systems.

•      No History or Audit Trail: It's difficult to track who made what changes and how the data has evolved.

These inefficiencies not only increase operational costs but also expose enterprises to risks that could impact revenues, margins, and customer satisfaction.

The Boardwalktech Intelligent Information Platform Advantage

The IIP addresses these challenges by bridging the gap between desktop-based Excel processes and enterprise requirements. Key features include:

•      Centralized Digital Ledger: A patented positional database provides a single version of the truth for all workbooks and worksheets, capturing all changes forever down to the cell level.

•      Real-Time Collaboration: Enables multiple users to work on the same dataset simultaneously, ensuring rapid alignment and decision-making.

•      Secure Access Control: Role-based access ensures users see only the data relevant to them, enhancing compliance and security.

•      Seamless ERP Integration: Connects Excel processes directly to enterprise systems, eliminating silos and enabling real-time data synchronization.

•      Scalability and Flexibility: Handles both structured and unstructured data, adapting to dynamic business needs.

•      Excel Data is AI-Ready: With data in a database with history, the Intelligent Information Platform AI engine enhances learning, decision-making, and knowledge.

Use Cases and Success Stories

Boardwalktech’s solutions have been adopted by leading global enterprises:

•      Supply Chain Optimization: A consumer electronics giant streamlined inventory planning, achieving better stock availability while reducing penalties for stock-outs.

•      Tax Compliance: A Big Four accounting firm deployed IIP to manage thousands of tax-related documents, ensuring accuracy and scalability.

•      Financial Planning: A major CPG company optimized budget planning by centralizing data, enabling real-time updates and analytics.

•      Trade Promotion Management: A beverage manufacturer improved forecasting accuracy and reduced operational bottlenecks by implementing collaborative Excel workflows integrated with their ERP.

•      Sales Forecasting: A large consumer products company aligned all channels and direct sales forecasting, improving on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.

•      Order Management: A worldwide cosmetics manufacturer streamlined their order management process, reducing logistics costs and improving inventory turns while handling a 240% increase in order volume with the same number of people.

These examples demonstrate how Boardwalktech enables faster, more informed decisions while reducing costs and improving operational reliability—all while using Excel to manage information.

The Future of Excel Data Management

In a world where data is growing exponentially, organizations can no longer rely on fragmented, manual processes. The Boardwalk Intelligent Information Platform transforms Excel into a robust, enterprise-grade engine that combines familiarity with sophisticated and advanced capabilities.

By centralizing data, enabling real-time collaboration, and integrating seamlessly with existing systems, these solutions empower organizations to:

•      Enable cross-functional and cross-organizational process orchestration.

•      Make faster, data-driven decisions.

•      Enhance operational efficiency and agility.

•      Apply AI and machine learning to valuable Excel-based data environments.

•      Maintain competitive advantage in an ever-changing market.

Excel data management has entered a new era. With Boardwalk’s patented platform, enterprises can harness the power of their data while maintaining the flexibility they’ve come to rely on. It’s time to move beyond the limitations of traditional Excel and embrace a future of seamless, intelligent information management.

Discover the Boardwalktech Advantage Today

•      Learn more about the Intelligent Information Platform

•      Explore how we optimize supply chains

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