PlanGuru Software

The potential the software can bring to our services.

Pros

Once you learn how the software works, you realize how powerful and flexible it is

Cons

I wish I had more time to learn all that the software can do.

Pros

A very good starting package. Not overly complicated yet quite sophisticated with options that can accommodate large enterprises.

Cons

A bit on the slow side when you start putting together multiple divisions or consolidated corporations. Would like to plan on a monthly basis and report on a Qrtly. That can be done, but probably only by using the Advance Reporting Package which adds a little more complexity and time to the process.

Pros

Ease of use. As a first time user learning curve was quick

Cons

Frequently of upgrades. More would be nice

I was able to move my forecasting out of excel and into a program that allows me to project out 5 years. I am still new to the program but so far it appears to be a great resource for our business.

Pros

It is very cost effective and has been a resource to suit our needs for forecasting/budgeting. It has been very easy to import data via Excel.

Cons

I wish the software had the ability to directly connect to NetSuite so I didn't have to import and export via excel.

This tool helps to get speed in building a set of projections. It is excellent to have the integration of balance sheet, profit & loss and cash flow.

Pros

Ability to build complex financial models/projections without having to worry about the integrity of a complicated Excel file.

Cons

Have had some software crashes with certain version releases.

Pros

That I can budget AND forecast on a department and sub-department level with version control and budget to actual reporting for a VERY affordable price!

Cons

That I can't lock down the payroll component easier

I use PlanGuru to build business forecasts for my clients so that I can provide great service, especially to growth oriented clients who hold themselves accountable to their goals.

I have used PlanGuru results (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Valuations) to support my clients with their banking relationships and for providing investors with forecasts that support business models for startups and going concerns too.

Pros

PlanGuru provides upfront training on how to utilize the software using case studies so a new user can learn, practice and see the results of the case studies. This is critical to the user because it allows a new user the opportunity to learn from mistakes in a case study, as well as the opportunity to try different modeling techniques. I learned the importance of thinking through assumptions, KPIs and all drivers that impact forecasting of details on the P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow statements in case studies. I continued to learn every time I used PlanGuru. I also used the output many times in serving my clients.

Each and every time I need support of any kind, PlanGuru always got back to me in 24 hours or less and stayed glued to me until my question or issue was completed resolved to my satisfaction. I always had service with a smile via email or on a one on one phone call.

Cons

I was annoyed when I learned that my software was shut down remotely when PlanGuru adopted an annual license fee after several years of no fees, unless you opted in for an upgrade to a new version.

I got over it as I realize that the software and the customer service and support are superb.

- It's certainly not a system that motivates me to get off excel. I don't use it very much and will probably cancel my subscription.

Pros

- it has the ability to pull in actuals from Quickbooks online
- there are some workarounds for managing revenue recognition

Cons

- it is not cloud based - and so requires you to download the tool, but doesn't work unless you're connected to the internet (so even though I have it downloaded, I can't access it when I'm on a flight, and I travel frequently)
- very cumbersome to set up access with different Classes (from quickbooks). The Quickbooks budgeting tool is easier to use for this purpose
- very cumbersome to set up any sort of scenario analysis - much easier to just create an excel workbook
- has no flexibility for FX management. I have a number of expenses in CAD, and revenues in USD, and I don't have the flexibility to see the impact of FX. Nor do I have the ability to work with multiple currencies.
- they provide little to no support to get set up - unless one pays for their consulting service, which was a little bit helpful.
- the videos on the website are very basic

I've been able to help my clients create future plans and look at many what if scenarios and their affect on the balance sheet without having to worry about whether my formulas are correct in excel.

Pros

The flexibility of the application for creating multiple forecasts and budgets using a variety of assumptions and KPI's. the use of excel to integrate and add additional flexibility to the program. The subschedules allow multiple ways to forecast revenue and track other expenses. the integration of the balance sheet and ability to see affect the forecast has on the balance sheet items.

Cons

Some lack of flexibility in reporting. Lack of ability to print reports from analytics.

I am attempting to build budgets for my clients using the PlanGuru software installed on the remote cloud desktop. Overall, the product has met my expectations. I have used several similar large/deluxe budgeting tools built for Fortune 500 companies that cost 10 times as much (or more), and this is a very good "abridged" budgeting software for small businesses that is still very feature-rich.

The support I have received from the technical team has been very good; they have been very responsive to my requests. The cloud desktop experience was a little bit more laggy than I expected. I LOVE the Excel add-in. It is a very powerful tool. However, I thought the installation of the add-in was a little more complicated than it should be, especially based on the cost of the cloud subscription.

There is room for PlanGuru to improve a few things, but I will be using for future clients, and I highly recommend this product for small- to medium-sized businesses.

Pros

Very intuitive design. Most features/functions are just a right-click away. If you don't understand exactly what you are looking at, the tutorial videos are GREAT, and they have links to the relevant videos built right into the program where you need them.

Excel Add-in is a very powerful tool. A real selling-point for PlanGuru. If you know how to use a pivot table, you will love this tool.

Consolidations. If you have multiple departments, or groups of departments, consolidations is a must-have.

Excel Links. If the myriad of PlanGuru projection methods aren't good enough, just suck in whatever data you want from Excel to the budgeting tool.

Cons

It would be great if this product was built as a web/browser-based product, rather than a local client install. Then the users could also save on the cost of the remote cloud desktop, and installation/connectivity should be easier.

There should really be a "mass-refresh" button/method in the Excel add-in that would refresh every tab at once. A "mass-consolidation" button in the PlanGuru application would be nice, too.

I wish there was a "help forum" where users could assist one another and help troubleshoot issues. Support is responsive, and the videos are great. But support can't answer you as fast as a forum search would, and the videos don't cover everything. Chances are SOMEONE has had the same question in the past.

Overall, I like the concept PlanGuru is trying to bring with this software; however, they don't provide great customer support (unless you want to pay for it).

Any efficiencies I gained with the budgeting process were lost immediately during the first budget to actual comparison I ran.

Will not be continuing my subscription.

Pros

Great program for budgeting and setting up a budget

Cons

Integration with QBs desktop is chunky and slow. It takes me longer to run a budget to actual comparison with PlanGuru than it did when I ran a similar comparison outside of PlanGuru.

Costumer support is lacking...basic level help is available but in-depth help comes at a cost, which seems ridiculous for the price you pay for the software.

Training was a waist of time. No structure just someone droning on about the features.

Online videos are out of date and don't match new updates.

I own a manufacturing business and produce an annual budget and a multi-year projection. I am not a CPA nor am I trained as a bookkeeper. When I needed to replace my old budgeting software I was particularly concerned whether it was appropriate for someone who isn't a pro. I wasn't disappointed: once purchased I was up and running within the hour. Anytime I've had a question that I couldn't answer through the help screens or online tutorials I've been able to discuss my problem with tech support! This is huge for me. I've also taken some of the online courses called PlanGuru University, which were invaluable.
I wish my CPA used this software.

Pros

1) Functionality.
2) Easy to use.
3) Great help screens.
4) Terrific tutorials.
5) Fantastic customer support.

Cons

I'd like to track 5 years historical data to project a budget analysis.

Disappointing. From start to finish I am sorely regretful for making this purchase.

Pros

Easy of installation and accessibility.

Cons

Does not offer greater functionality than existing programs. Does not perform as well as I was led to believe.
I requested termination and refund of purchase price but was ignored then told it was my shortcomings for not appreciating the program.

Very good. Can now provide much more robust reporting to our Board

Pros

Ease of use, user interface and simplicity

Cons

Negative values show up as positives when you copy in
If you change a value to zero, it will not override when copied in the template

Challenging to get up to speed on using the software. Customer support is lacking. Bugs in software required me to upgrade - which feels like it lacks integrity.

Pros

Low cost. Full financials with balance sheet, cash flow, owners equity. Extra supporting schedules.

Cons

Limited forecasting years. Difficult to make 3 year forecast. Minimal customer support. I would like to customize reporting templates from PlanGuru, so I don't have to reformat each time.

Overall our experience with Plan Guru has been pretty good. The price point was extremely appealing and is what pulled us to the software. For the most part the software runs without any major issues. I think our one issue we had may have been specific to just our company. I can honestly say that working with their customer support was pretty easy as well. All communication was handled through email.

Pros

One of the pros to this software is the price point at which features are standard. I worked with our CFO to pick out the software. We review different suites of software and found that Plan Guru offered the most for the price.

Cons

We have had some issues where we setup multiple user accounts and they share some of the same files. I think they may have some glitches in the software as everyone had the same access but certain individuals were not able to create copies or new documents from the same exact file.

Very pleased with software. It has allowed us to have accurate, flexible budgets for multiple companies.

Pros

Ability to handle wide range of scenarios. Flexibility and multiple calculation options.

Cons

Lack of 'back' button. Some screens are a bit cumbersome.

Great experience and customer support. Highly recommend PlanGuru University.

Pros

Software was very user friendly. Was able to hit ground running with budgets and forecasting models in first week.

Cons

Wish there was shareable dashboard for clients.

Professional and great customer support. When I have had a question they respond quickly. The software itself is very stable. I have never lost a clients data

Pros

I was using it within 15 minutes of installation. Used to have all of these excel templates and would worry about deleting or inadvertently altering a calculation. I can now concentrate on what our end goal is and don't worry about the mathematical accuracy and the presentation.

Cons

I rarely say this NONE! Apparently being completely pleased is not enough of a word count so I had to add this sentence.

Long time user. Overall excellent experience.

Pros

Ease of use was the most attractive feature.

Cons

We had to migrate away form quick books and not the system we use does not interface with GP.