Essbase Reviews & Pricing

by Oracle America | Founded 1977, Santa Clara, CA

REQUEST WITH NO OBLIGATION$ Request Pricing Get Free Demo

Request Pricing Request Demo

Overview Pricing Benefits Reviews Features

Categories:

What is Essbase?

Industry Specialties: Serves all industries

Essbase is a cloud-based enterprise performance management (EPM) solution designed for organizations of all sizes. It helps businesses automate and streamline financial consolidation, budgeting, planning, and forecasting processes. Key benefits include improved data accuracy and consistency, faster time to close, and better decision-making. Popular features include multi-dimensional analysis, workflow management, and integration with other enterprise applications. User reviews highlight its scalability, ease of use, and robust reporting capabilities. Pricing starts at a monthly subscription fee per user, with additional fees depending on features and storage requirements.

Pros

Scalable
Easy to use
Robust reporting
Fast consolidation
Improved data accuracy

Cons

Limited customization
Steep learning curve for advanced features
High cost
Limited integration with other applications
Not ideal for small businesses

PRICE

COMPANY SIZE

DEPLOYMENT

PLATFORM

Try Before You Buy.

Request a Free Demo Today!

Request Demo

It's completely free!

User Sentiment

Based on 444 reviews:

Add your rating:

Product Screenshots and Videos

Essbase Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Essbase pricing starts at $80 (Per User, Monthly).

Get Price Quote

Price: $
$
$
$
$

i
Starting From: $80
Pricing Model: Per User, Monthly
Free Trial: No

Training Resources

Essbase is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Essbase:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Essbase Benefits and Insights

Why use Essbase?

Key differentiators & advantages of Essbase

Speed-Of-Thought Processing: Through both retrospective and predictive analysis, business owners can maximize efficiency and profitability by turning data sources throughout the enterprise into usable information. It is configurable to an organization’s ongoing data needs.
Scalable: Data can be partitioned, cached and processed across platforms, with integrated help from Oracle’s other processing platforms and additional optimization features.
Large User Base Support: Thousands of users can access query results simultaneously without a loss in speed with its load balancing tools. These are essential for companies that are reliant on their employees being able to use and manipulate data.
Easily Usable: Results can be exported to common third-party interfaces, making the data digestible to most audiences.
Oracle Integration Perks: Benefit from the processing advantages of Oracle’s other products, and the company’s efforts in security, data storage, deployment and maintenance that smaller providers will have difficulty matching.

Industry Expertise

The Arbor Software Company launched Essbase before being acquired in mergers with Hyperion first, then Oracle in 2007. Oracle is widely regarded as a top-10 producer in the big data industry, with tens of thousands of customers globally.

Essbase Reviews

Average customer reviews & user sentiment summary for Essbase:

444 reviews

82%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Essbase reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

Scalability: Handles large data volumes and complex models efficiently.
Robust Security: Ensures data privacy and compliance with industry standards.
Intuitive Interface: Easy to use for basic tasks, with advanced features for experienced users.
Fast Consolidation: Streamlines financial processes and reduces closing time.
Improved Data Accuracy: Provides reliable insights for informed decision-making.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Mastering advanced features requires significant training and experience.
Limited Customization: Out-of-the-box functionality may not meet specific needs without customization.
High Cost: Licensing and implementation costs can be significant, especially for large organizations.
Limited Integration with Other Applications: May require additional development effort to integrate with other business tools.
Not Ideal for Small Businesses: Feature complexity and cost may outweigh the benefits for smaller organizations.

Researcher's Summary:

Essbase is a multidimensional database with a fast querying engine and an intuitive interface. Available both in the cloud or on-premises, it enables users to build and manage analytic applications, which can be migrated to the cloud. It features a robust set of tools to perform planning, forecasting and analytics. Users can slice and dice intersections easily to find specific data. It can be integrated with Excel, enabling users to build budget and forecasting models, with ad hoc reporting capabilities. Users liked the flexibility offered when designing reports, or changing hierarchies. With access to all optimization and tuning options, users are given control of hardware utilizations and other settings. However, users complained that they needed to learn multiple languages, such as Calc scripts, MDX, business rules and Groovy, to leverage the platform’s capabilities. They also found it difficult to export data or integrate it with a data warehouse. Some users reported performance and stability issues, with rare instances of crashes and connection loss. Reviewers also complained about the low level of support provided when critical tickets are submitted, some of which are closed without providing any solution. Overall, it’s a flexible solution with a powerful calculation engine to drive business insights.

Key Features

Advanced Processing: Its extensive library of functions processes multiple data types. The High Availability Services feature allows processing to occur on several servers, lightening the workload and enabling its market-leading speeds.
Conversible Data: The Outline feature helps view and alter the structures used when finding data and report as the company’s needs change. Adding/changing drivers can forecast what impacts certain decisions might have, assisting in risk management. Depending on the storage type, write-back capabilities are supported.
Data Storage Options: Depending on business needs, it offers either an aggregate storage option (ASO), which allows faster data processing for large, flat dimensions, or a block storage option (BSO), which is tailored for more complex calculations on smaller data sets.
Data Forecasting: View projected results, which can be used for decision making or reviewed later for efficiency and optimization management. Scenarios can be input either manually or through drivers and data.
Results Delivery: Queries can be exported to several platforms, including Excel, to make data more available to less tech-savvy users. Data is presented in easy-to-understand interfaces.

Approach to Common Challenges

Data Silos and Inconsistency: Essbase's centralized platform consolidates data from multiple sources, ensuring consistency and facilitating unified analysis.
Limited Visibility and Access: Role-based access controls and intuitive dashboards provide relevant data insights to authorized users, democratizing information access.
Complex Calculations and Modelling: Multi-dimensional analysis capabilities and powerful calculation engines enable intricate what-if scenarios and forecasting models.
Slow Time to Insights: Automated data integration, aggregation, and workflows expedite analysis processes, leading to faster decision-making.
Inaccurate or Incomplete Data: Data validation features verify data integrity and identify potential errors, ensuring reliable and trustworthy insights.
Lack of Collaboration and Communication: Shared workspaces and collaborative tools facilitate team communication and improve transparency within the organization.
Limited Scalability and Performance: Essbase's cloud-based architecture scales to accommodate evolving data volumes and peak workloads, ensuring consistent performance.
Security and Compliance Concerns: Multi-layered security protocols and compliance certifications ensure data privacy and adherence to relevant regulations.

Cost Of Ownership

Frequently asked questions regarding Essbase pricing include:

Q: What is the cost of an Essbase license?
A: Essbase pricing is complex and varies depending on several factors, including the number of users, chosen features, storage requirements, and deployment model (cloud vs. on-premise). For instance, a basic cloud-based license for a single user with essential features starts around $80 per month. However, a more comprehensive on-premise license for a large organization with advanced features and extensive storage can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Q: Are there any hidden fees or additional costs?
A: Yes, potential hidden fees and additional costs need to be considered when evaluating Essbase's total cost of ownership. These may include:
- Implementation and training: Initial setup and user training can incur significant expenses.
- Professional services: Consulting services for customization, integrations, and ongoing support can add up.
- Storage and data transfer: Additional storage and data transfer costs may apply depending on usage.
- Maintenance and upgrades: Annual maintenance fees and potential upgrade costs are mandatory.
Q: How does Essbase pricing compare to other BI solutions?
A: Essbase's pricing generally falls within the mid-range of enterprise-grade BI solutions. While it may be more expensive than some open-source options, it offers advanced features and scalability often missing in budget-friendly alternatives. Compared to other premium BI solutions, Essbase's pricing can be competitive, but it's crucial to compare the specific features and functionalities offered by each solution to determine the best value for your specific needs.

Limitations

Some of the product limitations include:

Difficult to drill back to transactional details.
No easy way to integrate with third-party visualization tools.
Essbase cubes don’t perform well for very high volumes.

Demo Resources

Resources that provide Essbase demo insights include:

Interactive Demo Environment: Explore the product interface firsthand, test core features, and experience real-world use cases within a simulated environment.
Guided Demo Videos: Witness product functionalities in action through narrated video tutorials, highlighting key workflows and capabilities.
Industry-Specific Case Studies: Analyze how organizations in various industries utilize the product to solve specific business challenges and achieve tangible results.
Product Documentation & Tutorials: Access comprehensive user guides, technical manuals, and step-by-step tutorials to gain in-depth knowledge and explore advanced features.
Live Webinars & Events: Participate in interactive sessions hosted by product experts, ask questions in real-time, and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.

Suite Support

Access to Oracle’s support system must be purchased. Behind the paywall, users get access to extensive forums, how-to and other guides, training programs and service request availability through its dedicated support website.

Email: Oracle support email addresses are hidden behind the My Oracle Support paywall.

Phone: Customers in the U.S. can call 1-800-223-1711 for technical and nontechnical questions, with hours varying depending on customer location.

Training: The Oracle Support Knowledge Base includes tutorials and FAQ, with an extensive training program through LaunchPad Training Inc.

Tickets: Service requests can be submitted through Oracle’s support website.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding Essbase include:

Q: How complex is Essbase to learn and use?
A: While Essbase offers an intuitive interface for basic tasks, mastering advanced functionalities requires significant training and experience. The learning curve can be steep for users unfamiliar with multi-dimensional analysis and complex modeling concepts.
Q: What are the most common integrations used with Essbase?
A: Popular integrations include ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), data warehouse platforms (e.g., Teradata, Snowflake), and various planning and budgeting tools. These integrations allow for seamless data flow and enhanced collaboration across business processes.
Q: How does Essbase ensure data security and compliance?
A: Essbase offers robust security features, including user authentication, data encryption, role-based access control, and audit trails. Additionally, it adheres to industry-standard security protocols and complies with numerous data privacy regulations.
Q: What level of customer support does Essbase offer?
A: The level of support depends on the chosen subscription plan. Basic plans offer access to online documentation and community forums. Premium plans include phone, email, and chat support from experienced product specialists.
Q: How does Essbase compare to other BI solutions in terms of scalability?
A: Essbase boasts high scalability, accommodating large data volumes and complex models. Its cloud-based architecture allows it to scale seamlessly to meet the evolving needs of growing organizations.
Q: What are the most common challenges users face when implementing Essbase?
A: Integrating disparate data sources, ensuring data integrity, and navigating the learning curve for advanced features are among the most common challenges faced during implementation. Effective planning, comprehensive training, and experienced technical support are crucial to overcoming these hurdles.