Host Analytics Adds Instant Excel Model Migration Into Cloud-Based Enterprise Performance Management Platform

REDWOOD CITY, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 4, 2013) - Host Analytics, the leader in cloud-based enterprise performance management (EPM), has introduced an industry-first mechanism to instantly transform and move Microsoft Excel models into a centralized, secure, cloud-based EPM environment to facilitate financial planning and reporting. The new Host Analytics AirliftXL technology -- now included at no additional charge as part of the Host Analytics EPM Suite -- enables rapid migration with the fastest time-to-value in the EPM market. It also eliminates the cost and rework associated with recreating existing models in an EPM system. 

Host Analytics AirliftXL utilizes a new patent-pending Application Transformation Engine that intelligently parses even complex spreadsheets to instantly create and import new models into the Host Analytics cloud platform. The "lift" comes from the ability to:

• Capture and reuse Excel formulas, formatting and model structures
• Automatically validate existing spreadsheets to prevent moving errors into EPM applications
• Rapidly migrate existing models from legacy on-premises EPM applications

The new product extends the value of cloud-based EPM by enabling finance and accounting professionals to break free of Excel's security, scalability and manual process limitations without losing their investment in Excel skills and models. Research shows that even large and mature organizations still frequently rely heavily on Excel for managing key financial processes like planning and reporting. Beyond that, traditional on-premises EPM software not only requires lengthy and costly implementation and customization, but also usually forces administrators to reconstruct Excel business models line by line. Keeping EPM applications to up to date with ongoing model adjustments has historically required the same time-consuming process, frequently requiring the use of expensive outside consultants. 

Host Analytics AirliftXL eliminates these problems, making it possible to take full advantage of Excel to add and edit cloud-based EPM models. "As a former Senior Director for Software Development for the Oracle Hyperion Essbase and SmartView products, I witnessed the impact of OLAP and Excel front-ends on finance and accounting professionals," said Steve Tai, Chief Architect Host Analytics. "Host Analytics AirliftXL extends those concepts further with patent-pending technology that now enables Excel not just as a reporting environment but as a modeling environment."

For a two-minute demonstration of Host Analytics AirliftXL please visit: http://ow.ly/qYSzc

What customers and industry experts are saying:

• "Being able to make model changes from a single interface that builds on the ease-of-use of Excel makes Host Analytics AirliftXL a no-brainer for Excel users who want to evolve to cloud-based EPM." Akash Bhatia, Director of FP&A, OLX
• "Enabling all participants in business planning, closing and financial analytics processes to create, modify and update models in Excel and then immediately translate them into an enterprise planning application turns everyone into a programmer. This should increase productivity and, because these models are always changing, improve the flexibility and value of the EPM software." Robert Kugel, Senior Vice President & Research Director, Ventana Research 

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About Host Analytics
Host Analytics is the leader in cloud-based financial applications for planning, consolidation, reporting and analytics. Host Analytics enterprise performance management (EPM) customers benefit from improved business agility, improved security, and lower overall cost compared to legacy on-premises alternatives. World-class companies like NEC, Burlington Coat Factory, and Tesla Motors trust Host Analytics to power their strategic financial processes. Host Analytics is a fast-growing, private company backed by leading venture capitalists and is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices around the globe.

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