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While I don't know of any specific projects, I have dealt with the problem myself. I can't tell you how many operations applications tried to integrate with BM

While I don't know of any specific projects, I have dealt with the problem myself. I can't tell you how many operations applications tried to integrate with BMS, or mapping data from disparate subsidiary systems during an SAP implementation. At first glance, I think there is probably something to the idea of modular mapping between popular systems. The idea of disrupting the service providers that "assist" with software transitions for huge dollars is compelling. However, if I understand what you are saying, GL mapping is a tedious process that requires both extensive understanding of financial statements (generally) and specific knowledge of the company's current practices (especially if they are public). Methinks the real value is in automating the mapping, but there is just no way that could happen, without spending just as much time double checking the logic...which means they could have done it manually. IDK... Best of luck. Go make a 100 million on the idea and prove me wrong :)

viandante 15y ago
First, I am not thinking money right now, I am much more interested in solving my issue. Yesterday I spent the whole day loading a bunch of filed in hyperion. With a good script that takes 10 seconds. Second, accounting does have a logic (GAAP...). In fact, hyperion does make money, even being a horrible tool (not web based, it is used with citrix, you can imagine...). Third, the main problem of all this software that 'assists', as you say, is that it invents csv formats and standards every time. Leaving you no choice but using GUIs that when it comes to generate a lot of reports slow you down a lot (think of SAP that doesn't have an easy way to script things). Fourth, Excel is not a database. And not being a database, you lose all the SQL operations. No group by, sum, order, where, and stuff. Yes you have pivot tables, but you can't perform a join and you can't use big datasets with them. Fifth, in accounting working vertically on the dataset is not enough. You need to perform various 'shaping' operations. You can do this with excel, yes, but again, it is painful. Sixth, there are for sure better ways of consolidating data from different files. In excel you 'link' different workbooks in a master file. I am even going to tell you why that is a bad practice, I think it speaks for itself. So, no, it's really not about the mapping. It's about serious technical issues that nobody is taking care of. And I am pretty sure this is because programmers don't dare to think like an accountant.

viandante 15y ago

First, I am not thinking money right now, I am much more interested in solving my issue. Yesterday I spent the whole day loading a bunch of filed in hyperion. With a good script that takes 10 seconds. Second, accounting does have a logic (GAAP...). In fact, hyperion does make money, even being a horrible tool (not web based, it is used with citrix, you can imagine...). Third, the main problem of all this software that 'assists', as you say, is that it invents csv formats and standards every time. Leaving you no choice but using GUIs that when it comes to generate a lot of reports slow you down a lot (think of SAP that doesn't have an easy way to script things). Fourth, Excel is not a database. And not being a database, you lose all the SQL operations. No group by, sum, order, where, and stuff. Yes you have pivot tables, but you can't perform a join and you can't use big datasets with them. Fifth, in accounting working vertically on the dataset is not enough. You need to perform various 'shaping' operations. You can do this with excel, yes, but again, it is painful. Sixth, there are for sure better ways of consolidating data from different files. In excel you 'link' different workbooks in a master file. I am even going to tell you why that is a bad practice, I think it speaks for itself. So, no, it's really not about the mapping. It's about serious technical issues that nobody is taking care of. And I am pretty sure this is because programmers don't dare to think like an accountant.