Leveraging Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence for Improved Budgeting and Forecasting in a Publishing Company

This thesis investigates the digital transformation of a leading publishing company, referred to as A.B.C Spa for confidentiality, as it transitions to advanced data warehousing and business intelligence systems for enhanced budgeting and forecasting. Faced with the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape in the publishing sector, A.B.C Spa, with the guidance of PwC Italy, initiates a strategic shift. The core of this transformation lies in moving from traditional static models—primarily used for economic and asset planning—to a dynamic, data-driven approach, thereby improving decision-making efficiency through real-time analytics. The research specifically focuses on the adaptation and customization of SAP technologies, including SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP S/4 HANA, and SAP Datasphere, to replace the company’s existing Excel-based and legacy systems. This strategic overhaul addresses critical issues such as limited collaboration capabilities, scalability challenges, and inefficiencies inherent in the company’s previous forecasting processes. The study’s significance is rooted in the broader narrative of how digital transformation impacts business efficiency, emphasizing the importance of Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) in a volatile market environment. It investigates the shortcomings of the current system, evaluates the advantages of the proposed data-centric strategy, and examines the challenges and solutions involved in the implementation phase. Overall, this thesis presents a comprehensive case study of A.B.C Spa’s journey, providing valuable insights and a practical blueprint for organizations aspiring to leverage data-driven methodologies in an increasingly digital business landscape. It demonstrates how strategic use of SAP solutions can transform traditional budgeting and forecasting processes, offering a path towards more informed, agile, and efficient decision-making.