Japan's Aktio replaces Excel spreadsheets with web-based finance system

Aktio Corp, the largest rental company in Japan, has implemented a new web-based financial planning system to replace its traditional Excel spreadsheets. The new software has been supplied by California-based Adaptive Planning.

Aktio has invested in Adaptive's Enterprise solution that will allow 800 Aktio users from over 500 reporting sites to budget, forecast and report financial data.

Adaptive Planning said that Aktio previously used Excel-based financial spreadsheets for its budgeting and reporting tasks. "By developing and deploying a localized version of the Adaptive Planning application", said the software company, "Aktio's financial managers were able to shorten their budgeting cycle, enable improved budget versus actual comparisons, and enhance overall management flexibility."

William Soward, Adaptive Planning's chief executive officer, said; "The Aktio deployment illustrates the tremendous power and reach that can be achieved by combining open source techniques with the software as a service business model...There is significant global demand for alternatives to Excel-based planning and reporting, and this implementation opens the door to attractive new opportunities in Japan and throughout Asia."

Aktio was ranked number 11 in the latest IRN-100 survey of the world's largest equipment rental companies.