Getting the Most Out of Your Tech Stack With Reporting Software

Financial teams face a persistent challenge: automating data reporting and analysis. Many BI tools focus on sales dashboards and don't understand the complexities of financial data structures. Anna Sagan, senior principal in solution engineering at insightsoftware, recently shared practical insights on maximizing your tech stack investment with reporting software.

The Data Struggle Is Real

You know the financial reporting drill. Your team needs answers immediately to support critical business decisions, but gathering that data takes hours—sometimes days. You're copying information from multiple systems, double-checking formulas, and hoping nothing breaks when you refresh that report for the third time this morning.

Corporate financial officers face this reality constantly. The pressure to deliver accurate, timely data never stops, and your team needs tools that make their work easier, not harder.

Why Excel Remains the Go-To Solution

Excel isn't going anywhere. It's familiar, flexible, and your team already knows how to use it. As Sagan points out, when you ask finance professionals about their favorite BI tool, the answer is simple: whichever one gets data into Excel fastest.

The challenge isn't Excel itself—it's getting your data there efficiently. Manual data entry and complex formulas eat up time your team should spend on analysis and strategic planning.

There is a better way. On a recent episode of The Diary of a CFO podcast, Sagan shared how Spreadsheet Server from insightsoftware can ease those pain points.

How Reporting Software Gives You Agility

Spreadsheet Server connects directly to Excel, automating data imports so your team can focus on what matters. No more copying and pasting from multiple sources. No more trying to remember intricate formulas you built six months ago.

The platform works with over 140 general ledgers and ERPs. "We're able to help companies that might have unique systems," Sagan said. When you acquire a new company with different accounting software, your team won't panic about consolidating the data. Spreadsheet Server handles integration, making multi-system reporting straightforward.

Built for Finance, Not Adapted for It

Here's what sets Spreadsheet Server apart: it's designed specifically for financial data. The system understands your chart of accounts, cost centers, projects, and all the dimensions that make financial reporting complex.

The built-in AI tools go beyond generic assistance. Data Assist understands financial patterns, providing real-time trend analysis, and detecting anomalies automatically. You get instant trend summaries and can spot issues before they become problems.

The Learning Curve That Isn't

You've seen this pattern before. Your organization invests in expensive software that promises to revolutionize workflows. Then reality hits. The implementation takes months. Your team struggles with the learning curve. Adoption stalls because the tool is too complicated or too different from your team’s workflows.

"When tools require significant technical expertise, teams can't focus on their real work," Sagan noted. "Organizations make substantial investments in software that becomes too difficult to implement and use effectively."

AI integration changes this dynamic. By asking Spreadsheet Server specific questions, users can build the reports they need without mastering complex technical skills first. The tool adapts to how your team thinks about financial data, not the other way around.

Making Technology Work for Your People

Getting value from your tech stack requires understanding your people and what they need to succeed. When team members can use the tools you provide, they're more productive and engaged. They spend time on analysis instead of data gathering.

But technology investment isn't a one-time decision. Sagan emphasizes the importance of regular check-ins. "You need to check in regularly—monthly or quarterly—to confirm the tool is being leveraged. You don't want to reach renewal time and realize no one's used it in six months."

This ongoing engagement ensures your team gets the support they need, and your organization gets the most from its software investment. Watch the full podcast episode to learn more.

Diary Of A CFO: Getting The Most Out Of Your Tech Stack With Anna Sagan

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Takeaways:

• The evolving expectations from finance teams

• Why Excel is still the most loved BI tool in finance

• Reporting limitations in ERPs

• Why companies underutilize the tools they pay for

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

05:46 Main Solutions

07:30 Excel: RIP or Data Dumping Ground

10:39 Misunderstanding of Reporting Tools

12:45 Example of Moment After Implementation

15:36 Using the Tool to Its Full Potential

18:29 Getting the most out of reporting

20:37 Playbook for Helping Teams

22:40 Planning Resources

24:48 Using AI Integrations

26:34 The Human Touch to AI