Profit& Blog | xP&A and Digital Transformation

5 Anaplan Success Stories That Prove the Value of Connected Planning

Written by Profit& | Jan 13, 2026 8:15:00 AM

Real outcomes. Real ROI. Real examples to guide your final decision.

Organisations evaluating Anaplan often reach the same point: “We understand the platform — now show us the proof.”

That proof sits in measurable outcomes — not just faster forecasts or real-time scenarios, but better decisions across the business. Pricing, capacity, investment and cost choices become clearer because operational reality flows directly into the financial picture, giving leaders confidence that plans support the outcomes they’re aiming to achieve.

This article is for organisations already evaluating Anaplan and looking for real-world evidence of how connected planning performs in practice — before making a final decision.

Sumary and Key Takeaways

  • Five real success stories demonstrating the ROI organisations achieve with Anaplan.

  • Faster forecasting, real-time scenario modelling and stronger decision-making across diverse operational environments.

  • Each example shows how operational drivers flow automatically into the P&L — without manual intervention.

  • Delivered using Profit&’s proven Blueprint → Minimum Viable Model (MVM) → Scale approach for rapid value and long-term expansion.

If you’re reviewing Anaplan and want to understand how these outcomes compare to your own environment, you can either explore the real-world examples below — or quickly benchmark your current planning capability using our FP&A Self Assessment.

1. Packaging Manufacturer (UK Division)

From fragmented spreadsheets to real-time financial insight

 
Challenge

Slow consolidation, limited scenario capability and disconnected spreadsheets across workforce, operations and finance.

Solution

A connected model linking workforce planning, plant operations, overheads and margin drivers — all rolling into a single live P&L.

Outcome
  • Rolling monthly forecasts replacing static cycles.
  • Rapid scenario modelling at SKU and product-family level.
  • Clear visibility of cost, volume and margin drivers.
  • Stronger alignment between plant operations and finance.
  • Expansion of Anaplan across the wider merged European group.

Why this matters as you confirm your decision

This example shows how quickly Anaplan can replace manual spreadsheets with a live financial engine that drives clarity, speed and reliability — particularly for organisations operating in complex, multi-site manufacturing environments.

Read the full story: Paper Based Packaging | Quarterly Forecasting & Scenario Planning

Learn more about connected planning for manufacturing and CPG

2. Packaging Manufacturing: Recycled Paper Mills

Operational reality translated directly into the P&L


Challenge

Energy volatility, variable yields, downtime and manual forecasting created slow and unreliable planning cycles.

Solution

A driver-based model where production metrics — energy, waste, capacity, maintenance and seasonal variation — automatically update the financials.

Outcome
  • Operational shifts reflected instantly in the P&L.

  • Fast reforecasting as energy or production inputs change.

  • Faster month-end close and improved predictability.

  • Scaling the model across the newly merged global group.

Why this matters as you confirm your decision

Here, Anaplan shows its ability to make operational input → financial output a real-time process — essential in asset-intensive manufacturing where volatility is the norm.

Read the full story: Recycled Paper Mills | Financial Planning & Analysis  

Related reading: Connected Planning:: Packaging’s Competitive Edge

3. InPost: Transport & Logistics

High-speed scenario modelling for fast-moving operations


Challenge

Explosive volume growth required instant answers to “what if?” across capacity, labour, energy and network expansion.

Solution

A unified model covering volume, pricing, capacity, labour, energy, utilisation and expansion planning.

Outcome
  • Scenario cycles reduced from days to minutes.

  • Clear cost-to-serve visibility.

  • Better pricing, investment and expansion decisions.

  • Standardised planning across multiple markets.

Why this matters as you confirm your decision

This case shows Anaplan’s unparalleled scenario speed, supporting confident action in time-critical transport and logistics operations.

Explore connected planning for logistics and parcel network.

Read the full story: InPost Anaplan Expansion

Related reading: Creative Scope Drift: Where IBP Magic Really Happens

How does your FP&A Process compare?

Our FP&A Self Assessment helps you benchmark where your planning capability sits today and highlights the areas most likely to unlock value with connected planning — without committing to a project.

4. SUSE: Technology

Connecting revenue, sales planning and FP&A


Challenge

Disconnected revenue forecasting, sales planning and FP&A limited accuracy and cross-functional collaboration.

Solution

A connected planning environment across regions, products, channels and revenue types.

Outcome
  • Significant improvement in forecast accuracy.

  • Planning cycles reduced from weeks to days.

  • Unified model for sales and finance.

  • Real-time scenario modelling for pricing and channel decisions.

Why this matters as you confirm your decision

Technology and SaaS organisations need fast commercial agility. Anaplan supports rapid scenario shifts across go-to-market, pricing and product strategy in complex revenue models.

Explore connected planning for technology organisations:
https://www.profitand.com/tech-integrated-revenue-hr-planning

Read the full story: SUSE | Financial Planning and Sales Performance Management

Related reading: Slow Start, Fast Finish – The Secret to Success

5. CBRE: Commercial Real Estate

Real-time scenario intelligence at global scale


Challenge

This global organisation needed to model macro-economic, operational and investment scenarios across multiple regions and business units.

Solution & Outcome
  • Forecast cycles reduced dramatically.

  • Real-time scenario insights for leadership.

  • Better investment, cost and capital decisions.

  • Scalable roadmap for enterprise-wide expansion.

Why this matters as you confirm your decision

This case demonstrates how Anaplan supports large, complex organisations with high data volumes, multi-market planning and fast-changing economics.

Read the full story: CBRE | Enterprise Financial & Scenario Planning

What These Stories Have in Common

1. Faster, more confident decisions

The greatest benefit isn’t speed alone — it’s better pricing, investment, capacity and operational decisions supported by trusted, connected data.

 

2. Operational variables drive the P&L automatically

Energy movements → financial impact.
Yield shifts → contribution margin.
Labour changes → cost and capacity shifts.

Anaplan makes these relationships visible instantly.


3. A proven delivery framework: Blueprint → MVM → Scale

Profit& begins with a Minimum Viable Model (MVM), delivering fast, early value,  before expanding across additional functions and regions.

Related resources: FP&A Starter Kit - Profit& App powered by Anaplan.

Talk to us about a Discovery Workshop

If you want to explore how your organisation could achieve similar results, we’d be happy to talk with you and help you shape a Discovery Workshop tailored to your priorities.

Our Discovery Workshop helps you move from evaluation to clarity, giving you:
  • A tailored connected-planning blueprint.

  • Integration and architecture view across finance and operations.

  • A prioritised, value-led use-case roadmap.

  • An outline of expected ROI and business impact.

  • A clear plan you can take straight to stakeholders.

Talk to us about arranging a Discovery Workshop.

 

Not quite ready to talk?


Complete our FP&A Self Assessment to benchmark your current maturity, see how your planning compares to best practice, and get practical guidance on what to prioritise next.

Frequently Asked Questions


What results can organisations expect from Anaplan?

Organisations typically see faster forecasting cycles, real-time scenario modelling, improved forecast accuracy and clearer links between operational drivers and financial outcomes.

How long does it take to see value from Anaplan?

With the right delivery approach, value can be delivered quickly. Many organisations achieve meaningful outcomes within the first few months using a Minimum Viable Model (MVM) before scaling further.

Is Anaplan suitable for my industry?

Anaplan is used across manufacturing, logistics, technology, real estate and other complex industries where operational decisions directly impact financial performance.

What makes connected planning different from traditional FP&A tools?

Connected planning links operational data directly to financial models in real time, reducing manual intervention and enabling faster, more confident decision-making.

How do I know if my organisation is ready for Anaplan?

The FP&A Self Assessment helps benchmark your current planning maturity and highlights where connected planning could deliver the greatest impact.