Blog | Octane Software Solutions

Dipping your toes into AI in Finance with Watson Orchestrate: A Step-by-Step Journey

Written by Amendra Pratap | February 25, 2025

The world of finance is evolving rapidly, and AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a practical tool that can transform how finance teams operate. But for many organisations, the idea of integrating AI into their workflows can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you ensure success? The answer lies in taking a gradual, strategic approach. With Watson Orchestrate and IBM Planning Analytics, you can start small, prove the value, and scale your AI initiatives with confidence. At Octane, we guide you through this journey, from exploring use cases to delivering impactful projects.

 


Why Start Small with AI in Finance? 

AI has the potential to revolutionize finance by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing decision-making, and improving accuracy. However, diving headfirst into a full-scale AI implementation can be risky. Starting small allows you to test the waters, build confidence, and demonstrate tangible results before committing to larger investments. This is where Watson Orchestrate shines—it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing tools, like IBM Planning Analytics, and automate specific tasks without disrupting your workflows. 

Step 1: Explore Use Cases with Octane’s Workshops 

The first step in your AI journey is identifying where it can add the most value. We work closely with IBM client engineering team and run interactive workshops to help you explore potential use cases for Watson Orchestrate within your finance team. These workshops are designed to: 

  • Understand Your Pain Points: We work with your team to identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks that are ripe for automation, such as data consolidation, report generation, or budget reconciliation. 
  • Brainstorm Solutions: Together, we brainstorm how Watson Orchestrate can address these challenges, leveraging its AI capabilities to automate processes and enhance efficiency. 
  • Prioritise Opportunities: Not all use cases are created equal. We help you prioritize the ones that offer the quickest wins and the highest impact. 

Step 2: Prove the Value with a Proof of Concept (POC) 

Once we’ve identified promising use cases, the next step is to validate them through a Proof of Concept (POC). A POC allows you to see Watson Orchestrate in action, delivering real results in a controlled environment. Here’s how it works: 

  • Define Success Metrics: We work with you to define clear objectives and success metrics for the POC, ensuring that the results are measurable and aligned with your goals. 
  • Build and Test: Our team builds the POC, integrating Watson Orchestrate with IBM Planning Analytics to automate the selected use case. We test the solution rigorously to ensure it meets your requirements. 
  • Evaluate Results: After the POC, we evaluate the results together. Did it save time? Improve accuracy? Enhance productivity? These insights help you decide whether to move forward with a full-scale implementation. 

Step 3: Deliver the Project and Scale 

If the POC demonstrates value, we move into the project delivery phase. Our team works closely with yours to implement the solution, ensuring it’s tailored to your specific needs and integrated seamlessly into your workflows. Once the initial project is delivered, you can scale the solution to address additional use cases, gradually expanding the role of AI in your finance operations. 

Real-World Impact: A Gradual Approach to AI 

Many organizations have successfully adopted AI in finance by starting small and scaling strategically. For example, a airline participated in one of Octane’s workshops and identified report generation as a key pain point. Through a POC, they automated the process using Watson Orchestrate, reducing the time required from 2 days to just 30 minutes. Encouraged by the results, they expanded the solution to automate budget reconciliation, achieving even greater efficiencies. 

Why Choose Octane? 

At Octane, we specialise in helping organisations like yours navigate the complexities of AI adoption in Finance teams. Our phased approach—starting with workshops, moving to POCs, and then delivering projects—ensures that you can dip your toes into AI without taking on unnecessary risk. We bring deep expertise in Watson Orchestrate and IBM Planning Analytics, along with a commitment to delivering measurable results.  

Take the First Step Today 

AI is no longer a distant dream—it’s a practical tool that can transform your finance team. By starting small with Watson Orchestrate and IBM Planning Analytics, you can explore the potential of AI, prove its value, and scale your initiatives with confidence. Ready to get started? Contact Octane today to schedule a workshop and begin your AI journey. Email us at  media@octanesolutions.com.au  to learn more. 

The future of finance is AI-powered, and the journey starts with a single step. Let Octane guide you every step of the way.