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In a recent project with a leading media company in Australia, we set out to demonstrate how IBM Watsonx Orchestrate can revolutionise finance operations through the power of Generative AI. The Commercial Finance team, under constant pressure to deliver timely, accurate and insight-rich reports, needed a smarter way to move beyond manual data wrangling and deliver executive-ready outputs in record time. That’s where WatsonX Orchestrate came in. Unlike traditional BI or workflow automation tools, Watsonx Orchestrate leverages Generative AI to not only automate repetitive tasks but also to ...

The 8 Forces Reshaping the Future of Finance – and How Agentic AI Helps CFOs Lead Gartner has pin pointed 8 disruptive forces set to fundamentally transform the finance function. These changes—spanning technological advancements, organisational shifts, and regulatory upheavals- pose both risks and opportunities for CFOs. Success will belong to those who leverage Agentic AI, such as WatsonX Orchestrate, and Extended Planning & Analytics, like IBM Planning Analytics, to not merely adapt but to lead the transformation. Finance is standing at a critical juncture. Gartner emphasises that the ...

For years, finance leaders have debated when the time would come to embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations. That time is no longer in the future. AI has become a business imperative—a driver of efficiency, agility, and competitive advantage for CFOs under mounting pressure to deliver more with less. This is not just theory. It’s happening today. And Rinnai Australia is a standout example. In just 12 months, Rinnai has modernised its finance platform, embedding IBM Planning Analytics (PA) with support from Octane Software Solutions. The result? A finance function that has ...

In today’s fast-moving business environment, automation isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. IBM Watsonx Orchestrate has already helped many organisations streamline tasks, save time and improve productivity across teams. However, with the introduction of the Agentic version of Watsonx Orchestrate, a noticeable shift is occurring in how companies approach automation. Unlike the Classic version, which relies on well-defined rules and task sequences, the Agentic approach introduces intelligent agents that understand goals, adapt to changing inputs, and even make decisions in real-time. ...

Big news for Indian enterprises: IBM Planning Analytics as a Service is now officially available on AWS in India. This means faster performance, stronger data sovereignty, and AI-powered insights—all on a scalable cloud platform. At IBM India Services, together with Octane Software Solutions, we're excited to help you harness this opportunity. Why this AWS India expansion changes everything Ultra-low latency for real-time planning & analytics Local data residency for compliance with India's DPDP Act IBM Planning Analytics on AWS - cloud-powered FP&A at scale AI-enhanced insights ...

As the role of the CFO evolves from financial steward to strategic architect, the expectations have never been higher. CFOs today are expected to: Deliver rapid, accurate close cycles. Ensure compliance across a complex regulatory landscape. Provide forward-looking insights that drive executive decisions. Lead finance transformation in a data-driven world. This shift demands more than spreadsheets and legacy consolidation tools. It calls for intelligent automation, real-time transparency, and strategic control. This is where IBM Controller steps in as a financial consolidation platform and a ...

In a world where speed, scale, and trust define success, Octane has emerged as a leader in enterprise AI-driven transformation. Honoured with the 2025 IBM Partner Plus Award in APAC for automation, Octane’s groundbreaking use of IBM Watsonx Orchestrate is setting a new benchmark for how intelligent automation can empower business users and scale human productivity. The Award: Increasing performance through automation The IBM Partner Plus Award for Automation celebrates business partners who are delivering new levels of performance with speed, scale and security, enabling systems, business ...

There’s nothing quite like starting a new role at the forefront of innovation. My first week at Octane Software Solutions was nothing short of electrifying—the highlight was a full-house customer event buzzing with energy, visionary ideas, and the promise of AI-driven transformation. The focus?  IBM AI Platform, Watsonx Orchestrate, is poised to redefine how businesses harness automation, AI agents, and predictive intelligence to unlock unprecedented efficiency. Let me take you through this exhilarating journey and why Watsonx Orchestrate, paired with Octane’s expertise, is the future of ...

In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies are constantly looking for ways to streamline their operations, improve decision-making, and stay ahead of the competition. One of the tools that has gained significant attention in the world of business intelligence and analytics is IBM Planning Analytics, which harnesses the power of AI to enhance financial planning, forecasting, and reporting. One of the standout features of IBM Planning Analytics is its AI Assistant, an innovative tool that leverages artificial intelligence to provide smarter, more efficient planning and analytics ...

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 confidently scale your AI initiatives. At Octane, we guide you through this journey, from exploring use cases to delivering impactful projects. Why ...

The holiday season is a time for joy, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. However, for many finance teams, it’s also a period of intense activity. Year-end closings, budgeting, and reporting deadlines can pile up, creating a stressful and demanding environment. Imagine spending your holiday season worrying about potential system outages, data load failures, or urgent user queries. It’s a scenario that can disrupt your well-deserved break and compromise your team’s productivity. Leverage Dedicated TM1 Support During the Holidays Engage a reliable TM1 support partner to handle system ...

Attending IBM TechXchange in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas was an exhilarating experience that showcased the cutting-edge IBM technologies shaping various industries today. The conference brought together technologists, IBM Champions, thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators eager to share insights and explore the latest advancements in IBM's technology portfolio. From AI to cloud computing, the event highlighted how these tools are transforming businesses, making operations more efficient, and ultimately driving better decision-making. As an IBM champion we were treated as VIPs with row ...

Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) offers a robust suite of visualizations, enabling users to create rich and compelling reports and dashboards with remarkable flexibility. However, even with these capabilities, you may occasionally encounter requirements that push the limits of what PAW provides out of the box. One such scenario I encountered was the need to create a column chart comparing Actual vs Budget variance. The twist? Any negative variance should be highlighted with a red bar, while positive variance should be displayed in green, as shown below: PAW’s default settings don't ...

In the realm of digital transformation, the concept of digital labor has emerged as a game-changer for businesses seeking efficiency, agility, and innovation. IBM WatsonsX Orchestrate, a powerhouse in the AI and data orchestration space, takes center stage in this digital evolution. This blog explores the pivotal role played by WatsonsX Orchestrate in reshaping digital labor and how it empowers organizations to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. Orchestrate allows you to add and train new automations from a variety of sources, enabling users to easily ...