Comparing SAP Financial Consolidation Solutions: InsightCubes’ SAC Extension vs. NDC on SAP BTP
As organizations seek efficient, scalable, and integrated financial consolidation solutions within the SAP ecosystem, two prominent options have emerged:
InsightCubes’ Consolidation Extension for SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and NDC Financial Consolidation built on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
While both solutions serve the same fundamental purpose—streamlining group-level financial consolidation—they differ significantly in architecture, complexity, deployment model, and operational efficiency. This comparison explores the key differences to help businesses make an informed decision based on their infrastructure, goals, and future-readiness.
System Architecture & Integration
| Feature | InsightCubes – Consolidation Extension for SAP Analytics Cloud | NDC Financial Consolidation on SAP BTP |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Fully native to SAP Analytics Cloud; built entirely using SAC’s modeling, calculation, and planning layers. | Custom-built using multiple applications across SAP BTP; requires integration between apps and with SAC for reporting and planning. |
| Integration Complexity | Minimal – All processes run within SAC. No external app communication is needed. | High – Multiple BTP apps must communicate and synchronize, requiring ongoing integration effort. |
| Update Management | Receives automatic SAP updates every SAC quarterly wave (e.g., performance, security, features). | Updates must be manually managed by the vendor to remain compatible with SAP platform changes. |
| Data Flow | All calculations and reporting stay within SAC—no retraction or duplication of data needed. | Data moves between BTP apps and SAC, increasing complexity and risk of data integrity issues. |
Functionality & Customization
| Feature | InsightCubes | NDC |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidation Methods | Supports Equity, Proportionate, and Full consolidation using SAC’s built-in calculation engine. | Also supports various consolidation methods via a custom logic engine built on BTP. |
| Business Rules | Embedded directly within SAC models, leveraging SAC’s calculation engine and scripting. | Custom rule engine offers flexibility but requires more setup and maintenance. |
| Automation | Highly automated with configurable workflows using SAC’s native features (e.g., ownership, eliminations). | Automation is available but dependent on custom-built flows across multiple BTP apps. |
Deployment, Maintenance & Cost
| Feature | InsightCubes | NDC |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Time | Faster – Prebuilt SAC-native content deploys with minimal setup. | Longer – Requires deployment and integration of multiple custom BTP components. |
| IT Overhead | Low – All processes run inside SAC; no additional infrastructure needed. | High – BTP applications and interconnections must be continuously monitored and supported. |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Lower – No added licensing or infrastructure beyond SAC itself. | Potentially higher due to BTP usage, app maintenance, and vendor support costs. |
| Support Model | Specialized support aligned with SAC roadmap and quarterly release cycles. | Vendor-managed support and maintenance required for each application within the solution. |
User Experience & Scalability
| Feature | InsightCubes | NDC |
|---|---|---|
| User Experience | Unified interface inside SAC; streamlined navigation and workflow. | Requires navigation across multiple systems and UIs. |
| Scalability | Scales easily with SAC; inherits SAP’s infrastructure scalability. | Enterprise-grade scalability via BTP, but depends on configuration complexity. |
InsightCubes’ SAC Extension vs. NDC on SAP BTP summary: Which to Choose?
The choice between InsightCubes’ and NDC’s financial consolidation solutions depends largely on your organization’s priorities and technical landscape.
- If you prioritize a simplified, SAC-native experience with minimal integration, low overhead, and direct SAP support, InsightCubes offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution built entirely within SAP Analytics Cloud.
- If your organization requires deep customization, operates across a heterogeneous environment, and has an existing SAP BTP investment, NDC may offer more flexibility, albeit with added complexity and vendor reliance.
Regardless of your choice, both financial consolidation solutions reflect the evolution of SAP’s cloud consolidation ecosystem and offer significant advancements over traditional on-premise tools.
