7 signs that Excel can no longer handle your planning
Are you still planning in Excel and finding it increasingly complex? Discover 7 clear signs that indicate your company is ready for a smarter, digital planning tool.
Do you want to digitize your planning and organize it smarter? Then you probably recognize these 7 signs that indicate your company is ready for a better planning tool.
- Your planning operates in isolation from your other systems
- You spend more time searching than planning
- You manage multiple Excel files at the same time
- Crucial planning knowledge is held by one person
- Absences constantly disrupt your planning
- Customers receive unreliable or late communication
- Employees experience stress due to a lack of overview
1. Your planning operates in isolation from your other systems
Many organizations today use multiple tools side by side: an ERP system for orders and invoicing, an HR system for leave and performance, a CRM for customer data... and in addition, a separate planning in Excel or a standalone module.
The result? Data must be entered multiple times, information becomes scattered and is often no longer up-to-date. This increases the chance of errors and misunderstandings.
An integrated planning tool brings all this data together. Orders, leave, and customer information automatically enter the planning, allowing you to work with one central truth.2. You spend more time looking for information than actually planning
A planning should create an overview, but in practice, planners are often mainly busy gathering information:
Which employee is available?
Where are machines or resources scheduled?
What is the status of an ongoing assignment?
3. You’re managing multiple Excel files at the same time
An Excel for production, another for the warehouse, one more for leave and absences…Before you know it, there are different versions side by side and no one knows which one is correct.
This leads to duplicate work, copy-paste errors, and discussions about who is working with the most recent planning. A central digital planning ensures that everyone is always looking at the same, up-to-date information.
4. Crucial planning knowledge is held by one person
In many companies, Excel planning has evolved over the years into a complex system of sheets and formulas. Often, there is one employee who knows exactly how everything works.
But what if that person falls ill, takes vacation, or leaves the organization? Then the continuity of your planning is immediately at risk. A user-friendly planning tool ensures that knowledge is shared and not dependent on one person.
5. Absences constantly disrupt your planning
An unexpected illness or a new leave request can throw your entire planning into disarray. In Excel, this often means manually shifting things around, adjusting formulas, and checking again to see if everything is still correct.
Digital planning tools can automatically process absences and immediately show the impact on your planning. This way, you can quickly reschedule and maintain continuity.
6. Customers receive unreliable or late communication
A small mistake in the planning may seem harmless internally, but it can have significant consequences for customers. Delivery dates change, appointments get moved, or projects are delayed.
With a clear and up-to-date planning, you can inform customers accurately and communicate proactively. This increases trust and strengthens the customer relationship.
7. Employees experience stress due to lack of overview
An unclear planning creates unrest. Employees do not always know what is expected of them, or they are surprised by last-minute changes.
A transparent, user-friendly planning brings structure and calm. Everyone can see where the priorities lie and can focus on their work.
Time for the next step?
Do you recognize several of these signals in your organization? Then it is likely that your current planning method has reached its limits.
With SOLUTIO, GO-VIRTUAL helps companies digitize their planning and seamlessly integrate it with their existing systems—so they can work more efficiently, reduce errors, and improve team collaboration and customer communication.
Do you want to know what an integrated planning process could look like for your company? Then it might be time to finally leave those Excel files behind.
