Apptio, a provider of hosted software for information-technology management, has introduced a Demand-Based Forecasting feature. The tool allows business managers directly to input departmental forecasts into Apptio's software. The result, said the vendor, is a system of closed-loop financial management, resulting in more accurate planning and budgeting of IT resources. Companies can realize tighter alignment with business priorities, improve cost efficiency and enable more transparent reporting on the cost and value of IT services, according to Apptio. By allowing departmental forecasts and changes to be entered directly into a company's planning system, users can increase the accuracy of planning and track budget variances on a real-time basis. The closed-loop system incorporates planning, execution, measurement, analysis and optimization.
