Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) was meant to unite sales, operations, and finance around one plan.
Yet in most companies, these functions still run on different timelines, in different systems, often ending up back in Excel.
The result?
Conflicting forecasts, late decisions, and plans that can’t keep up with market change.
According to Farseer’s State of Finance 2026 report, 61% of finance and operations leaders are now prioritizing automation, and 72% are investing in analytics to build more connected, faster-moving planning environments. Still, only 18% say their systems truly integrate all functions in real time.
That’s where modern S&OP software comes in as a coordination engine. The right platform connects every team, every driver, and every number into one real-time planning model.
Below, we break down some of the best S&OP software options you can find currently on the market.
Farseer — Connected Planning for Finance-Driven S&OP
Best for: Mid-to-enterprise companies that want to connect S&OP with financial planning, without IT dependency.
What it is:
Farseer is a no-code planning platform that unifies finance, operations, and sales under one governed model. Instead of using separate modules for demand, supply, and budgeting, everything runs inside a single real-time model.
Key features:
Unified model for P&L, Balance Sheet, and operational drivers.
Real-time data sync with ERP, CRM, and HR systems.
Multi-scenario and rolling forecasting.
Driver-based demand and supply planning.
Full audit trail for every assumption and version.
AI-assisted forecasting and anomaly detection.
No-code modeling – finance owns the logic, not IT.
Why it stands out:
Farseer links operational planning directly to financial outcomes. When sales raises demand, operations sees capacity impact instantly, and finance sees the margin shift.
It’s fast, transparent, and governed by design, which is perfect for teams tired of spreadsheets and slow integrations.
Kinaxis RapidResponse
Best for: Global manufacturers and supply chain–heavy organizations.
Kinaxis is one of the most established platforms in advanced supply chain planning. It’s known for “concurrent planning” – updating supply, demand, and inventory in real time across complex networks.
Key features:
End-to-end supply chain visibility.
Real-time simulation and what-if modeling.
Integrated demand, inventory, and capacity management.
Advanced analytics and AI optimization.
Limitations:
High implementation cost and complexity.
Requires dedicated expertise or consulting support.
Primarily operational, with limited finance alignment.
Summary:
A strong choice for global supply chain control, but less suited for cross-functional, finance-led planning.
Anaplan
Best for: Enterprises that need customizable, large-scale planning across multiple departments.
Anaplan is a pioneer in connected planning. Its modeling flexibility makes it ideal for organizations with complex data hierarchies and multiple stakeholders across finance, operations, and HR.
Key features:
Highly configurable planning models.
Cross-functional collaboration with centralized logic.
Scenario analysis and version control.
Strong integration ecosystem.
Limitations:
Steep learning curve and long setup.
Typically requires system administrators or consultants.
Expensive for mid-market organizations.
Summary:
Highly capable at enterprise scale, but heavy to implement and maintain.
Read Anaplan Competitors – The 6 Best Alternatives for Enterprise FP&A
SAP Integrated Business Planning
Best for: SAP customers looking for an end-to-end supply chain suite.
SAP IBP combines demand, supply, and inventory planning in one system, designed for full integration with SAP S/4HANA and ECC.
Key features:
Native SAP integration and consistency.
Demand sensing powered by AI.
Predefined analytics and workflows.
Strong automation capabilities.
Limitations:
Complex configuration and onboarding.
Limited flexibility outside the SAP environment.
Slower to adapt to fast-changing planning needs.
Summary:
An excellent fit for companies already invested in SAP, but rigid and costly for smaller or more dynamic teams.
Read Looking for SAP Analytics Cloud Competitors? Here Are the 5 Best Options
o9 Solutions
Best for: Data-driven enterprises with mature digital planning processes.
o9 Solutions leverages AI and digital-twin simulation to model entire value chains. It’s widely used in consumer goods, retail, and pharma for predictive demand and supply planning.
Key features:
AI-powered forecasting and anomaly detection.
Digital twin modeling for scenario simulation.
End-to-end visibility across supply, demand, and finance.
Role-based collaboration and analytics.
Limitations:
Requires large data volumes and advanced infrastructure.
Long calibration and integration phase.
High complexity for finance-led teams.
Summary:
Innovative and predictive, but designed for highly mature enterprises with strong IT support.
Board
Best for: Mid-sized businesses looking for integrated planning and analytics.
Board merges S&OP, FP&A, and BI into one unified interface, aiming to simplify planning without overwhelming teams.
Key features:
All-in-one performance management.
Built-in dashboards and visualization.
Workflow automation and approvals.
Quick deployment and user-friendly design.
Limitations:
Limited modeling depth for complex S&OP processes.
Weaker real-time simulation capabilities.
Less scalable for large, multi-entity structures.
Summary:
Ideal for simplicity and consolidation, less so for advanced scenario-driven planning.
Read 5 Best Board Competitors in 2025 With Pros, Cons, and Pricing
Oracle Cloud SCM & Planning Central
Best for: Large enterprises within the Oracle ecosystem.
Oracle Cloud SCM integrates demand management, supply planning, and production scheduling into one comprehensive suite.
Key features:
Strong analytics and KPI tracking.
Real-time balancing of supply and capacity.
Deep integration with Oracle ERP Cloud.
Automated workflows and reporting.
Limitations:
Long implementation and configuration times.
High total cost of ownership.
Rigid structure compared to modern, flexible tools.
Summary:
Powerful, enterprise-grade functionality, but heavy and complex for teams that need speed or agility.
Conclusion
S&OP software should help you plan smarter, act faster, and bring teams together. If it’s just another system that creates more work, then it’s not fit for purpose.
The good news? Better options exist. Platforms like Farseer are helping companies move from disconnected spreadsheets to connected planning, without a painful rollout.
The right S&OP software doesn’t just store numbers – it drives alignment, clarity, and speed across your entire planning process.
Want to see how that might look in your company?
