Use spreadsheets where they fit
Spreadsheets are useful for flexible analysis, modelling and smaller shared tasks. Clear ownership, validation and version management matter when people rely on the outputs.
Recognise the need for a shared reporting system
Repeated manual consolidation, conflicting definitions and a need for more consistent access may justify a business intelligence platform. The platform still depends on well-managed source data.
Compare the full workflow
Consider data preparation, refresh frequency, access, training, maintenance and cost. A combination of spreadsheets and a governed reporting platform may be more practical than replacing every existing workbook.
