OVERVIEW

Who is Activision?

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) www.activision.com is a multi‐billion dollar worldwide leader in online, console and subscription‐based interactive software entertainment. The video game industry is extremely dynamic and competitive. Staying in the game requires timely access to business‐critical data, and reliance on that data’s integrity.

SOLUTION: Financial Planning and Analysis plus Reporting

INDUSTRY: Interactive Software Entertainment

TOOLS: Hyperion Planning, Hyperion Essbase, Financial Data Management, Hyperion Financial Reporting

Challenge

When ADI arrived, Activision’s Hyperion Planning and Analytic solution had exploded in terms of number of reports/forms, custom business calculations and processing time. The system was increasingly difficult to maintain and update; worse, the system’s overall transparency and even its utility were under fire.

The Challenges:

• Speed up data and business change refreshes from 24 hours
• 1,600 Input forms and reports and growing
• 1,600 customized business calculations and growing
• 15 minute report / web form build times
• Planning / Forecasting updates required overnight processing
• No efficient/standardized reporting...many, many versions
• Data and Meta Data* information decentralized, inconsistent
• *Meta Data = Names & labels for GL Accounts, Cost Centers, Departments, etc.

Approach

• Deployed a Senior resource to meet with core business and IT users for assessment
• Assembled a team of ADI and client resources to move forward.
• Rapidly evaluated design alternatives.
• Zeroed in on a feasible solution and began testing configurations.
• Developed final solution and started unit testing.
• Conducted System testing with core business users.
• Deployed system and provided post-go live support.
   

Impact

• Data and meta data refreshes from 24 hours to 30 minutes
• Reduced 1,600 Web Forms/Reports to 50
• Reduced 1,600 customized calculations to 50
• Planning / forecasting updates performed every 30 minutes instead of overnight
• Data and Meta Data centralized and secured
• Standardized, auditable reporting: Managerial, Legal and Statutory P&L

CUSTOMER SUCCESS

"In today’s economy you have to be able to leverage technology to achieve efficiencies and stay competitive.  ADI brings the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to transform your financial system coupled with the pride and dedication to achieve lofty goals in very tight timelines."

Brian Chudleigh, Director, Strategic & Financial Planning