What’s Next for IBM Controller?

by Mark Whitney, Product Specialist

Each year, IBM brings together partners from across Europe to share updates on the direction of their analytics products , including IBM Controller. For myself and  Sarah, at Aramar, it’s a valuable opportunity to stay close to the roadmap and ensure our customers are always ahead of what’s coming next.

This year’s update confirmed what many in the Controller community have been hoping to see: real, continued investment in the product’s future. IBM has expanded its development teams, dedicating specific resources to enhance both the consolidation engine and FAP (Financial Analytics Publisher). The goal is clear: to improve performance, stability, and overall speed for everyday users.

Behind the scenes, Controller is also undergoing a technical refresh, moving to modern frameworks like React and optimising its underlying code. While these changes might not immediately alter the user experience, they lay the essential groundwork for future innovation.

There was also discussion around API improvements and deeper integration with Planning Analytics, as IBM continues to bring its EPM suite closer together. For customers using both solutions, that means smoother data flow and fewer manual touchpoints.

Although AI isn’t arriving in Controller just yet, IBM’s leadership has made it part of their long-term vision for automation and smart reporting, a direction that promises exciting opportunities in the years ahead.

In short, Controller is far from standing still. The roadmap shows a clear commitment to investment, modernisation, and usability. All of which benefit the many finance teams who rely on Controller every day to run their close and consolidation processes efficiently.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as these developments roll out. And as always, if you’d like to understand how they might impact your organisation, our team is here to help.