Execel | Reporting | Dashboards| Cloud Migration | Analytics Strategy | BI Tools | Healthcare | Infrastructure | FMCG | Not for profit
The problem isn’t Excel itself. It’s that most businesses never expected their spreadsheet setups to scale so far — or so fast. And now, reporting tasks are straining under the weight of manual processes, version control issues, and rising complexity.
For teams looking to move on from Excel, the hardest part isn’t knowing “why” — it’s knowing “how” and “when” to start.
- Organisations already know that Excel isn’t the right tool for complex, multi-source reporting — but don’t have a clear roadmap for what comes next.
- The tipping point usually isn’t just technical — it’s operational. Pain points like duplicated work, slow reporting cycles, and uncertainty in the data often drive the decision.
- The solution? Isn’t always a tool — it’s a better understanding of what your business needs from its data.
- The first step often isn’t a new platform. It’s a structured, honest assessment of what’s working and what’s getting in the way.
- Notitia helps clients assess when and how to move forward, based on context, goals, and internal capacity.
- Our team has supported clients at every point in this journey — everything from developing data governance structures and processes, to eliminating spreadsheet dependence using cloud based analytics and dashboard reporting.
The tipping point isn’t technical — it’s operational
Rarely does an organisation come to us just saying “our technology has failed.” What they describe instead are symptoms that show up in day-to-day operations:
- Reporting is taking too long and requiring too much manual effort
- Different teams are working from different numbers. Teams running different versions of the same report. Staff are creating their own versions of reports to get what they need
- IT and analysts wasting hours manually compiling data that should update automatically
- People second-guessing whether numbers are right
- Managers unable to access the insights they need without going back through the analytics team
- Opportunities missed because decision-makers didn’t trust the data in front of them
- Sensitive or critical data is being stored in unsecured spreadsheets
These aren’t tech problems. They’re operational bottlenecks — and they’re what usually prompt the conversation.
When a team says, “we’re spending more time preparing the data than using it”, what they’re really identifying is a loss of confidence, efficiency, and clarity.
That’s the real tipping point. It’s not a file crashing — it’s a system no longer serving the organisation it was built to support.
How do we move on from Excel? The solution isn’t always just a new tool
When something’s not working, it’s tempting to search for a tool to replace it. But in our experience, jumping straight to a platform decision often misses the point. It’s not about whether Power BI is better than Qlik, or whether you need cloud analytics or reporting dashboards. It’s about understanding what your organisation needs from its data — and why.
Some organisations need to improve access: giving the right people the right level of visibility without overwhelming them.
Others need to consolidate: pulling data from disparate systems into one usable view. Or, automate: reducing the manual burden of recurring reporting tasks so staff can focus on analysis, not formatting.
Until you know what the data is meant to support (strategy, compliance, service delivery, resource allocation) it’s impossible to choose the right solution. And in some cases, it may not be the right time for a business to implement a new platform. They may need better data definitions, improved governance, or a way to triage requests more efficiently.
The first step isn’t a new platform. It’s an honest assessment
Before any tool, migration, or automation project, there has to be a clear-eyed look at what’s working, what’s not, and what success should actually look like.
This means asking:
- Where is data currently created and stored?
- Who needs access — and when?
- What’s driving your reporting effort: compliance, operations, strategic planning?
- Where are the biggest gaps in time, accuracy, and effort?
- Do people trust the outputs — and if not, why?
It also means surfacing what’s unspoken. Are teams bypassing systems because the reports don’t meet their needs? Are different departments producing their own numbers? These are the clues that help inform the real solution — not just the technical one.
We lead organisations through this process using a mix of stakeholder interviews, system reviews, and structured discovery sessions. We don’t assume the answer — we help you define the problem properly first.
Progress depends on context, goals, and internal capacity
Every organisation is different. That’s not just a disclaimer — it’s a core part of how we work.
A small not-for-profit with one analyst and a tight budget will need a very different approach to a multi-agency government department with formal governance frameworks. Some organisations are ready to invest in scalable cloud environments. Others need a roadmap that breaks the transition into manageable phases.
What matters is that the solution fits. It needs to reflect your current systems, your resourcing, and your long-term goals — not just what’s possible on paper.
That’s why Notitia works in partnership with clients to determine when and how to move forward. We never push a particular product or vendor. Our only interest is in delivering a solution that will actually stick — because it was built for the way your organisation operates, not someone else’s.
We’ve supported clients at every stage of this journey
Some clients need help building data governance structures from the ground up — including ownership, access rules, and change control. Others come to us further along, needing to migrate from outdated tools to a cloud-based reporting environment that’s more secure, scalable, and collaborative.
Whether we’re designing a reporting framework for a Primary Health Network, delivering managed analytics for an FMCG business, or helping a government agency clean up legacy systems, the work always starts in the same place: with a clear understanding of what the organisation is trying to achieve.
Because until you know why you’re changing something, no tool will fix it.
What a high-performing data environment looks like (and how to get there)
Foodbank Victoria Case Study: From manual reporting to live dashboards
Problem: Manual data handling made accurate reporting difficult
Solution: Migrated reporting to Qlik Cloud Analytics and replaced spreadsheets with live dashboards
Result: A 15% reduction in cost per kilo of food and time saved across every reporting cycle
Fyna Foods Australia Case Study
Challenge: Legacy systems and scattered reporting processes were limiting operational visibility and collaboration
Approach: Notitia provided advisory and technical support, working with Fyna to migrate to a fit-for-purpose reporting environment
Outcome: Improved visibility across the business, reduced operational overhead, and better internal decision-making
Is your business is ready for what's next?
Notitia offers discovery sessions and data environment audits — no obligation, no assumptions, just a clear look at where you’re at and where to go next. Get in touch with us today!
