Column5's Bold Next Chapter: Honoring BPC Legacy While Pioneering EPM's Future – How We're Putting You First

In the ever-shifting world of Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), staying ahead means adapting without losing your core. As the founder of Column5, I've spent over 20 years innovating in this space - launching the EPM Summit in 2009 to empower BPC users, developing Darwin EPM's first-gen tools, and decoding SAP's roadmaps to help you exploit enhancements or navigate EOMM announcements. From your first BPC implementation to defining future roadmaps, our steadfast mission has been to maximize your outcomes. This earned us the title of most trusted voice in BPC, and it's a badge we wear proudly. But today, AI and agentic tech are redefining EPM, demanding flexibility across hybrid landscapes. In September 2025, I'm thrilled to announce Column5's bold next chapter: We're expanding support while doubling down on the values that earned your trust - building on our BPC foundation to address a rapidly changing market. Here's the what, why, and how it benefits you.  

Our Three Core Identities: Trust Meets Innovation 

1. Direct Implementation Expertise: Our proven services for implementations, optimizations, and support remain rock-solid, delivering practical, real-world outcomes as we always have for BPC. Now extending across SAP SAC and Group Reporting, Vena, Darwin's Agentic Orchestration Platform (AOP), and soon more partnerships - these quietly power your day-to-day without fanfare.  

1. The Most Trusted Voice in BPC: We're proud of our long history with BPC, and our commitment is unwavering - we remain your lifeline. You have a choice to stay on BPC indefinitely through Column5’s Lifeline extended support or retain SAP backing by upgrading to long-term platforms like RISE. For transitions - short-term or years out - we'll facilitate orderly paths, avoiding disruption. The relaunched EPM Summit (Feb 2026, Bellagio, Las Vegas) fits perfectly: A vendor-neutral hub for AI in EPM, open to all, to keep EPM (especially BPC) communities thriving.  

1. Advocates for Darwin Analytics’ AOP & Marketplace: Our innovation ethos continues with Darwin Analytics (rebranded from Darwin EPM), where Darwin’s innovative Agentic Orchestration Platform (AOP) unifies your hybrid EPM/BI ecosystems with AI agents for automation, orchestration, and predictive insights - all while preserving data independence and sovereignty. As a leading Value-Added Reseller (VAR) for the Darwin Marketplace, we're championing prebuilt content and multi-vendor collaboration (supporting every EPM product soon!) because we believe your success shouldn’t be limited by vendor agendas. 

What This Means for You: Continuity, Refinements, and a Competitive Edge 

All the services you rely on - from BPC configs to SAC integrations - are fully supported by Column5 and Darwin. But over the next month, expect added refinements: New partnerships (like Vena and more to be announced), webinars/content broadening beyond SAP, cross-firm collaborations, and a bright light shone on Marketplace prebuilt solutions for faster ROI. The expanded EPM Summit and Darwin rebrand signal our commitment to AI-enabled EPM without the pitfalls of overambitious hype. We're not becoming less SAP - we're becoming more you.  

In a market where some providers toe the vendor line - often prioritizing agendas over your real needs - we're sharpening our competitive edge by fostering open cooperation with forward-thinking firms. We're co-developing Marketplace content, co-hosting webinars, and amplifying best practices across ecosystems to drive faster ROI and lasting partnerships. If you're aligned with this dedication to customer value - freedom of choice, speed, and innovation - let's shape EPM's future together: Partner with Column5 for joint deliveries, join the Darwin Marketplace to engage our global VAR network, or sponsor the EPM Summit to reach 500+ decision-makers.  

In short, with Column5, you'll never face change alone. We honor the past, protect the present, and prepare you for the future - turning this new era into your lasting competitive advantage. How to Engage with Our Next Chapter 

• Stay Informed: Register for our email list at column5.com.  

• Join the Conversation: Hop into the EPM Summit LinkedIn group for updates and an early peek at epmsummit.com.  

• Learn Hands-On: Sign up for webinars on BPC futures and more via our events page.  

• Explore the Tech: Visit the new darwinanalytics.com to see AOP and Marketplace in action.  

• Talk to Us: Email ddenboer@column5.com, use our contact forms, or connect on social - let's discuss your EPM solution, regardless of product or journey stage. 

This is our way of honoring the past while boldly stepping forward. What's your biggest EPM challenge right now? Reach out to discuss today – Our team is here to help.  

David Den Boer is the founder of Column5 Consulting and Darwin Analytics, with 30+ years shaping EPM success.