Top Upflow Alternatives

FreshBooks simplifies the invoicing and billing process for small enterprises. Renowned as a leading accounting and invoicing solution, FreshBooks caters to both self-employed individuals and small businesses alike. By streamlining invoicing and billing tasks, it enables companies to focus on their passions and core activities. Its extensive array of robust features encompasses expense tracking, time management, and payment processing capabilities. Moreover, the FreshBooks mobile application empowers users to manage their finances from any location, enhancing flexibility and productivity. This combination of features and convenience makes FreshBooks an invaluable asset for any small business.

Dun & Bradstreet’s global data and analytics fuel AI-driven solutions for the credit-to-cash process. With D&B Finance Analytics, users benefit from an intuitive and adaptable platform that enables finance teams to enhance customer service, decrease expenses, and effectively manage risk. It empowers organizations to tackle credit and receivables risks, leading to reduced bad debts, lower Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), and improved cash flow. By streamlining manual decision-making, monitoring, customer interactions, and matching processes, businesses can operate more efficiently. Additionally, it provides customers with an online credit application and a payment portal that enhances the overall experience. The D&B Finance Analytics suite includes two key platforms: D&B Credit Intelligence and D&B® Receivables Intelligence, which work in tandem to deliver comprehensive insights and advanced technologies that drive success across all aspects of credit-to-cash operations. This integration allows users to swiftly identify credit risks, smoothly onboard new clients, and establish appropriate credit terms. Ultimately, these capabilities are designed to facilitate better financial management and foster growth.

Melio serves as a streamlined accounts payable solution aimed at enhancing bill payment processes, optimizing operational workflows, and boosting cash flow management for businesses of all sizes. To get started, try all of Melio's features free for 30 days! Melio’s platform enables users to make payments to vendors via online bank transfers or credit and debit cards, even when those vendors only accept checks, which not only helps in managing cash flow but also allows users to earn rewards. Melio integrates seamlessly with accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero, ensuring that your financial records remain current. With Melio, you’ll get to streamline your day-to-day work. Either input vendor information or bill details manually, upload documents, or take a photo of the invoice for quick processing—it’s incredibly user-friendly. Payments can be scheduled in alignment with your cash flow strategy, and Melio will make those payments happen. International vendors? Our platform facilitates payments to global vendors in USD or the local currency, ensuring smooth transactions for various services and products. This comprehensive approach makes managing accounts payable more efficient and less stressful than ever before. Finally, no matter where your business takes you, Melio can follow—just be sure to download the mobile app, available on iOS and Android, to manage your business payments on the go.

Gaviti streamlines the process of managing invoices to cash flow, enabling accounts receivable teams to enhance their credit assessments and lower Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), while also expediting payment reconciliations. Our innovative automation solutions empower you to remove tedious manual tasks from the A/R process efficiently. Industry leaders such as EY, cPrime, and PWC place their trust in Gaviti, and our proven success demonstrates the effectiveness of our services, with clients experiencing remarkable reductions in DSO by 30%-50% within just six months of implementation. Utilizing Collections Analytics allows you to leverage valuable data to refine your collection strategies and make informed decisions based on emerging trends, ultimately boosting your collection efficiency. Additionally, our cash application process simplifies reconciliation, ensuring 100% accuracy and leading to improved cash flow and increased customer satisfaction. With Gaviti, you can confidently engage in strategic credit management, making well-informed credit decisions that benefit your business. This comprehensive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to a healthier bottom line.

Take charge of the debt recovery process! With secure and confidential payment options, you can enhance your relationships with clients. Dash Billing empowers you to handle overdue accounts independently, eliminating the necessity for a debt collection agency. Our platform enables you to recover late payments directly, providing you with more control and increasing the total amount collected. By simplifying account receivables, Dash Billing’s efficient management system allows you to oversee overdue debts seamlessly. Our user-friendly solution not only helps you monitor late payments quickly but also saves you both time and money. Instead of spending days on unreliable data, rely on our accurate, real-time reporting to evaluate your collection efforts and gain valuable insights into your analytics, ensuring a more effective outreach strategy. This way, you can stay informed and make better decisions about your financial operations.

Streamlining accounts receivable processes is made effortless with the Invoiced A/R cloud, which accelerates payments, conserves time, and enhances the overall payment experience. This platform allows businesses to transition from invoicing to cash collection with significantly reduced effort and is proven to expedite this process by an average of 14 days. Automated communications via email, letters, and texts simplify collection efforts, while a contemporary, user-friendly portal enhances customer interactions regarding payments. Our award-winning A/R Cloud not only automates various financial procedures but also enables users to customize their entire accounts receivable workflow. With features like dashboards, integrated reporting, and specialized tools, it facilitates efficient and effective management of A/R. Although many modern businesses can now accept online payments more swiftly, some still depend on traditional mail, resulting in lost time and negatively impacting their cash flow. By adopting the Invoiced solution, companies can ensure they remain competitive and financially agile in today's fast-paced market.

Lockstep, an acclaimed platform that unites finance teams globally, is enhancing their collaborative efficiency. Established in 2019, Lockstep aims to eradicate cash traps and discrepancies resulting from the manual synchronization of financial records between B2B trading partners. Operating out of Seattle, Lockstep offers a connected accounting cloud that allows organizations to forge reliable and compliant accounting relationships. This trusted accounting solution supports businesses of all sizes in optimizing their collections management processes, ultimately driving better financial outcomes. With Lockstep, finance teams can focus more on strategic initiatives rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks.

HighRadius is a technology-driven financial services company that leverages AI-powered Autonomous Systems to streamline finance operations, including Order-to-Cash, Record-to-Report, and Treasury management, for various businesses. Our advanced Autonomous Software platform, designed specifically for the Office of the CFO, harnesses AI to help organizations reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), enhance working capital efficiency, expedite financial closures, and boost overall productivity. With a track record of assisting over 700 prominent organizations, ranging from large enterprises to mid-sized firms, HighRadius has successfully revolutionized finance workflows in areas such as O2C, treasury, and R2R. Our comprehensive Order-to-Cash solutions encompass Credit Risk Management, AR Collections, Cash Application, Deduction Management, as well as E-Invoicing and Payment software. Additionally, we provide sophisticated Treasury management tools, including Cash Management and Cash Forecasting software, while our Accounting solutions feature Financial Close Management, Account Reconciliation, and Anomaly Management software, ensuring a holistic approach to financial efficiency. By integrating these solutions, HighRadius empowers organizations to achieve greater financial accuracy and operational agility.

My DSO Manager is an accessible software solution designed for credit management and cash collection, suitable for businesses of all sizes. It boasts robust features such as interactive emails, automatic reminders, scoring capabilities, and comprehensive reporting tools. With its modern and user-friendly interface, it enables companies to enhance their cash flow and boost profitability effectively. The smart upload module simplifies the implementation process, allowing for both manual and automated usage. This software has been successfully utilized by thousands of organizations across more than 80 countries worldwide. My DSO Manager caters specifically to B2B enterprises, making it an ideal choice for both small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger international corporations. Additionally, it adeptly manages multiple entities, currencies, and offers support in nine different languages, making it a versatile tool for global business operations.

Automating Currency Management entails a thorough overhaul of a company’s foreign exchange (FX) operations. This all-encompassing process starts with identifying new currency exposure and progresses through several phases, including risk evaluation, continuous monitoring, trade execution, and performance assessment. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, companies can effectively address complex FX challenges while pursuing their business objectives. Our platform makes it easy to oversee every aspect of the foreign exchange process, from determining product pricing to managing payment transactions. You can easily compute prices in multiple currencies when marketing products or services internationally. Moreover, our Dynamic Pricing feature allows for real-time price adjustments in response to currency market fluctuations, thus boosting your competitive advantage and protecting profit margins. Additionally, the system offers you the adaptability to customize the management of various FX exposure types to fit your organization’s specific traits and strategic aims. This automation not only enhances operational efficiency but also enables businesses to quickly adapt to evolving market dynamics, fostering resilience in a volatile economic landscape. Ultimately, embracing this technology positions companies to thrive in an increasingly global and interconnected marketplace.

Growfin stands out as the pioneering global Finance CRM, specifically crafted to assist B2B enterprises worldwide in optimizing their receivables via automation. This innovative finance CRM empowers organizations to automate their receivables management across various teams efficiently. With software that not only automates account receivables but also forecasts cash inflows, Growfin offers a comprehensive solution that accelerates the collection of payments from customers, granting CFOs enhanced insight into their cash flow. By simplifying and automating the entire invoice-to-cash workflow, Growfin enables companies to improve their collection strategies, foster collaboration, and eliminate time-consuming manual processes, ultimately leading to greater financial efficiency. In addition, its user-friendly interface ensures that teams can easily navigate and utilize the software to its fullest potential.

Improve your cash flow by adopting quicker collection methods and enhanced forecasting capabilities all on a single, user-friendly platform. Gain access to your ERP, accounting, and banking data through a streamlined dashboard that offers real-time insights for swift decision-making. By automating repetitive data collection tasks, you free up precious time, allowing your finance team to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth. The Payference IQ Technology™ is specifically crafted to optimize your working capital, helping you identify hidden cash while efficiently managing your Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and Days Payable Outstanding (DPO). Count on a simple solution that comes with all the essential tools and support needed for effective cash management. Improve the efficiency of your cash collection operations to accelerate cash inflow. Furthermore, identify high-risk accounts to minimize their impact on your financial health. Leverage machine learning capabilities to accurately predict payment behaviors, while seamlessly integrating your ERP/accounting systems, banking partners, and various payment methods. Enjoy the convenience of automatic matching of payments with bank transactions for easy reconciliation, and keep track of your entire cash position in real-time from one central location. Additionally, you have the ability to make adjustments to your cash forecasts as circumstances change, ensuring that you remain proactive in addressing your financial needs. This level of adaptability can significantly enhance your overall financial strategy and resilience.

Minimize the time dedicated to managing accounts receivable by enrolling your clients in a system that transitions outdated manual processes to streamlined automated digital collection practices and communication methods. Provide your clients with an array of digital payment solutions, including ACH, credit cards, and open banking, which simplifies the payment process and improves the precision of your financial documentation. Keep a close eye on your cash flow through regular automated reports and analytics crafted to meet your business's specific needs. Leverage specialized customer ratings based on credit evaluations and engagement metrics to make informed decisions and enhance your payment strategies effectively. Anticipate future cash flow by examining both current and past payment trends. Enhance your workflows for improved prioritization, and utilize customizable communication templates and strategies, all while ensuring a white-labeled branding approach. This holistic solution not only optimizes operational processes but also significantly enhances your financial management capabilities, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and profitability for your business. By adopting these automated systems, you can focus more on strategic growth rather than administrative tasks.

ezCash is a powerful tool for managing credit and collections, designed to help businesses accelerate the recovery process for overdue accounts. Utilizing our advanced Collection Strategy engine, clients can optimize and prioritize their collection efforts, resulting in reduced Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and lower write-off rates. The platform features a rules-driven workflow that methodically progresses the collection operations by generating tasks each night. These tasks, created by the Collection Strategy engine, can be customized to focus on specific customer accounts or broader groups in line with set collection policies. They can be deployed in both preview and automatic modes, facilitating assignments to individual collectors or a team as a whole. In automatic mode, tasks can trigger automated communications, such as emails to clients or calls placed in a dialer queue, while preview tasks necessitate direct intervention from collectors. ezCash can be implemented as an in-house solution or accessed via a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Built on the Microsoft technology stack, it utilizes ASP and SQL Server to deliver high performance and reliability, ensuring that businesses are equipped to enhance their collection processes. In essence, ezCash not only aids organizations in effectively managing their receivables but also plays a crucial role in strengthening their overall financial stability. By choosing ezCash, businesses can expect to see significant improvements in their collection efficiency and cash flow management.

BlackLine stands out as the sole comprehensive technology solution tailored specifically for finance and accounting, operating entirely in a cloud environment. There are no complicated mergers, no assorted software-hardware pairings, and absolutely no hidden costs for middleware or upgrades. This platform is recognized as the most dependable solution for Finance Controls and Automation worldwide. With its user-friendly design, BlackLine ensures simplicity and efficiency. Unlike many competitors, it is not a hodgepodge of antiquated software and hardware. Instead, it offers a full-fledged Finance Controls and Automation platform developed on a singular codebase and securely accessed via the cloud. Users benefit from a seamless experience through a single sign-on, eliminating the hassle of navigating multiple systems. Furthermore, the platform facilitates effortless data sharing between products, bypassing the need for cumbersome system transfers and enhancing overall productivity. Ultimately, BlackLine empowers finance professionals to streamline their processes and focus on strategic initiatives.

Speed up your invoice payment processes with Hylobiz, an innovative and intuitive solution designed to enhance payment reminders, automate the reconciliation of receivables, and accelerate the collection of invoices. Our automation tool integrates seamlessly with your ERP in just two clicks and comes pre-configured for compatibility with major ERPs, making your workflow smoother than ever. Specifically designed for sales and marketing teams, this solution allows you to achieve your monthly collection targets effortlessly. Say goodbye to the tediousness of tracking payments, as our automated reminders send personalized notifications through Email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Enjoy features like an automated payment reminder system, a comprehensive real-time collections dashboard, and a customer health score for immediate insights into account health. No longer will you need to deal with the complexities of manual reconciliation in your ERP; instead, you can easily oversee receivables and payables, whether dealing with cash or cheque transactions. Hylobiz also offers the convenience of auto-reconciliation and the ability to share digital account ledgers with ease. By using Hylobiz, you can free up precious time and concentrate on driving the growth of your business while enjoying a more efficient payment process. Ultimately, this tool empowers you to enhance financial management and foster stronger relationships with your clients.

ezyCollect offers a secure, cloud-based platform designed for efficient management of accounts receivables. With a trust base exceeding 1,000 companies globally, it streamlines the often tedious processes linked to accounts receivables, allowing businesses to concentrate on their primary operations. The solution boasts an array of features aimed at accelerating and enhancing payment collections, including pre-reminders, overdue notices, and online payment processing capabilities. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with leading accounting software like Xero and MYOB, further simplifying financial management for users. By adopting ezyCollect, organizations can significantly improve their cash flow and operational efficiency.

ti3.co is an innovative debt collection and receivables management platform that empowers both debtors and creditors to collaborate on resolving overdue accounts with fairness and efficiency. Utilizing SMS and email as primary communication tools, ti3.co facilitates instant alerts, settlement offers, payment plans, and discounts directly between parties, bypassing traditional debt collectors. The platform automates follow-ups with escalating reminders and supports negotiation through editable payment plans, giving debtors flexibility in how and when they repay. Payments are processed securely online via Stripe and PayPal, flowing directly from debtor to creditor without middlemen, which speeds up recovery and reduces costs. Businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large-scale operations, can integrate ti3.co with QuickBooks, Excel, and other systems to streamline their internal collections. The platform includes features like audit trails, compliance safeguards, and detailed reporting to ensure transparency and security. ti3.co also partners with services like TrueAccord and GoFundMe to offer additional debt relief and fundraising options. Customer testimonials highlight ti3.co’s ease of use and effectiveness in recovering funds while maintaining positive customer experiences. By automating the collections process and leveraging AI and digital communication, ti3.co transforms accounts receivable management. It’s a forward-thinking solution for companies seeking to optimize cash flow and improve debtor relations.

Emagia offers an AI-driven accounts receivable management system that provides valuable insights into your cash flow performance. Effective management of accounts receivable goes beyond simply prompting customers for payments; it requires a thorough analysis of non-payment reasons, assessing customer creditworthiness beforehand, and consistently monitoring credit risks. This proactive approach enables timely identification of late payments, reduction of Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), prevention of bad debts, and the preservation of strong customer relationships. With Emagia's Intelligent Receivables Management Solution, you gain the clarity necessary for accurate cash flow forecasting. It consolidates your receivables and DSO data into a unified view, enhancing your financial strategy. Additionally, having comprehensive visibility into your accounts allows for better decision-making and improved operational efficiency.

Satago offers innovative software designed for cash management, suitable for both companies and their accounting professionals. Its adaptable financial solutions ensure that businesses can tap into cash whenever necessary. With features for credit management and risk analysis, Satago simplifies the process of receiving payments punctually. The software seamlessly connects with more than 300 accounting applications and all leading email services. This integration creates a comprehensive cash management solution that not only works well with existing accounting systems but also improves their functionality. As a result, users can enjoy a more efficient financial management experience.

Quadient AR, powered by YayPay, seamlessly connects with your current ERP, CRM, accounting, and billing platforms, consolidating and displaying all your live data on intuitive cloud-based dashboards. With automated features that enhance team productivity by threefold, this solution streamlines your collections process, allowing you to receive payments 34% quicker. Utilizing predictive analytics, it provides an impressive 94% accuracy in forecasting customer payment timelines, which aids in visualizing cash flow and making informed future plans. Additionally, the online payment portal offered by Quadient AR allows customers to view their accounts and make payments anytime and from any location, further enhancing convenience and efficiency in the payment process. This comprehensive approach not only simplifies financial management but also empowers businesses to maintain better control over their cash flow.

An advanced, all-in-one platform designed for receivables management that enhances your operational efficiency. This system allows you to establish productive workflows, collaborate seamlessly with your team, improve follow-up processes, expedite payments, and boost cash flow. Your entire team can unite on a single platform tailored to your business's specific workflows. You have the ability to assign accounts to various roles, optimize follow-up campaigns, and monitor the performance across all staff levels. With the innovative features of FG Receivables Manager, you can potentially accelerate your order-to-cash cycle by up to five times. Don't permit overdue accounts to hinder your team's efficiency; after all, you deserve timely payments. The platform also offers robust Reporting and Analytics capabilities that enable you to analyze accounts, create intelligent interactive reports, and utilize Funding Gates for streamlined prioritization of customer accounts. Funding Gates actively tracks your receivables and suggests which accounts require urgent attention. Move away from cumbersome spreadsheets and notepads to enhance your financial management process. Embrace technology to transform the way your team handles receivables and drives financial success.

Our solution offers a thorough approach to managing accounts receivable, covering everything from invoicing to payment collection. With features such as intelligent automation, user-friendly dashboards, customizable notifications, and powerful analytics, you are equipped with essential tools to efficiently manage your A/R and expedite invoice payments. Unlike conventional software providers, we go beyond just delivering standard products; our systems are tailored to align with your specific business requirements. Furthermore, we offer comprehensive consulting services to ensure that the integration process is smooth and that the system operates at peak performance for your organization. Companies that neglect to adopt automated cash application software risk falling behind their competitors and exposing themselves to the unpredictable tendencies of their customers' payment behaviors. In stark contrast to the traditional credit departments that often encountered delays of several days between receiving payments and processing cash, automated cash application technology can reduce that lag to just minutes, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. By embracing our innovative solutions, businesses not only improve their cash flow but also reinforce their competitive advantage within their industry, ultimately paving the way for sustained growth and success. Additionally, our commitment to ongoing support ensures that your organization continues to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Enhance your financial efficiency by saving both money and time while maximizing your capital. Our comprehensive Order to Cash (O2C) solution is designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. This software provides an array of O2C features, including onboarding, cash application, collections and communications, payment processing, dispute management, and a fully equipped self-service portal, ensuring a seamless experience for users. With these attributes, you can streamline your operations and significantly improve your overall cash flow management.

For companies processing a high volume of transactions, a dedicated system is created to establish smooth interactions between banking institutions and ERP platforms. This strategy has proven effective in improving cash flow, eliminating manual processes, decreasing days sales outstanding (DSO), and enhancing cash visibility. By automating complex financial operations, it transforms the finance department into a more efficient unit. Users benefit from a centralized interface where they can record notes, access lockbox images, resolve deductions, and incorporate real-time data. The intelligent software analyzes historical performance to forecast payment patterns, highlights overdue accounts, and automatically produces user-defined dunning letters. These innovations pave the way for improved collection efficiency and a marked reduction in DSO. Revenue and profits can suffer due to the deduction process, triggered by both large and small businesses using designated customer codes and reasons. The system allows for tailored deduction management compatible with any bank file or remittance format, streamlining the review and approval process. Furthermore, users can create reason and deduction codes directly from remittance data, regardless of the ERP system employed. This all-encompassing solution guarantees that businesses can effectively oversee their financial transactions while significantly minimizing losses associated with deductions, ultimately contributing to a more robust financial health.

HostBooks redefines the way you handle accounting through its innovative cloud-based platform that automates various tasks. By merging top-tier accounting methodologies with advanced technology, HostBooks facilitates efficient management of your business finances. This solution not only minimizes the time spent on compliance but also boosts overall productivity and reduces operational expenses significantly. As a result, businesses can focus more on growth and less on tedious financial processes.

We partner with businesses around the world to ease the challenges associated with overdue accounts, which in turn improves their cash flow and raises the level of customer service they provide. Many entrepreneurs often find themselves overwhelmed by limited time, financial constraints, and resource shortages, which detracts from the primary motivation behind starting their ventures. The relentless pressure of managing debts, invoices, and banking tasks can create significant financial and emotional stress. By harnessing a forward-thinking combination of cutting-edge technology and tailored service, CreditorWatch Collect (formerly Debtor Daddy) empowers companies to secure timely payments for their invoices, enabling them to concentrate on their genuine passions. Our dedication to both our clients and our employees is at the heart of our mission, which is why we take pride in having a talented team of experts from diverse fields who are committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs of our clients. This methodology not only cultivates strong partnerships but also plays a vital role in the overall prosperity and health of the businesses we support, ultimately contributing to a thriving community of entrepreneurs.

Strengthen the ties between your organization and its clientele while adeptly handling risks and enhancing your working capital. Is there an opportunity to rejuvenate your order-to-cash process? If your goal is to maximize working capital, manage risks more effectively, and create more meaningful interactions with your customers to cultivate strong, enduring relationships, then think about automating your finance operations with our state-of-the-art software platform. Our all-inclusive solutions cover a wide range of functions, from risk management and electronic invoicing to automated payment processing, debtor management, and dispute resolution. As a finance professional, you will find our scalable and flexible tools are crafted to assist you on your digital transformation journey. Utilize innovative technologies such as AI, APIs, and data analytics to sustain solid customer connections and guarantee a healthy cash flow for your business in both the present and the future. Furthermore, our platform supports secure and real-time data integration and sharing, which significantly enhances the relationship between your organization and its customers. This contemporary approach not only boosts operational efficiency but also strategically positions your company for long-term prosperity, allowing you to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs.

Sidetrade's AI-enhanced Order to Cash platform empowers businesses to boost revenue, enhance profitability, and streamline working capital management. By leveraging intelligent automation, companies can: - Boost customer order volume Enhanced collection strategies can facilitate faster cash inflows - Expedite the resolution of disputes - Improve oversight and management of the O2C process The platform's proprietary Artificial Intelligence, known as Aimie, provides predictive analytics and automated solutions that surpass the effectiveness of conventional manual or ERP-based approaches, especially in challenging conditions. Available in eight languages, Sidetrade serves a diverse clientele across over 85 countries, catering to both multinational corporations and small enterprises alike. This versatility makes the platform a valuable resource for businesses of all scales looking to optimize their financial processes.

Agicap consolidates your cash flow management while automating numerous tasks, allowing you to focus on essential areas like analysis and strategic decision-making. It facilitates seamless creation of cash flow forecasts and tracking of your performance against targets. By integrating your bank accounts and business applications, you can effectively visualize your cash position. This efficient method significantly boosts productivity through automated and centralized cash management. Furthermore, you can harness a comprehensive collaborative platform to efficiently aggregate all relevant data. Anticipating cash flow becomes easier at both the consolidated and individual entity levels, which simplifies the management of finances across several banks and business tools. With the functionality to set up automated cash forecasts, you can examine various scenarios to better prepare for future financial circumstances. Tailored dashboards can be crafted to enhance your analysis and reporting effectiveness. Additionally, Agicap automatically categorizes all banking transactions, ensuring that you remain informed by tracking real-time discrepancies between your actual results and forecasts. By developing a reliable forecast, you enable informed decision-making at the most advantageous times, thereby bolstering your financial strategy. Agicap ultimately provides you with essential tools that empower you to optimize your cash flow management efficiently, leading to improved financial health for your organization. This capability not only enhances your day-to-day financial operations but also supports long-term strategic planning.