Maximizing Efficiency and Cost Control in Animation and VFX Studios

Abstract

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Accurately track and allocate costs related to software, hardware, and tax credits per user, role, and project.

Introduction

The finance department plays a crucial role in managing the financial aspects of animation and VFX studios. Understanding the cost of software, hardware, and tax credits per user, role, and project is essential for efficient budget allocation and cost control. TACTIC Resource, a powerful SaaS tool developed by Southpaw, offers a comprehensive solution to address these challenges. This white paper highlights the importance of TACTIC Resource in providing finance departments with the ability to accurately understand and manage costs in animation and VFX studios.

The Power of TACTIC Resource

TACTIC Resource is a versatile SaaS tool that not only handles crewing and resource planning but also effectively manages software and hardware costs for specific projects. By tracking the individuals working on a project, TACTIC Resource can accurately determine the associated costs. This powerful tool allows crewing planners and producers in Animation and VFX studios to configure costs based on various factors, such as hardware and software requirements.

Accurate Cost Allocation

To allocate costs effectively, TACTIC Resource offers flexible options to define the scope of allocation, be it per user, per role, or per location. Allocating costs based on roles proves to be the most efficient approach as it eliminates the need to assign costs to individuals continually. Instead, costs can be added to the role and easily managed, providing a comprehensive view of the financial impact.

Efficient Cost Tracking and Reporting

TACTIC Resource enables studios to accurately allocate costs to projects and track expenses with ease. The tool also provides robust reporting functionalities, allowing finance departments to generate reports on utilization and raw costs. These reports can be filtered based on various categories, such as software type or project, providing valuable insights for cost analysis and optimization.

Customization and Integration

TACTIC Resource goes beyond cost tracking by allowing the inclusion of additional data, such as work hours and employee details like level or department. This feature enables further analysis and customization of reports, empowering finance departments to gain deeper insights into cost allocation and resource utilization. Moreover, the data can be exported into CSV format for seamless integration with spreadsheets or other applications.

Improved Planning and Cost Predictability

One of the significant advantages of TACTIC Resource is its ability to provide accurate predictions about future costs. By analyzing the right data, studios can determine the number of software licenses required at any given time, allowing for better predictability and reducing reactive purchasing. This feature enables studios to plan their projects more effectively, resulting in reduced costs and improved financial outcomes.

Benefits for Various Stakeholders

TACTIC Resource offers benefits to multiple stakeholders within animation and VFX studios. Owners, managers, COOs, and finance teams can leverage the tool's capabilities to streamline budget planning, crew planning, and real-time production reporting. With real-time budget calculations, allocation planning, and comprehensive resource cost reporting, studios can make informed decisions that drive profitability and efficiency.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced and highly competitive animation and VFX industry, understanding and managing costs is paramount to success. TACTIC Resource provides finance departments in animation and VFX studios with the ability to accurately track and allocate costs related to software, hardware, and tax credits per user, role, and project. With its powerful features and intuitive interface, TACTIC Resource empowers studios to optimize their financial planning, reduce costs, and maximize profitability.