Sharperlight
Sharperlight is a self-service BI and reporting framework built on a proprietary datamodel abstraction layer, serving enterprise finance and operations teams through 50+ ERP connectors and a global partner network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersPerth, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Sharperlight does
Sharperlight is a self-service business intelligence and reporting framework developed by Philight Pty Ltd, a privately held software company founded in 2008 in Perth, Western Australia by Ivon Robson, Matt Fletcher, and Jarred Evans. The platform centers on a proprietary Datamodel Abstraction Layer that presents complex enterprise databases as unified query objects, enabling users to build reports without OLAP cubes, data warehouses, or SQL skills. The product suite includes an Excel Add-in (supporting Excel 2007 through Office 365), a browser-based Web Channel with HTML5 dashboards and pivot reports, a Query Builder with drag-and-drop interface, a Scheduler for automated report distribution, a Foundry module for rapid application development, MQTT-based IoT integration, and a Power BI Data Connector that positions Sharperlight as an upstream data extraction layer.
Sharperlight monetizes through connection-based annual subscription licensing, where fees are triggered when users create or refresh datamodel queries rather than on a per-seat basis, allowing the software to be installed across many machines with licensing gated on active use. Distribution is hybrid: a self-serve free trial and direct download from the company website, supplemented by a global partner network spanning Gold Partners (Eclipse Group), regional resellers (SEIDOR, Solutions+, Sapphire Systems/NTT, Touchstone, Momentum Software Solutions, Advantage, and others) and ERP-specific implementation specialists across North America, South America, Europe, UK, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The customer base is horizontal, targeting enterprise finance teams, business operations, asset management (EAM), HR, and multi-entity consolidations across sectors including finance, government, mining, healthcare, retail, education, and aquaculture, with 50+ prebuilt connectors to systems such as SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Infor SunSystems, IBM Maximo, Salesforce, MYOB, and Microsoft Fabric Warehouse.
The company operates with 1-10 employees, has no disclosed external funding, and remains founder-led. Product development has been continuous, with seven major version releases from v1.8 in 2008 through v7 in October 2024, the latter introducing Web Spreadsheets that allow full Excel workbook publication to the browser. No AI/ML capabilities are disclosed in the current product set, and the technology stack is built on the .NET framework with a recent migration to .NET 4.8.
Sharperlight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sharperlight
- Legal name
- Philight Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://sharperlight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sharperlight is a self-service BI and reporting framework built on a proprietary datamodel abstraction layer, serving enterprise finance and operations teams through 50+ ERP connectors and a global partner network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sharperlight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Intelligence Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Reporting & Pixel-Perfect Reporting (HDAEAMAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business Intelligence, Reporting & Visualization Services (BPAEAHAD)
Keywords
Where Sharperlight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perth
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sharperlight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Connection-based licensing model focused on datamodel connections. Licensing activates when users log in and attempt to create or refresh a datamodel query. Master datamodels have connection licenses for nominated solutions; Custom datamodels share a license pool.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Connection-based licensing model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Sharperlight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sharperlight is a modular business intelligence and reporting framework that provides self-service reporting, data consolidation, and analysis across multiple enterprise systems using a proprietary Datamodel abstraction layer. The platform enables users to create live, refreshable reports in Excel and web browsers, write data back into source ERP systems, and integrate with over 50 prebuilt connectors for systems such as SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Infor SunSystems, IBM Maximo, Salesforce, Xero, and MYOB. It is licensed on a connection-based annual subscription model and delivered globally through a direct download channel and a network of implementation partners.
Product overview
Sharperlight is a modular business intelligence and reporting framework consisting of an integrated suite of components. The core platform includes the Excel Add-in for spreadsheet-based reporting, Web Channel for browser-based dashboards and reports, and Query Builder for self-service query creation. Additional modules include Publisher for web content management, Dashboarding for visual analytics, Data Capture (Writeback) for bidirectional data entry, Scheduler for automated report delivery, and Report Designer for pixel-perfect report layouts. The Studio (Datamodel Development) enables custom connector creation while Foundry provides rapid application development. Materialised Query creates staging tables for performance or audit purposes, and MQTT Message Queue supports IoT integration. Web Spreadsheets extends Excel publishing to browsers. The architecture centers on Datamodels as an abstraction layer that humanises complex data sources, enabling reporting across 50+ prebuilt connectors for ERP, CRM, and other enterprise systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of hours saved for finance teams through automated reporting
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sharperlight
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Sharperlight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature11 records
Sharperlight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered gold partner - premier and regional partner.
- Eclipse Groupgold partner - premierWorld's first Sharperlight Gold Partner; delivers enterprise reporting, custom datamodel development, integration and solution development; operates across Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, UK, Middle East, and Australia; specializes in Infor SunSystems, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Maximo, and custom solutions
- SEIDORregional partnerAward-winning ERP software solutions provider; delivers SAP Business One services and support to growing SMEs; operates in Europe and UK
- Solutions+regional partnerCertified SAP, Microsoft partner and Wiise partner; improves business processes with technology solutions; operates in Australia and New Zealand
- Metiscregional partnerMicrosoft Dynamics 365 specialist and independent software vendor; provides software, cloud and integration services; operates in Australia
- Sapphire Systemsregional partnerNTT company providing enterprise software applications, services and support; operates across Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, UK, Middle East; specializes in Infor SunSystems, SAP, Maximo
- Touchstoneregional partnerLeading business systems and IT consultancy; delivers software solutions, ongoing support and managed services; operates globally across all major regions
- BI Data Intelligenceregional partnerDelivers Sharperlight solutions that simplify day-to-day customer needs; provides users information for confident decisions; specializes in SunSystems and Opera
- FinanSysregional partnerLeading SunSystems partner; provides complete solution including implementation and customization
- Glass Wall Labregional partnerCreates tailored software solutions addressing complex business needs; Microsoft Dynamics Business Central specialist
- Momentum Software Solutionsregional partnerMulti-award-winning cloud-based ERP and payroll implementation consultancy; provides MYOB and Microsoft Dynamics Business Central solutions in Australia
- Advantageregional partnerMicrosoft Gold Partners providing BI resources and intelligence for SMBs; operates in North America, Europe, Middle East
- Workbenchregional partnerProject management solutions based on leading technology and industry expertise
- Amosregional partnerReport writing services extending beyond traditional reporting; SAP and custom solution developer
- Exigo Techregional partnerGlobal technology solutions provider offering consulting, solutioning and delivery services; operates in Asia and Australia
- Aqillaregional partnerCloud accounting software solution provider; operates in Europe and UK
- SOME Srlregional partnerSpecialized ERP-focused company with 20+ years experience; located in Milan, serves clients globally; SAP, Opera, Fluentis, Epicor Kinetic specialist
- Sunfix Consultingregional partnerProvides financial and operational knowledge to streamline company processes; SunSystems, SAP and custom solution developer
- Viatec Business Solutionsregional partnerDelivers simplicity, efficiency and innovation to 400+ customers; SAP, Pegasus Opera, Sage Software specialist
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sharperlight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Phocas Software: Self-service BI and reporting purpose-built for mid-market finance, operations and distribution teams using ERP systems. Comparable go-to-market via partners and end-users in finance/ops.
- Solver (insightsoftware): Cloud BI for ERP-centric mid-market with financial reporting, budgeting and dashboards. Comparable customer profile and ERP-centric BI focus.
- Jet Reports (insightsoftware): Excel-based reporting and BI for ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics and SAP. Closest direct competitor to Sharperlight given shared Excel-first, ERP-focused, mid-market positioning.
- TARGIT: BI and analytics platform with deep ERP integration (especially Microsoft Dynamics), serving mid-market finance and operations. Comparable product positioning and target customer.
Broad incumbents
- insightsoftware: Broad ERP-focused reporting and EPM suite covering 100+ applications including Jet, Solver, Hubble. Overlapping customer base in mid-market ERP reporting; portfolio breadth is a competitive threat.
- Qlik: Established BI and analytics platform with associative engine and ERP integration capabilities. Broad incumbent competing in the same self-service analytics category.
- Tableau (Salesforce): Enterprise BI and visual analytics incumbent with broad ERP connectivity. Competes for the same analytics budget in larger accounts where Sharperlight also sells.
- SAP Crystal Reports / SAP BusinessObjects: Legacy pixel-perfect reporting incumbent inside the SAP ecosystem. Sharperlight explicitly positions against the limits of these tools in case studies (Oil & Gas, UWA Maximo upgrade).
- Microsoft Power BI: Dominant cloud BI platform with deep Excel integration and native Dynamics/SAP connectors. Sets the competitive ceiling for Excel-first BI tools and is both a competitor and a complementary channel for Sharperlight.
Regional players
- Yellowfin BI: Australia-headquartered BI platform with embedded analytics and ERP reporting. Geographic peer (APAC origin) competing for similar mid-market and APAC customers.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sharperlight social profiles
Digital presenceSharperlight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sharperlight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sharperlight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sharperlight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sharperlight
What does Sharperlight do?
Sharperlight is a modular business intelligence and reporting framework that provides self-service reporting, data consolidation, and analysis across multiple enterprise systems using a proprietary Datamodel abstraction layer. The platform enables users to create live, refreshable reports in Excel and web browsers, write data back into source ERP systems, and integrate with over 50 prebuilt connectors for systems such as SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Infor SunSystems, IBM Maximo, Salesforce, Xero, and MYOB. It is licensed on a connection-based annual subscription model and delivered globally through a direct download channel and a network of implementation partners.
Is Sharperlight a public or private company?
Sharperlight is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sharperlight founded?
Sharperlight was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sharperlight based?
Sharperlight is headquartered in Perth, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Sharperlight make money?
One revenue line is on record: software Licensing.
Who are Sharperlight's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Phocas Software, Solver (insightsoftware), Jet Reports (insightsoftware) and TARGIT. Broad incumbents are insightsoftware, Qlik, Tableau (Salesforce), SAP Crystal Reports / SAP BusinessObjects and Microsoft Power BI. Yellowfin BI is listed as a regional player.
Does Sharperlight have an API?
Yes. Sharperlight provides REST Service, Swagger and OpenAPI document support including data type arrays and non-standard field locations. The platform supports webhook actions and MQTT (Message Queue) protocol for IoT integration. MQTT enables publish-subscribe messaging where Sharperlight can act as both client and server. The Scheduler has an action to host the MQTT Server (broker) authenticated using user accounts in Site Setup. JavaScript libraries have been extended to include functions to connect, publish and subscribe to MQTT. Developer documentation is at www.sharperlight.com/manuals-and-guides.
What industry is Sharperlight in?
Sharperlight's product category is Business Intelligence Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAMAB, Enterprise Reporting & Pixel-Perfect Reporting, with a secondary code of BPAEAHAD, Business Intelligence, Reporting & Visualization Services. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.