What Are The Goals Of A BI Software Integration Effort?
Business intelligence software is an increasingly common set of tools that organizations use for analysis. Using BI analytics software, you can assess current performance, make projections, and even search for opportunities.
It's important to understand what the goals will be before you undertake a BI software integration effort, though. Any organization adopting business intelligence software tools should consider pursuing these four objectives.
Ending GIGO
"Garbage in, garbage out" is one of the main issues that differentiate BI analytics solutions from simple data gathering. Understandably, all the collected data in the world doesn't amount to much if it doesn't yield actionable intelligence. By directing efforts toward analysis and insights, you can disrupt the GIGO flow and replace it with a more purposeful approach.
Establishing a Culture that Values BI
The best business intelligence software doesn't do all of the work for you. While it can speed up processes that would take a human anywhere from days to years to handle, it still requires a business culture that's receptive.
If you're implementing BI analytics software for the first time, it's wise to get team members on board. Provide training that explains what the software does. Likewise, be upfront with team members about why you're pursuing this approach. In some instances, it may be necessary to part ways with folks who can't get on board. Remember, you want to have a team that's excited about the possibilities.
Identifying Your Ecosystem
There are tons of business intelligence software tools on the market today. Not all of them are going to work well with your larger business software ecosystem. It's a good idea to audit your network and identify what you're using. This means identifying operating systems, types of devices, and use cases.
For example, a retailer with buyers in the field may need solutions that favor mobile devices. By conducting an audit of the hardware and software that everyone is running, you can make BI analytics software available to the folks who need insights the most.
Setting Goals for Improvement
Ultimately, the objective is for you to improve your operations. If you're currently taking a month to get market data from the field into the boardroom, you might want to try to cut that gap down to a week. With some tweaks, you may even be able to get it close to real-time. Improvements in data quality, accuracy, and volume are all worthwhile goals. So, too, is increasing adaption within your team. In the long-term, you'll want to build a culture of constant improvement.