Making Business Intelligence Software More Accessible

Below is a transcript of a Webinar hosted by InetSoft on the topic of Developments in Business Intelligence Software. The presenter is Mark Flaherty, CMO at InetSoft.

Evolving Our BI Solution

So when we looked at evolving our BI solution, one of the things that was very relevant for us was the fact that when we did more research, and we really tried to figure out how do people find information when they don’t have the information in front of them, or they don’t have a BI tool that meet their needs well, they stop using it. So we have aimed to build a very intuitive exploration interface, so that anyone in the organization, no matter whether they are power users or they are the most casual business users, can use our software with virtually no training.

This kind of intuitiveness was key and essential to building into InetSoft's business intelligence software because we wanted to make sure that individuals had no roadblock to the tool that they see in front of them in terms of using it. The simpler the tool and the easier it is to use, the more significant of an effect it will have in the organization in terms of putting information into the hands of more users.

High Performance Data Access Engine

And finally, one of the other key ingredients of InetSoft's StyleBI is what lies underneath the interface, and this is a high performance data access engine based on our data block and data grid cache technologies that allow IT to set up optimized access to any information in the organization with very rapid response times, so that the end-user who is inquiring that information has minimal wait times no matter how much data they are searching across or through to get at the information.

Obviously this infrastructure technology is hidden from the end user. On top of that we have given people the ability to build really simple dashboards and reports that have a high degree of interactivity and data exploration capability. So virtually anyone in the organization, it could be at the CEO level, it could be a product manager, HR director who really wants to have information at their fingertips to be able to find information can do so without IT involvement. This is what is called self-service business intelligence. The idea is to make that information available to them, so they can further explore it without really the need to have kind of a training class or an IT person involved in that process.

Reasons Why Enterprises Employ Self-Service BI

In today's data-driven world, businesses rely on insights gleaned from information to make informed decisions. Traditionally, this meant IT departments or dedicated BI (Business Intelligence) teams acting as gatekeepers to data analysis. However, the landscape is shifting. Many enterprises are now turning to self-service BI (Business Intelligence) tools, empowering users across departments to unlock the power of data themselves. Let's explore the compelling reasons why organizations are embracing this approach.

Faster Decision-Making: Traditional BI workflows often involve submitting requests to IT or BI teams, waiting for analysis, and receiving reports that may not fully address the specific needs. Self-service BI cuts through this wait time. With user-friendly interfaces and intuitive tools, business users can explore data, generate reports, and answer their own questions on the fly. This empowers them to make data-driven decisions faster, leading to increased agility and a competitive edge.

Democratization of Data Insights: Self-service BI dismantles the siloed nature of data within organizations. Previously, valuable insights might have been confined to specific departments or BI teams. With self-service tools, knowledge workers across departments – from marketing to sales to finance – can access and analyze relevant data. This fosters a data-driven culture where everyone can contribute to informed decision-making.

Improved Efficiency for IT and BI Teams: By enabling users to handle routine data exploration and reporting tasks, self-service BI frees up IT and BI teams' time. They can then focus on more complex tasks, such as data governance, security, and building advanced data models. This improves overall efficiency within the organization.

Increased User Adoption and Business Acumen: Self-service BI tools are designed with user-friendliness in mind. They often come with drag-and-drop functionalities, visual dashboards, and clear interfaces, making them accessible even for users with limited technical expertise. This fosters a culture of data exploration and analysis, as users become more comfortable working with data and drawing insights.

Cost-Effectiveness: Implementing and maintaining a large in-house BI team can be expensive. Self-service BI tools often offer subscription-based models or require less IT infrastructure, making them a more cost-effective solution, especially for smaller businesses. Additionally, by enabling users to generate their own reports, enterprises can reduce reliance on external consultants for basic data analysis.

Increased Employee Satisfaction: Self-service BI empowers employees by giving them control over their data needs. They can find the answers they require without relying on others, leading to a sense of ownership and increased job satisfaction. When employees feel empowered to make data-driven decisions, their morale and productivity can also improve.

Important Considerations for Successful Self-Service BI Implementation

While self-service BI offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to implement it strategically. Here are some key considerations:

• Data Governance: With increased access to data comes the responsibility to ensure its accuracy, security, and consistency. Organizations need to establish clear data governance policies to maintain data integrity.
• User Training: While self-service tools aim to be user-friendly, some basic training can help employees leverage the full potential of the platform and ensure they are drawing accurate insights.
• Data Security: Providing access to data necessitates robust security measures. Organizations need to implement access controls and user authentication protocols to safeguard sensitive information.

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