Business intelligence management
Emerging concepts such as operational, self-service and collaborative BI are driving modern business intelligence strategy. With so much complexity, project management can determine the success or failure of business intelligence initiatives. Learn about the key aspects of business intelligence process management, with advice on managing BI teams and selecting vendors.
Top Stories
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News
24 Jul 2024
Knime adds new AI governance measures to analytics suite
The vendor's latest update adds connectivity to AI providers to enable GenAI development as well as governance features to address the growing use of GenAI and its inherent risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2024
Understand the BI lifecycle to build an effective architecture
Following and understanding the five steps of the business intelligence lifecycle is the foundation of a successful and effective BI architecture. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Aug 2020
Comparing business intelligence vs. business analytics
Business intelligence with descriptive analytics gives a better understanding of your current operations, while business analytics aims to inform future decisions. Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2020
Success of self-service BI depends on solid infrastructure
A clear data governance policy and effective training are critical to enabling self-service analytics users to make data-driven decisions for their organizations. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Aug 2020
Why more employees need data literacy skills
Encouraging employees to learn data literacy skills can benefit any enterprise. Read on for some of the benefits and resources to take advantage of in building those skills. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Jul 2020
What are the key BI team roles and responsibilities?
A business intelligence team helps an organization deploy, manage and use BI tools. Here are the primary roles on a BI team and an overview of their responsibilities and duties. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jul 2020
State of the self-service analytics market
Self-service analytics are important to strong enterprise analytics. Experts talk about how top vendors in the market are keeping up with user needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jul 2020
8 self-service BI best practices for larger organizations
Self-service BI programs can streamline the analytics process, but scaling one out to thousands of business users requires proper planning and project management. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2020
Lack of data literacy still a problem for many organizations
Organizations' lack of confidence in their ability to understand and use data to make decisions blocks their efforts to become data-driven. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2020
7 steps to create a modern business intelligence strategy
Business intelligence can boost performance and create competitive advantages for companies. Here are seven steps to take in implementing an effective BI strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2020
What does a business intelligence analyst do?
Business intelligence analysts are key members of BI teams who analyze data, create dashboards and handle other duties. Here's a look at the job and the skills it requires. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2020
ThoughtSpot aims to enhance cloud-based analytics searches
The recently launched ThoughtSpot Embrace for AWS enables access to AI-driven analytics in Amazon Redshift, without requiring users to move or cache data. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jun 2020
5 valuable business intelligence use cases for organizations
BI tools and applications can help improve decision-making, strategic planning and other business functions. Here's a look at five top BI use cases for organizations. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jun 2020
Data drives the decisions behind making movies
From the moment a script is submitted to the time a movie is released, analytics drive just about every decision made during the making of a feature film. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jun 2020
Student engagement data helps educators with remote learning
Distance learning is necessary for most institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. See how institutions are using analytics to measure their success in the shift. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2020
4 features of great data visualization and storytelling
Data visualization and storytelling go hand in hand when it comes to explaining data. Here are four ways to make sure you build and tell a strong data story for your audience. Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2020
New no-code data modeling prowess added to Tableau platform
Tableau 2020.2, the latest update from Tableau, features enhanced no-code data modeling capabilities and a mobile-first tool to view key performance indicators in a single location. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 May 2020
Data scientist vs. machine learning engineer careers
There are many careers under the data science umbrella, including data scientist and machine learning engineer. But what's the difference between the two? Read on to find out. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2020
How to choose self-service BI tools using analyst reports
When deciding on what BI tools to use, many organizations turn to reports from analyst firms. Here's how to decipher the ratings to pick the right tools for your organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Apr 2020
The most important soft skills for data scientist jobs
Soft skills are an important part of data scientist jobs. From business value to interpersonal communication, many nontechnical skills are important to data science projects. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Apr 2020
The COVID-19 impact on analytics professionals
The global pandemic has forced many businesses to make quick changes. The COVID-19 impact on analytics professionals makes them imperative to changing business goals. Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2020
Economic downturn shows businesses true value of analytics
Business intelligence is proving to be a critical tool for enterprises as they attempt to survive during the sudden economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Apr 2020
How data science can help your company withstand the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting businesses worldwide, but data science can help you solve immediate problems and create data-driven strategies for the long term. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2020
Many employees still resist data-driven culture
While most employees see the benefits of data to drive decision-making, many still resist analytics, according to a report from analytics database management vendor Exasol. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Mar 2020
COVID-19 data resources for volunteering data scientists
Many data scientist are looking to research the novel coronavirus and ways to fight the continued outbreak. Read on for the top COVID-19 data resources for volunteer researchers. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2020
Key considerations for choosing embedded analytics tools
Many organizations benefit from using embedded analytics tools. Here's a guide on some key things to consider before deciding on an embedded analytics vendor. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
Yellowbrick Data, MicroStrategy partnership aims to enhance analytics
The new partnership will enable flexible scalability, support for mixed workloads and multi-cloud support. The goal is to provide actionable insights into data. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Feb 2020
Multi-cloud strategy becoming a necessity for BI vendors
Multi-cloud capabilities are becoming a necessity for BI and analytics vendors as their customers migrate to the cloud and want the flexibility to use the cloud service provider of their choice. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Feb 2020
The data science pathway demands continued learning
With the advent of open source coding languages and the expansion of online courses, the pathway to becoming a data scientist has never been easier. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2020
How to improve data scientist job satisfaction
Hiring data scientists is tough. Keeping them is tougher. However, there are certain things companies can do to minimize the high cost of turnover within their data science team. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2020
Sigma analytics platform's interface simplifies queries
Featuring a spreadsheet interface designed to make queries simple for citizen data scientists, Sigma Computing is trying to make analytics available to all business users. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jan 2020
5 ways enterprises adapt to the data scientist shortage
Where are all the data scientists? Coping with the data scientist shortage is a struggle for many enterprises. Here are five ways to effectively manage with the shortage. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2020
Storytelling using data makes information easy to digest
In a Q&A, Nate Nichols and Anna Schena Walsh of AI-based analytics vendor Narrative Science talk about how data storytelling can make analytics accessible to business users. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2020
Data-driven storytelling makes data accessible
In a Q&A, Nate Nichols and Anna Schena Walsh of data storytelling vendor Narrative Science discuss their book on storytelling and how narratives can make analytics more accessible. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jan 2020
How to enhance your data science storytelling
How do you create substantive, compelling stories for business executives from cold, hard numerical data? Experts share their tips on how to improve your data storytelling skills. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2020
Former SAP Concur exec Christal Bemont named Talend CEO
Talend named Christal Bemont its new CEO on Thursday after Mike Tuchen stepped down after six years in the role. Bemont comes to Talend following 15 years at SAP Concur. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2019
Data scientist vs. data analyst: What's the difference?
Data scientists and data analysts have a lot of crossover in their roles, but they're certainly not the same. Here's a look at some key differences in the positions. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Nov 2019
days sales outstanding (DSO)
Days sales outstanding (DSO) is the measurement of the average number of days it takes a business to collect payments after a sale has been made. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2019
IBM certification program tackles shortage of data scientists
IBM reported it certified 140 new data scientists, the first to be certified under a program IBM developed with The Open Group to address the dearth of data scientists. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2019
Data integration problems a hurdle companies must overcome
Relevant data is hard for organizations to find, Talend CEO Mike Tuchen says. So is mining the right data amid the complexity that large data stores have created. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2019
Talend CEO discusses importance of mining relevant data
Enterprises can't do good business intelligence without good data. In the first part of a two-part Q&A Talend CEO Mike Tuchen talks about how hard mining the right data can be. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Aug 2019
Museums and data: A powerful combination
With more and more museums using data to inform their decision-making processes, visitors are reaping the benefits by enjoying a better user experience. Continue Reading
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Infographic
02 Aug 2019
Merger and acquisition activity is altering the BI landscape
From Qlik's acquisition of Podium Data in July 2018 through Salesforce's purchase of Tableau Software in June 2019, the last year in BI has been characterized by a wave of consolidation. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jul 2019
Analyst forecasts the next big things in BI
In a Q&A, Wayne Eckerson looks at the state of the business intelligence industry, and self-service analytics, and discusses what new innovations excite him about the future. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jul 2019
Enterprises that use data will thrive; those that don't, won't
A data divide is growing between enterprises that embrace business intelligence and those that don't. It's the data elite that will survive, analyst Wayne Eckerson says in a Q&A. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2019
ThoughtSpot strategic partnerships help add capabilities
Through its partnership strategy, ThoughtSpot is adding to its capabilities as a BI software vendor the same way others are improving theirs by mergers and acquisitions. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2019
Howard Dresner talks business intelligence trends
In this Q&A, analyst Howard Dresner talks about trends in the business intelligence software market, industry consolidation and what excites him about analytics. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2019
The direction of business intelligence is changing to forward
Predictive analytics will be one of the key trends shaping the next generation of business intelligence platforms, as will the ability to share data. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jul 2019
AI acquisitions lead to consolidation
Analytics and AI startups emerge regularly and grow quickly. Frequent acquisitions, however, seem to be creating a more consolidated industry, cementing some vendors at the top. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jul 2019
Tableau vs. Power BI vs. Qlik: Comparing BI software choices
Tableau, Power BI and Qlik Sense offer similar self-service BI functionality, consultant Rick Sherman says. But he points to some of their strengths and weaknesses. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2019
Cybersecurity pros at AWS re:Inforce urged to embrace data storytelling
Robust data coupled with the power of metaphors can help cybersecurity teams tell stories that get the rest of the business on board with new security initiatives and prepare for security crises. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jun 2019
Social media analytics best practices tempered by privacy laws
Social media provides a fertile landscape of information and insight into consumer behavior, but collecting and analyzing that data carries all sorts of privacy pitfalls. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Apr 2019
Augmented BI tools speed insights with less manual labor
Through AI, machine learning and NLP, augmented analytics reduces the manual labor of traditional BI work to more quickly and accurately locate and analyze relevant data. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2019
AI vendors attack data scientist shortage with trainings
Internal data science training programs have helped vendors when colleges and universities have failed. Training is helping to fix the data scientist shortage. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Apr 2019
Data-rich organizations turn focus to ethical data mining
As data analytics has increasingly become a core component of organizations' strategies, concerns have arisen around how data is mined. Experts offer tips. Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2019
Attunity acquisition expands data management for Qlik users
Qlik's acquisition of Attunity is another sign of the BI vendor's data management ambitions -- and may help attract new users that want to unify big data and analytics. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2019
Demand for data scientists is booming and will only increase
Fueled by big data and AI, demand for data science skills is growing exponentially, according to job sites. The supply of skilled applicants, however, is growing at a slower pace. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2019
5 tips for migrating to BI in the cloud without overpaying
Moving BI and analytics to the cloud requires a strategy to avoid excessive costs. Get tips from experts and IT pros on what to watch out for and what to address. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
IT managers look to deploy BI, analytics in the cloud
More organizations plan to use cloud-based BI and analytics and focus on data governance and predictive analytics, TechTarget's 2019 IT Priorities Survey found. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jan 2019
Analytics trends we'll see in 2019
BI and analytics software looks to evolve further in 2019, as tools will keep getting easier to use and more AI-powered technologies will augment user experiences. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Dec 2018
Bolster citizen data scientists with support, training
As more citizen data scientists take on work traditionally tasked to business analysts, organizations must consider how to support them. Start with a centralized data team. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2018
5 tips for enabling citizen data scientists
Self-service analytics tools are enabling citizen data scientists to dig deeper into BI than ever before. Experts offer insights into how to empower data democratization. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2018
Tips for creating curated data sets for self-service BI users
Data curation initiatives can help streamline BI processes by reducing the amount of time users spend locating and preparing data. Get four tips for preparing data sets. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2018
Data silos can live or die by a self-service BI strategy
Self-service BI is a driving force behind the reshaping or possible demise of data silos. But sound data governance and corporate attitude adjustments are needed first. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2018
Rules change for self-service BI subscription pricing models
As self-service BI tools become commonplace, look for subscription pricing models to change according to the cloud, group data usage pricing and how data is shared. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2018
10 dos and don'ts for deploying self-service BI tools
Self-service BI doesn't just happen. Organizations must ensure data quality and watch how analysts work. Experts offer 10 tips for enabling a self-service culture. Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2018
Data literacy training offerings key to BI vendors
Tableau announced a basic certification training exam, adding to its roster of online data literacy courses. Self-service BI rival Qlik also has a big focus on data literacy. Continue Reading
- 01 Oct 2018
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Feature
01 Oct 2018
Data science teams use business ties to boost data knowledge
To ensure that advanced analytics applications are relevant to business operations, data scientists are collaborating with workers who are experts on business data. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Aug 2018
Options arise for expanding data scientists' skills
Data science programs aren't just for universities anymore. Now, data scientists can turn to massive open online courses, online texts and other resources to boost their skill sets. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Aug 2018
Qlik Sense and predictive analytics in education flag troubled students
Using academic analytics and Qlik Sense, administrators at Virginia's Loudoun County public school district are looking to identify and help at-risk students faster and more accurately. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2018
Tableau BI gets Extensions API in version 2018.2 update
Tableau's BI software sees general release of a 2018.2 update with an API for dashboard extensions, while a 2018.3 beta adds more new analytics capabilities. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2018
Qlik-Podium acquisition aims to boost BI data management
With its acquisition of Podium Data, Qlik seeks to amplify its enterprise BI data management capabilities and raise the level of competition with Tableau and Power BI. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2018
Rising demand for business analytics education programs
Colleges and universities are increasingly offering business analytics degrees. The graduates can help build IT and business capabilities of small and medium-sized organizations. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jul 2018
Streamlining predictive analytics in retail marketing
Online flash-sale retailer Zulily uses BigQuery and Tableau to help power its predictive analytics, which, in turn, boosts its marketing efforts and ability to manage incoming data. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2018
Airbnb, Univision highlight best practices in BI
At the Real Business Intelligence conference, Airbnb and Univision execs presented some of the BI strategies their organizations use to help drive growth and cut costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2018
Building a data science team in today's data-centric climate
Finding and training data scientists to build a data science team can be challenging. But in a recent webinar, a Gartner analyst offered tips on how to do it. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jun 2018
Data-driven strategy grooms dog care franchise for growth
Camp Bow Wow is growing its day care and boarding business for dogs with the help of a data-driven approach that's powered by a hybrid POS and Tableau system. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2018
Tableau acquisition of MIT AI startup aims at smarter BI software
Tableau acquires AI startup Empirical Systems in a plan to provide users with automated data modeling capabilities and enable broader BI and analytics applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2018
Understanding data discovery tools in the enterprise
Data discovery tools, aided by the data discovery process, visualize and contextualize data for business users. They are essential for informed business decision-making. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Apr 2017
Self-service BI software comparison: Tableau vs. Power BI, Qlik Sense
Three software vendors have taken the lead in the market for self-service BI tools. This chart can help you sort out the differences between these common software applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2014
Location-based analytics helps Wendy's find its way to new sites
Most people remember geography class as a liberal arts concentration. But John Crouse of Wendy's is showing that geographic knowledge can make for a valuable pairing with statistical analysis as part of location intelligence efforts. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Jun 2014
Design a business intelligence system properly -- for business users
Rick Sherman explains how to avoid common mistakes when planning and designing BI systems, saying that the varying needs of different business users must be front and center. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2014
Author: Data mining projects depend on excavating meaningful data
In a Q&A, book author David Nettleton offers advice on avoiding data mining pitfalls and pinpointing valuable business data to mine and analyze. Continue Reading
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Podcast
28 May 2014
Changes on the horizon for big data analytics tools
The market for big data analytics tools remains fragmented, but users are expecting consolidation in the near future. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 May 2014
Do predictive analytics projects require data scientists?
Expert Mark Whitehorn explains what skills are required for predictive modeling -- and whether business users can do the work of data scientists. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 May 2014
Former shadow IT worker helps bring analytics data into the light
Ryan Fenner worked in a shadow IT unit at Union Bank for years. Now he's helping lead an IT effort to better manage BI data created in those shadows. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2014
Kaiser Permanente VP prescribes bigger role for healthcare data analytics
Terhilda Garrido is at the head of a heightened effort by health system Kaiser Permanente to use analytics to improve its patient care delivery. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Dec 2013
Defining and using KPIs in a successful business intelligence system
In this book excerpt, author David Loshin discusses how to select key performance indicators and turn data into actionable knowledge for BI success. Continue Reading
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Guide
22 Nov 2013
Change agents: Leaders in information management technology
In this guide, we examine various transformative projects and the agents of change who made them possible through creativity and determination. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Nov 2013
Oracle pro takes the thoroughbred view with IT, EBS upgrade
CIO Wade Lewis has been in IT long enough to know that patience and planning are rewarded, particularly with an EBS upgrade. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2013
Coca-Cola overcomes challenges to seize BI opportunities
The Coca-Cola Co. understands that analytics challenges can be overcome and that a team approach helps businesses take advantage of BI opportunities. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Dec 2012
collaborative BI (collaborative business intelligence)
Collaborative BI (collaborative business intelligence) is the merging of business intelligence software with collaboration tools, including social and Web 2.0 technologies, to support improved data-driven decision making. Continue Reading
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Quiz
14 Nov 2012
Quiz: Test your knowledge of mobile business intelligence trends
How much do you know about mobile business intelligence tools and best practices for managing mobile BI initiatives? Take our brief quiz to find out. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Sep 2011
Test of Scheduled Publish August 30 - BizAnalytics
Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Opinion Test - Carolyn Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2011
Getting started on building a real-time BI system: issues to consider
Real-time business intelligence can speed up and improve decision making. But it isn’t right for everyone. Find out what to consider before building a real-time BI system. Continue Reading
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Video
15 Dec 2010
In the trenches: Benefits and pitfalls of deploying a BI system
Learn about a business intelligence system rollout at American Access Casualty Co., including the expected benefits and challenges that can be faced when deploying BI technology. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jul 2010
business intelligence competency center (BICC)
A business intelligence competency center (BICC) is a team of people that, in its most fully realized form, is responsible for managing all aspects of an organization's BI strategy, projects and systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Oct 2009
The importance and benefits of operational decision making
In this section of 'Smart (Enough) System', you'll learn the importance of operational decisions and different strategies that influence decision making. You'll also read about key BI terms including business agility, strategic alignment and decision support. Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2007
Business intelligence ROI: Five keys to justifying BI investments
Analysts from Gartner and Bloor, and an experienced end user, recommend best practices for calculating the hard ROI metrics and soft benefits of BI investments. Continue Reading