Six tips for better business intelligence

Business intelligence (BI) is about having the right information available to make better decisions, faster. A good BI solution quickly and effortlessly places the correct information into the hands of employees and executives who can exploit it to maximise profits. Following simple guidelines are worth considering when choosing the best business intelligence solution for your business.

1. Select the right service provider Shop around.
The right service provider should demonstrate a unique appreciation of your needs and the challenges you are facing. They must be involved in the roll-out of the solution and provide training to all users. Make sure they also offer on-going support once the solution is up and running. Get references and follow these up.

2. Suitability
Be sure to choose a BI solution that is right for your business. Have a specific business need in mind when shopping for a solution. Before purchasing a complete data warehouse solution, do some research - your current challenge may not require a warehouse solution. Instead you could save money and time with a simpler solution that locates and extracts data from its current location as required.

3. Ease of integration
Your service provider should be familiar with the systems your business relies on and should provide a solution that integrates easily into your current business infrastructure. The best BI application will be one that meets a specific business requirement and fits into your business processes seamlessly.

4. Flexibility and scalability
Your BI requirements will change as your company grows and develops. It is important to plan for this by selecting a modular solution that can be adapted and expanded to suit your changing needs.

5. Keep it simple
While it may be tempting to go for the most sophisticated, top-of-the-range solution, often the simpler option is easier to work with. Consider who will be using the system. Don't forget the true end-user and include them in the selection process. Their technical proficiency will determine the level of complexity you may incorporate in the solution. Remember, a good BI solution should save your employees time - not force them to struggle with a complicated system.

6. Insist on security
Data security is crucial - especially in the increasingly mobile business world. The ideal BI solution should deliver accurate, targeted information at maximum speed, while protecting your data from falling into the wrong hands.