Even though it runs on the same core technology, the new Business Intelligence has several key differences from the old Business Intelligence.
First, the New BI is more accessible.
The Old BI was a custom-built application on a high-powered desktop PC located on an executive’s desk. The new BI is a mobile application running on a smartphone or tablet that provides professionals with up-to-the-minute sales data and customer details, and suggests next actions for front-line service personnel.
Second, the New BI is easier to use across a wider range of people in an organization.
Given the complexity of the Old BI, the task of working with business intelligence was often a specialist's task. Even if an executive had BI software installed, end users would receive custom reports created by someone else on a periodic basis. By contrast, the new BI uses multi-touch interfaces and drill-down capability to make it simple and intuitive for anyone to access data and information resources, as needed, without relying on someone else to generate weekly, monthly, or annual reports. You no longer have to be an executive or a specialist to make the best use of enterprise data.
Third, the New BI contains more detailed information about customers and business processes.
As firms gain greater insights into customer preferences and behaviors through improved data collection practices both online and offline, the analytical capability of business intelligence becomes stronger. Whenever someone recommends your product in a public forum, connects with your brand through a social network, or presents a Web coupon in a physical store, the resulting data point provides more fuel for customer knowledge that wouldn’t have been as accessible or actionable just five years ago. Similarly, the use of RFID and visual recognition technology in the physical supply chain enables better management of inventory and materials that leads to smarter decisions on products, pricing, placement, and promotions.
Fourth, managing security policy for the New BI has become an essential business requirement.
As a larger number of employees gain access to ever-increasing volumes of data, the policies and practices of the Old BI have to evolve to accommodate the risks involved. Particularly in industries where customer data has sensitive information controlled by regulations, most notably healthcare and financial services, access to line-item data has to be controlled and monitored across all access platforms. Even data in aggregate has a commercial value, and has to be protected accordingly. IT departments have to be able to provision users with the New BI on an enterprise, even as they limit the potential damage caused by inadvertent exposure or data leaks through access control, usage monitoring, and remote deactivation of mobile BI applications.
Fifth, the New BI affects everyone, not just the early adopters.
Based on the costs, risks, and security challenges, you may be hesitant to expand access to business intelligence via mobile devices. You’ll have to deploy a new fleet of devices, train people how to use the tools, and institute new business processes to make use of front-line information. At the same time, you’ll have to boost your back-office capabilities in managing security and access controls, data collection, and analytics. Moving from BI for specialists to BI for everyone is a technological and management challenge requiring investment and management attention.
Yet those who stay on the sidelines will soon find that competitors taking advantage of the New BI are also taking their customers, sales and new business opportunities. Over time, the strongest survivors will be those who best integrate business intelligence into standard business processes, making use of the most relevant and accurate data available to provide customers with better service and improved experiences. If you understand and recognize that potential for success, you’re ready for the New BI.
For further information, see:
Why It's So Hard To Build User-Friendly Business Intelligence Tools
Process Improvement Consulting
Mobile Management In A World Of User Choice
       
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