KEEP THE SOFTWARE SIMPLE, SAYS REPORT
BUSINESS Intelligence (BI) software is critical to business growth and management planning, but giving all users the latest software can be a waste of resources.
Although BI applications like data mining are interesting and can to provide extensive information configured in almost any manner, a report from the Gartner Group, The Bulk of BI: Addressing the Common User, says most corporate BI users do not make use of the features and functionality available to them.
The group says that more than 80% of BI users are likely to fall into the category of common or rankand-file users as defined by style of computing and information needs. It says that while BI is important and valuable for these users, it represents a very small percentage of overall job activity (less than 10%). This is in contrast to knowledge workers (30% or more) or analysts (80% or more), where BI is a key or core component of their jobs.
Most users need BI tools mainly for reporting functions which are used for simple analysis and comparative exercises, says Dave Fawcett, sales director at Global Technology Business Intelligence. These reports are not always run specifically for the users, but are general reports various people have access to and use for different purposes.
Since these users make up the bulk of the BI market (about 60%), the group recommends that enterprises do not target this group with costly, complex technologies and tools like data mining, executive information systems, balanced score cards or other advanced applications. This group will derive the most use from static reports, which are the most affordable and scalable style of BI. Standard reports can be generated at regular intervals and made available through e-mail or the internet or an intranet.
There is no necessity for live database connectivity for querying and little or no need for training or software licences.
Gartner says the next group about 20% to 30% of users needs slightly more specific, dynamic BI tools. It says these users need current data and a certain amount of flexibility to filter data to their specific needs. Parameter-driven reporting from a set of templates would suit this group, which can obtain user-specific and task-specific results by inputting their own parameters on the defaults.
This template approach does require some setup time and skills, but it allows users to create their own reports without requiring substantial investment in software and training, although software licences would be required for each user.
The last group involves only about 10% to 15% of users, which Gartner describes as free-form users. They need up-to-the-minute information and a great deal of flexibility in filtering and combining data, creating calculated values and custom formatting.
Gartner says the software will require a significant investment from a licensing and configuration perspective, as well as a considerable investment of time and money on training.
While classification of users seems to be a simple task, Fawcett warns that it can be complex. Gartner suggests that employees be classified at lower levels (such as the static report group) and moved up as needed. Frequent calls to the help desk indicate users who need the ability to control more complex queries themselves.
Automating common users with BI can benefit the users productivity and the company as a whole. As users get current information on a regular basis, the BI benefits will become apparent, says Gartner.
He warns that the costs can be prohibitive and productivity can suffer if more complex BI tools are bought and given to users who do not need them, or are not at a technical level to be able to use them.