Next-Gen Business Intelligence: Self-Service Tools for Optimized Decision-Making

Companies of all sizes are suddenly overflowing with data that pours in from both internal and external sources. Each department within the company uses the information differently and pulls data in from a unique mix of sources. Many IT departments struggle to keep up with the increasing demand for data and insight. Decision-makers want information that is relevant to their areas of responsibility. They want dashboards that help make sense of the raw data. And they want it in real-time - not in a week or even a day.

How can companies keep up with rising expectations to deliver accurate data to the people who need it, quickly and without breaking the bank?

For companies using Microsoft's technology stack, the latest release of SQL, 2012, may be an efficient and economical solution. PowerPivot and Power View are tools that build upon the end user's familiarity with Excel and other applications to create self-service functionality.

The thoughtful and strategic implementation of a self-service business intelligence solution offers many advantages to companies. However, a rush to implement often recreates the original problems and quickly puts companies right back where they started. 

For more information about the challenges CIOs face in managing big data, the new tools available in SQL 2012, and tips for a successful implementation, check out the new white paper co-authored by Sean Woehrle and me.

 Visualizing Business Intelligence: How Self-Service BI Tools Improve Decision Making (http://www.icfi.com/insights/white-papers/2012/visualizing-business-intelligence)