The goal of putting a business intelligence (BI) strategy in place is to provide you with the actionable information required to run a successful business.  For your company to be data-driven, all levels, from top management to employees, need to be able to access, view and collaborate with your data from anywhere. Here are 7 keys to a successful business intelligence strategy: 1.      Create a Data-Driven Culture Because BI will...

This Fall saw the release of the much-anticipated release of Cognos Analytics 11.1.4.  This new version has many new features and improvements. Here is a summary of the best of what’s new in this new release: Getting Started A new welcome screen that has been designed for both new and existing users alike.  New users now have access to some new guided quick tours to help them get started and access samples that will help guide and...

One of the most common misconceptions that we hear when speaking to prospective customers is that they do not need a reporting solution because they already have an ERP system in place.  Or, their organization has just moved to a new ERP system and they have expectations (that are somewhat misguided) that the built-in reporting capabilities that come with their new ERP will take care of all of their reporting needs, therefore avoiding...

Being in the data analytics business for several years now, we’ve talked to a lot of companies.  Most organizations, regardless of their size, generate a deluge of data every day.  Data that they need to make critical decisions about their business that they struggle to access, for various reasons.  So, a lot of the companies we speak to often need a data analytics solution and they don’t even know it yet.  This leads to the...

With the huge phenomenon online shopping has become, many small businesses find themselves competing more and more with large corporations and online retailers that can offer reduced prices. To make better decisions, you need a clear picture of your company’s operational and financial situation. Having ‘one version of the truth’ not only empowers you to make strategic decisions on how to avoid wasteful spending but in turn increases...