Like other technologies, the use of business intelligence has changed dramatically over the years. Today’s business intelligence looks and performs differently than its predecessors.
Early Generations of Business Intelligence
In the past, business intelligence was highly technical and largely used by data scientists and information technology officers. Business Intelligence 1.0 tended to look at historical data, generating massive reports on an infrequent basis.
Eventually, business intelligence moved to the web and Business Intelligence 2.0 arrived. This web-based BI iteration allowed for greater exploration of more current data. Rather than using business intelligence once a month or quarter, business users began using it on a more frequent basis — typically weekly or daily.
Business Intelligence 3.0
Though Business Intelligence 2.0 is a recent innovation, we’re already seeing the next generation. Business Intelligence 3.0 embraces mobile devices. Today’s users access their BI tools, charts, and dashboards using smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. The transition from one device to the next is virtually seamless thanks to a responsive, consistent interface. At the same time, each device may have unique features suited to the device type and how it is likely used.
Business Intelligence 3.0 is even more user-friendly than its predecessors, with widespread appeal to business users in all functions of a business including marketing, warehouse, human resources, purchasing, customer service, sales, and more.
Why Use Business Intelligence 3.0?
The workforce has gone mobile with over 32 percent of employees around the world now relying on more than one mobile device during the typical workday. In 2015, there are an estimated 1.3 billion mobile workers. These numbers are expected to rise. With more mobile workers relying more and more on mobile devices, it makes sense to put actionable insights right at their fingertips. Business Intelligence 3.0 does just that.
By enabling Business Intelligence 3.0, you are empowering mobile workers, allowing them to: eliminate guesswork, get key business metric reports when and where they need them, get faster answers based on real-time data, identify opportunities, and more. Depending on their individual job roles, Business Intelligence 3.0 can deliver the exact intelligence required. For example, a mobile sales professional may be able to identify an up-selling or cross-selling opportunity before calling on an existing customer.
Are you ready for the next generation of web based reporting tools? They’re here!
Works Cited
- Business 2 Community, “What Is Business Intelligence 3.0?,” – http://www.business2community.com/business-intelligence/business-intelligence-3-0-0972078#!bCbabG
- Enterprise Apps Today, ” Ten Benefits of Business Intelligence Software,” – http://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/business-intelligence/ten-benefits-of-business-intelligence-software-1.html
- Shift Disruptive eLearning, “The Mobile Workforce – Everything You Need To Know in 5 Infographics,” – http://info.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/333342/The-Mobile-Workforce-Everything-You-Need-To-Know-in-5-Infographics
