Business intelligence: managing data complexity with analytics

Embedding BI in the workflow

Another way to manage data complexity is to move the analytics closer to the task, so that information required for decisions is embedded in enterprise processes. That is the approach emphasized by GoodData. “We see two trends in BI,” says Roman Stanek, founder and CEO of GoodData. “One is self-service, giving users more access to tools for analytics, and the other is embedding BI so it is part of the workflow and provides input in the context of the user’s tasks.”

The second method is preferable, he argues, because the complexity of today’s self-service approach may result in BI solutions becoming shelfware. “Our solution is to collect, store, analyze, predict and then to inject the insights into the point of work,” Stanek explains. Rather than relying on a rigid rule-based system to support decisions, GoodData’s Enterprise Insights Platform uses algorithms to make predictions and arrive at better outcomes. “It is well suited to applications such as determining business insurance premiums or approving mortgage applications, because it can provide guidance at the point of the decision,” Stanek says.

Established 10 years ago, GoodData was an early entrant into delivery BI as an on-demand service. “The majority of our clients are small and medium-sized businesses that do not have IT departments that can manage BI implementations,” Stanek explains. “However, a growing number of large companies have also become customers.” As an end-to-end platform, GoodData manages the connections to data sources and integration into enterprise applications, as well as data quality issues.

GoodData is launching a new user interface that will provide a more seamless integration with enterprise applications. “Our product is positioned to deliver highly contextualized insights within the user’s preferred work environment,” Stanek says. “This approach helps users deal with complexity by providing just the essential information at the time of the decision.”