Business intelligence platforms are specific technologies based on creating a system that enables companies to monitor and analyze data like never before. What is the goal of these systems?
It is simple to collect data from multiple sources onto a single platform (a great solution, especially for the lazy!). This data can include sales, financial data, accounting, and more. The data is then organized and sorted into a visualization that makes it easy to understand, often with the help of data visualization tools, enabling companies to make strategic decisions using insights derived from real-time data analytics and efficient data integration tools.
Why organizations need BI platforms
To succeed in the dynamic corporate world, today's organizations must be data-driven and foster a data-driven culture. For this to be possible, leaders need a modern business intelligence platform that enables everyone to observe and understand data. Business intelligence platforms go beyond business analytics software packages. They support the organization's BI strategy by making accessing and analyzing data easier. Basic analytics platforms import, clean up, analyze, and forecast data. On the other hand, business intelligence platforms are more effective and dynamic and adapt to the development of your BI strategy.
Standard features of BI platforms
A platform for enterprise use supports business agility without compromising governance or security. Here are five aspects to consider when evaluating a modern BI platform.
Total cost of ownership without surprises
Open Open-source BI tools are often customizable and work seamlessly with data integration tools to support complex business environments. Many organizations, especially smaller ones, switch to open-source software to meet their data mining and ad hoc reporting needs. When evaluating platforms, however, consider the total cost of ownership. Do not decide based on the price alone. Do a complete comparison. To all the other extra elements, add the need to make that “free” platform work in your business environment (today and in the future). Free tools are anything but free and can contribute to a sizeable total cost. Often, they make other products, subjects, and infrastructure necessary to meet enterprise-wide requirements. Although there are online resources for learning how to use open-source software, those resources will not tell you how to use the platform for your organization's specific needs. In other words, no matter how customizable, an open-source solution cannot be as flexible as your organization is dynamic. In contrast, superior commercial open-source BI toolshave built-in resources, support, and enterprise scalability.
Dynamic dashboards
One of the most popular features of a BI platform is the ability to create and customize dashboards. People can create forms, charts, and graphs that can be updated almost in real-time. It is also possible to publish dashboards on separate internal platforms. One should choose a platform offering self-service capabilities, allowing users to leverage data visualization tools to create intuitive and interactive dashboards. This way, everyone can access the data, create their analytics, and assist the organization in creating a culture of analytics.
Intuitive visual analytics
Choose an intuitive visual analytics platform. This allows you to explore data, offering visual information wherever you are visually. The platform should also allow you to share results by creating beautiful visualizations, all from the same intuitive interface, without switching between different products for different types of analytics. Do not just watch a demo. Sign up for a free trial version and test the platform. Try answering multiple questions to test the processing power and efficiency of the tool.
The power to drive your BI strategy
Even the most potent BI reporting platform is only valid if it can easily connect to the data. The right analytics platform provides optimized native connections to the data, and it does not matter if you are in Hong Kong or Beijing. You can easily access analytics wherever you are.
The platform must allow access and analysis of data in real-time without downloading it, and it must be possible to run a query with little or no coding effort quickly (we do not like to overwork ourselves!). The BI platform must also allow you to deploy analytics wherever you want: in the cloud, on the local server, or hosted off-site. The platform must also integrate seamlessly with your existing data strategy, combining real-time data analytics and data integration tools to revolutionize your current data infrastructure.
In addition, it must be easily integrated into other companies' portals and business applications. In this way, you can cater to users wherever they are. This flexibility is critical when evaluating business intelligence programs and choosing a BI platform. Tools that are not flexible increase the total cost of ownership.
Data Integrity and Security with Open Source BI Tools
As Linux admins, we know that securing our systems is a top priority. Data protection is critical when it comes to open-source BI tools. While open-source platforms may seem risky, many tools like Apache Superset and Metabase have robust security features. They allow us to store and transmit encrypted data, ensuring our analytics are as secure as any commercial offering. These tools help us maintain data integrity and protect our insights, all while ensuring compatibility with modern business intelligence platforms for seamless performance.
Managing Total Cost of Ownership with Open Source BI Tools
Open-source BI tools might appear free, but we Linux admins recognize there can be hidden costs. Sometimes, additional products or infrastructure are needed to meet all business needs. However, great tools like KNIME and Redash scale well and integrate advanced data visualization tools and real-time data analytics for optimal performance. These features help us predict and manage costs better than some proprietary solutions. By leveraging these tools, we avoid unexpected expenses and get the support we need without blowing our budgets.
Flexibility and Integration of Open Source BI Tools
Flexibility is critical in our dynamic business environments. Open-source BI tools like Metabase and KNIME shine here, offering powerful data integration tools that align perfectly with leading business intelligence platforms. They integrate smoothly with other business applications and portals, making our lives easier. We can cater to users wherever they are without compromising performance or security. These tools are adaptable, helping us keep up with ever-changing business demands without being locked into a rigid system.
Examples of Open Source BI Tools
As Linux administrators, understanding and implementing the right open-source BI tools can significantly transform your data analysis and decision-making processes. This section explores industry-leading options like Apache Superset, with its cutting-edge data exploration capabilities; Metabase, known for its intuitive, user-friendly analytics interface; KNIME, which excels in comprehensive, scalable data workflows; and Redash, celebrated for its effortless data connectivity and query execution. By diving into these tools, you'll learn how each can enhance your data infrastructure, making it more secure, scalable, and efficient. Discovering these BI solutions' unique strengths and features will empower you to make informed choices that drive better insights and business outcomes, ensuring you're equipped with the best tools to handle the complexities of modern data environments.
Apache Superset
Apache Superset is a modern and intuitive platform for exploring and visualizing data. It integrates real-time data analytics with user-friendly data visualization tools.
Metabase
Metabase lets us ask questions and get answers from our data quickly. It’s designed to be simple so everyone in our organization can use it, not just the data experts. It also secures data access, ensuring only authorized users can view sensitive information.
KNIME
KNIME is perfect for data analytics and integration. It's scalable, which means it grows with our team’s needs. KNIME offers robust security features, so we can be confident our data transformation processes stay protected.
Redash
Redash helps democratize data access while emphasizing secure sharing, making it a perfect addition to any organization's suite of business intelligence platforms. It connects multiple data sources and supports real-time interaction, making it a versatile and safe option for all our data needs.
It Makes Us More Efficient Users While Keeping Data Secure
The right platform for your organization must enable everyone to interact with and benefit from the data, regardless of skill level. It allows your organization to foster a data culture, putting data at the center of everyone's business decisions. To maximize the value of your data, you must deploy controlled self-service analytics on a scale. In addition, to make the entire organization more efficient, you need an analytics tool that the business loves and the IT department trusts. The right business intelligence software allows the organization to equip itself with a business-centric, IT-enabled approach to analytics. It enables the IT department to establish a secure and controlled environment that protects data and ensures its integrity without compromising business agility and innovation.
