Business Analytics is the practice of consolidating and examining business intelligence. This helps you better understand the performance of a particular employee, department or product. With enough data you can also use business analytics to make forecasts about future performance. There are a number of business analytic tools available online. In this guide, we’ve focused on cloud analytics, as keeping your data online keeps your information in sync across your organization.
All of these tools not only allow you to import data but generate detailed reports, which you can then share with your colleagues. As they’re based in the cloud, many platforms follow a flexible per-user pricing model so you only have to pay more as your organization grows.
1. Microsoft Power Bi
An extremely flexible and visible tool from Microsoft themselves
Free tier
Visual tools
Lack of customization
Power Bi is a business analytics service provided by Microsoft.
This solution helps users to consolidate all their useful data analytics into one place. Power BI is a suite of analytics tools which help gain insights into your organization. Subscribers can use it to access many supported cloud-based and on-premise sources such as Salesforce, Excel and Sharepoint.
Users can analyse data and find patterns they may missed in relation to their business. This is done through features such as quick measures, forecasting, grouping and clustering. Users more comfortable with Excel can use DAX formula to control this analytic tool.
Power Bi is very visual. Users can create reports with interactive data visualizations. The dashboard is simple to use and includes a handy drag and drop feature. Reports are created with formatting, theming and layout tools.
The ‘Power Bi Desktop’ plan is free and suitable for single users. It includes connections to a variety of different data sources, visual tools and analytic visualization tools.
The ‘Power Bi Pro’ package is $9.99 (£7.74) per month per user. Clients can build dashboards that deliver a real-time, 360 degree, view of their business. It includes automation of updates, collaboration, audits, governance and distribution to users with apps.
The ‘Power Bi Premium’ plan is based on capacity pricing. This can be calculated from the Power Bi website.
Some online users have complained the dashboard isn’t fully customizable.
2. Host Analytics
Create custom reports securely with this comprehensive suite
All in one application
High security
Some template issues
Host Analytics EPM suite is a cloud-based performance management solution.
The solution is security conscious and uses AES-256 encryption. Data is backed up hourly.
The suite is geared towards medium to large businesses. The easy to use dashboard allows users to manage financial and operational processes. The forecast and planning tools analyse the effects of different projects on your company.
Host Analytics works from a centralized database. Users can enter and manage multiple sets of books, journals and allocations. The solution allows users to transfer data from each source to its dashboard automatically, relieving users of the tedium of copying data piece by piece.
The suite allows users to run analyses through a variety of reports. You can run, present and publish data as you see fit. Reports can be published using Microsoft PowerPoint, Word or the Financial Package Publisher. The dashboard includes standard reporting templates but users can customize their own templates to suit their business needs. Some reviewers have mentioned difficulties with doing this.
Demos are available upon request. Users need to contact Host Analytics directly to obtain a quote.
3. Zoho Reports
Have your cake and eat it: Zoho is intuitive but can create complex reports
Advanced features
Excellent support
In-depth reporting
Zoho is a software development company based in India. It was founded in 2006.
The reporting application allows users access to an easy to use dashboard. It is part of Zoho’s software suite but works as a stand-alone package also. The interface is user friendly. From here users have access to a help center, a snapshot tour, a variety of data samples and live chat.
Zoho reports allows users to load data onto their reporting centre with just a few clicks. The automation feature runs reports without prompt based on the type of data you have entered. Users can share data and collaborate on tables and reports.
More in-depth reporting is available but this is more suitable for experienced users. This advanced reporting includes a handy drag and drop feature which is used to insert data into columns you create. With a variety of filters, users can sort data, queries and output visualizations as needed. Analysts can also run custom made SQL (Structured Query Language) queries.
The ‘Basic’ package is $25 (£19.35) per month and includes two users, 0.5 million rows, unlimited reports, over 100 data connectors, Zoho Apps connectors, slideshow and daily sync.
The ‘Standard’ plan starts at $50 (£38.69)per month. Extras include 5 users, 1 million rows, hourly data sync, groups support, workspace admin role and data backup.
The ‘Premium’ tier starts at $125 (£96.75) per month. Along with 15 users and 5 million rows, users also receive logo rebranding and private links.
The ‘Enterprise’ package is $495 (£383.13) per month. This includes 50 users, 50 million rows, 5x performance and live chat support.
Some reviewers have note that the advanced features take some time to master.
4. Domo
Import, filter and generate reports with ease via Domo’s customizable platform
30-day free trial
App Store
HIPAA compliant
Domo is a software company which specializes in business intelligence tools and data visualization. It was founded in 2010.
Users can manage all functions from the main dashboard. It is straight forward to use and easy on the eye. The dashboard works in real-time. Users can view data relating to multiple business areas, return-on-investment, key performance and indicators.
Domo has its own App Store where users access free and paid connectors. Also, included are a huge variety of plug-ins which help with tools such as Microsoft Excel and PowerPoints.
The ‘Workbench’ imports large amount of data via XML, ODBC and Excel amongst others into the solution.
The ‘Analyzer’ application allows users to view results they are most interested in. Less interesting data can be hidden with one-click. Users can filter the data they want to share with other users.
Domo offers a free 30-day trial. This includes 5 users, 5 million rows of data and hourly data refresh. The ‘Standard’ package offers a free trial plus up to 20 users and available consulting.
The ‘Professional’ package includes all of what the ‘Standard’ package has to offer plus unlimited users, 250 million rows, on-demand data refresh and premium support.
The ‘Enterprise’ plan has all the features of the ‘Professional’ package plus unlimited data, advanced governance, security and HIPAA compliance.
Pricing for all packages is available upon request.
5. IBM Watson Analytics
Watson makes generating reports and social media analysis quite elementary
Free tier
Social Media analysis
Beginners Guide
IBM Watson Analytics is a cloud-based data analysis and visualization service.
The platform has a handy guidance service which is useful for new users.
IBM Watson starts making predictions as soon data is entered into the solution. Users can drag and drop information into spreadsheets. Alternatively, selections can be made from third-party applications such as SalesForce and Twitter. There are 32 connectors available to retrieve data from. Watson has numerous connections to social media sources but Twitter is the only one that can be accessed from this platform. Users need to use Watson Social Media to access other social media tools.
The solution suggests ways to visualize data and draw comparisons. These include scatter plots, word clouds and pi-charts amongst others. A diagram predicts strengths. Visualizations are populated based on the company’s targets.
Once all the data has been compiled users can create infographics. Watson allows users to customize templates to suit their needs.
There’s a 30-day free trial. The ‘Free’ tier includes 1 user, 1MB of storage, 100,000 rows and 50 columns.
The ‘Plus’ package includes 1 user, 2GB storage, 1 million rows and 256 columns. Extras offered are access to 18 data connectors, public forum, support case and chat.
The ‘Professional’ plan includes more than 1 user, 100GB storage, 10 million rows and 500 columns. You can also access to relational databases and 19 connectors.
You need to contact IBM directly for quote.
Top Image Credit: VideoPlasty / Wikimedia
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