The Perfect Fit: How To Pick The Best BI Tool For Your Organization

Business Intelligence (BI) is becoming a huge driver in the corporate world. Many companies are utilizing this vital business asset by selecting BI tools for their organizations in order to improve performance and enhance results. So, what are the most important considerations an organization should take into account when selecting BI tools to support their businesses?

Things to Consider When Selecting BI Tools

For a BI tool to be successful, it must fit the organization it is supporting. If a BI tool isn’t a perfect fit for an organization and its employees, the organization will not experience the full extent of the potential benefits the tool has to offer. Thus, when selecting a BI tool, it is best to do an intake of an organization’s needs, wants, and available resources. By considering issues like data sources, ease of training and use, visual display options, and the ability for group work, it will ensure the BI tool selected will not only work, but also deliver results.   

Data Sources

What data will your BI tool be accessing? Is this data located on-premise or in the cloud? Are there confidentiality restrictions around the data that prevents it from being hosted in the cloud? Can the BI tool incorporate all your data, or will there be issues with data importation? If a BI tool can’t adequately handle your data, its effect will be significantly reduced, and the tool itself will be incompatible with your organization and goals.

Is the BI Tool Easy to Learn and Use?

A BI tool is only useful if it is used. Ensure any BI tool you select is easy to learn and navigate. In many cases, it is essential to gauge the overall tech capabilities of an organization to choose the best BI tool. This way, it ensures the BI tool won’t be underutilized due to technical issues.

Multiple Visual Options 

For BI tools, it is best to select tools that present information in ways such as graphs, tables and charts. This way employees can choose the visual aid that best suits their needs and preferences. This flexibility allows for greater adoption.

Options for Group Work

If a BI tool can’t be used by all your employees, its ability to be leveraged across your entire organization is greatly limited. For example, does each user need to have an account to access the BI tool? Is an organization limited to the number of users it can have without adding to the overall cost of the BI tool? Can multiple users have access to the same information or do certain users have the ability to block information? Answers to these questions will best gauge a BI tool’s real value to an organization.

Harnessing the Power of BI 

BI is becoming a vital asset for businesses today. If your organization would like to include BI tools in its corporate identity, it’s time to turn to an expert in business solutions consulting. At ASB Resources, we are leading providers of business solutions for organizations of all sizes. Contact our business intelligence experts today to learn more!