BI Glossary
Business Intelligence
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What is Business Intelligence Software?
Business intelligence (BI) is the process of collecting data and turning it into meaningful information that is actionable when making business decisions.
Business Intelligence (BI) Software:
- Standalone Platform: BI software is a dedicated platform for exploring and analyzing data. Users primarily access it through a separate interface, requiring login and navigation away from their everyday business workflows.
- Focus on Analysts and Internal Use Cases: BI tools are often geared towards data analysts and power users with technical expertise. They offer more complex queries, data transformation capabilities, and detailed report creation.
- Broader Scope: BI platforms cater to a wider range of data analysis needs across an organization, encompassing various departments and use cases.
Embedded Analytics Software:
- Integrated Experience: Embedded analytics software integrates seamlessly into existing business applications or portals. Users can access insights right within their familiar workflow, eliminating context switching and increasing accessibility.
- Focus on Actionable Insights and SaaS Spplications: Embedded analytics prioritizes delivering readily digestible insights and visualizations directly to relevant stakeholders. They often prioritize simplicity and ease of use over complex analytical capabilities.
- Specific Use Cases: For SaaS applications. Embedded analytics solutions typically focus on specific business functions or departments, providing targeted dashboards and reports customized for those users’ needs.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Business Intelligence (BI) Software | Embedded Analytics Software |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Standalone platform | Integrated within existing applications |
| Target users | Data analysts, power users | Business users, non-technical users |
| Focus | Complex analysis, data transformation, reports | Actionable insights, visualizations, ease of use |
| Scope | Broad range of use cases across the organization | Specific functions or departments |
How to choose the right BI solution:
The choice between BI and embedded analytics depends on your specific needs:
- If you need in-depth data analysis by dedicated analysts, BI software might be ideal.
- If you want to democratize access to data and empower business users with actionable insights within their workflow, embedded analytics is a better option.
Ultimately, the best solution is the one that aligns with your specific data analysis needs, user personas, and workflow preferences.
