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DIY BI: A guide to self-service business intelligence implementation
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Article
Business users act as analysts with self-service analytics systems
Business users are able to perform various analyses themselves with the help of data visualization software and self-service BI tools. Read Now
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Article
Marketers address data skills shortage with self-service analytics
Self-service analytics tools can help companies cope with the lack of skilled data analytics professionals, according to BI managers at two marketing firms. Read Now
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Article
Self-service BI empowers users and relieves IT pressure, report finds
A Forrester Wave report addresses must-have capabilities for self-service BI platforms and looks at vendors that are providing those functions. Read Now
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Article
Widen business intelligence usage with self-service software
Companies can gain more from business intelligence deployments while relieving IT's workload by giving users self-service tools. Read Now
Editor's note
The objective of self-service business intelligence is straightforward: enable end users to make decisions based on their own queries and analyses, while also freeing up BI and IT teams to focus on other tasks. Self-service BI also allows business users to customize reports to their own needs, rather than relying only on the predefined data and canned reports available in BI systems. However, maximizing the use of self-service analytics tools can be a challenge for organizations, despite their best intentions.
Effective implementation of self-service BI applications and tools requires an understanding of the varying needs of different users and ongoing support from BI and IT professionals to help users throughout an organization take full advantage of self-service functionality. What is intuitive for one user may elude another, in many cases requiring customized training programs for different levels of expertise in order to reap the most benefit from self-service tools.
This Essential Guide offers articles that address self-service BI trends, the technology's potential benefits and challenges, and strategies for managing successful deployments. It also looks at the self-service BI capabilities of Microsoft's SQL Server database and related technologies.
1Challenges and best practices of self-service BI
Managing self-service BI programs is more complex than it appears, as end users have different needs and typically require training and assistance on an ongoing basis. As a result, self-service BI is neither one size fits all, nor a program that runs on automatic pilot. These articles offer insights into how flexibility, carefully selected tools and user support are imperative to self-service BI success.
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Article
Evaluate the advantages, risks of self-service analytics tools
When business users take responsibility for self-service business intelligence, there are some risks involved, but there are ways to mitigate those risks. Read Now
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Podcast
Focus on data governance strategies for effective self-service analytics
In this podcast, TechTarget editors discuss the importance of implementing data governance strategies to support self-service business intelligence. Listen Now
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Article
Much depends on the needs of users in self-service BI
Putting tools in the hands of business users is only the beginning of an effective self-service BI program, explains consultant Wayne Eckerson in a Q&A. Read Now
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Article
Effective self-service BI stems from flexibility, governance, user aid
Self-service BI isn't meant to be a one-size-fits-all initiative, and it requires careful oversight and up-front development work. Read Now
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Article
Look beyond the short-term for BI program success
Mortgage lender Quicken Loans evolved its business intelligence program from static reports to self-service BI tools and shares some lessons learned. Read Now
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Article
Customized self-service software needed to fit diverse users
Different groups of end users will have different needs to consider when it comes to configuring and deploying self-service business intelligence tools. Read Now
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Article
Careful consideration needed for self-service applications
Find out what factors to look at before your organization deploys self-service business intelligence software. Read Now
2Self-service business intelligence and SQL Server
Boosting the business intelligence capabilities of SQL Server has been a priority for Microsoft, which has designed tools such as PowerPivot and Power View to empower users to make decisions based on their own analyses. The articles in this section offer information about SQL Server business intelligence options, including self-service BI software.
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Article
SQL Server 2012 offers business intelligence upgrades
Read about the improved business intelligence features in SQL Server 2012, including extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, as well as Power View. Read Now
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Article
Insider tips on SQL Server BI from author Brian Larson
Get advice on implementing SQL Server business intelligence and suggestions for getting started from consultant and author Brian Larson. Read Now
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Article
Project management must: Supporting different levels of BI needs
Read an excerpt from Brian Larson's book to learn how business intelligence can enable users to make more effective business decisions -- if their differing requirements are met. Read Now
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Article
How Intel improved chip manufacturing with SQL Server 2012 BI
Intel used the self-service business intelligence features of SQL Server 2012 to help it keep up with the famous Moore's Law in its microprocessor production. Read Now
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Article
Tips for BI as a service: Keep it user friendly
Consultant Don Jones offers advice for scaling BI systems and encouraging employees to take advantage of the benefits of business intelligence. Read Now
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Article
Improving BI skills in small businesses
Small and midsize businesses should prepare business intelligence deployments by "skilling up" on both the user and IT sides. Read Now
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Article
Power View provides new looks for SQL Server BI
Consultant and tech writer Robert Sheldon discusses the capabilities of Microsoft's Power View business intelligence tool, as well as its limitations. Read Now
3Self-service BI terminology
Learn about and review terms related to self-service business intelligence with this glossary.
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Definition
business intelligence (BI)
Business intelligence (BI) is a technology-driven process for analyzing data and presenting actionable information to help executives, managers and other corporate end users make informed business decisions. Read Now
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Definition
collaborative BI (collaborative business intelligence)
Collaborative BI (collaborative business intelligence) is the merging of business intelligence software with collaboration tools, including social and Web 2.0 technologies, to support improved data-driven decision making. Read Now
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Definition
data mining
Data mining is the process of sorting through large data sets to identify patterns and establish relationships to solve problems through data analysis. Read Now
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Definition
data warehouse
A data warehouse is a federated repository for all the data collected by an enterprise's various operational systems, be they physical or logical. Read Now
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Definition
extract, transform, load (ETL)
In managing databases, extract, transform, load (ETL) refers to three separate functions combined into a single programming tool. Read Now
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Definition
mobile location analytics (MLA)
Mobile location analytics is a method used by retailers to track the movements of shoppers throughout their stores. Read Now
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Definition
self-service business intelligence (BI)
Self-service business intelligence (BI) is an approach to data analytics that enables business users to access and work with corporate data even if they do not have a background in statistical analysis, BI or data mining. Read Now
4SQL Server self-service BI quiz
Test your knowledge of self-service BI and how it pertains to SQL Server with this brief quiz.