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Business intelligence best practices

• Ethical data collection in the spotlight over new regulations

  New regulations have put data privacy top of mind for many consumers. Here's a look at how businesses can incorporate ethical data collection -- and even benefit from it. Continue Reading

• The data science pathway demands continued learning

  With the advent of open source coding languages and the expansion of online courses, the pathway to becoming a data scientist has never been easier. Continue Reading

• How to improve data scientist job satisfaction

  Hiring data scientists is tough. Keeping them is tougher. However, there are certain things companies can do to minimize the high cost of turnover within their data science team. Continue Reading

• 5 ways enterprises adapt to the data scientist shortage

  Where are all the data scientists? Coping with the data scientist shortage is a struggle for many enterprises. Here are five ways to effectively manage with the shortage. Continue Reading

• Augmented data analytics overshadows traditional BI process

  Automated functionality is being added to BI software to help users find and analyze data. This handbook looks at the benefits and challenges of augmented analytics. Continue Reading

• Expert urges data pros to hone data science skills

  IT expert William McKnight shares job tips for data professionals looking to prosper in a changing enterprise. His first piece of advice: continually foster data science skills.Continue Reading

• Automated predictive analytics tools spawn wannabe scientists

  They don't own the same depth of data science skills, but automated predictive analytics tools hatch a new breed of 'data scientists' who can produce actionable predictive models.Continue Reading

• Building a data science team in today's data-centric climate

  Finding and training data scientists to build a data science team can be challenging. But in a recent webinar, a Gartner analyst offered tips on how to do it.Continue Reading

• Data-driven business models lead the way forward

  Good instincts used to drive successful business strategies, but intuition just can't cut it in the age of big data.Continue Reading

• Predictive analytics tools hinge on good data, business expertise

  Predictive analytics helps businesses maintain a competitive edge, but only with the right data. And even then, the most advanced analytics tools can't replace expertise.Continue Reading

• Traditional BI helps hospitals cope with shifting payment plans

  Hospitals are leveraging traditional BI systems to help them negotiate the shifting terrain around insurance payment programs.Continue Reading

• Hike use of business intelligence via the Eisenhower Matrix

  IT managers must work closely with the business to increase the number of people using BI tools in companies -- and a time management framework bearing the name of Dwight Eisenhower can help.Continue Reading

• Selecting the right BI analytics tool

  Industry-analyst product reviews can be a good source of introductory research, but these reviews can be fruitless endeavors. Often, the result is purchasing a software product that owns the most bells and whistles but really doesn't fill the need. ...Continue Reading

• Business use cases can determine the best BI analytics platform

  When determining the right BI analytics tool, it's important not to get caught up with the product's features. It's better to check out the data your business users are going to analyze and how they'll go about doing it, so you can provide them with...Continue Reading

• New BI tools present tough decisions

  BI vendors are trying to develop competitive niches for their products, but the trend is further fragmenting the technology market.Continue Reading

• Loshin: Self-service technology helps bring BI into CRM programs

  Consultant David Loshin explains the business benefits that self-service BI tools can provide to help users circumvent IT challenges in CRM analytics.Continue Reading

• Swim with the tides of change to visualize data -- and decisions

  Completing a three-part series on his blue ocean strategy for decision visualization, Lee Feinberg explains how you can take decision making to the next level by giving more people access to business intelligence and data visualization capabilities.Continue Reading

• DIY BI: A guide to self-service business intelligence implementation

  The articles in this guide discuss self-service BI's potential benefits and offer tips for successful deployment and management of self-service tools.Continue Reading

• Data visualization software deserves a deep look before buying

  Data visualization tools can present information to business users in easy-to-grasp formats. But it isn't a pretty picture if you buy the wrong one.Continue Reading

• BI and analytics tools top list of planned 2014 software initiatives

  TechTarget's IT Priorities Survey shows that business intelligence, analytics and data warehousing projects are the top software priority this year.Continue Reading

• The network is the database -- and that complicates data integration

  Data has become highly distributed, as have business users. Data integration processes need to change to keep up, says consultant Rick van der Lans.Continue Reading

• Distributed data needs integrating, but is centralization the answer?

  Consultant Rick van der Lans says that centralizing the data integration process might not be the optimal way to deal with distributed data.Continue Reading

• Data virtualization tools move integration processing to the data

  Data virtualization software is a good fit for integrating distributed data, says Rick van der Lans. But it needs to be in tune with your network.Continue Reading

• Self-service analytics tools have value, carry risks

  There are risks to be aware of when business users take responsibility for self-service business intelligence, but there are ways to mitigate them.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Integrating and securing BI mobile apps

  BI mobile apps are no longer the next big thing. They should be a key factor in any business's overall information strategy.Continue Reading

• Six misconceptions about deploying BI applications and systems

  Faulty project management assumptions can limit the effectiveness of business intelligence tools. Don't let them lower your return on BI investments.Continue Reading

• Dashboard development and data visualization tools for effective BI

  The articles in this guide deliver business intelligence dashboard design tips and explore the use of data visualization tools for big data analytics.Continue Reading

• Collaboration is key to business intelligence tool implementations

  Business units and IT departments aren't always on the same page, but they need to be in order to successfully implement business intelligence tools.Continue Reading

• Path on predictive analytics tools needs light from business beacons

  This article details the importance of properly defining the aims of a predictive analytics program and aligning them with business goals.Continue Reading

• Mobile BI tools, trends and best practices guide

  This guide offers a one-stop resource on mobile business intelligence, featuring mobile BI news and trend stories, case studies, analysis and advice.Continue Reading

• Making mobile BI applications a reality: Key steps to take

  In a podcast, BI expert William McKnight discusses best practices and action items for managing deployments of mobile business intelligence tools.Continue Reading

• Wixom: BI applications need visual appeal

  Business intelligence teams should upgrade their visual design skills to create winning applications for BI users, says IT professor Barbara Wixom.Continue Reading

• Mobile business intelligence applications: Not just a pretty interface

  Back-end factors such as network performance and server hardware are key elements of building an effective mobile business intelligence architecture.Continue Reading

• Growing use of mobile BI apps sparks need to downsize designs

  Mobile business intelligence adds new challenges for BI teams, especially in designing apps. Don't overdo it on data, say BI managers and analysts.Continue Reading

• New business intelligence application to-do items: Sharp design, 'fun'

  Eye-catching designs, gamification and other new techniques are being tapped to make business intelligence applications more enticing to end users.Continue Reading

• The buzz: Social media analytics tools a must for many

  No doubt you've heard the term social media analytics -- it's the gathering and exploring of social media data. Do you need to invest now? It depends.Continue Reading

• Dashboard tools lighten burdens on business users, but not BI teams

  Building effective business intelligence dashboards can be a difficult task. Make sure you're ready to get the most out of your BI dashboard software.Continue Reading

• Managing multiple BI tools doesn't have to be so hard

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• Mobile BI apps move up the corporate priority list

  The growing use of tablet PCs and smartphones is spurring demand for mobile business intelligence capabilities from end users. Are you ready?Continue Reading

• Don't let calls for mobile BI tools drown out the business case

  End users increasingly want to run business intelligence applications on mobile devices. But mobile BI investments need to be justified, analysts say.Continue Reading

• Practical approach, not dazzle, needed on mobile BI applications

  To be successful, mobile business intelligence projects must provide useful capabilities, not just cool-looking apps, BI managers and analysts say.Continue Reading

• IT bottlenecks drive data visualization tool purchases

  Allstate, Autodesk, MGM Resorts and Great Western Bank share the secrets to data visualization tools’ success.Continue Reading

• Don't drop ball on using data analytics tools -- 'big' or otherwise

  Analytics software can provide big benefits to organizations -- or trip up the unwary. Before you get started, make sure your company is ready to reap the rewards and avoid the roadblocks.Continue Reading

• Cryptic BI software prices need decoding, observers say

  BI software vendors tend to keep price lists close to the vest, but analysts and consultants offer a few tricks to help businesses prepare for the negotiating table.Continue Reading

• Managing multiple BI tools doesn't have to be so hard

  A multi-tool business intelligence environment may be the norm, but it’s not the ideal. Learn steps you can take to reduce the complexity and increase the effectiveness of your BI installation.Continue Reading

• Top five biggest business intelligence (BI) software stories of 2011

  From the explosion of "big data" analytics to data quality issues plaguing business intelligence (BI) programs to data mining privacy concerns, there was no shortage of must-read BI stories in 2011.Continue Reading

• It’s a schizophrenic time for Web analytics tools, research shows

  The onslaught of social media and mobile devices is thrusting Web analytics into a situation somewhere between maturity and evolution, according to a new report.Continue Reading

• How Hadoop and open source BI software affect BI architecture

  There’s been a lot of talk about Hadoop and open source BI software. Find out how the open source technologies affect business intelligence architecture and BI development.Continue Reading

• Business case for real-time BI tools rests on data-access speed needs

  Justifying investments in real-time business intelligence systems depends on demonstrating the business value of faster decision-making capabilities, according to analysts and IT pros.Continue Reading

• From the Editors: What we all learned about BI tools in high school

  There's a school of thought that business intelligence is akin to the scientific method. Revisit science class and see how BI is helping companies test their business hypotheses.Continue Reading

• An introduction to business intelligence and today’s BI tools

  Get an introduction to business intelligence (BI) and today’s BI tools and software. Learn about enabling enterprise BI and setting realistic expectations for a BI project.Continue Reading

• Using predictive analytics tools and setting up an analytics program

  Get tips and advice from consultant Rick Sherman on selecting and using predictive analytics tools, creating predictive models and setting up a predictive analytics program.Continue Reading

• Open source BI tools capable of taking on traditional BI vendors

  Find out whether open source BI tools can compete with BI software from the leading business intelligence vendors. And learn which users are best suited for open source BI.Continue Reading

• Setting key performance indicators can boost BI software user adoption

  By focusing on just a handful of key performance indicators (KPIs), execs at York Wallcovering dramatically increased BI user adoption and saved millions.Continue Reading

• Collaborative decision making software: The future of BI?

  Newly emerging collaborative decision making software platforms should help ensure that BI deployments really do lead to better business decisions.Continue Reading

• Healthcare BI software in action: real-world examples, best practices

  Read about real-world healthcare BI software uses and get up to speed on healthcare business intelligence best practices and the challenges facing users of BI tools in healthcare.Continue Reading

• Business intelligence challenges for departments implementing BI tools

  Learn about business intelligence (BI) challenges that can occur when departments implement their own BI tools, and find out if there’s anything you can do to minimize the issues.Continue Reading

• How to overcome the downsides of on-demand and SaaS BI software

  Read about roadblocks that can stop SaaS BI software deployments, and get advice on avoiding them and using on-demand business intelligence tools to support pervasive BI rollouts.Continue Reading

• SaaS business intelligence (BI) software, technology and market guide

  Get up to speed on SaaS business intelligence software and technology, plus learn about recent developments in the SaaS BI and BI on demand market.Continue Reading

• What is required to run business intelligence analysis applications?

  Find out what hardware and software is required to run business intelligence analysis applications and what BI platforms can do for the business.Continue Reading

• Integrating BI and BPM software can improve business process reporting

  The addition of business intelligence (BI) capabilities to BPM software could make the automation of business processes more intelligent and, ultimately, more efficient.Continue Reading

• Choosing BI software: Use your ERP vendor or go with third-party BI?

  Should you source business intelligence software from your ERP vendor or a third party? Find out how to make the choice with advice from Gartner, Forrester, AMR and other experts.Continue Reading

• Gartner: Which type of business intelligence software buyer are you?

  Not all business intelligence (BI) software buyers have the same requirements. Recognizing which type of buyer you are is the key to a successful BI deployment, Bill Hostmann says.Continue Reading

• What business intelligence tools are most important to learn today?

  Looking to get an education in business intelligence? Find out what BI tools and software you should study and what important concepts you should know. Also, find out what the top BI products are in today's market.Continue Reading

• Open source BI can extend functionality of commercial software in recession

  Companies should consider open source business intelligence (BI) software to extend the capabilities of their commercial BI platforms, analysts say.Continue Reading

• Project management tools and techniques for small business

  Is it important for small businesses to teach project management tools and techniques to software developers? Learn how the way a company develops applications can impacts business methodologies and what a waterfall model is.Continue Reading

• What are the best analytical tools for business intelligence for finance?

  Learn about business intelligence for finance, compare financial business intelligence tools and discover some of the best pattern matching and analytical tools for the financial services.Continue Reading

• Fielded applications of data mining and machine learning

  Discover the importance of data mining machine learning and find out about fielded applications of data mining and machine learning in this tutorial from the book Data Mining: Know it All.Continue Reading

• Donated business intelligence software helps nonprofits survive recession

  Nonprofits are turning to donated business intelligence software to improve operations and increase transparency and are relying on donated software.Continue Reading

• Self-service business intelligence tools failing to make headway at most organizations

  Data models that limit the analysis end users can perform is hampering self-service business intelligence adoption, according to Forrester Research. Columnar databases could change that.Continue Reading

• Application design for OLAP servers: Considerations and advice

  Before designing applications for your online analytical processing (OLAP) server, read this expert advice.Continue Reading

• Business intelligence applications: Secrets for success

  Learn three secrets to developing and optimizing successful business intelligence applications. Get best practices for structuring BI teams and managing business-IT communication.Continue Reading

• Virtualization software: Just what BI and data warehousing need

  Expert Rick Sherman explains why business intelligence and data warehouse projects can benefit from using virtualization software and following software development best practices.Continue Reading

• Business intelligence software deployments: Seven fatal flaws to avoid

  There are plenty of stories about failed business intelligence software deployment projects. Gartner analysts outlined the problems and solutions at the annual Gartner BI show.Continue Reading

• Prioritizing Healthcare Business Intelligence Applications

  There are special considerations when prioritizing business intelligence applications in a healthcare environment, but fortunately there are only a few important ones.Continue Reading