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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Governance, compliance, ethics in data mining: Separate but equal

  In the ethical mining and analysis of data, governance, compliance and ethics are mistakenly taken as one in the same. Data managers need to be aware of the critical differences. Continue Reading

• What data management challenges do analytics programs face?

  Expert Anne Marie Smith shares five reasons why organizations' analytics programs might fail and how a data management framework and other programs can help. Continue Reading

• Good analytics dashboards turn BI data into actionable info

  Design issues and new IT trends complicate the process of creating dashboards for business users. But when well-designed, they can help make companies more data-driven. Continue Reading

• Many businesses use BI reporting systems wrong, but they can improve

  Many businesses commit similar mistakes when creating BI reports. Consultant Mico Yuk offers tips to help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls. Continue Reading

• Apply data science models effectively, not just for their own sake

  Having data scientists build analytical models doesn't do much for an organization if the models don't help generate business benefits. Here are some ways to make sure they do. Continue Reading

• Big data users share their trying but winning analytics war stories

  The challenges encountered in deriving business benefits from big data are huge, but so are the rewards. Hadoop and related technologies are easing those challenges to the point where companies are willing to graduate from experimental to full-blown...Continue Reading

• Advanced analytics tools extract business value from big data

  Big data environments based on technologies such as Hadoop and Spark are being deployed more widely -- and the same goes for advanced analytics tools that can help organizations make effective use of the data flooding into those systems. In fact, ...Continue Reading

• Machine learning platform minimized Brexit fallout for investors

  The Brexit vote caused an enormous shock to the world's financial systems and cost investors a lot of money. But a data-driven strategy and machine learning tools helped some avoid the risks.Continue Reading

• Customer data analytics teams take on a more lawyerly look

  In some organizations, corporate lawyers are tasked with protecting data from analytics abuse. But they need to avoid tying the hands of data scientists.Continue Reading

• Self-service tools, data visualization software give BI a new look

  Self-service business intelligence and data visualization tools can make it easier for business users to analyze BI data. But there's a lot that needs to be done up front to make that happen.Continue Reading

• Balance innovation and governance with big data projects

  Analytics opportunities are booming, and surveys show big data projects are growing as well. In the new big data world, that should be exciting news for data scientists and business analysts itching to come up with ways to use all of the information...Continue Reading

• Setting the stage to effectively visualize data

  The piles of data gathered from business intelligence and analytics tools is of little use to BI, data management and IT teams if they don't have a good way to visualize the data. To put data to effective use, IT teams need to construct an ...Continue Reading

• Operational intelligence technologies are making real time a reality

  While many take the traditional route to business intelligence, forward-thinking companies are taking a more operational approach. By integrating BI and analytics, these companies are enabling improvements of business processes -- in real-time. ...Continue Reading

• Customer analysis a winning play for 'Candy Crush Saga' maker

  King Digital Entertainment was losing players of "Candy Crush Saga" at an early stage in the online game -- a problem it solved with help from a customer data analytics project.Continue Reading

• Analytics in sports gets growing front-office role

  Sports teams have been adopting analytics tools to improve in-game performance for years, but now some are also focusing on using data analysis to boost their business operations.Continue Reading

• Education analytics project helps Marist, students make the grade

  Federal regulators are threatening to crack down on underperforming colleges. Marist College is using analytics to help students succeed -- and make sure it stays off the government's list.Continue Reading

• Strategies for finding analytics skills, despite the shortage

  The shortage of skilled analytics professionals is well documented, but SAS conference attendees said businesses that know where to look can find, or develop, the skills they need.Continue Reading

• Temporal data reality: In BI, time is of the essence

  To fully understand their analytics data, organizations need to incorporate temporal data capabilities into data warehouses and business intelligence systems, consultant Barry Devlin says.Continue Reading

• Balance required between big data volume, analytics needs

  Many businesses implementing big data analytics applications focus on the size of their data sets, when what they should really focus on is whether they have the right data.Continue Reading

• Social media sentiment analysis helps investors place bond bets

  Sentiment analysis based on social media data can be tricky to pull off, but Capital Market Exchange is using it to provide insights on the corporate bond market to investment managers.Continue Reading

• Managing big data: The two biggest mistakes companies make

  Many organizations are setting their big data analytics efforts up for failure by plunging ahead without proper planning upfront, says book author Keith B. Carter.Continue Reading

• Managing privacy in the age of big data

  Businesses that overlook privacy in the age of big data do so at their own peril. Commentators say greater respect for privacy is needed.Continue Reading

• Sounders coach shows way ahead for analytics in sports

  The Seattle Sounders fitness coach is taking sports analytics into uncharted territory and scoring some big wins along the way.Continue Reading

• TDWI attendees explain how to do analytics in healthcare

  Analytics in healthcare is not impossible. TDWI Executive Summit attendees in Boston explained how it can be done. Also, location analytics is getting more attention.Continue Reading

• How to speed up analytics in healthcare

  Attendees at the TDWI conference in Boston explain how they are speeding up analytics in healthcare.Continue Reading

• Provider uses health analytics to improve patient care

  One community health center was not content with the quality of care it was delivering, so it decided to do something about it with help from health analytics.Continue Reading

• Design a business intelligence system properly -- for business users

  Rick Sherman explains how to avoid common mistakes when planning and designing BI systems, saying that the varying needs of different business users must be front and center.Continue Reading

• Adoption of analytics in healthcare faces hurdles

  Analytics in healthcare is a hot topic, but providers need to get their infrastructure on more solid footing before moving forward with adoption.Continue Reading

• Data battle rides on big data systems, executive awareness

  Consultant Rick van der Lans says data is now a competitive differentiator -- and companies looking for an edge need top management that understands big data technologies.Continue Reading

• Talking Data podcast: Predictive modeling techniques

  Predictive modeling is more than a math problem. This Talking Data podcast looks at it from the business and technology perspectives.Continue Reading

• BI architecture needs extensions to meet new analytics demands

  Claudia Imhoff and Colin White outline a business intelligence environment designed to accommodate existing data warehouses and new technologies.Continue Reading

• R language well-suited to analytical data sampling and manipulations

  Analytics expert Mark Whitehorn explains the strengths of R and how to determine if the open source programming language fits your analytics purposes.Continue Reading

• Big data implementation checklist for analytics project managers

  Consultant Rick Sherman details a series of steps that he says organizations should take to set their big data analytics programs on the right path.Continue Reading

• Three common business intelligence training mistakes to avoid

  Expert Brian Jordan discusses three common mistakes that BI teams make when training business users and offers advice on how to avoid them.Continue Reading

• Businesses look for tech solutions to big data security issues

  The growing adoption of big data analytics applications is complicating data security challenges -- and creating a need for new security strategies.Continue Reading

• BI dashboards need measured approach on data visualizations

  Getting too flashy with graphics in business intelligence dashboards can confuse users -- and send data visualization programs down the wrong path.Continue Reading

• Tips on building an analytics infrastructure from scratch -- quickly

  Creating an analytics architecture out of thin air may seem like a daunting task, but it can help make businesses more competitive in a hurry.Continue Reading

• Tweet jam offers tips on finding big data skills, managing projects

  In our #TalkingBigData tweet jam, big data experts Boris Evelson and Wayne Eckerson tackled issues such as the lack of big data skills in companies.Continue Reading

• Talking Data Feb. 3: Data scientist salary survey and analytics trends

  An O'Reilly Media survey on data scientist salaries reflects a strong demand for skilled analytics workers. Get details in this podcast discussion.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

• Most businesses think small when it comes to data mining techniques

  Many businesses are in the process of developing data mining techniques, but a few tips can help them reach higher levels of success.Continue Reading

• Data discovery tools open up new opportunities for marketers

  Big data is opening up a world of new opportunities to marketers. Data discovery tools can help them take advantage.Continue Reading

• Self-service analytics helps marketers overcome shortage of data pros

  All industries are having a hard time finding enough skilled data workers, but marketers see self-service analytics tools as a potential solution.Continue Reading

• Healthcare provider embraces BI reports to outpace reforms

  The Community Health Access Network is using SAP business intelligence software to keep up with changes in the healthcare industry.Continue Reading

• Medical group uses governance to enrich business intelligence reports

  Governance is the special sauce in developing business intelligence reports. Users say it should be a major focus of any BI project.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

• Coca-Cola overcomes challenges to seize BI opportunities

  The Coca-Cola Co. understands that analytics challenges can be overcome and that a team approach helps businesses take advantage of BI opportunities.Continue Reading

• Experts discuss best practices for business intelligence success

  Teamwork is one of the most important best practices for business intelligence implementations, said speakers at the TDWI BI Executive Summit.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

• Four factors to weigh in planning an analytics big data architecture

  Consultant Lyndsay Wise details four key elements to consider when planning a big data infrastructure to ensure it will support your analytics needs.Continue Reading

• No more shortcuts: Sound data quality strategy a must for BI success

  In the past, companies might have gotten away with not building data quality efforts into business intelligence programs. That's less likely now.Continue Reading

• BI architect has new options to meet growing data, analytics demands

  Designing a business intelligence architecture that can meet the expanding needs of BI users is an exercise in finding the right combination of tools.Continue Reading

• Tagged.com solves data quality problems on road to better analysis

  For Tagged.com, a data quality project led the company to realize excellent data means more than having the correct information.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

• Business intelligence management should mostly be about the business

  The best way to manage BI projects is to involve business users in everything, from defining needs to creating reports and dashboards, analysts say.Continue Reading

• Social media analytics tools offer customer insights, but care needed

  While analyzing social media data can yield valuable information, consultants caution that the process is still a complex and inexact science.Continue Reading

• Data quality issues still plaguing data analytics projects

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• 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

• Expanding your business intelligence architecture to mobile devices

  Get tips on expanding a business intelligence architecture to support mobile devices and mobile BI software. Find out about the BI capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of mobile devices.Continue Reading

• Data quality still a major hurdle for analytics programs

  Attendees at SAS’ Analytics 2011 Conference Series said data quality is still creating some major headaches for analysts.Continue Reading

• Business intelligence trends affecting the BI market, industry

  Learn about some business intelligence trends that are affecting the BI market and BI industry. Learn about packaged analytics software and agile BI.Continue Reading

• Why pervasive BI is a big deal for business intelligence users

  Why is pervasive BI such a big deal? Read what one expert says and learn why pervasive business intelligence is important for the future of companies.Continue Reading

• The basics of improving BI performance

  Find some basic ways of improving BI performance at your company. Learn about in-memory analytics, columnar databases and how data aggregation affects BI performance.Continue Reading

• Which users can benefit from BI dashboards and scorecards?

  Are businesses deploying business intelligence dashboards and scorecards to workers other than managers and senior executives? Learn about high-level dashboards and who gets use out of dashboards and scorecards.Continue Reading

• How to leverage agile BI to help your BI architecture

  Learn how to leverage agile BI to help with your business intelligence architecture. Find out why you should split your BI architecture into two categories -- data integration and BI applications.Continue Reading

• What is social media analytics software, and what does it do?

  Learn the basics of what social media analytics software is and how it and text analytics can benefit companies. Get a definition of and use case for social media analytics.Continue Reading

• Customer data you should collect for your customer analytics program

  Every piece of customer data you can collect is potentially important to your customer analytics program, according to customer data analytics expert Richard Snow. Find out why.Continue Reading

• The real benefits of CPM and financial performance management software

  There are benefits to CPM and financial performance management software beyond faster budgeting and financial reporting. Learn about using CPM software to improve effectiveness.Continue Reading

• The most effective form of Excel spreadsheet management for BI, CPM

  Get advice on proper Excel spreadsheet management for BI and CPM projects in your organization. Learn when spreadsheets should be used for business analytics – and when not.Continue Reading

• How important is it to make sure our CPM tools are up to date?

  CPM tools can be very beneficial to organizations. And what matters most isn’t the version of your CPM software but how you use it, says a corporate performance management expert.Continue Reading

• Analytics and integration software for collecting customer data

  If you’re collecting customer data for analysis, learn about options such as data integration technology and third-party systems for collecting customer data from external sources.Continue Reading

• Biggest business intelligence (BI) problem: overloading data

  What’s the biggest BI problem companies keep running into? Overloading data at the expense of functionality, says an expert. Find out how to avoid this common BI problem.Continue Reading

• The real deal on agile business intelligence (BI)

  There’s a lot of confusion about agile business intelligence (BI). Get an expert’s take on what agile BI really is and if it’s a valid BI development strategy or just a buzzword.Continue Reading

• Is your company primed for social media analytics?

  Are some companies primed to get more use out of social media analytics than others are? Find out, plus learn how a social media analytics strategy compares to BI strategies.Continue Reading

• The real value of mobile business intelligence (BI)

  Thinking about adding mobile business intelligence (BI) tools to your BI and analytics strategy? Find out where the real value of mobile BI resides and get real-world examples.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

• Key roles and responsibilities of a business intelligence team

  Learn about the primary roles and responsibilities of a business intelligence team, and find out how a company’s BI team and data management team work together on BI projects.Continue Reading

• Tips on how to properly use Excel for business intelligence projects

  Learn how to properly use Excel for business intelligence projects, including advice on governing and securing your data sources and putting data governance processes in place.Continue Reading

• New technology driving operational business intelligence’s growth

  More companies are moving toward the concept of operational business intelligence (BI). Learn how technologies such as in-memory analytics are driving adoption of operational BI.Continue Reading

• Survey: Poor data quality most common business intelligence problem

  Poor data quality topped the list of most common obstacles standing between companies and successful business intelligence deployments, according to the BI Survey 9.Continue Reading

• Seven aspects of a successful business intelligence (BI) architecture

  Knowing what makes for a successful business intelligence (BI) architecture can help you plan and expand your current BI system. Learn what your BI architecture should include.Continue Reading

• What to keep in mind when expanding a business intelligence platform

  If you’re looking to expand your existing business intelligence platform or system, make sure you keep these important concepts in mind before launching a new BI project.Continue Reading

• Is there such a thing as a user-friendly ad hoc query tool for BI?

  Can you find a user-friendly BI tool for ad hoc queries? Read what a BI expert thinks about ad hoc query tool needs and the BI software sold by business intelligence vendors.Continue Reading

• Five key BI business requirements questions that need answering

  If you’re about to embark on a business intelligence (BI) initiative, you need to get answers to these BI business requirements questions to make sure you find the right BI platform.Continue Reading

• Think twice before jumping on the BI consolidation bandwagon

  Have lots of business intelligence (BI) tools and software? Think that starting a BI consolidation project and axing some of those BI applications is the way to go? Think twice.Continue Reading

• Three steps for demonstrating the benefits of business intelligence

  Read our expert’s tips and advice on showing the business benefits of business intelligence (BI) and justifying proposed spending on new BI systems and BI applications.Continue Reading

• Expectation management pivotal to managing your BI program

  If you’re looking to formalize your business intelligence (BI) program, you’ll need to have great expectation management skills. Establish a sustainable BI program with these tips.Continue Reading

• Educating management on the value of business intelligence programs

  Get expert tips on educating upper management on the value of business intelligence (BI) programs by positioning BI as an enabler of strategic business goals and objectives.Continue Reading

• Should we purchase CPM software from our BI vendor?

  Should you purchase CPM software from your business intelligence vendor? Get our expert’s advice, and find out if CPM-BI software integration is the most critical consideration.Continue Reading

• Tips for choosing KPI dashboard metrics and business metrics

  Get advice and tips for choosing business metrics and key performance indicator (KPI) dashboard metrics to track with your corporate performance management (CPM) system.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

• Who should run the business intelligence evaluation process in SMBs?

  Find out who should run the business intelligence evaluation and implementation process in small and medium-sized businesses and if a BI Center of Excellence is the answer.Continue Reading

• Who should own customer analytics for best results?

  What department or group should own customer analytics for best results? Get an expert’s take on customer data analytics ownership and find out who needs to take part in the ownership for success.Continue Reading

• Developing a retail customer analytics strategy and plan

  Learn how to develop a retail customer analytics strategy and plan with tips from our customer analytics expert. Learn about identifying data sources and measuring performance metrics.Continue Reading

• Improve customer data analytics: Tips for using metrics, technologies

  Get expert tips for leveraging customer data analytics, and read some examples of common mistakes that companies have made, including a analytics case study.Continue Reading

• Expert advice for developing a customer data analytics program

  Find out what it takes to develop an effective customer data analytics program with expert advice on how to structure resources to achieve the best results.Continue Reading

• Customer data analytics best practices from top performers

  Find out the best practices in customer data analytics employed by top-performing companies, and get advice on effectively leveraging analytics for improved customer experience and the bottom line.Continue Reading

• Exploiting the value of customer data with analytics

  Find out how customer data analytics helps organizations improve customer experience, service and sales – and learn more about what’s possible with customer data analytics today.Continue Reading

• Conducting a project postmortem after data management project failure

  Are project managers responsible for data management project failure? Find out what a project management consultant says, plus learn the value of doing a project postmortem.Continue Reading

• Tips and advice for creating a business intelligence (BI) team

  Is your company creating a business intelligence (BI) team? Find out if your BI staff should be internal or if you should outsource your BI help, with tips from a project management expert.Continue Reading