Business Intelligence Software

Business inteligence [BI] applications and tools are distinguished by:

1. The Solution Model
2. Solution Purpose or Focus
3. Bundle Components

BI Solution Models

There are 7 main business intelligence [BI] technology solution models:

1. Stand-Alone BI Tools - such as reporting, analytics, scorecards, dashboards
2. Packaged BI Suite Solutions - an integrated set of business intelligence tools
3. Integrated with DW - such as Teradata Active DW
4. Point Solutions - tools designed for a specific business need
5. BI Software as a Service [SaaS] - an on demand BI capability
6. Cloud Computing BI - a platform as a service offering
7. Open Source BI

BI Solutions By Purpose

Solutions are also found grouped around purpose:

• Reporting and Analysis - query, reporting and analysis tools, including enterprise dashboards
• Advanced analytics tools - data mining, statistics)
• Financial performance and strategy management applications - budgeting, planning, consolidation, profitability management, scorecards
• Operational Analytics for Supply Chain and Services -
• CRM applications - sales, customer service, contact center, marketing, website analytics, price optimization
• Workforce analysis applications

Many solutions are also focused around particular industry verticals.

BI Solution Capability Components

Regardless of how you chose to purchase your BI solution, the total Business Intelligence solution capability requires:

• BI Visualisation Tools - presentation layer of Dasboards, Scorecards, BI Portals, MS Office
• BI Software Applications - for tracking, analyzing and modeling data in support of decision-making processes. This includes CRM, profitability Analytics, BPM, RA, Campaign Management etc
• Data Warehouse - to store data
• Data Warehouse Management System - databases and DBA tools to manage data tables and configuration
• DW Platform - Server hosting the DW
• Data Tools - ETL [extract, transform and load], EII, ELT, Data Quality Tools
• Integration Tools - to connect application and platform components
• BI Program & Processes - operational connection to business process efficiency and decision making

Next: BI Solution Marketplace

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