Business Intelligence Case Study

- Postal Logistics Service

Key Business Requirement

As a postal service, the business is a ‘data rich’ entity. The logistics of both standard and courier postal management requires accurate, real time data that is easy for managers to read and retain. In addition, performance feedback is required as to the accuracy of data, along with weekly comments and forecasts.

Business Benefit

The weekly reporting information to senior management on a regular basis enables them to make key decisions that will affect the organisation's direction.

Existing Data Infrastructure

Data was maintained in an Oracle DataMart containing transport costs, claims and revenue transactions.

Solution

Considered

Proof of concepts were built by Applix TM1 and Cortell. This included the development of a weekly ‘profit and loss’ report, with the capability to drill-down through the information to individual transactions where required.

Accepted

Cortell - Front-end reports were designed and changed on the fly. Cortell was better able to manage dynamic reporting and, using TM1, changes to metadata and structures were more easily accomplished.

Solution Delivered

Data

• The model was designed and built using the data in the DataMart.
• With a large amount of data, the TM1 model extracts information from the DataMart on a weekly basis, or on demand. The process takes slightly less than an hour to complete. The upload of information is maintenance-free and structured as required.
• Approximately 30 geographically dispersed users access data relating to their area of business, using an enhanced security model.

Visualisation

• 14 customisable reports were developed with user options for drill down, for example by revenue line, based on customer, destination, courier, origin, product group, and product profile.
• Included was the capability to produce a complete profit and loss by any area of the organisation with full drill-through on any line item.
• Columns within the reports can also be selected, with choices including daily run rate; percentage of revenue; year-to-date total; and month-to-date total. This information can be returned virtually instantaneously.
• Forecasts are provided on a weekly basis.
• The solution provides information for the current week, as well as previous weeks’ reports.
• Managers are able to analyse this information, and provide online feedback by entering adjustments and comments. Depot, branch and regional adjustments could be collected and analysed.

Planned Next Step

Future development plans include the graphical provision of results through key performance indicators and dashboard models.

Business Feedback

Manager Operations Planning claims the solution provides "a user-friendly, multi-dimensional view of its business providing the framework for its managers to manage and understand their own business on a weekly basis.... to analyse their results and ensure they're meeting targets.”

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