Integrating BI Into Retail IT Environments

Before any BI solution can be implemented, the IT environment in which it will reside and extract raw data must be developed.

Common Analytical Layer

Regardless of what POS, Retail Management of BI systems are considered, without a common analytical layer across the enterprise, their effectiveness is limited.

A common analytical platform that translates data into consistent, actionable information can help retailers fully leverage their data and improve performance in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

This is the future of retail, and those whom chose to ignore BI as a strategic approach, will undoubtedly be left behind.

New Retail BI Architecture

Web based analytical applications provide reporting and analysis at the front-lines where store managers and other decision makers can quicky ascertain performance issues and act quickly on the information. This creates a collaborative enviornment where executives, analysts and shop managers can work together for rapid performance improvement, and competitive strength.

By working towards a Business Intelligence Architecture that utilizes common databases and end-user applications, retail organizations will be able to deliver the various information needs. This architecture spans across all transactional systems, which feed it with data. The architecture typically consists of three layers:

1. A Relational Database Layer - supports meta-data and more granular-level information for detailed analysis.
2. An Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) Database Layer - provides high speed access to summarized information supporting user initiated modeling and planning.
3. A Delivery Layer - common interfaces across the enterprise that provide easy access to the underlying data.

Next: Implementating a Retail BI System

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