:: THIS WEEK ::
Combining BI with location intelligence means far more than just mapping where your customers live, according to Timothy Pletcher, director of applied research at Central Michigan University Research Corp. Here's just one example of layering location with business analytics: Companies can look at characteristics in a successful market and find similar markets in other locations ripe with opportunity. Who knew those college statistics classes could be so handy?
:: PREVIOUS HEADLINES ::
Though information on the go seems to be all the rage, the kinds of business analytics offered by BI systems don't really lend themselves to the tiny screens of mobile devices, according to independent analyst Nigel Pendse. He says people who need such information likely don't travel much or at least could view it on a laptop.
While many companies derive benefits from business intelligence, they don't always find it easy to quantify them, says Lyndsay Wise, principal of Wise Analytics. Her suggestion: Start with a small and specific goal for a BI initiative, and then build on that success.
Because BI tools are becoming more inclusive, the need for more granular security solutions has also arisen. But Quocirca's Clive Longbottom says discrete security solutions at the application, database and transaction layers won't quite do it. A 'holistic' security approach is best.
