We live in an era of data, a time where our modern, paperless systems have given rise to a different form of digital clutter. While digital clutter is more environmentally friendly, it can be just as chaotic and challenging to navigate.

As someone who occasionally struggles to keep my personal computer organized, consider the greater challenge faced by businesses dealing with extensive digital management processes like diagnostic reports, financial analyses, payroll calculations, sales records, and more.

This is where Business Intelligence (BI) steps in. BI focuses on transforming all that data into actionable insights- like gathering raw ingredients from your pantry, fridge, freezer, and perhaps picking up items from the store, then transforming them into a meal. BI tools gather data from all aspects of your business and convert it into clear insights that offer a snapshot of your business’s current state helping you make effective decisions.

This is crucial for any business. While collecting data is important, effectively utilizing that data is a distinct challenge, and this is where BI comes in. But how can you achieve this? How can you successfully incorporate Business Intelligence into your business?

At Imperial Technology Partners, we emphasize four essential strategies that have assisted many businesses in transforming data from various sources into a practical tool:

• Identify: Determine where we need to collect data to make informed business decisions and achieve businesses goals.
• Create: Use the information to establish architecture and presentation formats that serve multiple functions, enabling decision-focused analyses.
• Develop: Improve data quality is improved through the creation of remediation roadmaps that enhance existing business analytics, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and reliability.
• Deliver: The analytic platforms that are developed work to deliver concise, key data that will clearly conveys intelligence and support operational and financial decision-making.

Business Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize a business. I’ve witness countless businesses spend numerous hours merely tracking basic elements like client information and simple sales transactions due to data fragmentation across multiple platforms.

While paperless offices free up desk and cabinet space, resist allowing them to consume your time and mental energy. Don’t  let your business become overwhelmed by its own data. Stay in control of your business, stay informed about ongoing activites, and leverage your data as an asset, not a hindrance.

To learn more about business intelligence and how it can help your business, check out our Business Intelligence service here.