business-intelligenceWe often talk about the benefits of implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for your business. From improved processes to quicker response times and real-time data shared with everyone, an ERP system can be just what your organization needs to take your business to the next level. However, a major yet often overlooked aspect of ERP is something that can improve your future as well as your current status; Business Intelligence.
WHAT IS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE?
Business Intelligence (BI) is an ERP feature or software which has the potential to allow organizations to make better and more precise business decisions by providing real-time data about the comings-and-goings of your day to day business practices, such as purchase orders and inventory levels and even employee schedules. It is not just for senior management either, but also for companies to use on an enterprise-wide basis. Many employees have to make lots of important decisions on a daily basis. Some may be small and varied while their managers make a few big and strategic decisions. Therefore, BI needs to be available or expanded for all the employees to use.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BI
Providing Business Intelligence Software gives employees access to “timely information” so they can perform their tasks faster and make smarter, better decisions. But having too much access to this information may cause some obstacles for certain employees, especially if provided without direction or training. For example, if employees get unlimited access to all the information that their organization has then it would be hard for the HR department to check employees collected data without avoiding personally identifiable information. This is why it is important to set up user roles and permissions for each department, so that non-relevant or even sensitive data is not spread around the company.
Many employees will need training on how to use their BI software in order for them to perform tasks such as generating reports, instead of calling in the IT person to do it for them. This is why it is important to select an ERP or standalone BI software that has this user-friendly capability built in. It would also be prudent to choose BI features that include mobile utilization (such as smartphone and tablet access), so that the modern “in the field” employee can reap the benefits of this information without being tied to a desk.
By providing BI insights to all of your employees, you are giving them the tools and data they need to make quick, informed decisions that will prevent mistakes and improve your business.