Business data analytics has multiple variants, all working together for the optimization of production lines and sales channels for enterprise growth. Collecting and using data for business analytics is the cornerstone of successful organizations in any industry today.
A smart executive knows how to silo data for targeted analytics and later integrate analyses for executive cross-department management decisions. The selective approach is necessary as some business areas have common aspects and yet perform different functions. Such is the case between operational intelligence (OI) and business intelligence (BI), based on similar data sets but affecting different areas of the business.
What is the difference?
Operational business intelligence (OI) and business intelligence (BI) are both analytic tools using the same datasets for different aspects of the business and from different perspectives. What separates the two technologies is the timelines each works in. Business intelligence uses historical data to analyze past events preserved in financial reports, server logs, past industry analyses, and market reports to process and produce insights from past trends for future action.
Operational business intelligence, on the other hand, though using the same data sets, focuses on the present as events happen. The OI tools collect data from the ongoing operational functions in real-time and digest it to provide easy-to-understand information on its dashboard. This instant capability provides actionable business insights at critical times that keep business operations on track and eliminates downtimes. OI and BI still work together to create a solid foundation for the business, with OI handling emerging issues while BI reviews past events to form a broader view of the organization’s trajectory.
Operational intelligence provides a new dimension to the way business analytics are conducted, especially in today’s digital environment. Suddenly OI allows comprehensive data analysis on the fly while it is changing as operational applications continuously update feeds. OI enables business analysts to use live data for more accurate analysis as it also aids in predictive analytics. By subjecting the live data to MapReduce analysis, business executives can identify emerging business issues or potential business opportunities in a matter of seconds. Using various internet downloading speeds, OI paints a live picture right in front of you of what is happening across the organization and the implications for overall performance.
However, to exploit the full potential of operational intelligence, its best to combine it with business intelligence (BI) to work symbiotically. In this mutual collaboration, the OI solutions provide real-time data for analytics that drive day-to-day business activities and decisions. Business intelligence (BI), on the other hand, keeps track of the happenings, collecting and storing data for historical analysis that provides a comprehensive overview for long-term strategies. In this way, a business is covered fully in the present while still having a rearview mirror to learn from past experiences for future action.
Benefits of operational intelligence (OI)
Implementing operational intelligence in a business creates a competitive edge while enhancing performance all around. Better business decisions are easily made, and costly mistakes are avoided, as illustrated in the following benefits the system offers.
Competitive edge
OI processes data in real-time. It means business decisions are made on the fly to leverage emerging trends in the market. With advanced information, executives can plan for better prospects while preempting issues that could compromise performance. This state of preparedness provides a competitive edge over business rivals in the market with a positive effect on your bottom line.
Enhanced performance
OI provides real-time data that can be used to check process status for better planning in production, shipping, and inventory. With continuous reporting from the production line, you can improve performance metrics by reviewing processes while ensuring a constant supply of materials. A real-time status check oy your inventory ensures you do not suffer stock outage at the peak of a holiday season shopping.
Reduced costs
Legacy business intelligence systems can be prohibitively expensive, and installing one can substantially eat into your operating funds or the profits. However, one can cut costs by opting for equally efficient but affordable systems to serve data collection and analytics needs. Today, open-source technologies and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions are affordably available and are as good as proprietary systems. Installing one of these technologies will save you tons of money.
Preempt risk
Frequent or even the occasional disruption to business processes can be costly, especially for companies dealing in high-value or perishable goods. Having real-time visibility of the process allows for early detection of potential flashpoints leading to proactive intervention to keep the process flowing. The continuous OI updates also assist in the formulation of an effective preventive maintenance strategy to avoid costly downtimes when major breakdowns happen.
Simple implementation
Operational intelligence (OI) solutions come as purpose-built technologies that are easy to install and integrate into the existing digital infrastructure. The advanced OI system is also highly automated, making it user-friendly and easy to gain acceptance by workers. A simple installation and in-house training by the IT team should get it up running with minimum cost.
Benefits of business intelligence (BI)
Enhanced ROI
Business intelligence (BI) is designed to set metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) by which an organization’s strategy focuses on performance and better ROI. BI helps to identify lapses in business efficiency and areas for cost-cutting through better visibility of the supply chain and inventory. Provide analytics for the manufacturing process while measuring performance in production to max efficiency on the factory floor.
Eliminate waste
The BI systems look at past resource utilization and flag out areas of wastage for immediate attention. BI’s historical analysis will spot the root causes of the culpable defects for remedial action to eliminate wastage. With business intelligence, you can reduce staff and plant idle time, remove bottlenecks in the process to reduce gaps in the production flow, and forecast more accurately.
Identify potential opportunities
Business intelligence looks at past trends and picks up traits that can be used to forecast the organization’s prospects. The BI data on both customers and competition can provide indicators for new business opportunities to exploit. Reading market trends can also put you in pole position for emerging markets through early preparedness.