Consider that the basic intent of technology is to gather, compile, share and analyze information. No matter the system or network, the purpose is always the same – get the information to the customer, supplier, partner, stakeholder or team member so that they can complete a task, make a purchase, make a decision or solve a problem.
In the rapidly changing technology market, it is nearly impossible to anticipate the new tools you will need or to navigate the existing systems and solutions you have without losing focus. With an intuitive, self-serve analytical environment, an enterprise can easily integrate, gather, compile, share and analyze data to identify trends and patterns, measure success in the market, and better serve customers, without worrying about silo systems or disparate data. That integrated experience can be extended throughout the enterprise without worrying about platforms or proprietary software constraints. To achieve technology independence the business must take the time to define detailed requirements and select the appropriate business intelligence tool, and corporate performance management solution. With true BI integration, the company can leverage Balanced Scorecards, Personalized Dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Forecasting (Predictive Analysis), What If Sensitivity Analysis, Crosstab OLAP Analysis, Graphical OLAP, Exception Reporting and Alerts, Easily Customized Reports, a Publishing and Delivery Agent, and Cube Management without having to worry about expensive integration and user training, or about lengthy or complex implementation cycles.
A business that places the power of concise information in the hands of its employees is going to achieve competitive advantage in the market and ensure better ROI and TCO for existing systems and solutions, as well as better user adoption. Many companies use skilled consultants for BI implementation and management of the system, but there are great, affordable BI tools that allow users with average skills to create reports and personalize dashboard software to meet their individual needs. If a business can access disparate data sources using an intuitive BITool without employing IT professionals or analysts or vendors, that business can enable true technology independence. Managers and average users can employ BI without assistance and with very little training. The business can accommodate upgrades and patches and add new applications or data sources without technology constraints.
In summary, the concept of technology independence and enterprise IT freedom need not involve reinventing the IT environment. It is possible for an enterprise to protect its IT investments, now and in the future and, at the same time, provide a self-serve, integrated business intelligence tool to improve user empowerment and accountability and make data accessible and available, across the enterprise, and in a mobile environment.
