Do We Need Business Intelligence? We have ERP!
ERP is BI... no?
So your company has an ERP system and you’re thinking that you don’t need to upgrade to business intelligence software such as Tableau. The thing with ERP systems however is that they generate lots of data but not a lot of information that leads to actionable decisions. Typically in an ERP system, spreadsheets and databases will exist in different data sources making comparable analysis difficult if not impossible.
ERP and BI, should they be separate?
In a bid to facilitate intra-communication of data sources, one solution is to opt for a single vendor to provide all of a firm’s enterprise systems. The only problem with that is that the company becomes totally dependent on one provider and any upgrades to the system are in the hands of the provider. ERP reporting limitation and manual processes can also severely limit the uses of spreadsheets particular in terms of information visibility and achieve compliance.
Excel is not Business Intelligence
Accountants, for example, often struggle for weeks to consolidate reports from multiple branches within the organization as changes to the branch level reports need to be made at that level with an ERP system. If then, something changes at one branch, this has a ripple effect throughout the system and the process must begin again. In essence, spreadsheets are fragile documents and total control is typically entrusted to one person. But one change can cause such spiralling effects throughout the system of spreadsheets that it’s easy for that person to break out in a sweat at the simplest request for changes.
And Tableau is not excel but more
And total flexibility is not guaranteed by spreadsheets so if the CEO asks for a breakdown of a key figure, a simple request by any standard, very often that can take time. All of these issues and more are eradicated by the implementation of business intelligence software such as Tableau.
If you would like more information about business intelligence software and how it can improve your in house reporting processes, contact MXI today.
Take Our Business Intelligence Quiz
If you're an executive, IT director or have a stake in the deployment and usage of BI within your business, take our business intelligence strategy quiz to test your knowledge on business intelligence. It will only take a few minutes of your time, and to sweeten the deal even further, we're offering one lucky respondent the opportunity to get their hands on an Apple iPad.
