The Importance of Data Visualization for Business Intelligence
Data visualization, or making pictorial representations of complex data, is essential for good business intelligence use. Data reports can feel overwhelming to many users. A selection of data visualization tools that enables users to transform raw numbers into pictures such as maps, graphs and charts can be invaluable for business planning.
Few people have the skills needed to look at big data reports and understand exactly what they are seeing at a glance. Some people are naturally inclined to understand pictures, graphs and charts rather than numbers. Data visualization within a BI system makes it easy to view data from different perspectives.
Today’s business intelligence systems offer modules and dashboards that make generating data visualization ‘stories’ or graphs, charts and maps nearly effortless. One click and you’ve got information at a glance.
Data Tells a Story
The data that lives within your business intelligence system tells an important story. Within those streams of facts lies important clues that can help you chart a course to improved profits, decreased costs, and gain competitive advantage.
But perceiving the story within the data can be like a foreign language to some. That’s where data visualization comes in handy. It translates data into big-picture stories that can be used to form strategic plans and more for your company.
Types of Data Visualization
Duke University defines seven types of data visualization. Not every business wants or needs all seven categories of data visualization, but many are useful for common industries using business intelligence systems.
- 2D Planar/Geospatial refers to maps. Maps are useful to see where your customers are located and whether there are any patterns or clusters of customers in specific parts of the country or the world. This type of data visualization can be used in decisions such as whether or not to open a branch office or warehouse in a particular area, or whether to add additional sales staff.
- Gantt Chart: Gantt Charts are used by project managers and business leaders to identify resources needed and to plan project timelines and personnel.
- Timelines: Timelines can be used to track the progress of shipments, manufacturing needs and more.
Other forms of data visualization include line graphs, scatterplot graphs, and various charts that transform raw numbers into pictorial representations. Depending on your needs, each of these data visualization tools may be an important part of your business planning.
Business Intelligence Software Saves Time
Most of us have made graphs and charts using common office software. If you have completed such a task, you know that they take time and are prone to user-based errors. In other words, it’s hard to get them right, and it’s even hard to program them to update automatically.
Not so when you add data visualization dashboards to business intelligence systems. These dashboards can update maps, Gantt charts, timelines, scatterplot graphs and other forms of data visualizations every time you run them. Best of all, once programmed they aren’t open to user errors. With one click, you’ve got a picture of your business.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. With the help of data visualization tools as part of your business intelligence system, you’ve got the start of a compelling story that can shape your business’ future.
The Right Business Intelligence Tools Get the Job Done
To solve the problems presented by integrating different systems, it helps to choose the right tool for the job. BAASS can help you identify the best business intelligence solution for your needs. We know that access to reliable data is critical to stay competitive in today’s challenging global market. We can help you overcome many of the data challenges your business faces. Contact BAASS today: 1-866-260-5302.
