BI Products of Birst - Essay Example

Tools and Techniques Name Institution A. (i) BI Products of Birst Birst products allow users to combine data from different source systems. This enables users to get answers for their business concerns in real time even in the most pressing circumstances. Birst adapts quickly to changes and makes necessary improvements to clients upon request. Indeed, all products are designed with need for changes and improvements in mind. To make this possible interfaces are designed with extensive library of interactive visualizations. Data can be visualized; pivot tables created and drill down into reports without requiring IT applications. Raw data can be uploaded into the real time connectivity or analytical data store using Birst Live Access. Birst’s analytical data stores are accessible for OLAP style. This includes logical measures and modeling results. Under this system, report generation is possible with button click. Birst’s logical query language enables users to do custom calculations and many statistical functions. Users can take whole control of their data system with real time alerts and notifications. Dashboards allow users to annotate with peers and partners by enabling sharing of critical analysis throughout the organization with ample security. Results can also be distributed to relevant individuals, offices or institutions through file servers, emails or using mobile devices. Data extract options are available on premise databases, structured and flat files and cloud applications. To enhance management tasks, data access is integrated with multi-dimensional data layer and data inbuilt process that are automated. From these sources data can effectively be manipulated depending on desirable form of presentation – graphs, tables, dimension table, charts among others, all with few clicks (Birst website). (ii) Criteria to be met by Vendor for listing in the BI platform Magic Quadrant In principle there are four sets of criteria that vendors should meet for the to be eligible for listing in the BI platform magic quadrant as highlighted herein; The vendor’s annual revenue in BI-related software license must hit a minimum of $ 15 Million. This revenue should not be gross income from all operations. This means that it should not include earnings revenue from professional services and that generated by sale of hardware items. Categorically, revenue that should be included should be fitting the definition of total software revenues. Vendors who deal with transactional applications should be capable of proving that their clients depend on their applications for all their executions. In other words, they supply applications to clients who use them without back up from other homemade software. The vendors should be capable of supplying all round applications. The regulations also demand that vendors must first be able to satisfy at least nine of the fourteen capabilities. These capabilities enable applications in with respect to information delivery, integration and analysis. Finally, Vendor customers must give responses in respect to the vendor products. As a policy at least thirty responses must be given as an ascertainment that the customers trust and are content with the quality of services given by the vendor (Newman, Ellisman & Orcutt 2003) (iii) Capabilities that BI platform should deliver 1. BI Infrastructure – major similarities in the tools of the platform. It should ensure uniformity in terms of features such as look and feel and application mannerisms like security measures, queries, portal integration among others. 2. Metadata Management – various applications should promote similarity in data leverage. Tools should also be identical in features and methods of application. 3. Development Tools – to ensure extensive BI applications the platform should provide for advancements and improvement of the various applications. They should also enable users to build BI applications without the need to use sophisticated coded computer programs. 4. Collaboration – the capability is responsible for enabling data sharing through various applications such as emails, mobile devices and other software. 5. Reporting – data that has been generated should be capable for being manipulated into user desired way of presentation. It should as well provide for sharing of reports through dashboards, website and common portal environments. 6. Dashboards – this way of reporting allows display of information in greater detail. Dashboards enable data to be disseminated and broken down to allow for deeper comprehension and interpretation. 7. Ad hoc query – this make usability easier for client. The user is able to use query governance and ask questions without the need to rely on IT. 8. Microsoft Office Integration – This enables to link the platform with Microsoft office. The rationale is that the client would require the basic functionalities of Microsoft besides the platform hence this capability allows for interconnection of the two (DeFanti, Laat, Mambretti., Neggers & 2003).. 9. Search-based BI – data that is both unstructured and structured cab ne searched and sorted. This allows for classification of data according to user’s desired applications and general data base management. 10. Mobile BI – this capability is designed to allow the user to share report and other information to mobile devices. 11. Online analytical processing (OLAP) – this capability enhances data analysis and planning purposes. They add value to figures and data by allowing the user to automatically study trends and predict the future to some extent. 12. Interactive visualization – this capability allows the user to display data in different forms. Depending on the intended use, information can be manipulated into different forms such as tables, charts and graphs (DeFanti, Laat, Mambretti., Neggers & 2003). 13. Predictive modeling and data mining – this capability is essential in classifying continuous variables using various mathematical techniques. These variables can then be used to provide answers to problems using techniques such as linear programming. Scorecards – these allow users to link performance indicators to organization’s strategic objective. They enable users to do in depth further analysis of data and make informed decisions out of it (Newman, Ellisman & Orcutt 2003) B. Compuware Compuware solutions align key performance indicators with strategic goals. They design specific applications for particular client needs. These solutions enable timely decision making through logical views. Solutions are integrated into the operations by competent staff as an after sale service to its clients. The company provides solutions to big companies with enormous database requirements in all fields – from agriculture to healthcare (Compuware website). Compuware follows a definite strategy to provide solutions and deal with client problems. It has capabilities that enable it to do several tasks; firstly is defining strategy. This is preceded by extensive assessment of client’s current environment. The threats and opportunities are matched with business objectives and this guides the design of solutions packages for that particular customer (Compuware website). Tests are conducted to the application and how well it would integrate into customer operational processes. Possibilities for future applications in related field are also assessed in the testing process. Necessary improvements are made to increase capability for future implementations. Customer gets information on how to maximize on applications of the solution. Advice is also given with respect to security capabilities particularly during data sharing. Ways of optimizing data capacity are elucidated. In a nut shell; client gets guidance on how the system can be best applied to meet specific needs of the business (Compuware website). Features and functionalities incorporated enable support teams to grasp processes. Metadata are also utilized in the solution to ease orientation of the customer to the system. Amplidata Amplidata provides big data object storage systems. This allows customers to use extra large storage infrastructure. With this approach highest levels of reliability and availability requirements can be enhanced. It is also a strategy that gives high quality service at very low costs. Amplidata platforms are high performance based on Intel technology. They come as prepackaged applications embedded with Amplidata branded software. Using multiple network interfaces controllers are able to provide high performance access. This also enables them to serve data using different network protocols such as object interfaces. To enable a fully shared access to the main storage pool, controllers operate in highly effective cluster of controllers courtesy of enhanced Amplidata manufactured databases. Clients are served with a complete data sheet of specifications to enable them learn different applications and usages without over reliance with the service provider. Amplidata platforms also offer high density storage nodes called “amplistors.” These nodes are connected to main network through internet interfaces. Their aim is to enable cost effective modular storage, power efficient and most importantly of high density. This is embedded to a rack-mount server enclosure. This has enabled Amplidata to provide industry leading storage density (Amplidata website). Table showing comparison of two Vendors: Compuware and Amplidata Capability Compuware Amplidata Complexity Enhanced cloud and across the edge data center. Support for massive numbers of concurrent online users Performance Analytics An integral requirement of application. Continuous data availability and reliability Mobile Surge Major drivers Secondary requirement Data Deployment Big data deployment Seamless growth and scalability to support high petabytes of storage Basic approach Highly adaptable Low cost of ownership for infrastructure References DeFanti T., Laat C.D., Mambretti J., Neggers K. & Arnaud B. (2003) TransLight: A Global-Scale LamdaGrid for e-Science. Communications of ACM, 46 (11) 34–41. Newman H.B., Ellisman M.H. & Orcutt J.A. (2003) Data-Intensive e-Science Frontier Research. Communications of ACM, 46(11) 68–77. Birst website: http://www.birst.com/product. Retrieved 9th May 2013. Compuware website: http://www.compuware.com. Retrieved 9th May 2013. Amplidata website: http://www.amplidata.com. Retrieved 9th May 2013. Read More