The aim of Business Intelligence is to derive information from data sources and to deliver meaningful reports to executives and decision makers. The aim is to spot trends, identify problems, and summarise information so better decisions can be made, improve performance and gain competitive advantage. The principle is: you cannot manage what you cannot measure.

Our strategy in this area is to utilise the very best BI tools supplied by Microsoft, and then to develop and deploy powerful, integrated solutions to our clients.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005

The core of the Business Intelligence solution is SQL Server, which in the 2005 version has incorporated enhanced business intelligence tools featuring:

• Visual Studio for SQL 2005 which allows data to be modelled and reports managed.
• Integration Services allowing data to be imported from a variety of sources and utilised in the data warehouse.
• Analysis services which allows data to be analysed and reported from multi-dimensional cubes (OLAP) where business analysts can gain insight into Key Performance Indicators and marketing trends.
• Reporting services which allows decision makers to find, design, and manage dynamic reports.

Microsoft have recognised our skills in this area, and in addition to being Gold Certified Partners, we hold a competency in Data Management Solutions.

Windows SharePoint Services

Microsoft provides a powerful portal tool that allows information to be shared within a company. Also known as an Intranet, SharePoint allows non-programmers to create documentation libraries, lists, diaries and calendars to be accessed by team members, with strictly controlled authoring and access rights. Using web parts the reports, charts, and KPI indicators available from the Business Intelligence solution can be made available to key management.

Information Collection Tools

Business Net Solutions have developed a number of technologies that allow business data to be gathered via the internet, and in particular in mobile data collection applications.

Our survey application allows rich on-line questionnaires and forms to be configured with a rich content and unlimited level of structure. A typical applications of this technology is health-and-safety and statutory risk assessments. Information can be gathered either using a standard web-browser or on a mobile computer or PDA. Other features include:

• Configurable report generators, with a variety of output formats such as web lists, Excel charts, downloadable CSV and XML files, emails, and PDF files.
• Configurable workflow events to trigger business processing rules
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Big Board view of business health
• Real-time exception detection, alert and management
• Digital dashboards providing real-time graphic measure of business activity and health
• Mobile data gathering tools (more information...)