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Operational BI more succesful?

Writing by Jorgen on Sunday, 28 of June , 2009 at 3:48 pm

I was writing about the difference between operational systems like ERP and informational systems like BI. One of the most obvious differences is that ERP systems support operational or business processes. The information that is captured is very explicit. It is almost binary. Data latency is minimal.BI systems are often supporting decision making processes on a more strategic level. There is no yes or no. Often it is about maybe or what if. The information is much more implicit. Data latency is often a problem. Looking at all this made me think.BI has always been more tactical or strategic. But it has also never been the big success that we BI people claim it can have. Is the reason that we have been looking in the wrong direction. Maybe Operational BI has much more value? What do you think?

Category: BI Thoughts

2 Comments

Comment by josstruik

Made Friday, 3 of July , 2009 at 9:45 am

I do think that operational BI may be the answer to negative comments on the ROI of BI. If operational BI also (and it does) means real time, flexible, adjustable and open then it is possible to show the direct added value to the business processes and the consequences of that. The problems with the more static BI of the past are high costs to implement and maintain, complex for users and IT, not easily adjustable and not flexible and always (at least)one step beyond what is really happening in the organisation and outside.

Comment by mbulten

Made Tuesday, 7 of July , 2009 at 7:28 pm

I do not believe that operational BI is the answer to the criticism on the ROI of BI. This is a fundamental problem, since it is (almost?) impossible to prove that your decision making has indeed improved with the implementation of BI a sole cause.

Business Intelligence can be both operational, tactical and strategical and why wouldn’t it be? Decisions are taken in each level of the organization and for each of these decisions there is a need for explicit and tacit konwledge. Of course, the way you implement BI will differ if you want to use it operationally (a bigger focus on real-time information and ad-hoc analysis, less focus on historical data).

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Author

Jorgen Heizenberg is Principal Technology Officer for the Business Intelligence domain at Capgemini Netherlands. The views expressed in this blog accurately reflect his personal views about any or all of the subjects and is not part of the official Capgemini company view. PLEASE REACT TO HIS OPINIONS AND BECOME AN ONLINE BI GURU. See also: http://www.beyenetwork.nl/blogs/heizenberg/