ERP & BI: Data, Data Everywhere!
Posted by Mitch McNicol on Fri, Sep 04, 2009 @ 10:20 AM
The one thing that I feel is overlooked or glossed over in most ERP implementations is Business Intelligence (BI), mainly due to the initial cost associated to these applications and utilities.
Many companies use multiple software programs that do not communicate or integrate with each other. Unfortunately, over time, the information that is so vital to the success of the organization becomes more and more difficult to manage and extract in a meaningful way.
How many times have you asked the question, why can't I see this information in one place, on one report or dashboard?
Using BI applications and utilities, this information can be managed and displayed in a manner that will enable executives to make well informed business decisions, based on "real" data and virtually eliminate the guessing game.
...In recent Aberdeen surveys of enterprises with BI and ERP applications, BI has ranked number one (two years running) in terms of the technologies that will have the most impact in the next two to five years. Coming in second in the April 2009 survey was "Enterprise application enhancements / extensions." According to Jutras and Hatch, that topic "refers to the ongoing improvements that drive extended value from ERP and CRM investments."
Read complete Business World article ...
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9136247/ERP_BI_Match_Made_in_Heaven_If_You_re_in_Data_Hell?taxonomyId=9