Business Intelligence

Cloud-based systems for ERP, CRM, SCM, eCommerce and other transactional systems are becoming increasingly widespread due to the efficiencies of cloud-based infrastructure. These systems generate and capture large volumes of data, but creating data-driven applications to navigate this data and derive meaningful insights can be challenging. Combining Jaspersoft BI with Cloud Foundry provides developers with an easy, scalable and cost-effective PaaS deployment method for enabling data-driven applications. This allows enterprises to quickly deploy analytic applications to uncover patterns in their data, driving improved organizational performance while gaining better access to information for more informed decision-making.

Percentage of companies innovating with cloud expected to double by 2015

The number of enterprises turning to cloud computing to revamp existing business models will more than double in the next three years, as business leaders move to capitalize on the rapid availability of data and the growing popularity of social media, according to a new study released today by IBM. Businesses that embrace the transformative power of cloud will have a significant advantage in the race to introduce new products and services and capture new markets and revenue streams. 

To better understand the shift in how organizations use cloud today and how they plan to employ it in the future IBM, in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit, surveyed more than 500 business and technology executives worldwide. The findings were compiled in a new study, titled "The Power of Cloud: Driving business model innovation." 

“Companies are starting to understand -- cloud isn’t just about gaining efficiencies and cost savings; it’s about driving the kind of fundamental innovation that provides lasting marketplace advantage,” said Saul Berman, IBM global strategy consulting leader and co-author of the study.  

Introduction

What is known today by the name Business Intelligence (BI) has an origin and evolution that should be looked at in order to introduce the concept that will be the subject of this article: “BI Usability”.

One of the principal goals of BI is that users find the information they need to make decisions in due time and proper form. The form includes, among other things, the format in which the information is presented and the level of interaction expected to obtain the desired result. The previous points make up the term “BI Usability”.

Usability can be defined as software’s ease of use, in which factors such as the familiarity of the design, comfort, attractiveness, level of interaction permitted, response time, etc. also come into play.

Various definitions of usability have been selected to complement the concept: (*1):

In a Linkedin debate members have proposed a list of references and useful links about Cognos BI, as well as forums, blogs and resources. I've organized a bit the proposals. I hope you find it useful..