Mobile BI tools – Need of the hour. Consider SmartGlance!

Gauging the huge demand for tablet computers, smartphones and the subsequent mobile BI solutions, we need to sneak a peek into the various benefits, management issues, recommendations and challenges associated with mobile business analytics and solutions. You may be thinking about using the iPad, iPhone, Android or Windows 8 device; but how do you take that consumer-facing product and adapt it for the needs of industry?  How do you leverage their capability for the interacting and sharing of important business information?

The users of mobile BI are offered now a plethora of  new applications designed with mobility in mind. But how can you ensure that these apps are useful for transforming the actual role of data in the interactions with consumers, forecasting and planning of business, management of the performance of employees and taking the day-to-day decisions related to the operations of the business? The good news is that SmartGlance is capable of doing all this. This becomes mandatory if the devices need to survive in this ever increasing and demanding marketplace.

With the latest innovations in mobile BI applications, the users are allowed to obtain more than what they actually intend with the new applications and tools. The opportunities regarding IT performance, data visualization and security allow personalization from the devices. The business world is already overly excited about the use of mobile BI in positive ways. The real time access of vital data though is a tough challenge; the tools are providing just that. Heightened security, need of the hour technology and immense speed of delivery are aspects which are loved by businesses.

Businesses have taken a war front approach in the deployment of mobile BI applications in their work. The employees too are quite enthusiastic about the development due to improvement of their performance leading to growth. Overall it is a win-win situation for everyone; right from the top notch professionals to the field employees.

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Mobile Business Intelligence – Future of business strategies

The success ratio of analytics and business intelligence in any organisation is measured always by the user acceptance levels and how pervasive is the BI for the company and also how it aids in the decision making process. All this have given prominence to mobile business intelligence in recent times.

Research has shown that there are various trends of mobile business intelligence which will shape the tactics and strategies of the organisations in the future years. The smartphones are now the most important technologies used by businesses for improvement of business intelligence adoption. Though the mobiles enable BI for attracting the users and reaching new clients, ease in using and an experience which can engage the user is vital for the success of any policy of BI.

A broader data base will always generate insight for improved decision making. In operational environments, the mobile dashboards along with multiple sources of data from the relevant systems will result in enhancing the awareness of the decision makers according to the situations on field. This will eventually lead to betterment of the operational decisions. Each business will look for making better utilisation of the information they have in hand.

The top notch of managers in organisations is seen enthusiastic in the adoption of mobile business intelligence. The early signs are encouraging in this sector and are showing gradual traces of replacing the presentations, spread sheets and mails being used for insights of business.

The real drive that fosters the adoption of mobile business intelligence is not the mobility itself. The enthusiasm is mainly derived from engaging experience and ease of usability as mentioned earlier. The fast access and convenience to timely and relevant business data are attributes which are increasing the liking for mobile business intelligence in the form of smartphones and tablets.

5 Important Ways of Mobile Business Intelligence for Retailers

Latest studies and research has developed that the retail industry is on for some major changes and modifications as the trend of mobile business is continuously penetrating the industry. The vibrant use of mobile business intelligence deployed by the companies for improving the quality of data makes sense for the analysis.

The most important point which the retailers need to keep in mind is that the deployment of the strategies of mobile BI is beneficial only if the actual potential of the applications and tools is realized. This happens when the tools are deployed in different situations of the business module that were yet to be touched by analytics of business intelligence. Only this can lead to a successful strategy of mobile business intelligence for retailers.

Let us consider 5 important ways of mobile business intelligence for retailers which can aid them in creating a successful business strategy.

1. They need to implement solutions which can aid both mobile intelligence as well as enterprise business intelligence


2. The deployments need to support varied platforms of mobiles, thus facilitating a shift in the operating system in the future


3. You need to ensure that the BI solution does not need redesigning for maintaining varied rendering of reports


4. Incorporate an alert facility on the devices for obtaining timely notifications


5. Leverage all the benefits offered by mobile devices for optimum use of the BI solutions

Often we hear business experts stating that the reaching of the correct data at the correct time to the correct people is extremely vital for the success of any business. This also facilitates right decision making. The ease of use offered by the mobile smartphones and tablets has made information accessible in quick time. The retailers will be benefited with the adaptation of the business intelligence solutions by enabling their decision makers to operate from anywhere. This will also aid the performance, sales and planning of the organization as a whole.

Get Set to Adopt Mobile BI for Beating Competition

As is the case with any industry or domain, the vertical of business intelligence too has shown signs of constant growth. This growth mostly involves taking the advantage of the latest advancements and technologies in the database analytics and performance capabilities. Mobile BI initiatives mean that you always stay ahead of competition and race. This is related to the provision of value for money to customers and heightening the availability of business intelligence through mobiles.

Whether it comes to the deployment of improved methods, access to the sets of broader information and new capabilities, the companies and businesses are seen pushing the boundaries of the use of mobile BI with the adoption of applications and enhanced technologies in accordance to the trends in the market.

It is important to note that the reason for the strong following of mobile BI is quite obvious. The decision makers are rendered with the facility of accessing the BI tools on their tablets or smart phones while on the go. The thought that the presence and availability of smart phones and tablets is the only reason for the expansion of BI is quite naïve. Other drivers of business too are equally needed along with new technology.

The advent of iPads and iPhones is definitely an element for the widespread use of mobile BI applications. However, it needs to be understood that unless the organisations come to a point where they become ready for adopting BI, nothing can prompt them to the complete use of this enhanced technology. Moreover, the market seems to be quite mature for taking on the tools of mobile business intelligence along with it.

The ameliorated technology and level of comfort obtained with the use of mobile BI applications is quite huge. Companies will only benefit with the use of BI, if they are ready to accept change.

Why is there a Need of Mobile Business Intelligence Tools for the Retail Industry?

The grappling of retailers due to the increasing deluge of data related to consumers has provoked the need of mobile business intelligence tools for the retail industry. This has become imperative for staying in the race and competition of the consumer market.

Tradition has shown that the retail industry uses the tools of BI for tracking historical trends for making better utilisation of lateral minded decisions.  The task of the use of BI for taking informed decisions is vital for the traditional retailers. However, the scaling of such tasks is quite complex due to the multiple legacies of retailers. The customer base too is quite anonymous unlike the online purchasers. The online retail shops have an edge over traditional shops with the presence of customer data. The advent of mobile BI witnesses the use of smartphones and tablets by the customers, thus driving drastic changes in the technology of retail business. The need of speed is felt in context of information and data for the retail industry. Traditional shops are seen losing out to the e-shops as customers like the speed factor and ease of transactions.

The need of the hour is better interaction with clever methods, such as through BI tools. The use of real time information for quick decisions about products and pricing enables clever business ways. The need of mobile business intelligence tools for retail industry are necessary for allowing them to react quickly to the price trends, and offer discounts or other such offers for increasing revenues.

The architecture for business intelligence tools will result in faster decisions for the store managers, and that too in real time. The trend is fast settling in the retail industry for their good. The use of BI tools is not only beneficial for the retailers; the customers too are benefited by instant services and quick access.

Mobile Dashboard solves many communication hassles

In literal terms a dashboard refers to a real-time UI or a page (mostly, single) that showcases a graphical representation of the present condition and serial trends observed in a company's KPI's . These graphs assist the concerned user in taking spontaneous yet accurate and logical decisions. However, please note that, dashboards are completely different from routine score-cards, even though both the options sound quite similar.

For instance, a dashboard of a production company may show detailed KPI's related to manufacturing right from the number of failed quality inspections to the number of concerned parts manufactured per hour. Similarly, a mobile dashboard shows KPI's related to the various functions related to the concerned mobile phone.

As, most of the mobile phones have a comparatively restricted viewing space, It is always recommended to have a mobile dashboard design that can easily cope up with most of the concerned limitations and drawbacks of the device, primarily the available screen-space. Moreover, a mobile phone also has certain limitations with respect to some of its in-built functions and apps like saving data and PDF files, downloading data, KPI ( Key Performance Indicators) pop-ups etc. Technically, the reason behind the same is the absence of a Java-Script in these phones, which is exactly where the mobile dashboard steals the shows as they make use of a Java-script language tool for all their important interactions.

A dashboard for a mobile phone can be designed by using any of the two methods noted below:-

1. A dashboard design restricted solely for mobile access or


2. A dashboard design for both, the Web browser as well as the mobile access.

Some of the major benefits of having an on-board mobile dashboard on the device include:-

• Saves your valuable time


• Helps to check, identify and, thus rectify negative trends


• Provides an access and better visibility to multiple systems instantly

Transfer of Mobile Business Intelligence

Both a boon and a bane are the advent of advanced and new gadgets each day. Modern man has become absolutely dependant on the gadgets. In fact, daily life without the presence of the gadgets has become just impossible for him and he desires that his gadget, whatever it is, will make his tasks easier for him.

One such gadget developed in recent times is a MI or a Mobile Business Intelligence or Mobile Intelligence gadget. It means the distribution of any business data or records to mobile devices as smartphones as well as tablet computers. BI or business intelligence refers to computer- based methods or technology made use of in analysing business data, digging- out as well as spotting revenue of sales by products and/or associated costs and incomes or departments.

Even though, concept of mobile computing has been common as well as prevalent for more than a decade now, Mobile BI has shown a growth only in recent times or years. One cause for the change is because of a change from the concept of being wired to that of going wireless. In fact, due to the advantage given by smartphones bringing about a new era of mobile computing, even BI has got a boost.

According to reports of the Aberdeen Group, in modern times, a large number of companies are adapting to the technology of BI, as there are a big number of market pressures like an improvement in employee productivity, for a better as well as faster decision making, for better customer service, delivery of real- time bi- directional access of data for making decision anytime and every time, as well as higher efficiency; especially in business processes, (e.g., time spent looking for information).

One of the commonest methods for accessing mobile business intelligence information is by making use of proprietary software or a Web browser on a personal computer for connecting to BI applications.

Mobile Business Intelligence in Your Smartphones

If past decade belongs to information revolution by IT then this decade belongs to Information revolution by Smartphones and tablets. Mobile phones devices are now rapidly being seen by us as business purpose devices instead merely communication devices. Smartphones and other wireless portable information processing devices are now being used in your departmental store, medical center, banks, financial institute, offices, security systems, educational systems and many more places in day to day operation. Usage of these devices is now helping in management decision making to tackle market competition, optimization of business processes, efficient employee utilization, quality and satisfactory customer services and recording of real time business data to data ware house for future use. More and more business usage of high end portable devices by us has now given birth to the need to effective system that can store such all information securely and make it available for use at mobile or table for its user. Today, Mobile Business Intelligent system addresses this very need only.

Mobile business intelligence refer to a system that enables globally located mobile devices and tablet computers to use the centrally stored information or data by one or more suitable mobile application(s) for reporting and data analysis. Mobile Business Intelligence enables a user to access recorded data, patterns, information in a more understandable form of business operations. By accessing this data user can use techniques of BI using suitable mobile application for prediction, decision making, and graphical presentation and for MIS. Business Intelligence does always, in any form, help management in decision making system, so 'MBI'. How does Mobile Business Intelligence work?

Now a large number of tools are available for different mobile platforms (such as Android, Symbions, Windows etc) to facilitate the purpose of Mobile Business Intelligence. These tool includes both mobile browser based applications and installable softwares applications or native applications. Using these applications you’re Smartphones or tablets fetch data from remotely located dataware house over a secure channel using SMS, GPRS, UTMS or mobile radio/voice channel. Business enterpises and technology vendors are now looking for each other to explore the new horizone of mobile business intelligence by addressing specific business needs, customer requirements and direction of the market. Smartphone/Tablet OS platforms now provide a number of applications to server small to big business need of information processing practically. Presenting your data, reports or plan using such application is very effective and convenient. Micro-Strategy is now demand of business scenario to meet the business need. Is Mobile Business Intelligence safe for my business?

Information security is a seriously critical concern when adopting mobile business intelligent system. In Mobile Business Intelligence, Data loss and data theft are two prime risks that can be seen as a security concern. Data loss may be caused by physical damage to devise, virus attack or misusing application. This can be mitigated by a prompt and effective backup system and disaster management system in Mobile Business Intelligence. This should be followed by a quick recovery system. To stop the data theft, mobile business intelligence system provider must address the security at Devise, Data Transmission, User Authorization and Authentication, and Network Security levels. There has to be strict policy related to data access from various user levels. Mobile business platform must be in synchronization with Smartphone/tablets platforms to secure the access of application and data. Data of business application should not be stored for a long on mobile devices. How can I use Mobile business intelligence in my business?

Creating a mobile work force is easy if you already have a information technology systrem in your enterprise. Select a suitable devise and platform to use and get a suitable mobile business intelligence system from a long list of available system or get a customised software for your business enterprise. You are all ready to go for mobile business intelligence after small training. Adoption mobile BI is also helping enterprises to decrease the operation cost. Now suitable application can be built without software programming using latest Mobile programming and  OS supported utilities. What future Mobile Business Intelligence has?

Mobile Business Intelligence has till miles to go. It has proved it's worthiness. Now steps are being taken to make it integrates with life of common person and to make human life better. More and more improvement in portable devices, mobile and tablets, will push more and more applications of mobile business intelligence in business world.

Ways to Boost Sales Using Mobile business Intelligence

Mobile business intelligence can be one of the greatest tools to promote business and achieve a great number of sales if used properly. Mobile Business intelligence highly influences sales of any particular company. There are many proofs which show that sales are affected by Mobile business intelligence. Below is one reason that can be considered as a proof.

Use of cognition methods in different deals:

Having an application of Mobile business intelligence in hand, different company sales teams can notice and record key points that help win deal. This helps team members know what is required to close a deal successful and what can be done for improvement if the deal doesn’t go well. It also gives privilege to discuss wining techniques in company meetings so members who are weak can be benefitted from. This helps make weak members expert and those who are already skilful can concentrate on polishing skills by viewing techniques of their colleague members.

As mobile business intelligence is commonly equipped with reporting equipment as well, this helps different companies not only to keep track of their sales team performance but also the performance of their products as well. Different measures can be taken immediately via using mobile business intelligence and it helps boost sales in most cases.

Buying cycle review and monitoring:

The revenue of any particular manufacturing company depends on the customers buying cycle. Whenever a customer buys particular company’s product, companies earn some profit depending upon their profit margin. That’s why its importance for manufacturing companies to keep note of customers buying cycle and to note crucial points such as duration of the year when demand is highest and when demand of product is lowest. As mobile business intelligence applications cover mobile reporting, it makes the process to collect data from customers buying cycle regarding company’s products very easy. This data is lot crucial to companies because lot part of their strategy to generate revenue is based on it.

Time savers:

One of the greatest problems for the company is to assign individuals on different activities which hardly generate any revenue for the company but still are important activities for the company’s future. However solution to this problem was found in the form of Mobile business intelligence applications. These applications allow individuals to perform activities only those who yield profits for the company and to shift attention to high revenue activities as per priority. Increased revenue for company results in higher bonuses and rewards for company employees and it increases efficiency in work system of the company as well. Thus the use of mobile business intelligence generates only win-win situation and as activities are shifted priority wise among different employees, it saves a lot of time as well.