Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence is the generation of knowledge that contributes understanding of the trends and behaviors of an entity as well as that of the environment in which it operates. It is vital observation of cause and effect. It is an essential decision-making tool. It is the insight based on empirical consequences of actions taken and not taken. Business Intelligence is the basis of fact combined with the power of instinct. - Stuart Alter

Hans Peter Luhn first conceptualized Business Intelligence in 1958 as ‘the ability to apprehend the interrelationships of presented facts in such a way as to guide action towards a desired goal’. Sophisticated computing technologies have provided the mechanism to transform that futuristic concept into present reality. Now virtually any business at least uses, if not creates its own, business intelligence which helps it steer itself towards its goals by understanding itself and its environment.

Business Intelligence is the science of the collective gathering, storing, integrating, correlating the data, and the publishing of the information based on that data. It is also the art of publishing and generating insightful knowledge that can be creatively applied. That intelligence gains value as it is applied in ingenious and relevant ways. And like artificial intelligence, it can designed to learn, and guide, based on the actions and consequences of the organization.

Virtually every organization has valuable information stored away as unconnected and inaccessible data. This data is often in multiple applications on multiple platforms in multiple locations with no method for integration and correlation. As such, there is no way to assess the cause and effect relationship of the various departments, initiatives, or lines of business within a single organization. Indigo Solution has solid experience integrating and correlating data from various sources.

Business Intelligence Blueprint

Its own Business Intelligence Blueprint is a strategy by which Indigo Solution designs and creates a business intelligence application. It ensures that the development of the application identifies and stays focused on the organizational goals and so in the end will provide effective insights and information based on specific metrics. The Blueprint is also employed to ensure the integration of that information as a tool into the analytical and operational aspects of the organization.

An integration cycle of intelligence is the iterative process of a valuable business intelligence application that will guarantee the value and efficacy of that information. The most meaningful business intelligence is not valuable until it is adeptly employed in decision-making and used to change process on strategic, tactical and operational levels. As followed in the Business Intelligence Blueprint that process looks as follows:

• Operate Organization
• Capture Data
• Gather and Integrate Data
• Generate Business Intelligence
• Analyze and Assess Intelligence
• Perform Decision-Making and Modify Operations
• Operate Organization

Deliberately integrating analysis as part of the ongoing operations of an organization provide effective observation of cause and effect. This allows for the understanding of the impact of various initiatives or lines of business have on one another. The analysis also allows for the assessment of programs and initiatives intended to effect specific change. Once initiated, the analysis becomes reanalysis providing for observation and understanding of the outcome of that change. Rapid return on investment is both tangible and intangible. Decisions made can be measure and evaluated.

The clever design and creation of business intelligence and the effective integration of it into an organization is the cornerstone of the Indigo Solution Business Intelligence Blueprint.

Business Intelligence can, by design, contribute significantly to a Green Information Technology or overall Sustainability initiative. Furthermore, Indigo Solution has the unique capability to combine business intelligence and sustainable practices into Green Business Intelligence. Indigo Solution considers environmental issues in all its projects and incorporates sustainable practices wherever possible.

Indigo Solution - information technology with an eye on sustainability.