Main | How Ad Hoc Reporting Software Can Save the Day »
January 7, 2009
Top-ten Musts of Ad Hoc Reporting
Ad hoc reporting is the ultimate democratic tool in BI, since it empowers employees to create and share their own reports. It is a little bit like the Internet (post Web-2.0), since it gives all users the freedom to interact with data without having to wait for a "superior" be this technically or hierarchically speaking.
Here are the top-ten things a good ad hoc reporting software should have.
Be web based. The usefulness of an ad hoc reporting solution is greatly watered down if it does not run on the web. Being able to access ad hoc reports from anywhere is one of the main benefits.
Be easy to use. Adoption, adoption, adoption is the BI equivalent of real estate's location, location, location. Bottom line: if an ad hoc reporting solution is hard to use, adoption will suffer.
Offer ad hoc dashboards. Ad hoc dashboards are the ultimate end-user reporting tool, since it enables nontechnical personnel to put the metrics that really matter into an easy-to-grasp format.
Offer powerful visualization tools. Seeing data in a table is one thing. Seeing it in a graph is quite another. But seeing it in ad hoc tools like heat maps and animated charts makes it truly come alive.
Be easily shared. The decision maker, and his or her findings, should not live in solitary confinement. What you find in your ad hoc reports (provided the reports are relevant) should be shared with colleagues and clients without cumbersome uploads or heavy email attachments.
Keep your data safe. Empowering end-users with ad hoc reporting shouldn't mean giving them direct access to data--as in, reporting directly to your CRM, for example. Good ad hoc reporting solutions have a metadata database that insulates real data from end-user reporting.
Keep your data secure. You don't want Bradley in sales to see what Horowitz in finance makes, right? User-based, role-based security--especially when easily set up--will enable you to deploy ad hoc reporting without worries.
Connect to your data easily. So, you've got your ad hoc reporting software, but now they tell you you need Salesforce.com or Oracle, or the newest database, or else your investment is for zip. Needless to say, an ad hoc solution that plugs into most data sources out of the box is preferable to one that does not.
Set it up quickly. Even a good ROI becomes not-so-good if it's delayed unnecessarily. When you decide to equip your employees with ad hoc reporting, go with a solution that is set up in days--they are out there.
Ability to connect to other BI solutions. You wouldn't buy a chair that does not go with the rest of your dining-room set, would you? Or buy a single Swarovski crystal glass unless you were planning to buy more of the same in the future. Same thing with business intelligence. You shouldn't get a solution that doesn't match the technology of what you already have--or one that won't be easily integrated with other future BI purchases. Look for versatile technology.
Posted by The Ad Hoc Reporting Boys at January 7, 2009 10:00 AM
Comments
What do you make of the difference between an open-source ad hoc reporting solution and a commercial, out of the box one? Lately, there's been a lot of buzz about open source ad hoc reporting as being the panacea for BI in recession...
Posted by: Tom at January 9, 2009 11:44 AM
I have had some experience with open source software in my previous "life" although it was not business intelligence. My only comment is that the project ended up taking a lot longer than we had thought and it was several degrees different from what we had envisioned at the start.
IMO, if you can find a commercial BI software that is priced well and doesn't take too much fuss to set up and get going, you are better off using that rather than open source. I know, others may disagree, but that has been my experience.
Posted by: Mathew Benns at January 9, 2009 11:52 AM
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I'm attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your suggestions!! Tandy Pho
Posted by: Tandy Pho at May 13, 2011 8:42 AM
Bookmarked - will return within in a few days to check rest threads.
Posted by: swarovskiego at May 16, 2011 8:30 AM
A person essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish amazing. Fantastic job!
Posted by: London escort girls at May 16, 2011 5:23 PM
It's the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Posted by: escort London agency at May 16, 2011 10:37 PM
A person essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish amazing. Fantastic job!
Posted by: escort London agency at May 16, 2011 11:35 PM
Itís exhausting to seek out educated individuals on this subject, but you sound like you recognize what youíre speaking about! Thanks
Posted by: Allegro at May 17, 2011 5:05 AM
Twitter 
LinkedIn 
YouTube