7 BI Software Programs to Enhance Your Business

Various businesses use business intelligence software to help organize and present data clearly and concisely. You can choose from different software options to filter and organize your data or tailor it to your needs.

In this article, you can discover more about what business intelligence software is, how it can help you, and where you can learn more about it.

What is BI software?

Business intelligence (BI) software is a collection of tools you can use to collect and organize data to present it in an easy-to-understand way. You can use different software options to fit your organization’s needs for data collection, analysis, and visualization to compile a comprehensive view of the state of your business.

Try business intelligence software to visualize performance metrics for different locations in your organization, such as retail stores or production facilities. You can also review your customer characteristics to find more targeted solutions for marketing. Other settings, like education or government, use business intelligence software to identify issues or review policies in the public sector.

Pros and cons of BI software

Business intelligence software provides a comprehensive way to interpret data relevant to your organization. BI software is a valuable set of tools to help you identify innovative business solutions and maximize organizational efficiencies. BI software offers both advantages, through specific capabilities, and potential disadvantages in terms of costs and upkeep. Check out some important considerations below.

Advantages

Its ability to help you interpret data is one of the benefits of using BI software. Some leading pros of BI software include the following.

Data mining: BI software collects data from various inputs and organizes it in a central location to make it easier to understand. It can analyze data, integrate it from different sources, and create a more comprehensive view of an issue you’re investigating through patterns, trends, and analysis.

Data visualization: Data visualization allows you to create clear-cut graphs, charts, maps, or other accessible information graphics to analyze organizational issues better. It can help users see and interact with the data to clarify problems and reveal potential solutions.

Automation: BI software can automatically update based on additional data or input and adjust to changes dynamically as more information comes in. Automation can also highlight patterns or outliers that may not be evident simply by viewing a data set.

Streamline operations: Automating data collection and analysis reduces tedious data input tasks, freeing businesses to use their workforce more flexibly and employees to hone other skills.

Disadvantages

Despite its advantages, using BI software also has some potential drawbacks worth considering. Look at a few of the cons associated with BI software to help you decide if it’s a good option for you.

Cost: Some business intelligence software can have a free or low-cost option, and several open-source options are available if you can manage the software maintenance and necessary modifications. Other BI software plans can be more expensive to access, requiring monthly subscription fees, but these require less developer know-how on your end.

Maintenance: If you opt for open-source BI software to reduce your initial costs, system maintenance will be your responsibility. You will need IT or developer staff members to maintain your application if you decide not to subscribe to a BI software plan.

Read more: Business Intelligence vs. Business Analytics: What’s the Difference?

7 BI software options to explore

Various business intelligence software options are on the market for you to consider, and some even offer training and certifications so that you can confidently determine what works best for your organization. Let's take a look at seven BI software programs in more detail.

1. Tableau

Tableau enables data visualization for various topics, making it easier to conceptualize data using maps, line graphs, charts, and other graphics to convey information to users.

The software also has different user options depending on your needs, budget, and IT capabilities, such as the Tableau Cloud or Tableau Server options. Likewise, Tableau Public offers a free platform for building your data visualizations. These can be useful for organizations across various industries, including financial, health care, manufacturing, retail, and government. 

However, Tableau's robust options come at a price. Some of these subscriptions could be prohibitive due to cost.

2. Oracle BI

Like Tableau, Oracle BI utilizes data visualization in an easy-to-use way that could make it better for new business intelligence software adopters. Users also appreciate its flexible features when using it for their businesses. These include mobile analytics, alerting, data integration, data warehousing, financial performance management applications, and more.

However, Oracle BI is cost-prohibitive to some companies, which could make it unsuitable for your particular needs.

3. Sisense

Sisense’s software allows you to visualize data easily and includes features such as combining live and cached data to help you develop your data visualizations. It also includes AI to help build forecasting and trends.

Sisense is a good business intelligence software tool for new users or users who don’t want a steep learning curve to analyze and visualize data quickly. However, reviewing the costs is important, as the BI software pricing is specific to each user.

4. Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft’s Power BI started as an add-on for Microsoft Excel and now functions independently as robust business intelligence software. Microsoft also regularly updates it so that users can take advantage of new features.

You’ll likely navigate a bit of a learning curve while getting up to speed with the software. Additionally, you may have to learn additional programming languages to use some of its more advanced features.

5. SAP BusinessObjects

SAP’s BusinessObjects business intelligence software works with various data types to help you integrate information into its data visualization. It’s also easily scalable and vital for working within a large organization.

To access SAP BusinessObjects, you’ll also need a large organization's budget. Otherwise, the cost can be prohibitive for some customers.

6. Zoho Analytics

Zoho Analytics uses AI to integrate your data on its platform, making it easier to maintain than other products. It does require hosting in part on servers owned by your company or organization.

One disadvantage of this BI software is the limited number of users based on your chosen subscription plan. User limits can make sharing reports with larger groups challenging without upgrading your subscription. 

7. Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense operates on the Qlik Cloud, allowing users to access it through a web browser. Mobile BI software benefits employees who need to access data visualization capabilities via tablets or smartphones, such as sales team members or other field staff. It may be a good option for remote offices, and it offers comparative analysis capabilities of multiple data sets in a single view.

Qlik Sense offers less customization over design elements in its visualizations than other BI software, and its reporting functions are less powerful than some.

Read more: 5 Business Intelligence Tools You Need to Know

Getting started with Coursera

Business intelligence (BI) software can help you automate data collection and gain deeper insight from your data. If you’re ready to take the next step and learn more about implementing a business intelligence strategy, consider an online course on Coursera. 

For example, you can learn about Business Intelligence Concepts, Tools, and Applications from the University of Colorado. This program can help you understand industry concepts and develop the tools needed. Or, if you want to focus on specific BI software, explore Tableau and earn a Professional Certificate with Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst Professional Certificate from Salesforce to build skills and develop your understanding of Tableau.