Most of us don’t normally associate Business Intelligence (BI) with small- or medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The huge investment required to hire data-delving specialists makes us think BI is only for larger organizations. But this is no longer the case. Not only does a growing selection of self-service tools make BI more affordable for SMBs, but it also makes data management more efficient, given that your business probably creates and holds more data than you realize, making it easier for you to get going. It’s time you start harnessing data that will help you to make more strategic business decisions.
You’ve already got the data you need
It’s easy to underestimate the amount of data your SMB already has at its disposal. In every area of your business, from finance and sales to customer relations and website management, the software packages you use to simplify your everyday operations are packed with reams of information that most of us don’t even think twice about. By talking to key stakeholders in your organization’s various departments, you can get an idea of the kind of data you already have, how it’s generated, and where it’s stored. You can then start to think about using BI tools to transform that information into meaningful business insights that will inform your decision-making. No need for you to invest in time-consuming data generation from scratch!
Self-service BI tools are plentiful — and affordable
The emergence of self-service BI puts useful business analytics within reach of smaller business owners who lack the fancy-pants budgets of larger corporations. In fact, there are numerous self-service BI tools that you can use to get started in this area without even spending a dime. Microsoft Power BI is a powerful application that’s pleasingly user-friendly, and most businesses will find the functions they need in the free version. Zoho Analytics has a low entry-level cost, too, and the slightly pricier yet still affordable Tableau is another option that’s worth exploring.
It’s easy to get started
BI is an intimidating term, especially for the average business owner. But by taking small steps, it’s easy for anyone to get started — and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of having data-driven, intelligence-based insights that will enable you to make better business decisions.
Most self-service BI tools come with built-in suggestions for reports that businesses commonly run and find useful. Other worthwhile statistics to explore include the percentage of your clients who cancel within a set period, website landing pages that generate the longest visits, your most profitable individual products or services, the days or months in which you generate your highest revenues, and which of your clients bring in the most revenue and profit.
Truly harnessing data is the future of the business world — it’s how companies like yours can make smarter decisions that increase efficiency and profitability. And having self-service tools available means SMBs no longer need a crazy budget to be able to afford the benefits of BI. To find out more about putting in place the tools that can help you do smarter business, just give us a call.
BI is not just big boys: South Florida Business Takeaways
BI is not just big boys matters when a growing company depends on reliable devices, cloud tools, cybersecurity, and responsive support. Nextek IT helps South Florida businesses turn this topic into practical technology standards that employees can follow.
The right technology habit is easier to maintain when it is part of a managed standard instead of a one-time fix. Nextek IT helps South Florida teams turn practical tips into repeatable IT support processes.
- Document the recommended process so employees apply BI is not just big boys consistently.
- Review settings across managed devices, Microsoft 365, cloud apps, and user accounts.
- Confirm backups, cybersecurity controls, and support escalation steps before a small issue becomes downtime.
For help with BI is not just big boys, explore Nextek IT’s fully managed IT services, server and desktop support, and cybersecurity services.
Contact Nextek IT when your South Florida team wants these improvements handled by an IT support partner instead of manually page by page.