Addressing BI Complexities
June 03, 2009
Effectively managing the complexities and uncertainties that arise in day-to-day business can be the key to success in construction. This task, however, is much easier said than done. And while technology holds the promise to aid in this initiative, even the best of solutions can often add an additional layer of complexity if not properly managed.
A generic set of systems and applications known as 'BI (business intelligence) technology' helps provide a method for allowing companies to manage the complexities that arise from combining and analyzing the various sources of data that exists within their organization. But even this technology poises a set of challenges.
In a whitepaper, ‘Overcoming Complexity with Business Intelligence’ software provider Penta Technologies, www.penta.com, Brookfield, Wis., examines how BI can help construction companies manage their increasingly complex business environment. It also addresses how companies can avoid the complexities that could possibly exist with such a set of applications.
As pointed out by Penta, as companies implement business intelligence technology they start to realize that this technology--designed to reduce the complexity in managing data from multiple sources--present their own set of challenges. The whitepaper points to the fact things like data warehouses, reconciliation, and application servers, as examples in this regard.
Penta says BI should supply accurate data in a timely manner in a secure environment; present data in the form of easily digestible information; provide easy means to answer ensuing questions; and allow for effective communication. However, real world challenges often stand in the way of allowing companies to achieve these goals--and there is also a set of 'BI side effects' that add to the complexity.
Business intelligence technology seems to be gaining more traction in the construction industry, and the ability to understand both the benefits as well as the complexities that accompany these applications could help companies in the long run.