From the Sage MAS Team

[#1]

Continuing on the Analytics theme and how to help our business users with both adhoc and strategic decision making -

One analogy that I find helpful explaining the analytics world is parallel to driving a car. Particularly three aspect of a car driving experience:

1. Having a Rear view – providing an insight on our journey thus far helping us understand how we come to this point. This is akin to yesterday’s weather kind of test based on the historical data. Past trends are usually best indicator around how future might unfold e.g.. which inventory typically runs low; typical seasonality in our business; our performance in the past quarter over quarter; what business changes resulted in successful results; etc.

2. Having a Dashboard – providing more real time view of the current status at the moment. It is akin to key indicators in a business. Where do we stand on our inventory; how many orders we need to fulfill today; how many calls are backlogged that need to be picked; where do we stand on our receivables; what assets are due for maintenance; etc. This information gets used frequently to help us steer and adjust. Similar to our experience while driving the car – it provide current information helping decide when to slow down; when to speed up; when to fill the gas; etc.

3. Having a Front view – this provide a view into what we plan to do next. It is more about forecasting and making strategic decisions leveraging historical trend (rear view) and current snap shot (dashboard) that a business should try to accomplish. Some examples here are forecasting revenue goals; forecasting excess inventory or sellable items before a peak sale period; forecasting success of a campaign; forecasting completion of a project; etc.

With MAS 500 release 7.2, earlier this year – we delivered Business Insights Dashboard. It is built on the latest and greatest Microsoft technologies leveraging .NET and appropriate Web based products. The Business Insights Dashboard is customizable to meet a company need. Also, it can be extended to add other KPIs (Web parts). This product gives an opportunity for senior management or executives, in a company, to keep their finger on the pulse and help make appropriate decisions. It has an easy to use interface that can be accessed through web browser  - so no need to install lot of things.

If you have not heard or seen MAS 500 Business Insights Dashboard – I will strongly encourage you to check it out. Also, if you have seen it or used it - I will be curious to know your experience.

Also, since I did not find any Youtube video on Business Insights Dashboard – here is an extra bonus for someone within the community to build an introductory video. If you build one and send me the link – I promise to update this entry with your video and give you due credit.

Any takers?