Matt Potts

Bi-Modal Business Intelligence: The standard operating model for analytics

Introduction

The ever-changing landscape of data management and analytics has led to the evolution of business intelligence (BI) strategies. One development is the concept of bi-modal business intelligence (also known as Two Speed Analytics). This approach offers a balance between the stability of traditional BI and the agility of modern BI.

Traditional Business Intelligence

Traditional Business Intelligence (BI) is the first mode in bi-modal BI. It is characterised by stability, centralisation and governance. Traditional BI focuses on standard reporting for routine tasks and uses structured data to provide descriptive analytics. While it may lack the flexibility and agility of modern BI, its strength lies in its ability to deliver consistent and reliable reporting for decision-making. The predictability of traditional BI makes it an excellent tool for managing and monitoring core business operations.

Modern Business Intelligence

The second mode of bi-modal BI is Modern Business Intelligence. This mode is characterized by agility and exploratory data analysis. Unlike traditional BI, modern BI deals with both structured and unstructured data, enabling the use of predictive and prescriptive analytics. It allows businesses to explore new trends and patterns, predict future outcomes, and discover insights that would be difficult to uncover with traditional BI alone. Modern BI fosters innovation and offers businesses the agility to adapt to changing market conditions.

The Merger of Both Worlds

Bi-modal BI combines the strengths of both traditional and modern BI, providing a comprehensive solution for data management and analytics. By utilising both modes, businesses can maintain the stability of their core operations while also fostering innovation and adaptability. This balance allows for the creation of a more flexible and responsive business intelligence strategy, providing businesses with a competitive edge in the data-driven landscape of today’s business world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bi-modal business intelligence is a strategic approach that marries the stability of traditional BI with the agility of modern BI. By implementing a bi-modal BI model, businesses can ensure reliable and consistent reporting while also utilising advanced analytics to explore new opportunities and drive innovation. As the business landscape continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to data management and analytics. Bi-modal BI represents a significant step forward in this evolution, promising a future of more balanced and effective business intelligence.