Angry Birds, Good – Angry BI Sponsors, Not So Much

Most BI vendors are actively pushing technologies for developing mobile business intelligence applications.  Now, anyone who’s ever shot an angry bird at a rickety stack of debris knows that apps are cool.  

The question I have is: With the ubiquity of web access, do we really need to be putting dollars and effort into supporting new BI delivery platforms?  Since web delivery has improved so much over the past few years and promises to move even farther, do we really need mobile BI apps?  Can’t we use existing, web-based BI to support multiple needs?  Are tablet vendors planning to stop supporting their web browsers? I doubt it.

To be clear, I am not doubting the need for BI on the go but I am doubting the need for BI software built solely for mobile devices.

I just spoke with an old contact, a sharp data warehousing manager here in Detroit and he had the same opinion.  I, also, recently read a strong blog posting on this subject (click here for the article) on the Dashboard Insight website that explains why dedicated mobile BI apps just don’t make sense.

Now, I’m sure there are some applications for which dedicated mobile BI Apps are a good fit but I’ll bet they are few and far between.  I am open to other opinions, however.  Think I’m wrong?  Post your reply and let’s get a conversation going.

Thanks!

Got BI? Now Become Data Driven

Participate in enough BI groups and you’ll see one question come up time and again: Why do so many BI systems fail?  A lot of time it’s not failure in development but in implementation.  Let’s face it, too often these systems get built but not used.  For years I’ve written on how a key to usage is making sure that your BI system enables some new business process.

Well, a recent client in New York has a great approach to ensuring that his new BI system gets used.  This senior manager has a set of subordinates reporting to him.  He’s a very data-savvy guy and wants his folks to be data driven, rather than flying by the seats of their pants.

So, when his new BI system became available he sat down with his managers and required each of them to pick two charts that they would review with him at their monthly meetings.  Charts, of course, are built around key metrics and dimensions.  Thus, in order to optimize their performance, his folks must keep their eyes on these metrics.

With this approach, this manager is showing that he fully supports the BI system while pushing the cultural changes necessary to be data driven and make sure his organization gets the ROI it expects.

Do you believe in being data driven?  Do you believe in your BI system?  Prove it!  Don’t passively hope that your folks will use your new BI toys.  Require them to make BI a key part of how work gets done.

Want to kick around some ideas?  Drop me a line at btaub@dataspace.com.

— Ben

Consulting Sales Position

CAN YOU SELL AND RECRUIT? Do you have the skills, experience and discipline to take a great company and get it the sales exposure it deserves?  Can you also apply that background to helping us find and snag the best consulting talent?

Founded in 1994 by one of the leading experts in the field of business intelligence and executive reporting systems, Dataspace has developed a reputation as a leader in helping organizations capitalize on the data they gather every day. Our clients represent some of the most recognizable brands in the world and include top automobile manufacturers, hospitals, insurance companies, distributors, and other industries.

This position represents an opportunity to work in one of the hottest areas of information technology for a company with a long track record of success. The candidate we’re looking for will have the following:

• Experience in B to B sales
• Extremely strong work ethic
• Goal focus
• Structured approach to selling

Interested? Send your resume and cover letter to careers@dataspace.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Recruiting: Captivate 5 Developer

# OPEN POSITIONS	1
RESPONSI-BILITIES:	Develop 6 -10 modules of computer-based-training materials regarding  the use of legal department case matter management software
SUCCESS CRITERIA:	Deliverables completed and tested on time (5 May 2011) Deliverables function properly and meet or exceed client expectations
LOCATION:	Detroit, MI metropolitan region
START DATE:	Approx 21 March 2011
DURATION:	Thru 7 May 2011
TECHNOLOGIES:	Captivate (version 5)
REQUIRED SKILLS:	Captivate development Ability to rapidly understand the software for which training is being developed Best practices in Captivate Development Exceptional grammar and spelling Freedom from hard-coded references so code is portable to various server locations Optimized for delivery over the web
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:	Development of computer based training
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
DESIRED SKILLS:	Understanding of TeamConnect or similar case matter software Understanding of the computing needs of Legal professionals
DESIRED EXPERIENCE:	Exposure to a corporate legal department
DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:	Ability to work independently and logically solve issues that arise Ability to develop course outlines Extremely strong English communication skills
RECRUITING TARGET DATES:	Resumes Received: 10 March 2011 Tech Interview: 14 March 2011 Dataspace Selection: 15 March 2011 Client Interview: NA Client Decision: NA Start Date: 21 March 2011
OTHER INFORMATION	CLIENT INFO: Legal department of a major automobile manufacturer. PROJECT INFO: This client uses a case matter management software package called TeamConnect.  Because their work force is spread around the globe, they need the ability to provide standard training to this work force via the web.  The CBT developed in this assignment will be used to provide this training to that global work force.
APPLICATIONS	To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, immigration status, contact information and hourly rate to: recruiting@dataspace.com.

QlikView Developer – Contract

# OPEN POSITIONS	1
RESPONSIBILITIES:	Connect QlikView to multiple data sources including Web Services, MS SQL Server and MS Excel Develop four (or more) QlikView analyses Test  analyses in a web environment
SUCCESS CRITERIA:	Reports match or exceed specifications Reports completed on time
LOCATION:	New York City although remote work is acceptable with occasional trips to New York
START DATE:	17 January 2011
DURATION:	3 Weeks
TECHNOLOGIES:	QlikView SQL Server Web Services Excel
REQUIRED SKILLS:	QlikView screen development QlikView load script development from the following sources: Web services, Excel, SQL Server
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:	Multiple, production QlikView  implementations
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
DESIRED SKILLS:
DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS:	QlikView
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:	Ability to quickly adapt to a complex environment Ability to work without constant supervision
RECRUITING TARGET DATES:	Resumes Received: 11 JAN 2011 Tech Interview: 11 – 13 JAN 2011 Dataspace Selection: 14 JAN 2011 Client Interview: N/A Client Decision: N/A Start Date: 17 JAN 2011
OTHER INFORMATION	CLIENT INFO: The facilities department of one of the nation’s most respected hospitals. PROJECT INFO: One of the first implementations of QlikView at this organization.  We will be creating reports for senior management to assess their performance on measures intended to avoid fines from regulatory agencies.  Compliance with these measures also has a direct effect on the safety of individuals at the hospital.
APPLICATIONS	To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, immigration status, contact information and hourly rate to: recruiting@dataspace.com.

Data Warehouse Project Manager – Contract

# OPEN POSITIONS	1
RESPONSIBILITIES:	Create workplans & set target dates Manage data warehouse project teams to project dates Serve as a data warehouse analyst, gathering requirements and aiding in high level design Interface with client management to ensure satisfaction of project requirements
SUCCESS CRITERIA:	Interim target dates met Projects delivered on schedule Resources fully utilized Client acceptance of deliverables
LOCATION:	Nashville, TN
START DATE:	January 2011
DURATION:	2 – 3 months with possibility of extension
TECHNOLOGIES:	Microsoft project
REQUIRED SKILLS:	Ability to create workplans & set delivery dates Ability to track actuals and predict effect on the plan Ability to coordinate the efforts and deliverables of multiple project teams Ability to deliver status updates to client management Ability to perform business analysis and document results Extremely strong written communication skills & experience creating documentation
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:	2 Years of project management Data warehouse roles with 2 or more organizations
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
DESIRED SKILLS:
DESIRED EXPERIENCE:	Management of data warehouse projects Automotive industry
DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS:	PMP
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:	Very strong written & verbal communication Ability to quickly understand and work with complex designs
RECRUITING TARGET DATES:	Resumes Received: 22 DEC 2010 Tech Interview: 29 DEC 2010 Dataspace Selection: 03 JAN 2011 Client Interview: NA Client Decision: NA Start Date: 10 JAN 2011
OTHER INFORMATION:	CLIENT INFO: US subsidiary of a global automotive manufacturer   PROJECT INFO: This project represents the initial scoping phases of two large data warehousing efforts.  When completed, these two projects will combine a number of existing reporting systems into two subject areas of an enterprise-wide data warehouse.   APPLICATIONS: To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, immigration status, contact information and hourly rate to: recruiting@dataspace.com.

Data Warehouse Analyst – Contract

# OPEN POSITIONS	2 – 3
RESPONSIBILITIES:	Serve as a data warehouse analyst, gathering requirements, documenting business cases and creating high level designs
SUCCESS CRITERIA:	Client acceptance of deliverables Interim target dates met Projects delivered on schedule
LOCATION:	Nashville, TN
START DATE:	January 2011
DURATION:	2 – 3 months with possibility of extension
TECHNOLOGIES:	Data warehousing Experience with ETL  and / or BI Tools NOTE: This is NOT a development project and, in this phase, no software development will be done and pure developers will not be considered
REQUIRED SKILLS:	Ability to perform business analysis and document results Ability to develop and document high-level DW architectures (detail design not required at this point) Extremely strong written communication skills & experience creating documentation
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:	2 Years of data warehouse requirements gathering 2 Years of data warehouse design Data warehousing roles with 2 or more organizations
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
DESIRED SKILLS:
DESIRED EXPERIENCE:	Experience with Informatica and / or MicroStrategy Automotive industry
DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS:	TDWI
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:	Very strong written & verbal communication Ability to quickly understand and work with complex designs
RECRUITING TARGET DATES:	Resumes Received: 22 DEC 2010 Tech Interview: 29 DEC 2010 Dataspace Selection: 03 JAN 2011 Client Interview: NA Client Decision: NA Start Date: 10 JAN 2011
OTHER INFORMATION:	CLIENT INFO: US subsidiary of a global automotive manufacturer   PROJECT INFO: This project represents the initial scoping phases of two large data warehousing efforts.  When completed, these two projects will combine a number of existing reporting systems into two subject areas of an enterprise-wide data warehouse.   We will consider permanent employment for interested candidates who prove their capabilities in this role.   APPLICATIONS To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, immigration status, contact information and hourly rate to: recruiting@dataspace.com.

Quiz – November 2010: BI Industry Consolidation

The Vertical Integration of Knowledge

Vertical integration typically refers to the degree to which an organization owns (or controls) its own suppliers and/or consumers of its products or services.  The more vertically integrated an organization, the more of the value chain they control.  There are benefits to vertical integration including the ability to more closely match supply and demand, thus better controlling pricing and reducing uncertainty.  Detriments include more difficulty changing to suppliers who may offer competing raw materials at lower costs.

Vertical integration of knowledge, the way I’m defining it, similarly refers to the degree to which an organization obtains facts about their marketplace, and the extent of the value chain that was used to derive that knowledge.  Vertical integration of knowledge doesn’t require owning or controlling companies either upstream or downstream; it simply requires an agreement to collect data from organizations up or down the value chain.

For example, the company Above The Treeline collects sales data from independent booksellers and makes that information available to publishers, distributors, reviewers and librarians across the country.  While the purpose of the company was originally to help independent booksellers analyze their own sales and compare their sales to industry averages, the company now also provides vertically integrated knowledge (and collects revenue from providing that value) to:

• book distributors, who previously could only track sales only until booksellers bought books for their stock, and
• publishers, who previously could only track sales until distributors bought books.

Think of how the knowledge now available to these two groups can help them better manage their own businesses.  Now they can see when books were bought, if they were bought in specific combinations, how sales and incentives impact sales performance, and explore a variety of other factors.

At Dataspace we’re not only technologists, we’re strategists.  Talk to us about the data you have available (either from your systems or up/down the value chain), and we’ll work with you to integrate it, format it, and turn it into a strategic asset.  Who knows – you may even be able to sell it.

How can you use the concept of the vertical integration of knowledge to benefit your business?

The best analysis puts you in control

It’s a great feeling helping a client understand their data and working with them to analyze it to get to an ‘a-ha’ moment.  Since Dataspace’s founding 15 years ago, our leaders have seen pretty much every technology that helps us help our clients.  And until recently, our CEO would comment, “they’re all pretty much the same.”  Well, he’s got a different set of talking points now.

You may have seen a few of our posts on the merits of QlikView, and now I’m proud to announce we’re Michigan’s newest QlikView partner.  Let me tell you why I’m excited.  Trite as it sounds, QlikView really is different.  Well, maybe it’s not QlikView that’s different, maybe it’s that using QlikView is a completely different experience than using other leading BI tools.  I’m not talking about features, technical architecture,  enterprise deployability or things like that – I’m talking about how, at the most basic level, using QlikView is different, and here’s how I sum it up: QlikView allows analyses that follow the way your brain thinks, not the way the data is organized.

With traditional tools you get some data, format it a certain way, and then use some kind of analysis and reporting tool to view it different ways.  If you find that you missed something, you need to go back and get more data.  If you find you have the right data, but it’s not formatted so the tool is optimized, you need to reformat it.  All this means that to use the tool, the user must bow to the data.  It makes free-thinking difficult, because if you find you want to look at the data a new way, you need to jump through hoops to get the tool to do what you want it to.  Even worse, if you need to rely on IT to reextract and reorganize the data every time you want another analysis, good luck making friends with them.

With QlikView and its database structure, you load all the data at once.  You don’t have to create cubes or other views on which to perform your reporting and analyses – QlikView’s application lets you drill down, up, sideways, it doesn’t matter – it’s all there from the start.  So, if you’re investigating which products are most profitable, and realize it would be great to see which customers buy those products, with one click they’re identified.  Want to see which products one of those customers buys?  One click to reset the products and one click to select the customer, and all the information updates again.  No more cubes, no more incremental fetches, no more bowing to the way the data is structured, no more IT SOWs.

Let your BI tool help you uncover the facts as your brain dictates.  Give QlikView a once-over.  Contact us if you’d like to discuss further.