Best Business Intelligence Tools in India

Rapid digitalization is changing the way the critical facets of the businesses use to function. Emerging businesses are realizing the need for transforming the ways the data is utilized, so as to establish a modernized data architecture. In line with the same, advanced technologies are putting forth their capabilities to bring new ways of dealing with the available information, identifying business trends and  monitoring key performance indicators in real-time. 

One such dynamic technology that has evolved as the real game changer in the market today for establishing the data culture in the organizations is Business analytics Software. This smart and modern-age software is basically an analytical tool that organizes raw and unstructured data for an organization to render in-depth business insights using statistics needed for making informed business decisions.

In wake of the rising popularity for the business intelligence software, we conducted thorough research on the best business intelligence tools available in India and analyzed their functionality, features, cost-effectiveness and BI capabilities. This will help you fathom your suitable BI software that can help you achieve your business goals.

Let’s dig deep into the 10 robust BI tools in the markets, so as to make smarter choice on your best-fit software

• Tableau

Tableau BI software is an efficient data discovery and visualization tool that transforms your business information into actionable insights. You can analyze and visualize your data without having a professional analyst at place; directly indicating that it possesses a user-friendly interface. Tableau being the most powerful, safe and flexible end-to-end analytics platform, enables users to work faster and smarter, with accurate, real-time data. 

Also, it is easier to publish and share content with greater confidence and governance with this robust analytics platform. Tableau can seamlessly integrate with your existing data infrastructure both on-premise as well as in the Cloud. 

Embedded with Artificial Intelligence, creative dashboards, suggestion features and seamless connectivity to multiple sources like Google Analytics, MS SQL, MS Excel, Oracle, etc. Tableau has made its place in the list of top business intelligence tools. 

Key Features of Tableau:

• Gain insightful analytics in just a click of button
• Easy to use and share data from the software
• In-memory architecture supports creative visualizations and data exploration
• Mobile-friendly tool and render access to information anytime, anywhere to users
• Easy to scale up the licenses for the users
• Cost-effective for even SMEs to afford

• Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft Power BI with its smart analytics enables users to monitor KPIs in real-time, and helps them determine the metrics that could drive more opportunities and success to the business. However, the user interface is found crowded with several icons that blocks the view of the dashboard or report. This advanced analytics rich software uses data mining and BI systems to spot the data patterns and render important business insights.

Features of Microsoft Power BI

• Good at handling single relationship tables but complex relationship tables may not be handled well
• Limited options are available for configurations of visuals
• Software integration with Azure Machine Learning and Azure Stream Analytics
• Intelligent app suggestion based on its popularity, content, relevance, and reviews
• About 2000 Data Analytics Expressions to perform analytics specific functionalities, although, the language still remains complex to work upon

• SAP Business Intelligence

This is integrated business intelligence software that is used at enterprise level. It offers a range of advanced analytics solutions like predictive analysis, planning & scheduling, machine learning, etc. It efficiently performs the ideal BI functions such as reporting, data-visualization, office integration and mobile analytics as well, although customers have reported issues related to report delays. It utilizes latest and innovative BI tools, capable of adapting to the modern business needs.

Features of SAP Business Intelligence

• User-friendly and highly flexible solution, but the high-price remains a matter of concern for SMEs to afford it
• Integration with both SAP and non-SAP applications; although server shutting down due to heavy complexity of reports is the common issue that has been reported multiple times in the users’ reviews
• Hassle-free architecture for data warehousing, transparent and scalable solution
• High-level database can be created using both analysis and transactions
• Builds insightful reports, however, customers’ review on some common sites claim that reports appear slow or sometimes never appear after making a query

• Oracle BI

It is again, enterprise level business intelligence software that can give its users all the necessary business intelligence capabilities in one-suit. Although, this software is fairly expensive and due to its complex architecture, a vendor’s implementation support is needed that drives the cost of deployment even higher. 

It renders the users the liberty to create innovative dashboards, conduct proactive intelligent analysis, send alerts, etc. It is a robust BI tool that efficiently analyzes large data volumes from multiple data sources. 

Features of Oracle BI:

• Accurate, Real-time and reliable business insights can be achieved but only after considerable efforts due to complex UI of the software
• Access to information from any location to establish a collaborative workspace
• Common Enterprise Model for Business analytics with fair capabilities to include maps with the data, however, this feature is sold separately and is quite expensive too
• Liberty to make data discoveries with Oracle Endeca Discovery, although the tool is not very easy to use
• Analysis is carried out using OBIEE (oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition), query analysis, etc. for confident decision making

• Zoho Analytics

Zoho Analytics is one of the smartest BI platforms with Artificial Intelligence powered assistance. This software apart from creating interactive dashboards and innovative visualizations also gives intelligent replies and answers to users’ queries, although, it could be little challenging to find the query errors. It is undoubtedly an extremely useful tool, but the users need to go through a high-learning curve to generate meaningful reports.

Features of Zoho Analytics:

• With easy editor, reports and dashboards can be customized so as to monitor all important details, however, the changes made may/maynot be saved automatically
• Multiple Connectors available for various apps, drives, and database
• Self-service data analytics and BI software that discovers hidden insights, although the UI is quite complex to operate
• Easy sharing of reports with possibility to add comments and run conversations
• Rich-experience of high-end filtering and cross-reference objects needed to manage complex functions of the software

• MicroStrategy

MicroStrategy is powerful Business Intelligence Software that allows innovative dashboarding and data analysis with speed and accuracy. It creates reliable and error-free stats that help users closely monitor the market trend, realize new business opportunities, or improve the existing products and services. However, the biggest downside of the software is the high pricing and complex User Interface. 

Features of MicroStrategy:

• smart data  architecture powered by WYSIWYG (What-you-see-is-what-you-get) time-tested report designs
• Data cache memory is not large enough to store terabytes of data
• Smart Download and Automatic Refresh makes important content available both online and offline
• Lack of unified User Interface restricts the smooth workflow and creates visual diversity
• Setting up dashboard frames in order to fit it into varying screen sizes is a little complicated

• SAS Business Intelligence Software

SAS BI platform is an intelligent self-service platform known for offering advanced predictive analysis. It helps users to leverage the power of data and statistical insights to make informed business decisions, although understanding the complex language of lines and codes is difficult at times. SAS can conduct data mining and can make alterations in the existing data received from various sources to generate meaningful reports. Also, the unaltered data can be retrieved later and the user can manage the same while analyzing it.

Features of SAS Business Intelligence Software:

• Self-service reporting can be achieved with real-time data analysis
• High-cost is one of the major restrictive factors for SMEs in purchasing its license
• Graphic representation in the visuals need some improvement
• query builders lack functionality
• Several data customization options are available with high-level data integration, but the process is quite cumbersome

• IBM Cognos Analytics

Powered by Artificial Intelligence, IBM Cognos Analytics is a smart BI platform that manages the entire data analytics cycle, right from discovery to executing operations. Apart from just creating visualizations, it interprets the data to render the users actionable insights. However, the software is tough to understand and not many resources are available to learn about the same. It is undoubtedly, the value for money software but only if you get the most out of it.

Features of IBM Congo Analytics:

• Constructing prompt page and matching the formatting/branding of previous reports is time consuming, though users expect these functionalities to work with speed
• Proper training is needed to work on complex modules like Query Studio
• Lack of efficiency when integrated with non-IBM software
• Enhanced control on the sharing and visibility of the analytical reports
• Cleaning and combining of data is possible in simple clicks with AI assisted features supporting advanced analytics

• ClicData

Especially designed for small to midsize businesses, ClickData Business Intelligence software specializes in generating insightful reports. Although, the software is not that user-friendly and there isn’t much material available for learning. But, it lets you connect your data seamlessly from over 250 sources into a single data warehouse platform. This helps in creating smart visualizations, while maintaining a common data storage. 

Features of ClicData:

• Complete health of business can be monitored using this one single BI platform
• Limited visualization functionalities for data interpretation
• Easy and convenient sharing of metrics and insights among the individuals or teams
• Different syntaxes for transforming data at source or in dashboard is confusing for the user
• Customized dashboard building is quite complex

• Clear Analytics

Clear Analytics Business Intelligence software is an intuitive application based on Excel. Hence, it is easy to understand and operate for even users with the most basic knowledge of excel. However, since it largely depends on Excel, the software is not ideal for the companies that work remotely. Also, it is available only through on-premise, and Cloud deployment is not possible, which is necessary for companies to collaborate. Nevertheless, this self-service BI application offers various analytics features such as creating smart visualizations, automating data cleaning, etc.

Features of Data Analytics:

• Smart visualizations and graphic representation of data
• Access to information on mobile devices is not available
• The software is available only in English Language
• Automated cleaning of data and analysis
• Cannot be used without having Excel and Windows Operating System

Conclusion

That is all for 10 best Business Intelligence tools available in the market with advanced BI features. Hope this information was useful enough to guide you through the Business intelligence products and their specific traits. For more details, reach out to business intelligence experts for your specific requirements.