Which are the best business intelligence software applications for business users in 2011? Can a small business find a free or open source BI solution? This article will try to give simple answers for these questions and provide an easy guide for downloading best BI software programs from the Internet.
A Business Intelligence (BI) software program can help a strategy manager report and analyze business data for reducing costs and improving efficiency. It is an important tool when a company is trying to optimize its management or get through the economic recession.
Top Business Intelligence Software Tools Comparison
A BI software tool could integrate the function modules of data mining, lead generation, data extracting, data preparation, data analytics, BI strategy management, and decision-making assistance. There are a lot of kinds of commercial BI software applications available for downloading online.
For example, IBM Congos is a fully-featured BI solution integrating the functional modules of query and reporting for business decisions, integrated management dashboard, data analysis, strategy realization, collaborative BI, extending BI, statistics, business planning and budgeting, and real-time monitoring and reporting; Actuate is a BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tool) for every user in an organization.
Other top-rated BI software companies and vendors include SAS, iQ4bis, Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise Edition, SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence, Panorama Software, Pentaho, Information Builders, and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting and Analysis Services. Most of them provide free trial editions.
Best Free and Open Source BI Software Systems Download
A commercial BI software tool could cost hundreds of US dollars or much more. Sometimes it could be too expensive for a small business owner who is looking for a cheaper BI solution. In this circumstance, he or she can choose a free or open source business intelligence software program.
The free BI tools include InetSoft and MicroStrategy. MicroStrategy provides a free BI Reporting Suite and a free mobile suite. It also provides a series of BI training courses and lessons for free downloading.
The open source BI software programs include Eclipse BIRT Project, RapidMiner, JasperSoft, SpagoBI, and Palo OLAP database. Remember that open source is not consequently free. Sometimes the commercial supports of an open source system could be very costly too. A user can also try an integrated open source system. For example, Openbravo is web-based open source software that integrates the systems of CRM, ERP and BI.
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Chen Nanyang - Chen Nanyang's journalist career began in 2002 when he started writing for China's Nanfang City News, Singapore's United Morning Post and ...
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