Mini Business Intelligence (BI) guide: turning data into strategic decisions

Introduction

Imagine making important decisions for your business with the same confidence as the future . It sounds exaggeration, but it's not that distant.

Data -oriented companies are 19 times more likely to be profitable , according to a study by McKinsey & Company . The data is from 2016, but it is still relevant, especially in a market where agility in response can define who leads and who is left behind.

Still, many companies stumble on this path : too much reports, mismatched sources, outdated spreadsheets, dashboards that nobody trusts… It's like trying to find a route on a shuffled map: you even have the information, but it doesn't help to get where you need it.
This is precisely the role of Business Intelligence (BI): transforming confusion into clarity, and data loose into well -informed decisions . When well implemented, BI connects, organizes and translates data volumes into practical responses, reducing achism and accelerating strategic movements.

In this mini guide, we will simply and apply exploit what is Business Intelligence , how this strategy works in business daily and why it can be the key to clearer, efficient and sustainable decisions . The idea here is to help you understand the real value of the data, that is, when they finally work in favor of the business .

Let's go?

What is Business Intelligence (BI) and why does it matter?

If you have already wondered why so many companies talk about data, but few really reap the results with them , the answer is often in understanding (or lack of it) about what Business Intelligence .

Business Intelligence , or simply BI, is the set of methods, technologies and processes that transform data into useful information. But more than a technical definition, BI is a way of seeing the business more clearly. It helps find patterns, measure what matters and anticipate facts based on facts, not assumptions.
All this matters a lot. In a scenario where time, margin and attention are increasingly scarce, being clear about what the data is saying becomes a real competitive advantage. BI organizes the complexity and translates volume toward : instead of a mountain of numbers, which comes to the decision of the decision making are clear, visual and actionable answers.

However, it is worth making an important distinction . After all, the universe of data analysis is broad, and often bi, Business analytics and data analytics are treated as synonyms - which can generate confusion and, worse, misaligned decisions with the right goals.

Bi, Business Analytics and Data Analytics : What is the difference?

Although they walk together, these three concepts have different functions within the data journey:

• Business Intelligence (BI) : Organizes the company's past and present data and presents this information visually and accessible . It is the panel that shows how sales, team performance and production bottlenecks are. With it, it is possible to follow the indicators that support the decisions of everyday life;
  
• Business Analytics (BA) : Goes beyond current photography. It helps to understand why the results are what they are, and what can happen next. With analysis models, he simulates future scenarios, points out trends and proposes answers before problems appear;
  
• Data Analytics : It is the technical basis that makes all this possible. It deals with data collection, organization, treatment and connection, ensuring that they are ready for analysis. It is like the infrastructure that supports BI and BA , even if it is often behind the scenes.

These approaches are not excluded: they add up. When well combined, they create a complete data journey from gross data to intelligent decision.

Now that we understand each other's role, it's time to get down from the concept to the floor of the operation. In the next section, let's see how Business Intelligence works in practice, and where, in fact, it begins to transform decisions.

How does Business Intelligence work in practice?

So far, we've talked about the concept and importance of Business Intelligence . But in practice, how does it happen? How do a dispersed and disorganized data set becomes something visual, strategic and useful for decision making?

BI is not a magic that happens overnight, but a process. And understanding this process helps to see BI as a gear that connects to the daily life of operation, management and strategy.

It all starts with the data. But for them to really generate value, they need to go through a series of steps that go far beyond "gather information . Each of these phases has a key role in the quality and applicability of the insights that will be generated. Understand more below.

The BI's Steps: From Dado to Insight

Business Intelligence journey may vary according to the company's data maturity , but in essence, it usually follows these steps:

1. Data collection : is the starting point. Data can come from various sources (ERPs, CRMS, spreadsheets, social networks, financial tools, among others). Here the challenge is to ensure that these sources are accessible and integrated safely;
   
2. Treatment and Organization : Gross data are rarely ready for analysis. This step involves cleaning, standardization, enrichment and structuring of information; All for the data to be reliable and usable ;
   
3. Storage : Treated data need to be centralized and stored in a way that facilitates consultation and scalability . This can happen in relational databases, data warehouses or date lakes , depending on volume and purpose;
   
4. Analysis and visualization : With ready and organized data, we enter the phase that connects the most with the operation. This is where dashboards , graphics, reports and alerts that allow you to track real -time indicators and understand what is working, and of course, what needs adjustment ;
   
5. Decision Making : BI, in fact, is performed when the insights generated guide practical decisions , such as redirect resources, adjust campaigns, prioritize initiatives or respond to risks before they see crises.

It is important to know that these steps are not static. In more mature companies, this cycle runs continuously, feedback and improves over time .

Tools that enable BI

Business Intelligence strategy is sustained only with the intention. Technology has a decisive role in all the steps we have seen so far.

Thus, BI tools were created precisely to transform complexity into clarity . They integrate sources, automate processes, organize data, and translate them into affordable views, even for those who are not technical . Among the best known solutions in the market are:

• Power BI : Microsoft tool with strong integration with Excel and the Office ecosystem, ideal for companies that already operate in this environment;
  
• Tableau : Known for its ability to visualize advanced and interactivity, with wide adoption in sectors such as finance, health and retail;

• Qlik Sense : stands out for its associative engine, which allows more free and exploratory analysis, with great focus on patterns discovery;
  
• LOOKER : Google Cloud platform aimed at more robust analyzes and oriented to centralized data models with strong BigQuery integration.
• Metabase : It offers an open source alternative that stands out for its ease of use and accessibility. Unlike the most corporate solutions such as Power BI or Tableau, metabase is designed to allow anyone in the team, even without in -depth technical knowledge, can explore data and create dashboards. Its intuitive interface allows to translate complex information into clear and interactive views. Ideal for promoting a decentralized data culture and enabling users to answer their own questions.

However, BI does not start or end only in the viewing tools. Other resources are also essential for a solid operation , such as:

• Data Integration Solutions (Ipaas) : How Skyone Data , which connect different systems and allow data to flow automatically and safely;
  
• Data Warehouses Modern : Like Snowflake, Google BigQuery or Amazon Redshift, which centralize the data treated and ready for analysis;
  
• Governance and Safety Layers : which guarantee controlled access, traceability and compliance with regulatory standards such as General Personal Data Protection Law (LGPD).

In the end, what differentiates a good BI operation is not the tool itself, but how much it fits the reality of the company , that is, its processes, challenges and objectives.

In the next section, let's see why all this is worth it: Let's address the concrete benefits that Business Intelligence can generate when well implemented.

Business Intelligence Benefits

Talking about data may seem too abstract for those starting. But Business Intelligence shows its value just when it comes out of theory and begins to solve everyday problems , clearly, focus and agility.

According to Barc , companies that adopt BI make decisions up to 5 times faster than those without data strategy . And this agility makes a difference in a market where to respond first can mean conquering or missing important opportunities.

See what can change in practice when data start working for the business:

• Faster and well -founded decisions : With affordable and organized data, teams gain security to act. Which before depended on various meetings and assumptions is resolved based on facts;
  
• Clear view of the company's performance : BI shows where the company is doing well and where there are points of attention, without depending on isolated reports or loose interpretations;
  
• Reduction of waste and rework : By identifying patterns and bottlenecks, BI helps to eliminate inefficiencies that cost time and money, whether in operation, service or strategy;
  
• Alignment between more connected teams and decisions : When everyone access the same data, understanding is shared and goals become more tangible, which strengthens execution;
• Ability to anticipate trends and act with proactivity : BI allows you to observe market movements, consumer behavior and seasonality. This helps prepare better for what comes, without running after the damage.

All of these benefits do not require big structures to get started: the most important thing is to take the first step with a clear and connected strategy to what the business really needs.

But before moving forward, it is worth understanding what usually wages this journey . Because recognizing obstacles is the first step to overcoming them more prepared. Check it out!

Common barriers and how to overcome them

Many companies want to better use their data, but in practice they find obstacles that lock the strategy even before they start. And the most curious: almost always, the problem is not in the tool, but in the way BI is understood, implemented and used in everyday life .

Recognizing these barriers from the beginning helps build a more solid base, avoiding frustrations and increasing the chances of success .

Check out the most frequent challenges and what can be done to overcome them:

• Excessive data, but little confidence in information : When systems do not talk, data is inconsistent or outdated, and no one knows which number is right, BI loses credibility - even before it begins. To advance , prioritize quality, not quantity. Start with a few reliable sources and organize the most strategic data for the business;
  
• Culture that still does not value data -oriented decisions : In many companies, the decision is still made in the feeling . BI, in this scenario, seems too bureaucratic or technical, which generates resistance. To move forward , show value with simple, useful and close examples of the routine. When bi solves real pain, it is seen as an ally and not as a complicating;
• Lack of clarity about BI's goals : If the company does not know what it wants to respond with the data, any dashboard will seem confusing or unnecessary. To move forward , start with the right questions. "What do we need to understand better? What impacts our operation or customer today?" This focuses and prevents the bi from becoming just another beautiful but hollow tool.
  

Recognizing these challenges does not mean braking the journey . On the contrary, it means looking at it with more preparation, empathy and focus on what really matters.

Now that we open the whole game in the next topic, we will address how to structure the first steps in a practical and sustainable way, connecting data to the reality of your company?

How to start a BI strategy in your business?

After understanding the benefits and recognizing the challenges, it is natural to arise the question: "And now, where do I start?"

The good news is that a Business Intelligence doesn't have to start big to be effective . The most important thing is to start right, with focus, simplicity and a look at the real goals of the business.

More than going out implementing tools, the secret is to ask the right questions, involve the right people and maintain clarity on the impact that seeks to generate. Next, we indicate the first steps for a safer and more consistent BI journey:

• Define a real problem to be solved with data : BI is not about measuring everything, but about measuring what matters. Start by identifying a question that the company needs to answer: "How to improve sales forecast? Where are we losing margin?" The clarity of the problem will guide everything else;
  
• Maps where the data are and how they arrive : it is worth understanding which systems the company uses today, how the data is recorded and where there are gaps or rework. This diagnosis avoids surprises and shows what can be used from the beginning;
  
• Choose simple and relevant indicators : Focus on a few KPIs that make sense for those who will use the data. It is better to have three numbers that guide real actions than ten dashboards that no one consults;
  
• Test, learn and adjust : BI is an iterative process. Start small, with a simple pilot that can be validated quickly. Use learning to gradually adjust and expand, as maturity grows;
  
• It involves people from the beginning : BI's success depends on people, not just systems. Include the teams in the process, listen to those at the end and translate the data into their reality. This increases engagement and prevents rejection.

With these steps, BI begins to take shape organicly, connected to the reality of the business and focusing on tangible results. But this is just the base: to evolve you need to follow how data use is changing , and how new technologies and approaches are redesigning the role of intelligence in business.

This is what we explore below: the trends that are shaping the future of Business Intelligence and what your business can gain by anticipating this movement.

The future of bi: trends that will transform intelligence into business

Like any technology, BI is not ready: it is a field in constant motion . As the data gains even more relevance in business strategies, the very role of Business Intelligence evolves, supporting the analysis of decision making.

Next, we highlight five trends that are already shaping the future of BI and should impact companies of all sizes in the coming years:

• Bi with artificial intelligence (IA) and Machine Learning (ML) embarked : The combination of AI and ML with BI is changing the game. Instead of just analyzing what happened, companies begin to predict scenarios, identify risks in advance and even suggest actions. According to Coursera, this is one of the most transformative trends of current BI, especially for business that seek to gain speed and personalization in decisions ;

• Real -time data analysis is no longer luxury and becomes necessary : ​​with process digitization, the timing of the decision became as important as the decision itself. Platforms that operate with real -time data are already reality and are helping companies to react faster, based on events that are happening now, not weeks ago. The imprisonment shows that real -time BI adoption is among the most prioritized strategies by leading data in data ;
  
• Interaction with Natural Language Data (NLP) : The use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) allows users to ask questions directly to the data, in common language, for example, "what was our net margin in the last trimester?". This reduces the dependence on analysts and makes BI accessible to all teams. Synoptek highlights this trend as an essential step in democratizing the strategic use of data ;
  
• Data-Driven Culture as the basis of the operation : BI do Futuro will not be an area, but a culture. Marketing teams need to operate with data at the center of their decisions. Keyrus points out that companies with data -oriented culture are 23 times more likely to purchase customers and 19 times more likely to be profitable ;
  
• Governance and security become structural : With increasing sensitivity and volume of data, governance goes from “good practice” to mandatory pillar. BARC points out that mature BI organizations are prioritizing clear models of access, responsibility and security to ensure consistency and confidence in the data used .

These trends not only point to a more technological future: they reveal a change in mindset . BI is no longer a “for a few” resource and becoming an essential organizational competence, as strategic as finances or operation itself.

And this transformation is already within the reach of companies that seek more agility, autonomy and practical intelligence for everyday life. With the correct, well -connected and organized data, it is possible to make faster, sustainable and aligned decisions to what really matters.

Next, we want to tell you how Skyone makes it possible, simplifying access to intelligence and connecting scattered data to generate real value to the business!

Skyone: How do we connect scattered data to generate actionable intelligence

Turning data into strategic decisions may seem like a complex journey - and it is often. But she doesn't have to be lonely .

At Skyone , we believe that clarity is born from the right connection , between systems, between areas, between data that previously lived in silos, isolated. Our platform was created to do just that: integrate, organize and deliver intelligence where it really makes a difference, which is at the time of the decision.

This means getting out of the "report hunting" mode and getting into a new pace , where the right data appears at the right time, the way each area needs. And that goes for both those starting and for companies that want to scale their maturity in data.

If you feel that you are swimming in data, but you still lack direction, maybe it's time to redirect the compass. We want to help your business turn this key , with lightness, security and focus on what matters.

Talk today to a skyone expert and enjoy the experience of those who have helped hundreds of businesses make smarter decisions every day!

Conclusion

If you have gotten here, you have noticed: Business Intelligence is not about having more data, but about being more clear about this data.

More clarity to know what is working, what needs adjustment and where the real opportunities are . More clarity to make decisions that do not depend on achievements, but facts, context and vision of the future.

Throughout this content, we open the BI game : We show how it works in practice and why it can be a key turn to companies of all sizes. And especially we reinforce that you can start now , with what you already have, focusing on what really matters.

Because bi is not about having a robust structure from the beginning. It's about asking good questions , connecting the essentials and creating the habit of deciding based on what data reveals . The rest is evolution!

If this content has helped you better understand what BI is, how about keeping exploring with us? We have much more to share. Visit and read other texts on our blog !

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence (BI) may seem too technical, until the moment you realize that it is behind faster, efficient and accurate decisions in companies.

If you are starting to explore this universe, it is natural that doubts arise. Therefore, we have put together the most common questions about bi, with direct answers to help you understand the essentials and take the first steps more safely.

What is Business Intelligence (BI) and why is it important?

Business Intelligence (BI) is the set of processes, tools and practices that turn gross data into useful information to support strategic decisions. It is important because it allows you to see more clearly business performance, identify problems before they get worse, and find opportunities that could go unnoticed.

In a competitive market, BI helps decide more confidence, less achievement and more agility.

What is the difference between Business Intelligence (BI) and Business Analytics (BA)?

Both are part of the same data journey, but they act at different times:

• Business Intelligence (BI): Organizes and presents data from the past and the present, offering clear visibility of what is happening in the company. Focus on monitoring and understanding the present;
  
• Business Analytics (BA): It goes beyond, using statistical techniques and predictive models to identify patterns and predict future scenarios. Focuses on explaining and anticipating what can happen.

In short, BI helps to understand the now; BA, preparing the future.

How to start a BI strategy in my company?

The first step is simple: start with a real problem that needs to be solved. Avoid thinking about BI as a complex and technical project. Then set an important question to the business, identify where the data are helping to answer it and choose tools that adapt to your reality.

With this, it is possible to start small, test, learn and gradually expand - always focused on clarity and usefulness of information to those who decide.