The main purpose of business intelligence systemsisto provides knowledge workers with tools and methodologies that allow them to make effective and timelydecisions.
Effective decisions
⎯ The application of rigorous analytical methods allows decision-makers to rely on information and knowledge
which are more dependable.
⎯ As a result, they are able to make better decisions and devise action plans that allow their objectives to be
reached in a more effective way. Indeed, turning to formal analytical methods forces decision-makers to explicitly describe both the criteria for evaluating alternative choices and the mechanisms regulating the problem
under investigation.
⎯ Furthermore, the ensuing in-depth examination and thought lead to a deeper awareness and comprehension of
the underlying logic of the decision-making process.
Timely decisions
⎯ Enterprises operate in economic environments characterized by growing levels of competition and high
dynamism. As a consequence, the ability to rapidly react to the actions of competitors and to new market
conditions is a critical factor in the success or even the survival of a company.
⎯ It illustrates the major benefits that a given organization may draw from the adoption of a business
intelligence system.
When facing problems such as those described in Examples 1.1 and 1.2 above, decision-makers ask themselves a series of questions and develop the corresponding analysis. Hence, they examine and
compare several options, selecting among them the best decision, given the conditions at hand.
⎯ If decision-makers can rely on a business intelligence system facilitating their activity, we can expect that the
overall quality of the decision-making process will be greatly improved.
With the help of mathematical models
and algorithms, it is actually possible to analyze a larger number of alternative actions, achieve more accurate
conclusions and reach effective and timely decisions.
⎯ We may therefore conclude that the major advantage deriving from the adoption of a business intelligence
system is found in the increased effectiveness of the decision-making process.
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