Looking at the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms (MQ) and the Critical Capabilities for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms (CC), let’s cover how we should be looking at this research and what we should be considering for the next 12 months.
First of all,…the picture is not THE entire story. It is a story, and that story is centered around markets. How a vendor is selected to participate and show up on the MQ first comes down to the market share it holds. We have no idea what the cut-off is, but if we imagine a pie chart in a bad use case, at some point, slivers of pie are no longer useful even as an aggregate. Same goes for this use case. The vendors must have relevant market size (revenue), and Gartner must hear about them (inquires) enough that it impacts their business. Yes, Gartner is a business like any other, and they cater to their clients as they should. Gartner’s clients tend to be larger organizations, so let’s keep that in mind.
What does Gartner gather from the vendors to support the research? There are vendor surveys asking about functionality and things for the critical capabilities where evidence must be provided (love this), and then there are questions about the health of the business and strategy going forward. Finally, a list of clients provided by the vendor who get surveyed and mix in some Gartner Peer Insights reviews. What this helps us as consumers understand is the viability of the vendor going forward. Vendors in the top right have higher market share and are likely to continue to invest in their future to maintain that direction. Don’t take this as Microsoft has a larger development team than everyone else, but a generalization that they have a ton of market share (everyone has Power BI if they are a Microsoft client) and are still investing in it as they have a comprehensive roadmap around analytics. Notice the nuance…we said, “roadmap around analytics.” This is on purpose, as a vendor in their roadmap may have newer offerings or adjacent capabilities that they are leveraging to round out their capabilities for the MQ and CC. An example of this is IBM leveraging IBM Analytics Content Hub to further its scores with the Analytics Catalog critical capability (which we’ll come back to). There is also some gamesmanship by the vendors in this area when it comes to stating or sharing revenue numbers. Did the vendor include just revenue for their BI tool, or did they also include the adjacent offerings, and how far did they go? As an example, A tool like Power BI at its low price would have to sell a ton to have caught the older vendors at the pace it did, and we know it is included in enterprise licenses, but what percentage is unclear. In almost every case, unless the vendor is only an Analytics tool vendor, they are using a higher roll-up of multiple pieces of software.
Being fair to Gartner, there is another common mistake most people make when looking at the quadrant. Microsoft is the leader, so Power BI is the best! Remember that we just covered that the MQ is more about market share, viability going forward, vendor-friendly biased input (survey and Peer Insights), and don’t forget the adjacent offerings! I would like to see Gartner list the offering set used to respond to the MQ for each vendor. If we want to see who has the best / most capabilities, then we must turn to the Critical Capabilities report.
Reading the Critical Capabilities report also can’t be done without understanding and engagement with the content. Overall scores are nice, but if certain capabilities are not important, then they can be ignored. Yes, we can argue against that, saying the best well-rounded vendor might be the best place to start; however, smaller companies (not typically Gartner clients) likely can’t afford the full-blown offering and the adjacent offerings. The vendors in this research are Gartner clients as well, so this also gives them something to market to capture newer clients. An example of this might be a local football club that is looking to start with Analytics (aka pretty pictures) and just needs some simple tooling above Sheets or Excel, meaning that Power BI or Looker is likely the best choice given their starting point in price, learning curve and ease to start with spreadsheet / CSV data. Let’s dive into that fictitious example, as it will highlight why the MQ and CC are tightly coupled.
The Football Club use case:
Small business. Has access to the Gartner research as BI tool vendors license and make it available on the internet to help inform their decisions. Uses spreadsheets and presentations along with some SaaS offerings for day-to-day (email, registrations, billing, website, and other sources for game and player data).
The Critical Capabilities (website or downloaded CSV) allows Customization to create your own use cases. You can weigh the importance of each critical capability, and it will tell you, based on the research, the rank of each tool for that use case. In this use case, if we said 80% for Data Visualization (cause I’m looking for visuals), 5% for Automated Insights (cause that might be cool), 5% for Data Preparation (cause I always have to fix extract data), 5% for Data Storytelling (again, sound cool and might use), and finally 5% for Natural Language Query (cause we don’t want to work hard), then what comes out as our top 5 are: Pyramid, Salesforce, Sisense, SAS and Microsoft. FYI – Google / Looker is 14th! Now, using the MQ to help refine these further, we would look for a good community and widely accessible knowledgebase (market things that put vendors to the right and up) and, lastly, a focus on price. This would leave the club with two likely choices: Power BI & Looker. Fictitiously, they chose Looker because they are already using Google Suite, but the data really suggested Power BI. The last influencer here is what is already in place and ease of acquisition.
It should be noted that Gartner clients can also use an interactive version of the MQ to see the vendor position change based on various attributes, such as ability to execute and completeness of vision. While interesting to see if I was a vendor, as an end consumer, I think Gartner’s defaults are in our best interest.
The takeaway for the MQ is:
Don’t start with the MQ!
Using the Critical Capabilities Report – decide what’s important to your use case (might be multiple).
Take the results from #2 and cross reference that with what’s in the MQ
If you already have an existing vendor that covers your use cases, be happy or be prepared to justify the new additional spend (nothing is free)
If your vendor is not in the reports, and you are getting what you need, also be happy. Bonus if they have been mentioned by Gartner anywhere.
But wait – we said we would come back to IBM Analytics Content Hub. IBM has done a good job pushing its Analytics Catalog technology, which allows content from most major popular Analytics and BI tools to surface together in a single entry point. However, when using the Critical Capabilities report and focusing on that piece alone at 100%, the score is not what we would expect. IBM is the only vendor in the MQ & CC that has a true Analytics Catalog, and the other vendors are not able to surface analytics content (not datasets but actual visualizations and charts) from multiple vendors. So, the last takeaway is to use the Gartner MQ & CC to shortlist and inform, but then when spending time with a vendor, be sure to be clear in your questions and use cases.
In the case of focusing on a single capability like Analytics Catalog, your choice may not be included in this Gartner research at all! Digital Hive was a previous Gartner Cool Vendor and has been mentioned seven times in the last 12 months in Gartner research, so we know we are getting this capability right. We also know that this capability is getting more critical, as it was covered specifically in Gartner’s webinar on the MQ by none other than Kurt Schlegel! Our favourite Kurt Quote: “We need to organize this mess!”.
In a world where analytics are the heartbeat of decision-making, the concept of an analytics catalog might seem purely functional at first glance. However, at Digital Hive, we believe in challenging the status quo. Imagine, for a moment, an analytics catalog not just as a repository of information but as a source of inspiration, a launchpad for innovation, and a canvas for creativity.
The Art of Organization: Crafting a Masterpiece
An analytics catalog, in essence, organizes your analytics assets. But let’s think of it as an art gallery where every piece of analytics is curated and displayed in a way that tells a story, evokes emotions, and sparks ideas. This isn’t just about making analytics findable; it’s about making them understandable, relatable, and, above all, inspiring. By meticulously organizing our analytics, we set the stage for unexpected connections and insights, much like an artist finding harmony in chaos.
The Symphony of Integration: Creating Harmony in Diversity
Digital Hive’s approach to analytics catalogs is akin to conducting an orchestra. Each instrument, or analytics tool, has its unique timbre and role. On their own, they create beautiful sounds, but when carefully orchestrated, they produce a symphony that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Integrating diverse analytics tools and sources into a cohesive catalog creates a harmony that fosters collaboration, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the analytics narrative.
The Adventure of Discovery: Navigating the Uncharted
Embark on a journey of discovery with Digital Hive’s analytics catalogs. Here, discovery isn’t just about finding what you were looking for; it’s about stumbling upon the unexpected. It’s about serendipity—encountering analytics that challenge your assumptions and broaden your horizons. Our analytics catalogs are designed to be navigated as one would explore a new city: with curiosity, openness, and the anticipation of discovering hidden gems.
The Magic of Accessibility: Democratizing Analytics
Imagine if every member of your team, regardless of their technical expertise, could wield the power of analytics. Digital Hive’s analytics catalogs make this dream a reality by breaking down barriers to access and understanding. We believe in democratizing analytics, making them as accessible and comprehensible as a well-loved book. This opens up a world where creativity and data-driven decision-making are not confined to analysts but are the domain of every team member.
The Future Reimagined: Beyond the Horizon
As we look to the horizon, the potential of analytics catalogs extends far beyond their current capabilities. Imagine a future where analytics catalogs are not just tools but partners in innovation. Through the use of AI and machine learning, analytics catalogs could predict trends, recommend creative solutions, and inspire new business models. At Digital Hive, we’re not just waiting for this future; we’re actively crafting it.
Conclusion: Your Canvas Awaits
Analytics catalogs, as envisioned by Digital Hive, are more than just a component of your business infrastructure; they are a canvas waiting to be used. They offer a space where organization sparks creativity, integration creates harmony, discovery unveils hidden treasures, and accessibility democratizes innovation. We invite you to reimagine the role of analytics catalogs in your organization and join us in this creative journey.
Embark on this adventure with Digital Hive, and let’s transform the landscape of analytics together. Who knows what masterpieces we’ll create?
FAQs:
What is an analytics catalog?
An analytics catalog organizes and curates your analytics assets, making them easily accessible and understandable to all team members, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and creativity.
How can an analytics catalog spark creativity?
By providing a structured yet flexible framework for exploring and connecting analytics, catalogs can inspire innovative solutions, uncover new insights, and encourage creative problem-solving.
Can non-technical team members use analytics catalogs?
Absolutely! One of Digital Hive’s core missions is to democratize analytics, making them accessible and comprehensible to everyone, regardless of their technical background.
Ready to redefine the boundaries of what analytics catalogs can do for your business? Dive in with Digital Hive, and let’s make analytics a source of inspiration and innovation.
Introduction to Microsoft Power BI and Analytics Catalogs
In today’s data-driven business landscape, making informed decisions rapidly is crucial. Microsoft Power BI has emerged as a front-runner in business intelligence tools, offering unparalleled data analysis and visualization capabilities. However, to truly leverage its potential, integrating an analytics catalog can be a game-changer for Power BI users. An analytics catalog centralizes and organizes your analytics, making it easily accessible and more manageable, a critical step in optimizing business intelligence strategies.
Centralizing Your Analytics Experience
The beauty of integrating an analytics catalog with Power BI lies in its ability to centralize the analytics experience. Companies often use multiple BI tools (and multiple instances of BI tools), leading to scattered sources. An analytics catalog consolidates these into a single entry point tailored to different roles and job functions. This unified approach ensures that Power BI users can easily find and utilize the analytics they need for quicker, more confident decision-making.
Navigating Technological Changes with Ease
The tech landscape is ever-evolving, with new BI tools emerging regularly. This constant change can be disorienting for users. An analytics catalog provides a consistent access point to governed or non-governed (if desired) content, irrespective of changes in the underlying BI technology. This stability is vital for Power BI users, allowing them to adapt to new tools with minimal disruption.
Gaining Deeper Insights from Usage Data
One significant advantage of using an analytics catalog with Power BI is the ability to track and analyze usage data comprehensively. This data gathered from a single access point, reveals how different BI tools and assets are utilized within the organization. Such insights are invaluable for Power BI users, guiding them to optimize their analytics strategies and usage.
Enhancing Analytics Adoption and Literacy
An analytics catalog not only centralizes but also plays a crucial role in increasing analytics adoption and literacy among Power BI users. By providing a unified platform, users enjoy a streamlined experience, making navigation and understanding of analytics more intuitive. This ease of use encourages wider adoption and a deeper understanding of analytics across the organization.
Advancing Organizational Analytics Governance
Finally, integrating an analytics catalog with Power BI strengthens analytics governance within the organization. It allows for oversight of analytics assets and differentiation of certified content. This clarity and control are essential for maintaining integrity and reliability, which is the backbone of effective business intelligence.
Conclusion
Integrating an analytics catalog with Microsoft Power BI offers numerous benefits, from centralizing sources to enhancing governance and user literacy in analytics. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of analytics management and business intelligence, this combination presents a powerful solution for harnessing the full potential of their assets. For Power BI users, it’s not just about accessing analytics; it’s about accessing them in the right way, and an analytics catalog is the key to unlocking this capability.
Have you ever marveled at how a library, with thousands upon thousands of books, manages to keep everything so organized that you can find exactly what you’re looking for in minutes? This level of organization is not just for libraries anymore. In the realm of business intelligence, analytics catalogs are playing a similar, revolutionary role.
The Essence of Analytics Catalogs:
Imagine a system that meticulously categorizes every piece of analytical information in your business. That’s what an analytics catalog does. It’s a system that indexes, organizes, and makes analytical insights accessible for everyone in the organization, regardless of their technical know-how.
1. Streamlined Access to Business Intelligence Insights:
Just as you can walk into a library and find a book on a specific topic without rummaging through every shelf, an analytics catalog allows your team to quickly pinpoint the insights they need. This streamlined access is crucial for timely decision-making and maintaining a competitive edge.
2. Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency:
In a library, the Dewey Decimal System ensures that every book has a specific place and is easy to find. Similarly, analytics catalogs ensure that every piece of analytical insight is accurate, up-to-date, and consistent across the board. This reliability is the cornerstone of making informed strategic decisions.
3. Governance and Compliance Made Easy:
Just like a library needs to adhere to certain standards and regulations, businesses too need to ensure compliance, especially when handling sensitive analytical insights. Analytics catalogs come in as a governance tool aid, ensuring that all insights are managed and used in compliance with industry standards and regulations.
4. Promoting Collaboration:
Imagine a group project where everyone needs access to the same set of books. In business, analytics catalogs enable this by making insights accessible to all relevant team members, fostering collaboration, and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
5. Cultivating a Culture of Informed Decision-Making:
When insights are easily accessible, more people in the organization can use them to make informed decisions. This accessibility cultivates a culture where decisions are not based on gut feelings but on concrete, organized analytical insights.
Conclusion:
The role of analytics catalogs in modern business intelligence cannot be overstated. They serve as the foundational system that organizes and simplifies access to insights, much like the Dewey Decimal System does for books in a library. By implementing an analytics catalog, businesses can ensure that they are not just collecting insights but are also able to efficiently utilize them to drive success and innovation.
(Consideration: Dewey Decimal system requires that you learn it. Not only can we prescriptively ‘catalog’ but naturally aid in finding assets via search, tags (both global and personal), and leveraging input in the system from other users (ratings, comments, usage).
The analytics realm is evolving at a breathtaking pace, regardless of where you turn there’s a product offering analytics capabilities for your business, and for good reason. To make smart business decisions, you need robust analytics data. However, amidst a sea of numbers, graphs, and KPIs, one aspect stands out as the game-changer – User Experience (UX). As businesses across industries grow more data-driven, the tools they use become crucial. Yet, it’s not just about what the tools can do; it’s about how they make users feel.
The User Experience Imperative:
UX goes beyond aesthetics. In the world of Business Intelligence (BI) and analytics, UX encompasses how intuitively data can be read, how smoothly functionalities can be navigated, and how easily insights can be derived.
Efficiency, accuracy, and engagement are the three pillars of UX we, at Digital hive, find ourselves always coming back to. It’s the questions we ask ourselves when reviewing our updates to ensure that we’re providing not only the technology to improve the way our customers do business, but also the experience they have when they do it.
Here’s how we break it down:
Efficiency: A good UX design reduces the learning curve. It means our users spend less time trying to figure out how to use our platform and more time actually using it for analysis.
Accuracy: An intuitive interface minimizes errors. When buttons, toggles, and filters are clear and well-placed, the chances of misreading or making incorrect inputs decrease.
Engagement: A visually pleasing and user-friendly interface keeps users engaged. This ensures consistent use and higher ROI for analytics tools.
Differentiating in a Crowded Marketplace:
Consider two analytics tools – both offer similar features, data visualization capabilities, and integrations. Yet, Tool A has a cluttered interface, a confusing layout, and lacks clear instructions. In contrast, Tool B offers a clean layout, step-by-step guides, and an intuitive dashboard. Even if Tool A had a slightly better processing capability, users would gravitate towards Tool B due to its superior UX.
This differentiation is paramount in today’s crowded BI marketplace. With myriad tools boasting advanced functionalities, it’s the user experience that can set a platform apart.
The Role of Feedback in UX Evolution:
Continuous evolution is a hallmark of great UX design. Companies leading the BI sector, like Tableau or Looker, frequently update their interface based on user feedback. This iterative process ensures that the tool remains aligned with users’ changing needs and preferences.
Beyond the Tool – The Ecosystem’s UX:
It’s essential to remember that UX doesn’t end with the tool interface. Ask yourselves these questions:
How easily can the tool be integrated into existing systems?
How smooth is the data migration process?
These are also crucial UX elements. Solutions like Digital Hive, which seamlessly bring together various BI tools, exemplify the importance of considering UX in the broader ecosystem.
As analytics becomes an indispensable part of business strategy, ensuring an impeccable user experience is not just desirable – it’s imperative. In the vast ocean of analytics tools, it’s the lighthouse of intuitive UX that will guide users to your shores.
Companies that prioritize and continuously refine their user experience are the ones that will lead the charge in the analytics revolution, turning raw data into actionable, impactful insights.
