Analytic Apps involve industry specific knowledge, this business acumen is translated to best practices then decomposed into information architecture and design guidelines that can be applied across multiple domains. This type of long term thinking makes repeatable workflows for common analysis able to fly faster and more frequently. Client are anxious to become more real time so they are not doing review mirror analysis and reacting later than they would like. While dashboards does translate the business acumen into dazzling insightful visualizations it does not put an emphasis on being easily repeatable and scalable. It does not model to speed and in some cases high volumes. This is where competitive decision making can be done. If we get the data 2 weeks ahead of you and can react in that time to the information then that can seem like an eternity to the competitor. The competition will feel like they are behind the 8 ball. This is seen today in “high speed trading” where super computers are getting the information seconds ahead because of it proximity to the trading center. This advantage can make the difference in millions of dollars.
A dashboard may not cover workflows in the same manner as Analytic apps because it might be limited to one subject matter domain. It does not seem to stress on the data design principles in the long run. I think it is natural as business matures to move from dashboards toward analytic applications.
There are 3 drivers pushing this movement
- More frequent updates on the dashboards
- More industry best practices in workflows
- Users ability to morph workflow as the business dynamically changes
Consider the following in making a jump across the chasm.
- Will the app fit the company needs?
- Is there user acceptance, education and adoption?
- Is the insight making the company more competitive?
- How easy is it for custom development?
- Is this strategy future proofed? does it lend to devices and mobile easily?
- As the ERP (source) upgrades does the Analytic App stay lock step support wise?
- Is there ROI? cost: all things being equal, the final decision will be cost and support.
Stephen Choo Quan
