Business Intelligence - gaining more knowledge from your data.

The desired solution was to offer the possibility of combining sales figures with one another in multiple ways. On top of that, a high level of user-friendliness was important.

Data processing and analysis required an above-average expenditure of time. For one, the data first had to be transferred from the previously used ERP system to Excel and individually processed for querying. This led to long loading times. Furthermore, the high complexity of the previous analysis tool made quick queries as good as impossible for inexperienced users.

The project

dataTec is the leading specialist distributor of measuring and testing devices. A large amount of data containing valuable information is generated in everyday business. The company wanted a solution for quick and clear evaluations from different perspectives.

Our solution

By implementing an OLAP database, key figures can easily be compiled by means of drag-and-drop and evaluated within seconds. Using Excel and pivot tables as analysis tools ensures exceptionally high user-friendliness.

All requirements

The goal was to find a solution that simplified the process of querying, as well as making the information available with minimal loading time.

While searching for a suitable IT service provider, a recommendation drew dataTec’s attention to our company. Our experience in the area of business analytics, particularly for the SQL server database, is what won dataTec over.

The company uses the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics NAV – where it manages more than 100,000 contact details. Initially, the focus of the analysis optimisation was placed on the area of order evaluation. What orders were generated in the last year, quarter, or month for a certain product group, or only for one product from the group, which business area acquired the most orders, and at what time or at what price a product was sold. The new system had to be able to manage any number of combinations – without complex click paths and long loading times.

Implementation

We decided to use a multi-dimensional, so-called OLAP database (Online Analytical Processing). This allows all data to be processed and structured before the query, meaning that the analysis generator has all values at hand within seconds with just a click.

Why is it so fast? Overnight, the system scans the database and aggregates the contents according to the pre-set structure, meaning they merely need to be output upon request. We selected Excel and pivot tables to visualise the analysis, since this is a widespread product with which most users have at least some experience.

Users can conveniently choose the criteria relevant to them via drag-and-drop. Within seconds, they receive an analysis that is already ready for presentation. In contrast to the old system, OLAP already has all data ready in a structured way and in a clean format. The data analysis revealed a multitude of further relevant evaluation options and result correlations that are hugely beneficial to dataTec.

Outlook

This newly established foundation brings the company one step closer to optimised sales management. Aside from many new evaluation possibilities, the OLAP-based database provides a new form of complexity. To make sure that employees do not get lost in the numerous evaluations, we are currently developing dashboards that offer a simplified and improved visualisation of the data.