Business Intelligence: how we use data to make us wiser

Using “business Intelligence” makes it possible to transform seemingly valueless raw data into active, useful knowledge that can make a difference.

In a digitised world and in much of our working day, most of our actions are somehow linked together with technology that generates data. This data can be everything from the books borrowed most often from the library or the peak times for visits to a hospital’s casualty department.

This is all data that can make us far smarter – if dealt with in the right way.

“Data is one of the strongest tools we have, because it’s factual. Using business intelligence means you can then make reasonable predictions based on that data,” explains Erik Søndergaard Andersen, Senior Manager of Business Development, who is in charge of the Systematic Business Intelligence team.

Examples of useful data include the type of books that get borrowed most from the library, or how much staffing is required in a specific home care organisation on a Thursday afternoon. Business intelligence paves the way to transforming whole shoals of data into useful, actionable information.

Knowledge can be used here or now – or to make predictions

Business intelligence can provide support for decision-making right here and now, and can also generate predictions based on accumulated data. Based on insights based on the data and contexts within it, it is possible to – for example – predict which combination of services will give members of the public the most effective service, by transforming the raw data into intelligence and knowledge that can be acted upon.

At Systematic, business intelligence is a field where significant developments are taking place. For example, it is currently being used in the health care field, in conjunction with the Columna Cura electronic citizen record system, which makes it easier for Danish municipalities to settle accounts with private suppliers of home help as well as with cleaning companies.

“Structuring a municipality’s data from Columna Cura into a system makes it much easier for municipalities to settle their accounts with suppliers – even though rates may vary. In addition, management gets an accurate overview of the deliveries made. Business intelligence makes it faster, far easier and at the same time more secure to process key data about the citizens involved,” says Erik Søndergaard Andersen, and continues:

“Over time, the plan is that municipalities in Denmark should also be able to use the data collected from Columna Cura to optimise their resources. They will be able to use business intelligence capabilities to streamline their operations, based on what the data shows. For example, if the system can take into account which kinds of wound care treatment will be required, in order to find most the effective way of reducing overall time spent on treatment until the person is no longer on sick leave.”

The use of business intelligence becomes crucial

A similar business Intelligence initiative is currently running as a pilot project at a number of Systematic customers that use the Cicero Library Management Solution. Libraries could learn much more about library users and their needs, by making use of data about the number of visitors and other lending statistics.

“By analysing data about loans and borrowers, you can see what they are interested in borrowing, and also predict what they will read next. For the libraries, this means that – for example – they can become more aware of what is being borrowed most, and which people read what – and thus optimise their book purchases,” says Erik Søndergaard Andersen.

According to Erik Søndergaard Andersen, data and business intelligence will have a decisive impact on the ways IT solutions are designed and used – here and now as well as in the long term. And that’s important to keep in mind right now, he explains.

“At the moment, there are only few places where we process all the data that actually exists and can be collected. But this is a field that has enormous potential. And in the long term, it is those that are able to use data from their IT solutions to – for example – actively predict how their resources will be used and to plan their budgets accordingly that will be most successful,” points out Erik Søndergaard Andersen.