What is embedded analytics?
Users want to be able to see their data in the tools they are already using. Whether it’s due to time constraints or wanting to limit access, many users would prefer to see their data on their own site or app, without having to go through their BI tool.
This can be accomplished using embedded analytics. It’s a general term used for any method that lets users build data visualizations, powered by their BI software of choice, into a non-BI site or application. Embedded analytics can help businesses drive better, faster decisions because their data is being delivered directly where it’s needed.
With embedded analytics, anyone can access their data from any location. All it takes is a browser and an internet connection. Embedded databases are no longer limited to a certain group or department, as embedded analytics don't need corporate credentials.
Embedded analytics is a major innovation in the BI industry. It lets everyone see their data, even when they don’t have permission to log into their data warehouse. It lets employees access real-time information without having to go through IT. Embedded analytics doesn’t require users to download any software; in most cases, embedded web apps can be accessed right from a browser. Embedded analytics is the future of BI tools.
What kinds of embedded analytics are there?
Generally, it’s possible to build embedded analytics that fit any use case, from sales looking for a competitive advantage, to marketers testing out new campaigns. Some common applications are -
Reporting Tools: Many companies find it useful to see and analyse basic data without having to go through their BI software. Users can easily put together and share executive dashboards, or embedded reports to see KPIs. If you find that you’re constantly logging in to your BI tool to check the same two or three statistics, it might be a good idea to just build those statistics into your site.
For example, for ecommerce businesses, embedded analytics could let customers see how many sales they made for the day, or how much money was spent by different regions.
Dashboards: Many companies have a dashboard for each department that they want the employees to have access to. In this case, embedded analytics is ideal as an embedded dashboard can show up as a widget on other sites as needed.
Dashboards can help employees to monitor different KPIs, which could improve productivity. For example, embedded dashboards are commonly used by traders to monitor market prices or weather conditions.
This makes embedded analytics a more efficient way of sharing information across different departments, as embedded dashboards are always up-to-date with the latest scorecard data.
Benchmarking: There are many situations where you might want to see how your data compares to some benchmark in real time. With embedded analytics, users can track progress towards a goal, see how data compares to data from the past, and improve productivity.
For example, embedded analytics can be used to see how well average employees perform against the top performers in the company's data over time. This can be used to guide performance reviews and reward employees.
Data Visualization: It can be easy to tell other people in your organization about the implications of your data, but it’s much more useful to show them. With embedded analytics, you can build graphs and charts into your site, so that your readers can see embedded data in real time, without having to log in.
For example, an embedded dashboard might let real estate agents show how many houses were sold in a given month in different areas across the city, with embedded visualizations of average prices for each area. These visualizations can then update in real time, using data from your BI tool.
Companies can use embedded data visualizations to improve the way they work, as embedded analytics make it easier for managers to improve their decision-making capabilities.
Write-back: Integrating your BI tool with third-party apps and services can increase the power of your embedded analytics. Write-back features enable data to seamlessly move between systems automatically.
Employees can enter information like the number of orders or the total amount spent on a given day. Then, embedded analytics can save that data to the BI tool, so that other users can access it later. This allows embedded analytics to truly improve collaboration and productivity across an organization.
Mobile Reporting: An employee who’s traveling or working in a remote location might not be able to get to a desktop to open a BI tool. While many BI tools are available in mobile versions, building tools into a mobile app or service the company already uses might be a better choice.
Remote work is becoming more popular, so embedded analytics could be extremely useful for companies that have employees who are working in remote locations. This allows employees to access their data from any device they use.
If remote employees can't access BI data, they can't make important decisions based on that data, and that could decrease their productivity.
Embedded analytics also makes it easier for employees to work from home. From home, employees can log into your company's app or website and see key information, without having to log into a BI tool.
How can embedded analytics help my business?
Creative use of embedded analytics can solve many different problems, and improve almost any business. For those looking to boost their company's performance, embedded analytics can help them accomplish that goal more easily.
Managers can use these tools to access important data and make informed decisions.
Embedded analytics can improve communication. A nationwide company might want to share company-wide data with franchisees in real time. Rather than have every manager in the company logging into the same BI instance, the company can build that data into a tool like a POS or company-branded app that managers use everyday.
Communication is easier with an embedded analytics tool, because it can be built into a solution that employees already use. It's easier for employees to access information in the tools they already have, rather than having to go somewhere else to look up data.
Embedded analytics can improve collaboration and process automation. Teams work together better if everyone can access the same information quickly and easily. Process automation is easier when information is readily available to employees who need it. Embedded analytics ensures that all employees have the same data at their fingertips, without having to rely on different interfaces or workflows to get access.
Embedded analytics can save time and simplify workflows. If employees know what data they need from your BI tool, and need that data frequently, it’s a waste of time having them go into a different platform and look for that information.
Instead, embed the data into an app or website, so it’s readily available to employees who might need it.
By rolling data into workflow tools that employees are already using, everyone can work quickly and efficiently. By meeting employees where they are, embedded analytics tools make it easy for them to access the information they need, when they need it. Embedded analytics can help improve communication and collaboration, automate processes, simplify workflows, save time and improve productivity
Embedded analytics can improve customer relationships. Building these tools into public-facing applications can help drive more sales, improve customer satisfaction, and collect valuable feedback about your business.
Customers want data, and they want it quickly. Embedded analytics can help meet that need, by providing them with data about their purchase history or product usage directly in an app.
Embedded analytics can help drive more sales. Embedding analytics into an eCommerce website can help sell more items, by simplifying and streamlining the user experience.
