GUIDE TODATA VISUALIZATION
GUIDE TO DATA VISUALIZATION
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OVERVIEWInsight from business intelligence programs can be difficult to digest in
numerical form. Visual representations ease the comprehension of information
and encourage human derived insight.
The primary distinction between data visualization software and a full-blown
business intelligence (BI) solution is the quality of the visualizations one can
produce. Some BI solutions, though excellent at crunching the numbers
according to your data analysts’ specifications, fall short of allowing you to
present your results to others. Sometimes a number chart or bar graph just
doesn’t cut it. Producing immaculate, interactive visual complements to a
business intelligence report is what data visualization software specializes in.
This guide covers the factors one should consider when selecting and
implementing a data visualization solution.
1. “World Map - Abstract Acrylic” by Nicolas Raymond used under CC BY / desaturated from original2. “Skyward” by Hayden Irwin used under CC BY / desaturated from original3. “So Many Numbers” by re_birf used under CC BY / desaturated from original4. “Hiroshima City” by Freedom II Andres under CC BY / desaturated from original5. “Times Square” by Nicolas Vollmer used under CC BY / desaturated from original6. “Research” by ENeil Conway used under CC BY / desaturated from original
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There are a number of scenarios in which you may be
considering adding a data visualization tool to your BI arsenal.
You may be looking to implement a new BI solution and are
aware of a particular need for quality, integrated visualization
and reporting functionalities. In this case, you may want to
pursue a fully capable business intelligence solution, but keep
in mind the considerations listed below to ensure that the
solution’s visualization tools will be sufficient.
In a second scenario, you may already have a BI solution, but it
might lack sufficient visualization capabilities. In this case you’ll
want data visualization software that can integrate with your
existing BI program, and enhance your project.
The last scenario is that you have no BI software, and you feel
that a full-blown BI solution is overkill. Some data visualization
software comes with enough data mining and analysis
functionality to create the visualizations you want directly
from the data, allowing you to manipulate it for insight much
like a broader BI program.
“The most successful BI efforts begin with a goal in mind and find the tools that will best carry out those goals“
WHEN YOU NEED DATA VISUALIZATION SOFTWARE
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FEATURES AND BUYING CONSIDERATIONS
CONNECTIVITYIf your data visualization solution is not overlaying a BI system, but rather
is functioning as your primary BI solution, then it is very important to
ensure that it will connect smoothly with your data sources.
Your data may be stored in a relational data warehouse, a Hadoop
cluster, NoSQL, or cloud-based system. Not all visualization solutions
have pre-built integrations with all sources, and if your data system is
custom built, you will want to check if your selected solution can be
easily configured to integrate with it.
DRILL-DOWNThe best visualizations are not merely static, but allow you to peer
deeper into and manipulate the data from within an interactive
visualization.
In a timeline visualization, this could be a slider empowering you to go
at your own pace through time to observe how changes in one metric
relate to the changes in others. In a geographic map this may be zooming
in from the world map to a state level or city map and comparing the
distribution of your data points in one city to the distribution of data
points in another city.
This is what elevates the visualization from a mere reporting feature for
showing off progress into a tool that can be used for crowd-analysis by
non-technical users and generating actionable insight.
VISUALIZATION TYPESThere are many visualization types. Different charts, graphs and
infographics abound, and it is worthwhile to peruse the various types
provided by your potential solution.
Treemaps, streamgraphs, bubble charts, infographics, geographic maps
and three-dimensional scatter plots are all commonly referenced and are
a good place to start when making sure the solution has all the standard
visualization templates. Pre-built templates can speed the process of
creating reports and lighten the load on your data analysts working to
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create more intricate custom visualizations.
With so many options, however, it would be easy to get caught up in
using every visualization you can find. Remember, the most successful
BI efforts begin with a goal in mind and find the tools that will best carry
out those goals. It’s good to research beforehand and identify which
visualization types are likely to work best with your data.
DASHBOARD INTEGRATIONWhether your visualization solution will be part of a broader BI system
or not, you’ll want the ability to include your visualization in a dashboard.
Having the right visualizations and reports collected in one quickly
accessible location helps minimize the time from analysis to action.
The case study under the header “Data Visualization in Use” describes
a company’s implementation of individualized dashboards for each
manager based on the key performance indicators most relevant to their
decision making.
MOBILE ACCESSLinked to the value of information on centralized dashboards, mobile
access allows you to view your visualizations and data both remotely and
with ease. Whether out of the office, at a meeting, or simply around the
workplace, mobile access to current visualizations allows you to make
real-time, data-driven decisions.This can come in the form of a mobile
app or a mobile optimized web portal for Internet-enabled devices.
Beyond personal convenience, mobile access makes data easier to
retrieve for everyone, ensuring more decision makers are properly
informed.
SELF-SERVICE CAPABILITYSelf-serviceability is the degree to which a non-technical business user
can operate the data visualization software. If it is necessary for a
business executive or manager to access and even generate their own
visualizations, then the software must have a clean, self-explanatory
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interface. Often this manifests itself in drag and drop charting and data
analysis.
This contributes to the value of involving business people as well as IT
and data analysts in purchasing decisions to ensure the chosen solution is
operable by all who will be using it.
TRAINING AND SUPPORTIn the case that the needs you have cannot be met with a highly self-
serviceable solution, you will want to ensure that the provider you choose
supplies sufficient training resources and support, so your analysts can
work as efficiently and knowledgeably as possible.
Assistance offered by data visualization providers is often available as
video tutorials, live online introductory sessions, and/or onsite training.
The form of training you want to make sure your solution provides is
dependent on the capabilities of your IT department and your other users.
You may need to have a large, in-person training session for your business
users, or you may need only some online reference materials for your
already skilled IT personnel.
CLOUD VS. ON-PREMISEThe decision between a cloud or on-premise data visualization solution
rests largely on the location of your data and your existing BI solution.
Speed of deployment is usually quicker for data visualization than for
other BI tools, so current systems and security are more applicable factors
to consider.
If both your data and BI solution are in the cloud, then you will want
a cloud-based visualization solution capable of integrating with the
particular cloud systems already in use. Otherwise, if your data sources
and BI solution are on-premise due to security or dependability concerns,
then your visualization software likely should be on-premise as well.
As far as security, your visualizations may contain company data that
shouldn’t fall into the hands of your competitors. Like with any sensitive
information, you must consider the security of your servers, the servers of
any cloud-based provider, your workplace computers, and mobile devices
when selecting a visualization solution.
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Eurac, an international brake disc
manufacturer, needed a better way to create
and view reports. Eurac produced 100,000
tonnes of grey iron casting each year and
operated machining facilities across the world,
supplying vehicle manufacturers, the motor
racing industry and part distributors.
An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
implemented by Eurac in 2011 failed to
produce reports frequently (taking up to
two weeks or a month to produce) and the
reports required technically skilled staff to be
customized.
After a successful free trial tasked to an IT
intern, Eurac implemented a Logi Info, a Logi
Analytics data visualization and dashboarding
solution.
Now Eurac managers have access to real-time
reports on dashboards personalized to the key
performance indicators (KPIs) most relevant to
their department. They can react to situations
as they occur. They can access the reports
from their laptop, tablet, and mobile phone, in
the workplace or out. No longer do they have
DATA VISUALIZATION IN USE: EURAC
to wait for weeks to see progress reports and to
make changes to the reports they receive.
The benefits provided by Logi Analytics resulted
in a nearly immediate 50 percent return on
investment for Eurac, partly due to the reduction
in ERP licenses required. Decisions were made
quicker, and new insight allowed the company to
peer three or four years into future production,
all by giving managers efficient access to quality
reports.
NEARLY IMMEDIATE
“New insight allowed the company to peer three or four years into future production..”
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