Business Intelligence: Helping make informed decisions

Imagine a management reporting system that would allow departments to track course enrollments during registration and automatically notify administrators of the need for additional sections. Picture a system with a graphical display on your desktop that helps you understand the financial impact of your decisions. Better yet, envision a system that alerts you to looming human resources problems long before an issue actually becomes a problem.

The latest version of Business Objects will come with a 'dashboard,' or an analytic interface that organizes and presents information in a way that is easy to read and analyze. Users can interact with the gauge by using the slide bar to analyze past values. To investigate a particular number, users click the link above the gauge and detailed reports, graphs and charts for the aggregate number on the gauge will appear. Using the dashboard reduces the time and effort required to find, analyze and act on issues, MAIS representatives say.

It may sound like something from the future, but these examples of business insight soon may be a reality at U-M.

Two recent developments are moving the University forward. The first is the creation of the Advisors on Information Management Strategy (AIMS), which include key staff from U-M schools and colleges, central offices and Michigan Administrative Information Services (MAIS). The second is a recently signed agreement with Business Objects to upgrade the University's existing software to a full Web product.

These developments mark the creation of a University-wide strategic plan for Business Intelligence. Business Intelligence—or "BI," as it is more commonly called—is a major focus of universities and businesses and involves leveraging information to shape an organization's strategies.

"A BI strategy is important," says Laura Patterson, associate vice president for Administrative Information Services. "It improves decision making, which leads to lower costs, better utilization of resources, issue identification and improved service. The creation of AIMS was to ensure that input comes from all corners of this University."

An example of this input was the upgrade of Business Objects, which was a recommendation from AIMS and a subgroup consisting of several school and college representatives that explored how different types of tools would impact the University community.

"As part of our strategy to leverage University data and make it a routine part of our decision making processes," says AIMS Chair Brent Dickman, assistant to the dean for finance and planning, Law School. "We identified the improvement of our toolset as critical. The newest version of Business Objects is an important part of the toolset and is perfectly suited to help accomplish some wonderful initiatives being planned."

The upgrade offers Web functionality and user self-service capabilities, which will allow the viewing of data in more familiar terms, such as Microsoft Excel. This is one of Business Objects' strengths.

Under the guidance of AIMS, familiarity and understanding of BI principles will become prevalent throughout the University community.

For more information, go to: www.businessintelligence.umich.edu.