Want to cut straight to the chase? The best BI Tools to Learn right now is NetSuite
With the market full of BI tools, which one’s are worth the time to learn about and how to use? Choose from the top nine BI tools on the market with this list!
Top 9 BI Tools to Learn
- Oracle NetSuite – Best BI Tool for Scalability
- Datapine – Best BI Tool for Ease of Use
- SAS Business Intelligence – Best BI Tool for Reporting
- Infor Birst – Best BI Tool for End-to-End Solutions
- SAP BusinessObject – Best BI Tool for Microsoft Integrations
- DOMO – Best BI Tool for Connectivity
- Zoho Analytics – Best BI Tool for AI and ML Capabilities
- MicroStrategy – Best BI Tool for Large Companies
- IBM Cognos – Best BI Tool for Offline Use
1. Oracle NetSuite – Best BI Tool for Scalability
Pricing: Information not provides, but charged per license and modules
Oracle NetSuite offers an extensive array of features, fit for businesses and enterprises of any size. This tool offers custom dashboards, ERP and CRM functions, and ad hoc capabilities.
Key Features:
- Scalable solutions
- ERP function
- CRM function
- Ecommerce capabilities
- Dashboards
- Oracle Publisher
Reasons to Use:
- Suited for businesses of all sizes
- Reduces IT costs and close times
- Ad hoc capabilities
- Dashboards are customizable
- Utilizes a personalized alarm system
- Prepares scalable reports that are ready to share
Reasons to Avoid:
- Software operates slowly at times
- Some functions are more complex than others and can be time-consuming
2. Datapine – Best BI Tool for Ease of Use
Pricing: Free trial available; pricing information not available
Datapine is a great BI tool because of how easy it is to use. With predictive analytics and report generation, datapine speeds up the process of documentation with an intuitive interface.
Key Features:
- Predictive analytics
- Artificial intelligence
- Business dashboard
- Reporting generation
- SQL mode
- Drag and drop interface
Reasons to Use:
- Intuitive interface
- Many reporting options to choose from
- Interactive dashboard features
- Ability to embed datapine into applications
- Utilizes machine learning and pattern recognition
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited mobile access
- Pricing not transparent
3. SAS Business Intelligence – Best BI Tool for Reporting
Pricing: Free trial available; starting cost is $9,000 per year, per user
SAS Business Intelligence is one of the longest running software in the BI tool market. For reporting, this BI tool offers auto-charting and ML data exploration, as well as an interactive interface and mobile access.
Key Features:
- Interactive reporting
- Interactive dashboard
- Mobile apps
- Analytics
- Machine learning data exploration
- Text-based analytics
- Collaboration
Reasons to Use:
- Mobile version is compatible with both Android and iOS devices
- Integrates with other software, including Microsoft Office Suite
- Collaboration with other tools is easy
- Provides auto-charting feature
Reasons to Avoid:
- Costs more than competing software
- Limited customization options
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4. Infor Birst – Best BI Tool for End-to-End Solutions
Pricing: Free trial available; $30,000 per 20 users annually
Infor Birst is a good choice for large enterprises, due to its price point, but also because of its data architecture and automation features. With its data warehouse, companies can also monetize and store extensive amounts of data.
Key Features:
- Data warehouse
- Point and click
- Analytics
- Report generation
- Cloud-based
- Modern data architecture
Reasons to Use:
- End-to-end software solution
- Has extensive automated features
- Data architecture offers flexibility and easy scalability
- Analytics are based on a DaaS structure
- Ability to monetize data
Reasons to Avoid:
- Interface is not as intuitive as other software
- Data integration is more complex compared to other software
5. SAP BusinessObject – Best BI Tool for Microsoft Integrations
Pricing: Starting at $14,000 per year
SAP Business Object, with its’ comprehensive and inclusive features, has become a top-grade BI software to use, with SAP as one of the largest software suppliers. SAP BusinessObject also helps to provide strategies to improve customer experience, engagement and productivity.
Key Features:
- Microsoft Office integrations
- Reporting and analysis
- CRM function
- ERP function
- HR, customer experience and people engagement functions
Reasons to Use:
- Reduces workload
- Increases responsiveness
- Reporting system helps to guide strategy
- Dashboards are self-service and role-based
- Ability to enable cross-enterprise sharing
- Integrates with other SAP products, including SAP Warehouse and HANA
Reasons to Avoid:
- Some analysis features are difficult to use without further training
- Individual module costs are high with rare updates
- No free trial or version available
6. DOMO – Best BI Tool for Connectivity
Pricing: Based on features and usage; try for free
DOMO offers a wide range of connectors that come pre-built when you sign up. This BI tool provides in-deth analysis features, along with ML and AI assistance and visual suggestions. This is a great tool to use for those already knowledgeable with BI tools.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based and on-premise software
- Interactive data visualization
- Revenue forecasting
- Micro and macro analysis
- Predictive modeling
- Machine learning and AI assistance
- Pre-built connectors
Reasons to Use:
- Customs apps are available through the Domo Appstore
- Uses more than 1,000 cloud connectors
- Utilizes drag and drop Magic ETL
- Suggests visualizations for faster generation
- Built-in AI engine
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not a good choice for beginners
- Steep learning curve
- Non-transparent pricing
7. Zoho Analytics – Best BI Tool for AI and ML Capabilities
Pricing: Free plan available with plans starting at $22 per month
Zoho Analytics is one of the more affordable BI tool options, but not at the expense of features. Zoho Analytics provides a decent amount of pre-built connectors, AI assistance, and extensive integrations. This is a great choice for users who are familiar with spreadsheet software and other tools, such as MS Excel.
Key Features:
- Dashboards
- Artificial intelligence assistant
- Over 100 connectors
- AI and ML Analytics
- On-premise and on-cloud
- Pre-built reports
- Spreadsheet interface
Reasons to Use:
- Great for forecasting and alerts
- Connectors include cloud drives, databases and more
- Can be used with AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure
- Ability to blend and visualize data
- Comes equipped with an AI assistant
- Can leave comment son shared reports
- Good choice for people who are familiar with Excel and other spreadsheet software
Reasons to Avoid:
- Additional knowledge may be needed to use all features
- Learning curve
8. MicroStrategy – Best BI Tool for Large Companies
Pricing: Free version available; contact for pricing information
MicroStrategy is unique in that it offers the ability it mine data, in addition to creating data visualizations with ML assistance. The desktop version is free, making it more accessible than other BI tools, but enterprises benefit most from the cloud-based version.
Key Features:
- Data mining
- Data visualization
- Hyperintelligence
- Voice-over assistant
- Common data glossary
- Mobile accessibility
- Machine learning
Reasons to Use:
- Web-based software
- Improves productivity and saves on business expenses
- Cloud support is available through Amazon Web Services
- Desktop version is free
- Works with chatbots, including Alexa and Google Home
Reasons to Avoid:
- Enterprise plan is cloud-based
- Complex setup process
- Need in-depth knowledge before using
9. IBM Cognos – Best BI Tool for Offline Use
Pricing: Free trial available; standard on-demand pricing starts at $10 per user, per month
IBM Cognos is another more affordable option that can be used online and offline. With the help of its AI assistant, reports can be generated quickly from any device at any time.
Key Features:
- Reporting
- Analytics
- Dashboard
- Data generation online and offline
- Mobile app
- Search mechanics
- Data visualization interactions
- AI assistant
Reasons to Use:
- Accessible via app on mobile devices
- Can generate reports both online and offline
- Improves decision-making
- Clean, customizable interface
- Creates high-quality visuals
Reasons to Avoid:
- Learning curve
- Not a great choice for dashboard features
- Documentation features could use an upgrade
References
- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/tools/25-important-business-intelligence-tools/
- https://www.datapine.com/articles/best-bi-tools-software-review-list
- https://terillium.com/netsuite-pricing/
- https://reviews.financesonline.com/p/sas-business-intelligence/
- https://www.trustradius.com/products/infor-birst/pricing
- https://www.capterra.com/p/92075/SAP-BusinessObjects/#pricing
- https://www.domo.com/pricing
- https://www.capterra.com/p/162441/IBM-Cognos-Analytics/reviews/
- https://www.betterbuys.com/bi/reviews/ibm-cognos-business-intelligence/
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