Reporting tools necessary for advancing big data processes

Information holds a substantial amount of power in the business environment, but users must be able to leverage it effectively for profitable results. Big data is becoming an essential process across organizations, but where some succeed in their efforts, other are struggling to work with the necessary tools. The importance of sorting through and using data in a meaningful way has reached an all-time high and the adoption of visualization and reporting resources is continually growing.

While unorganized information can seem overwhelming, using a report designer can help to group relevant elements together and create a cohesive visual. According to InformationWeek, more organizations are investing in big data processes and software to better manage the information and give companies a single platform to view all data types and structures at once. This capability will allow decision makers to have a broader picture of their operations and better identify trends across the business as a whole. Although resources like Hadoop and NoSQL have made significant impacts with data, it's the information itself that is affecting company strategy and data center functions.

"It's the masses of data generated by new devices, applications, digital services, sensors, interaction modes, and more," the source stated. "New technologies and platforms weren't just invented by new vendors who wanted a piece of old IT budgets. They were invented to solve new problems that weren't well addressed by the old tools."

Using big data for business advancement
While sorting through information is one thing, creating a successful visual is another process entirely. Without an image, stakeholders may have a difficult time processing all of the statistics and understanding what metrics are the most important to consider. According to the Los Angeles Times, data is used to forecast potential risks and benefits while also helping to solve problems. Organizations can use reporting tools to ensure that decision makers can see what areas are performing well and are able to make educated choices as to what elements need to be adjusted. As more data is collected, businesses can make effective changes and guarantee that they are meeting their consumer demands.

"Big was never really the end goal, but the models driving this change generally feed on data to get smarter," GigaOM wrote. "Variety was never really a goal, it's just that the more we can quantify, the more we can learn about the world around us."