You may not know this but programs for business analytics and data science are already popping up online. A lot of people think that the only way to get a degree in Business Analytics is to enroll in a traditional college. This is simply not true.
There are numerous online business analytics programs available these days, but which one should you prefer? Which program to get? Which one will truly help you to land your dream job in analytics industry? Many questions probably occur in your head when making a decision of choosing an online business analytics program.
Microsoft Power BI
REASONS TO BUY
+Free Tier+Affordable cost
REASONS TO AVOID
-Requires software download
Software behemoth, Microsoft, also plays in the business intelligence tool space, and their offering is Microsoft Power BI. They even have a Microsoft Business Applications Summit that features their Power BI, and not surprisingly other Microsoft business applications. Unlike some of their competition that take a totally web-based portal approach, Power BI also offers downloadable software, so you can run your analytics either in the cloud or via a reporting server.
There is a generous sixty day trial of the software, which promises to “Connect hundreds of data sources,” including Microsoft applications, and other sources such as Facebook, Sybase and Oracle which can then prep data for subsequent data analysis on the fly, allowing reports to be created in just a matter of minutes.
Pricing begins at the Power BI Desktop tier for a single user, which is fully functional, and free. The next tier up is Power BI Pro and supports collaboration between users, and real time data analysis, and includes a 60 day trial.
Tableau Desktop
REASONS TO BUY
+Free trial offer+Slick interface with drag and drop buttons
REASONS TO AVOID
-Expensive
Tableau Desktop endeavors to do more than make charts, but rather to show “live visual analytics.” A slick interface with drag and drop buttons allows the user to quickly be able to spot trends in the data. There is a lengthy list of supported data sources, including Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, Box and PDF files.
Tableau enjoys the ability to connect with pretty much any type of database, as well as use a whole range of data blending options, to output into an even bigger selection of charts. Dashboard visualizations can be easily shared, and are mobile friendly.
Tableau Desktop becomes an expensive option for a single user, making this more expensive than other competing solutions. On balance, it also includes the associated application of Tableau Prep under the Tableau Creator package.
Sisense
Sisense is a business intelligence (BI) software that provides analytic solutions and market insights for small to enterprise-level businesses. Sisense is one of only a few fully-functioning BI software systems that let non-technologically inclined users combine multiple data sets, customize dashboards, generate data visualizations, and share them with other users. This web-based BI solution unifies data into one centralized location without the use of hardware or IT departments.
Domo
Domo is a powerful business intelligence (BI) software that delivers a wide data set and connector support. It provides unique social collaboration capabilities. Domo is designed to assist businesses in finding effective solutions in a world full of ever-changing business challenges. With Domo, users can see real-time data utilizing a single dashboard that is visually appealing and easy to use, helping businesses take informed actions from the insights gained.
Oracle NetSuite
- Oracle NetSuite is a Business Management software. It has solutions for small to large size businesses.
- For small businesses, it offers easy to use, scalable, and agile business solution that contains the functionalities of ERP, CRM, E-commerce, and PSA.
- It helps medium-sized businesses by cutting their IT costs in half, reduce financial close times 20% to 50%, and improves quote to cash cycle times by 50%.
- Oracle NetSuite has functionalities to help global enterprises with their complex functional, industry, regulatory, and tax requirements.
Xplenty
- Xplenty is a data integration platform. It is a cloud-based solution that will bring all your data sources together.
- Xplenty provides the solution for marketing that has functionality for data enrichment. Your data enrichment tools will get integrated by Xplenty.
- It will help you to keep your marketing automation up-to-date. Your customer information will always be complete with Xplenty.
- Xplenty will make your marketing campaigns effective.
- It provides omnichannel marketing and data-driven insights.
- It will help you with building a complete Sales Analytics solution.
- With a sales solution, it provides the features of data enrichment, effective analytics, centralized database, etc.
- Xplenty has a solution for customer support analytics that provides comprehensive insights, data enrichment, customized support solutions, etc.
Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is total business management and business intelligence software that’s 100% free. You get over 35 free tools, like CRM, tasks, document management, project management, time management, business process automation, invoicing, collaboration, absence management, email marketing, virtual PBX, shared calendars, company directory, HRMS and much more. Available in cloud and as software that you can install on your own server, it’s ready to be used in less than 30 seconds.
Prisync
SMBs to Fortune 500’s rely on Prisync’s data to derive detailed C-level analysis and execute their A-game to increase sales growth and profit margins for more than 20% on average for less than a week’s worth of coffee money. Our 5-star 24/7 online customer support team is always available to answer any requests you might have in minutes and make sure that you get more than what you’re paying for. We offer a free onboarding service to plan a long-lasting relationship with all our customers.
Dundas BI
REASONS TO BUY
+Browser based+Drag and drop interface+Free 45 day trial
REASONS TO AVOID
-Opaque pricing
Dundas is a browser based business intelligence tool with 25 years of experience. It is designed to be a single tool to transform data into visual data analytics with “granular control over almost all visual design elements.”
Data files can be incorporated with drag and drop functionality allowing end users to analyze data without involvement from IT. The HTML5 interface allows it to be used across a variety, including mobile, devices.
There is a free 45 day trial, but after the pricing is opaque and requires a quote, but there are options to lease annually, or own for perpetuity.
SAP Business Objects
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence is a centralized suite for data reporting, visualization, and sharing. As the on-premise BI layer for SAP’s Business Technology Platform, it transforms data into useful insights, available anytime, anywhere. Share insights and make better decisions with the SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) suite. By providing a flexible architecture, the analytics platform can support business growth.
Conclusion:
Business analytics is a term that is used to describe the use of data analysis for business purposes. Business analytics employs various analytical methods that can lead to business insights and assist in strategic decision making. In other words, business analytics provides a ‘big picture’ view of your business as opposed to focusing on individual details, columns and rows in tables etc.