Analytics platform closes the gaps between data, insights, and action. Whether you are new to analytics or looking to upgrade your current platform, this blog will provide valuable insights into how analytics platforms can help you unlock the full potential of your data and transform your business.
Table of content
I. What is Analytics platform?
An analytics platform is a unified solution that combines technologies to meet enterprise needs across the end-to-end analytics lifecycle, including data storage, data management, data preparation, and other data analytics processes. These platforms provide businesses with tools and functionalities to extract insights and patterns from large data sets and transform them into actionable intelligence.
You will probably notice similarities between data platform and analytics platform because they are both important components of a modern data-driven organization, but it serves different purposes:
​ | Data platform | Analytics platform |
Purpose | Manage and store data | Analyze and extract insights from data |
Functionality | Data ingestion, storage, processing, and governance | Data visualization, reporting, and predictive analytics |
Users | ​Data engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals | Business analysts, data analysts, and other non-technical users |
Integration | ​Databases, data lakes, and data warehouses | Data platforms |
​Output | Raw data can then be transformed and processed by analytics platforms | ​Insights and recommendations that can be used to drive business decisions |
II. Benefits of Analytics Platforms
Before we dive into the specifics of analytics platforms, let's take a moment to consider the benefits of data analytics in general. With the right tools and processes in place, data analytics can help businesses:
Identify trends and patterns in customer behavior, allowing for more targeted marketing and sales strategies
Improve decision-making by providing insights and intelligence from their data.
Increase efficiency and productivity by automating data collection, processing, and analysis.
Cost savings and increased profitability by identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for optimization.
Analyze the performance of products and services to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth
Optimize supply chain management and reduce waste through better inventory management and forecasting
Monitor and measure the success of marketing campaigns, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement
Improve operational efficiency and reduce costs by identifying areas where processes can be streamlined and automated.
These are just a few of the ways that data analytics can benefit businesses. By leveraging the power of data, companies can make smarter, more informed decisions that drive growth and improve their bottom line.
III. Working with analytics platforms
An analytics platform is a set of tools and technologies that allow businesses to collect, analyze, and visualize their data. These platforms can range from simple, easy-to-use solutions that are designed for small businesses, to complex, enterprise-level platforms that are used by large corporations. At its core, an analytics platform allows businesses to:
1. Data integration: Integrate with a wide range of data sources, including structured and unstructured data, as well as third-party applications and databases.
2. Data modeling: build a process to clean, transform and manipulate data, relationships, and calculations, to support complex analytics scenarios.
3. Data visualization: Provide rich and interactive visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and maps, to help users understand and explore the data. Provide a reporting standpoint for business.
4. Data Analyses: Analyze the data using a variety of techniques, such as statistical analysis, data mining, and machine learning.
5. Data security: Robust security features, such as encryption, authentication, and access controls, ensure data privacy, confidentiality, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Yes, you could say it similar to a Data Platform, so the different here are all the automated process to bring your raw data into pre-built reports & a strong focus on ready-to-use insights. Some of the key features that you might find in an analytics platform include:
Dashboards and visualizations that allow you to quickly see and understand your data
Data exploration tools that allow you to dig deeper into your data and identify patterns and trends
Predictive analytics: Offer advanced predictive analytics capabilities, such as regression analysis, clustering, and decision trees, to help businesses forecast future trends and identify opportunities.
Real-time analytics: Provide real-time data processing and analytics capabilities, allowing businesses to monitor and react to real-time changes and events.
Collaboration tools that allow you to share your findings with others in your organization
Overall, an analytics platform is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes and types unlock the full potential of their data.
IV. Choosing the right platform
With so many different analytics platforms available, it can be challenging to know which one is right for your business. Here are a few key factors to consider when making your decision:
Your budget: Analytics platforms can range in price from a few hundred dollars per month to tens of thousands of dollars per year. Make sure you understand your budget and what you can afford.
Your data sources: Consider where your data is coming from and what kind of data you need to analyze. Some platforms are better suited for certain types of data than others.
Your team's expertise: Consider the technical expertise of your team and how much training and support you will need to get up and running with the platform.
Your goals: Consider what you hope to achieve with an analytics platform and what features and functionality you need to get there.
Once you have a clear understanding of your needs and budget, you can start exploring different analytics platforms to find the one that is right for your business.
V. Getting Started with Data Analytics
If you're new to data analytics, the amount of options available can be overwhelming. Here, we provide some guidance on how to get started. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from using a tool that specializes in web behavior tracking, such as Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics. Alternatively, you might prefer a data exploration-focused platform like QlikView or Looker. For those seeking an all-in-one solution, Rocket.BI provides access to an analytics data warehouse and full platform governance.
1. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a web analytics service that provides businesses with detailed statistics and reports on website traffic and user behavior. This free platform can help companies of all sizes improve their online presence and customer engagement. By analyzing website data, businesses can make data-driven decisions that improve their online performance.
2. Adobe Analytics
Adobe Analytics is a comprehensive analytics platform that provides insights into user behavior across multiple channels, including web, mobile, and social media. This tool is widely used by businesses in the media and entertainment industries, as well as in e-commerce and retail. Adobe Analytics can help businesses track user engagement and identify areas for improvement across various channels.
3. QlikView
QlikView is a data discovery and visualization platform that allows businesses to analyze and visualize data from various sources, including spreadsheets, databases, and cloud services. With features like data discovery, data visualization, and data storytelling, QlikView can help businesses gain insights into their data and share those insights with others. This tool is particularly useful for businesses seeking to explore their data in greater depth.
4. Looker
Looker is a cloud-based analytics platform that provides businesses with insights into their data across multiple channels, including sales, marketing, and customer service. This platform allows businesses to create custom dashboards, reports, and visualizations, empowering them to understand their data and make data-driven decisions. Looker is a great choice for businesses seeking a user-friendly and customizable analytics platform.
5. Rocket.BI
Rocket.BI is an open-source analytics platform that enables businesses to collect, process, analyze, and visualize data from various sources, such as databases, APIs, and spreadsheets. With powerful data modeling, visualization, and collaboration features, Rocket.BI is an excellent option for businesses seeking a comprehensive analytics solution. This platform is particularly useful for businesses seeking an all-in-one solution for their analytics needs.
VI. Overcoming Common Challenges with Analytics Platforms
Analytics platforms offer invaluable insights into business operations, but they come with their own set of challenges. Here are some of the most common challenges businesses face when working with analytics platforms:
Data Quality Issues Incomplete or inaccurate data can lead to incorrect insights, rendering the analysis useless. To avoid this, businesses must ensure their data is complete, accurate, and up-to-date. This can be achieved through data cleaning processes and regular data maintenance.
Lack of Skilled Personnel Analytics platforms can be complex, requiring skilled personnel to operate and manage them effectively. This can pose a challenge for businesses that lack the necessary resources or expertise in-house. In this case, businesses may need to invest in training or hire outside consultants to ensure the platform is being used to its full potential.
Cost Constraints The costs associated with storage and licensing can quickly add up, especially as the amount of data being processed grows. This can create significant cost constraints for businesses, making it difficult to justify the investment in analytics platforms. To address this, businesses should carefully consider the benefits of the platform and weigh them against the costs before making a decision.
Security Concerns Analytics platforms may contain sensitive or confidential data, making security a top priority. If proper security measures are not in place, businesses run the risk of security breaches and data loss. To mitigate this risk, businesses must implement robust security protocols, including encryption, access controls, and monitoring tools.
By understanding these challenges and taking steps to address them, businesses can unlock the full potential of analytics platforms and gain valuable insights into their operations.
VII. Conclusion
In conclusion, analytics platforms have become essential tools for businesses of all sizes to unlock insights from their data and gain a competitive edge. With the right analytics platform, businesses can analyze large volumes of data, generate visualizations, and identify patterns and trends that can inform their decisions and strategies.
