Business Intelligence
Business intelligence is a notion that is used by the software vendors and IT consultants to describe the infrastructure for warehousing, integrating, reporting and analysing data that comes from the business environment (Laudon&Laudon,2012). The main aim of the business intelligence is to integrate the information streams produced by the enterprise into the definite set of data (Galliers,1992).
By means of use of the different models, the methods of the statistical analyses of the data processing is taken place that allows managers to make the definite strategies of the development of the enterprise, to define the nearest and the perspective targets(Bussen & Myers, 1997). Using the various data of the predictive modeling, the company develops its strategy on the market, taking into consideration the influence of the customer segments (Ang& Teo,2000).
Problem statement. Description and purpose of BI solution
The aim of the project is to achieve the optimum performance of the CGR company, which is specialized on the delivery services. The problem is that the company uses the old system of accounting and its incomes and expenses are badly controlled. The company owns a big lorry fleet.
Due to the bad marketing policy of the company there are frequent cases of logistical mistakes, which lead to the increased fuel consumption and the waste of time. The business intelligence system used in the research is specialized in the door-to-door delivery services and is functioning on the GPS principle. With the help of the business intelligence solution we will try to optimize the company activity and to study the appropriate routes for it.
Solution functionality
The typical business intelligence system includes the executive information system(EIS), the database and the programs that link and supply the system components with data. (Arnott, O’Donnell, & Jirachiefpattana, 2002). The business intelligence system described in this project uses the software that includes EIS, the database and the specific hardware. Drivers of the company were not informed concerning the implementation of the new system on the enterprise. The controllers were installed secretly on their cars. Dispatcher, by means of monitoring vehicle system, had an opportunity to observe the movements of the vehicles on the map of the city. The system were able to create the daily and the weekly reports concerning the routes of the vehicles. The aim of the experiment on its initial stage was to check whether the drivers deviate from the routes.
Data collection methodology. The construction of the system
The experiment lasted one week. The collection of data was organized on the basis of the reports represented by the system. The system consisted of the hardware, that were the controllers installed on the vehicles, and the software, that was the special program installed on the dispatch center.
On the request of the dispatcher or automatically the signal, by means of GPS, was sent from the dispatch center to the controller, providing in such a way the dispatcher with all the necessary information concerning the vehicle, such as the vehicle`s route and its current position. The system was additionally supplied with the different sensors installed on the vehicle pursuing the purposes of security.
The results of the experiment
During the experiment there were detected the drivers` rude violations of the traffic and the deviations from the route. It had been found that 46% of drivers were violating the job procedures for covetous aims, which led to material loses of the enterprise. During the processing of the data received from the system, it was found that even the routes of the drivers that were honest were badly thought out. The next stage of the experiment implies the acquisition of data for the elaboration of the perfect routes and schedule. The data was transmitted to the logistic department.
- Drivers violate the job procedures:
- Loss of material;
- 46% of drivers have to be removed.
- Driver routes are defined as problematic:
- The system should be improved;
- Route driver experts should be hired.
- Schedules and routes should be elaborated:
- More time is needed for improvements;
- The logistic department should be involved into the process.
Limitations of the BI solutions Lessons learned
In common, the course of experiment was successful. However, there were certain problems with the data processing. The business intelligence systems have been successfully implemented in many organizations and industry sectors(Gunter & Frolick,1991).
References
Ang, J., & Teo, T.S.M. (2000). Management issues in data warehousing: Insights from the Housing and Development Board. Decision Support Systems, 29 (1), 11-20.
Bussen, W.S. & Myers, M.D. (1997). Executive information system failure: A New Zealand case study. Journal of Information Technology,12, 145-153.
Galliers, R.D. (1992). Choosing information systems research approaches. In R.D. Galliers (Ed.), Information systems research: Issues, methods and practical guidelines (pp. 144-162). London: Blackwell Scientific
Laudon,C.,&Laudon, P.(2012).Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Film. New Jersey: Pearson Education.
Arnott, D., O’Donnell, P., & Jirachiefpattana, W. (2002). A case study of the external development of a business intelligence system (Working Paper. No. 2002/05). Melbourne, Australia: Decision Support Systems Laboratory, Monash University.
´Gunter, A., & Frolick, M. (1991). The evolution of EIS at Georgia Power Company. Information Executive, 4 (4), 23-26.