Data is Oil: How to use your data to accelerate business insights
July 19th, 2023 | 3 min read
By Marc Zinck
The phrase and attendant concept that data is the new oil has been floating around since the mid-2000s, but now more than ever, that concept is becoming a reality.
Like oil, data has been accumulating for decades and stored up for future use, and similarly, to be useful, data must first undergo a multi-step transformation. Just as we reap the benefits of oil in its distilled forms, we can do the same with data. To get there, data must first be extracted from the source - like oil from a well. Raw data is all fine and well, but handling it requires refining. That refined data then needs to be processed - distilled, made sense of - before it can truly be used to inform decisions.
And the similarities between the two resources don't stop there.
Like oil, data usage is essential for many companies and economies. Data delivers energy and innovation to products, services, and customer experiences. Data increases efficiencies often sought after by decision makers and regulatory agencies. It requires deep analysis and interpretation, demands high standards and active management, and requires effective communication between users to attract the attention of decision makers. Data effectively enables significant competitive advantage, but, it needs a platform (much like an oil rig) and a distribution system (much like a gas station) for its usefulness to be fully realized.
If you're wondering how you can transform your valuable resource into invaluable insights and earning potential, we have just the tool for you. ERP Suites offers an Analytics and Business Intelligence data platform for EnterpriseOne customers. This platform uses the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC) to unlock data as a strategic asset.
Key Features of the Analytics and Business Intelligence Data Platform
There are several key features in the Analytics and Business Intelligence data platform available for EnterpriseOne customers to fully realize the data they have on hand. By using each of these key features, your data becomes that much more powerful. You're able to unlock your data's potential, backed by the expertise of the ERP Suites team.
Oracle Analytics
To author analytics solutions, ERP Suites subscribers have access to 50+ OAC drag-drop visualization components, an EnterpriseOne Starter Kit, and a growing community of illustrative workbooks (i.e. dashboards) as solutions.
EnterpriseOne AIS Data Integration
ERP Suites-supported code leverages a secure, scheduled EnterpriseOne Application Integration Services (AIS) connection to extract requested data. ERP Suites provides integration and technical development, as well as operational monitoring.
DD, UDC, and Dates
EnterpriseOne Data Dictionary (DD) values and User Defined Codes (UDC) are included so business users can create analyses. Julian dates are converted to standard format for extensive data analysis.
Autonomous Database
Whether it's EnterpriseOne, other data applications, SQL or No SQL DB, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) houses critical records for analytic processing. By merging ERP and non-ERP data sources, business users are enabled with a holistic view of data to gain business insights. ERP Suites creates "business friendly" database tables and views to jump start analysis.
EnterpriseOne REST APIs Integration
ERP Suites EnterpriseOne REST API data integrations are enabled to reduce the need to extract, transform, and house data. To the business analyst, REST data acts just like another data source.
EnterpriseOne Drill into Analytics
Rather than housing records, large transactional records sets can remain in your ERP. OAC workbooks are enabled to drill back into EnterpriseOne-secured application(s) with detail and related records.
Reference Data
Businesses frequently possess distinctive reference data or datasets that are crucial for analysis. ERP Suites enables CSV and Excel-based Reference Data without the hassle of creating JSON, XML, or DTS services to import as database tables. Reference Data becomes critical data to enrich the analysis, gain insights, and provide your business' unique understanding.
File System
ERP Suites provides object storage for unstructured data such as files, images, and documents. Enabled image processing services recognize popular formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF formats. Unlocking image data further enables insights and understanding.
REST APIs Integration
A "Modern Data Strategy" combines CRM, HRIS, MES, Time Mgt, IoT, T&E, Bank, Logistics/Carriers, and other data source providers, combined with EnterpriseOne, to create a more comprehensive view and business understanding. 3rd-party REST application provided upon request.
iFrame
ERP Suites customers can immediately benefit from SharePoint integration. iFrame functionality seamlessly integrates and embeds content in multiple contexts, empowering casual users with the ability to access and interact with analysis directly within various applications or websites.
Mobile App
On-the-go users can download the Oracle Analytics app to explore and analyze data visualizations anywhere. The Oracle app can also be enabled to provide alerts and notifications.
Email Delivery
Once an OAC analysis has been finalized, users can schedule delivery, dashboards, or visualizations as email in PDF and PowerPoint format. For example, management can receive up-to-date analysis of Sales from EnterpriseOne, merged with CRM demographics and market trends on a regular basis, without request or user intervention.
Harness the Power of Data with ERP Suites
Much like oil, data is a resource that, when properly understood and synthesized, can take us to new places. Our analytics team at ERP Suites can help you make the most of your data with the Analytics and Business Intelligence data platform. To get started on your journey harnessing the power of data, reach out today.
Marc Zinck is a certified number cruncher (CPA) with a 20-year penchant for ERP. As an ERP Suites Advisory Practice Director, Mark investigates, ideates, and integrates emerging technologies to build holistic business cases.
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