GUIDE TODATA VISUALIZATION

GUIDE TO DATA VISUALIZATION

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OVERVIEWInsight from business intelligence programs can be difficult to digest in

numerical form. Visual representations ease the comprehension of information

and encourage human derived insight.

The primary distinction between data visualization software and a full-blown

business intelligence (BI) solution is the quality of the visualizations one can

produce. Some BI solutions, though excellent at crunching the numbers

according to your data analysts’ specifications, fall short of allowing you to

present your results to others. Sometimes a number chart or bar graph just

doesn’t cut it. Producing immaculate, interactive visual complements to a

business intelligence report is what data visualization software specializes in.

This guide covers the factors one should consider when selecting and

implementing a data visualization solution.

1. “World Map - Abstract Acrylic” by Nicolas Raymond used under CC BY / desaturated from original2. “Skyward” by Hayden Irwin used under CC BY / desaturated from original3. “So Many Numbers” by re_birf used under CC BY / desaturated from original4. “Hiroshima City” by Freedom II Andres under CC BY / desaturated from original5. “Times Square” by Nicolas Vollmer used under CC BY / desaturated from original6. “Research” by ENeil Conway used under CC BY / desaturated from original

GUIDE TO DATA VISUALIZATION

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There are a number of scenarios in which you may be

considering adding a data visualization tool to your BI arsenal.

You may be looking to implement a new BI solution and are

aware of a particular need for quality, integrated visualization

and reporting functionalities. In this case, you may want to

pursue a fully capable business intelligence solution, but keep

in mind the considerations listed below to ensure that the

solution’s visualization tools will be sufficient.

In a second scenario, you may already have a BI solution, but it

might lack sufficient visualization capabilities. In this case you’ll

want data visualization software that can integrate with your

existing BI program, and enhance your project.

The last scenario is that you have no BI software, and you feel

that a full-blown BI solution is overkill. Some data visualization

software comes with enough data mining and analysis

functionality to create the visualizations you want directly

from the data, allowing you to manipulate it for insight much

like a broader BI program.

“The most successful BI efforts begin with a goal in mind and find the tools that will best carry out those goals“

WHEN YOU NEED DATA VISUALIZATION SOFTWARE

GUIDE TO DATA VISUALIZATION

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FEATURES AND BUYING CONSIDERATIONS

CONNECTIVITYIf your data visualization solution is not overlaying a BI system, but rather

is functioning as your primary BI solution, then it is very important to

ensure that it will connect smoothly with your data sources.

Your data may be stored in a relational data warehouse, a Hadoop

cluster, NoSQL, or cloud-based system. Not all visualization solutions

have pre-built integrations with all sources, and if your data system is

custom built, you will want to check if your selected solution can be

easily configured to integrate with it.

DRILL-DOWNThe best visualizations are not merely static, but allow you to peer

deeper into and manipulate the data from within an interactive

visualization.

In a timeline visualization, this could be a slider empowering you to go

at your own pace through time to observe how changes in one metric

relate to the changes in others. In a geographic map this may be zooming

in from the world map to a state level or city map and comparing the

distribution of your data points in one city to the distribution of data

points in another city.

This is what elevates the visualization from a mere reporting feature for

showing off progress into a tool that can be used for crowd-analysis by

non-technical users and generating actionable insight.

VISUALIZATION TYPESThere are many visualization types. Different charts, graphs and

infographics abound, and it is worthwhile to peruse the various types

provided by your potential solution.

Treemaps, streamgraphs, bubble charts, infographics, geographic maps

and three-dimensional scatter plots are all commonly referenced and are

a good place to start when making sure the solution has all the standard

visualization templates. Pre-built templates can speed the process of

creating reports and lighten the load on your data analysts working to

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create more intricate custom visualizations.

With so many options, however, it would be easy to get caught up in

using every visualization you can find. Remember, the most successful

BI efforts begin with a goal in mind and find the tools that will best carry

out those goals. It’s good to research beforehand and identify which

visualization types are likely to work best with your data.

DASHBOARD INTEGRATIONWhether your visualization solution will be part of a broader BI system

or not, you’ll want the ability to include your visualization in a dashboard.

Having the right visualizations and reports collected in one quickly

accessible location helps minimize the time from analysis to action.

The case study under the header “Data Visualization in Use” describes

a company’s implementation of individualized dashboards for each

manager based on the key performance indicators most relevant to their

decision making.

MOBILE ACCESSLinked to the value of information on centralized dashboards, mobile

access allows you to view your visualizations and data both remotely and

with ease. Whether out of the office, at a meeting, or simply around the

workplace, mobile access to current visualizations allows you to make

real-time, data-driven decisions.This can come in the form of a mobile

app or a mobile optimized web portal for Internet-enabled devices.

Beyond personal convenience, mobile access makes data easier to

retrieve for everyone, ensuring more decision makers are properly

informed.

SELF-SERVICE CAPABILITYSelf-serviceability is the degree to which a non-technical business user

can operate the data visualization software. If it is necessary for a

business executive or manager to access and even generate their own

visualizations, then the software must have a clean, self-explanatory

GUIDE TO DATA VISUALIZATION

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interface. Often this manifests itself in drag and drop charting and data

analysis.

This contributes to the value of involving business people as well as IT

and data analysts in purchasing decisions to ensure the chosen solution is

operable by all who will be using it.

TRAINING AND SUPPORTIn the case that the needs you have cannot be met with a highly self-

serviceable solution, you will want to ensure that the provider you choose

supplies sufficient training resources and support, so your analysts can

work as efficiently and knowledgeably as possible.

Assistance offered by data visualization providers is often available as

video tutorials, live online introductory sessions, and/or onsite training.

The form of training you want to make sure your solution provides is

dependent on the capabilities of your IT department and your other users.

You may need to have a large, in-person training session for your business

users, or you may need only some online reference materials for your

already skilled IT personnel.

CLOUD VS. ON-PREMISEThe decision between a cloud or on-premise data visualization solution

rests largely on the location of your data and your existing BI solution.

Speed of deployment is usually quicker for data visualization than for

other BI tools, so current systems and security are more applicable factors

to consider.

If both your data and BI solution are in the cloud, then you will want

a cloud-based visualization solution capable of integrating with the

particular cloud systems already in use. Otherwise, if your data sources

and BI solution are on-premise due to security or dependability concerns,

then your visualization software likely should be on-premise as well.

As far as security, your visualizations may contain company data that

shouldn’t fall into the hands of your competitors. Like with any sensitive

information, you must consider the security of your servers, the servers of

any cloud-based provider, your workplace computers, and mobile devices

when selecting a visualization solution.

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Eurac, an international brake disc

manufacturer, needed a better way to create

and view reports. Eurac produced 100,000

tonnes of grey iron casting each year and

operated machining facilities across the world,

supplying vehicle manufacturers, the motor

racing industry and part distributors.

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

implemented by Eurac in 2011 failed to

produce reports frequently (taking up to

two weeks or a month to produce) and the

reports required technically skilled staff to be

customized.

After a successful free trial tasked to an IT

intern, Eurac implemented a Logi Info, a Logi

Analytics data visualization and dashboarding

solution.

Now Eurac managers have access to real-time

reports on dashboards personalized to the key

performance indicators (KPIs) most relevant to

their department. They can react to situations

as they occur. They can access the reports

from their laptop, tablet, and mobile phone, in

the workplace or out. No longer do they have

DATA VISUALIZATION IN USE: EURAC

to wait for weeks to see progress reports and to

make changes to the reports they receive.

The benefits provided by Logi Analytics resulted

in a nearly immediate 50 percent return on

investment for Eurac, partly due to the reduction

in ERP licenses required. Decisions were made

quicker, and new insight allowed the company to

peer three or four years into future production,

all by giving managers efficient access to quality

reports.

NEARLY IMMEDIATE

“New insight allowed the company to peer three or four years into future production..”

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