ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwired - Jun 6, 2013) - Today at its 2013 Summit User Conference, Information Builders , a leader in business intelligence ( BI ) and analytics, information integrity , and integration software solutions, announced the results of a global research study analyzing the effectiveness of organizations' information management capabilities. Conducted in partnership with IDG Research Services, the study found that companies are aware of the transformative power of using enterprise information management and analytics to align strategy and resources, but are failing to fully execute on its potential.
Information Builders surveyed a total of 401 individuals worldwide, spanning a mix of IT professionals, business decision makers, knowledge workers and operational employees. The majority of respondents (75 percent) believe that information is a valuable resource in their efforts to align strategic goals with daily operations. However, organizations are not reaping the maximum benefits from their information because its delivery has been limited to the needs of management and knowledge workers. Less than 60 percent of respondents placed significant importance on extending data access to operational employees, only 50 percent indicated customers as a significant priority and less than one-third of companies felt sharing key information with external partners and suppliers was necessary.
Enterprises' failure to understand the importance of delivering data to operational employees, partners and suppliers is not the only fallacy of current information management approaches. The study found that users' preferred way to consume business intelligence information is through simple, interactive, self-service, job-specific apps, reports, and dashboards, rather than building their own dashboards or performing complex analysis by themselves. Yet organizations continue to take a tools-centric approach to information delivery. When asked which of the two approaches would enhance user experience and produce more widespread adoption, 55 percent of respondents selected powerful analytic tools over the addition of information apps for key business questions. This suggests that many enterprises are making information management decisions based solely on the perspective of knowledge workers and other data intensive roles.
This finding is further underscored by the frequency with which companies solicit feedback from user groups on their experiences with information delivery. Over 80 percent of organizations surveyed regularly connect with both executive and mid-level management to better understand the information needs of these groups. The preferences of knowledge workers (70 percent) are also a high priority, however, enterprises display significantly less commitment to understanding the information needs of operational employees and external user groups. To truly maximize their information capital, it's critical that organizations understand the unique needs of all stakeholders. This approach will enable companies to evaluate BI investments as a means to enable pervasive, role-specific job information distribution rather than data intensive analytic functions.
"Enterprise data has a multiplier effect, in that its value grows exponentially when it is shared with numerous user groups," said Gerald Cohen, president and CEO of Information Builders. "Our research highlights that while organizations understand this concept in theory, they are failing to execute it by withholding data from operational employees and other key stakeholders. The survey also found concerns over data quality and integration challenges to be potential roadblocks inhibiting more widespread deployment. It's imperative that organizations overcome these obstacles, address the significant information delivery gap, and ensure that technology decisions are aligned with end-user needs. Only when all stakeholders, both internal and external, have access to data assets for better decision-making will organizations obtain maximum returns on their information investments."
Information Builders will explore further findings from its Information Capital research in subsequent releases.
About IDG Research Services IDG Research Services specializes in marketing and media-related research for technology marketers. As a division of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research, and event company, IDG Research Services brings the resources and experience of a large, global company to its clients in the form of an agile, customer-focused business. For more information please visit http://www.idgresearch.com .
About Information Builders Information Builders helps organizations transform data into business value. Our software solutions for business intelligence and analytics, integration, and data integrity empower people to make smarter decisions, strengthen customer relationships, and drive growth. Our dedication to customer success is unmatched in the industry. That's why tens of thousands of leading organizations rely on Information Builders to be their trusted partner. Founded in 1975, Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices around the world, and remains one of the largest independent, privately held companies in the industry. Visit us at informationbuilders.com , follow us on Twitter at @infobldrs , like us on Facebook , and visit our LinkedIn page.
Press Contacts Kathleen Moran Information Builders (917) 339-6313 kathleen_moran@ibi.com Kate Finigan LEWIS PR (617) 226-8840 informationbuilders@lewispr.com
