Mobile BI has become a trendy topic for most app developers and for good reason.  In order to boost competitiveness, organizations are increasing looking for productivity tools that include both mobile and BI capabilities. Mobile BI is seen as a converged medium of smart mobility and business intelligence in which enterprises try to improve the efficacy of business apps in their specific markets and audiences. By implementing mobile BI for better business reach and marketability, one can internalize ideas and strategies within the enterprise in order to derive maximum benefits.

Here, we discuss 4 critical key introspection questions that would allow enterprises to determine mobile BI capabilities for existing applications.

1.Decide who needs mobile BI

Although the top line management is the one that benefits the most from mobile BI in decision-making, there are others who stand to benefit as well, there, mobile BI is increasingly seen as a productivity enabler for all employees. Executives, based on their role, can become information producers at different tiers, who are part of the decision-making process, rather than mere consumers of information.

With mobile BI embedded in a business app, new decisions can be enabled quickly. The convenience  of mobile BI makes the job of the executive much easier. The ubiquitous access of key info within an intuitive mobile UI can deliver a more engaging experience. Additionally, decisions made by employees also have crucial implications. Service desk managers need to be notified, in real time, of the number of calls coming in, to determine resource optimization and allocation for the next period.

Mobile alerts and real-time reports of service desk apps can enable better customer service, improved sales delivery and enhanced productivity. Service Representatives and floor personnel can leverage their on-field expertise to deliver critical information and even benefit from the analytics pertaining to inventory levels, sales data, and competitor promotions.

2.Identify information interactions

Executives are always on the look-out an easy-to-use interface to enable quick traceability of information. Application providers should thus, ensure queries pertaining to data and their consolidation, are as visually appealing as possible. Visual aids on a mobile device such as charts and graphs can help the executives navigate and identify trends easily.

BI reports on mobile devices can help in the sharing and consumption of information, and with greater levels of interactivity which can be boosted with filters and different views of information. Territory managers for instance, want data related to a specific region or the performance of a single sales representative in a region.

Application data can call attention to useful events with the help of alerts which can then be directed to in-depth application records. The mobile BI app can be designed with KPI tracking for measuring interactions.  Some KPI data views can form an integral part of a dashboard report too. With common data exploration techniques embedded as part of the mobile BI strategy including sorting, filtering, and drilling against chart based data.

Navigation should consider data filters which present new challenges related to data structure and storage read-only historical analysis.

Paying attention to security considerations before an app is designed is also becoming compulsory as it affects end users’ interest and experience with mobile BI.

3.Chart out data security considerations

Should data be encrypted when static during storage or when sent out to intended parties?  Like BI itself, encryption tools and technologies have experienced mixed popularity. For IT pros concerned with loss of data, there are options to protect data without affecting accessibility of all concerned parties. Mobile cloud computing can safeguard data against a plethora of threats. For offline storage, experts recommend encrypting data when in local storage.

Also, enterprises are not clear on the question of whether mobile BI reports have to be audited for better efficiency. Overseeing them by a mobile app can be said to be effective use. Audits provide pertinent information of accessibility and actions, especially to identify unauthorized parties.

4.Consider using an open architecture for mobile BI

The market for BI and analytics surpassed $12 billion in 2011. As demand for smartphones, apps and remote access to the enterprise data grow steadily despite some uncomfortable security-based questions, application developers have consistently developed technology platforms for robustness and stability.

As mobility and business intelligence technology converge for many companies, app developers need to leverage the opportunity. Designing and deploying mobile apps considering the questions that might arise, gives assurance to customers for making smarter, quicker decisions. An open architecture for mobile BI will matter immensely for those trying to enhance the effectiveness of their business apps.

eInfochips offers mobile enablement services across varied handheld devices including smartphones, tablets, Biometric devices, Digital TV, IP Phones and the like. With enterprise BI solutions integrated with smart mobility services, you can rely on an efficient vendor like eInfochips to be mobile-ready and insightful for your business applications.

To know more on our mobility solution offerings, visit us at: Mobility solution and Services