Multinational Fast Food Corporation: Analytics Technical Architecture
Challenge
To meet the reporting needs of restaurant management and franchisees, our client has invested heavily in data and analytics platforms. In 2023 they made the decision to shift their main analytics platform from MicroStrategy to Domo, to improve response times, reduce development costs and improve user experience.
As Domo’s premier integrations partner in Australia, 9X5 Consulting was approached to support this uplift.
Solution
The Fast Food Corporation’s existing reporting dashboards had grown from an original number of 250 cards, to well over 2000. Many of these reports had been created to solve ad-hoc issues, and were not known or shared outside of departmental teams.
9X5 Consulting initially conducted an audit of these reports, which looked at metrics used, data sources required, ETL requirements, report usage, sharing and privacy, and business requirements, creating a matrix of reports with an estimated effort to recreate per dashboard. This formed the basis of our scope of works, which was then presented to the client.
With a strong understanding of the business requirements and the capabilities of Domo, 9X5’s Architect started with an assessment of the current solution including data sources, ETL processes, data warehouses, BI tools, and reporting mechanisms.
9X5 identified technical debts and performance issues around the utilisation of Snowflake as a data store, so upgrading this was also included in scope.
Once this was completed, 9X5 then defined the target data architecture, data pipelines and ingestion methods as well as user access controls.
Impact
With the initial approach agreed upon, 9X5 have assmebled a large team of Domo and Snowflake Developers to undertake the large task of moving reporting Dashboards across to the Domo platform. Work is being conducted in sprints with dashboards and cards being validated before redeveloped, ensuring that we only redevelop cards being used, and ensure that only the right users have access.
Concurrently 9X5 is involved in establishing and conducting Domo training for staff across both head office, regional offices and stores and will continue these activities throughout 2024/25.
Client Overview
Our client has become one of the leading multinational companies in the restaurant industry, managing a vast network of franchisees worldwide.
They have achieved success through a mix of well-established brand identities, coupled with the implementation of unified global systems and support services.
Australian Non-Profit Organisation - Digital Transformation Roadmap
Challenge
As part of our client’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, it was determined that there was a need to look at their existing technology and digital assets, and compare member services to other medical member associations to determine how they could digitally transform themselves to better serve members across Research, Best Practice, Education, Professional Affairs and Industry Advocacy.
The organisation approached 9X5 Consulting to support this deliverable by conducting a strategic review.
Solution
Leveraging their expertise in strategic planning and digital innovation, 9X5 Consulting collaborated closely with the client’s leadership team to conduct a thorough assessment of the organisation’s digital maturity and strategic objectives.
Impact
The strategic recommendations provided by 9X5 Consulting facilitated alignment between the organisation’s digital initiatives and its overarching business goals, driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
By leveraging digital technologies and data-driven insights, our client enhanced their ability to deliver personalised and value-added solutions to its members, resulting in higher satisfaction interactions.
9X5 Consulting commenced the engagement by conducting extensive interviews and workshops with key stakeholders across the organisation’s various departments. This allowed them to gain insights into the current state of digital capabilities, organisational culture, and strategic priorities.
Following the initial assessment, 9X5 Consulting performed a comprehensive analysis of the collected data, including existing technology infrastructure, digital processes, market trends, and competitive landscape. This analysis helped identify gaps, opportunities, and potential risks.
Based on the findings from the assessment and analysis phase, 9X5 Consulting developed a set of strategic recommendations tailored to the client’s unique business objectives and market dynamics. These recommendations encompassed areas such as digital infrastructure enhancement, talent development, strategic partnerships, and customer engagement strategies.
Client Overview
Our client is a leading professional society in Australia that focuses on the medical specialties of gastroenterology and hepatology.
They serve as the primary organisation for healthcare professionals and researchers in these fields within the country. This member-driven association is dedicated to establishing, advocating for, and enhancing the standards of clinical practice across these specialties nationwide.
Analytics Suite UX Uplift
Challenge
The client recognised the importance of leveraging data analytics to drive operational excellence and strategic decision-making across their organisation. However, their existing Domo-based analytics suite faced challenges related to usability, navigation, and user engagement. To address these issues and unlock the full potential of their analytics platform, the organisation engaged 9X5 Consulting to implement usability improvements and enhance user engagement.
Solution
To overcome the challenges, 9X5 Consulting devised a strategic approach to enhance the usability and engagement of their Domo-based analytics suite. 9X5 Consulting collaborated closely with the client to implement targeted modifications and enhancements tailored to their specific needs. We delivered:
- Usability Assessment: 9X5 Consulting conducted a comprehensive usability assessment of the client’s Domo-based analytics suite to identify pain points, usability issues, and areas for improvement through user testing, feedback collection, and analysis of user interactions.
- User-Centred Design: Based on the findings from the usability assessment, 9X5 Consulting employed a user-centred approach of design iterations, wire framing, and prototyping to refine the user interface.
- Navigation Optimisation: 9X5 Consulting focused on optimising the navigation structure of the client’s Domo-based analytics suite to improve ease of use and accessibility. This included restructuring dashboards, organising content, and implementing intuitive navigation paths to streamline user interactions and facilitate data discovery.
Impact
By partnering with 9X5 Consulting to enhance their Domo-based analytics suite, the organisation achieved significant outcomes including improved usability, increase usage and enhanced decision making.
By leveraging user-centred design principles and targeted modifications, the client successfully transformed their analytics platform into a powerful tool for driving operational excellence and strategic insights in the aerospace manufacturing industry.
Client Overview
Our client specialises in advanced manufacturing serves customers in the global defence and commercial aerospace sectors.
With internationally recognised accreditations and cutting- edge technology, this company operates dedicated teams and facilities in the USA, NSW, and Victoria.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Business Initiatives using Data
Evaluating the effectiveness of business initiatives is crucial for achieving success in any organisation. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using data to inform decision-making. By implementing a data-driven approach, businesses can gain valuable insights that can help them make better decisions and improve performance.
Key Reasons Why Evaluating the Effectiveness of Business Initiatives using Data is Important
- Measuring Performance:
Data analytics allows businesses to measure the effectiveness of their initiatives and strategies. By setting performance metrics and tracking progress, businesses can determine whether their efforts are producing the desired results. This helps to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. - Identifying Trends:
Data analytics enables businesses to identify trends and patterns in their operations. This information can be used to make more informed decisions and take proactive measures to address issues before they become major problems. By identifying trends early on, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly mistakes. - Making Informed Decisions:
By using data to inform decision-making, businesses can make more informed choices about which initiatives to pursue and how to allocate resources. This helps to maximise the effectiveness of business operations and drive growth. - Improving Communication:
Data analytics also facilitates better communication between different teams and departments within an organisation. By sharing data insights and analysis, teams can collaborate more effectively and make decisions that align with the overall goals of the business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evaluating the effectiveness of business initiatives using data is essential for achieving success in any organisation. By leveraging the power of data analytics, businesses can measure performance, identify trends, make informed decisions, and improve communication. These benefits can help businesses stay competitive and achieve long-term growth.
Why Your IT Department Needs a Business Intelligence Strategy
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, data has become a crucial asset for companies of all sizes. With the increasing amount of data generated by businesses, it has become imperative for companies to have a robust business intelligence (BI) strategy in place to make informed decisions. While most companies recognise the importance of BI, many fail to realise the significance of involving their IT department in this process. In this article, we will discuss why your IT department needs a business intelligence strategy and how it can benefit your organisation.
Why Do You Need a Business Intelligence Strategy?
- Ensures Data Quality and Security
First, one of the primary responsibilities of the IT department is to ensure the quality and security of data within the organisation. By involving the IT department in the BI strategy, companies can ensure that their data is accurate, consistent, and reliable. IT professionals have the technical expertise and knowledge to implement data governance policies and ensure that data is stored and managed securely. - Streamlines Data Integration
Second, data integration is a critical component of any BI strategy. It involves combining data from various sources and transforming it into a format that can be easily analysed. The IT department is responsible for managing the company’s IT infrastructure and has the expertise to handle data integration tasks. By involving the IT department in the BI strategy, companies can streamline data integration processes, reduce errors, and improve data accuracy. - Enables Efficient Data Management
Third, effective data management is essential for the success of any BI strategy. The IT department can play a significant role in this process by implementing data management policies, creating data models, and designing data architectures. By involving the IT department in the BI strategy, companies can ensure that data is managed efficiently, and the organisation has access to the data they need to make informed decisions. - Facilitates Effective Use of BI Tools
Finally, the IT department has the technical expertise to evaluate and implement BI tools that are best suited for the organisation’s needs. They can also provide training to users on how to effectively use these tools to analyse data and make informed decisions. By involving the IT department in the BI strategy, companies can ensure that their investment in BI tools is maximised, and employees have the necessary skills to use these tools effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, involving the IT department in the BI strategy is crucial for companies that want to make informed decisions based on data. IT professionals can ensure that data is accurate, secure, and managed efficiently, and they have the technical expertise to implement BI tools that best meet the organisation’s needs. By involving the IT department in the BI strategy, companies can maximise their investment in BI, improve data accuracy, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Moreover, if you’re a small business owner, you might think that implementing a BI strategy is only for large enterprises. However, with cloud-based BI tools, small businesses can also benefit from BI by gaining insights into their operations, customers, and competition. Investing in BI is an investment in the future of your business, and involving your IT department in the process can help you achieve success.
Power-Up Your Marketing Analytics with These Business Intelligence Tips and Tricks
In today’s fast-paced business world, marketing analytics is critical for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. It provides insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and trends, allowing businesses to tailor their marketing efforts and improve their ROI. However, without the right tools and strategies in place, marketing analytics can be overwhelming and challenging to manage. This is where business intelligence (BI) comes in. BI tools and techniques can help businesses unlock the full potential of their marketing analytics data. In this article, we’ll explore four ways to power up your marketing analytics with BI tips and tricks.
Our Marketing Analytics Tips and Tricks
- Streamline Data Integration
Data integration is the process of combining data from different sources into a single, unified view. It is a crucial step in the marketing analytics process, as it allows businesses to see the big picture and make informed decisions. However, data integration can be complex and time-consuming, especially for businesses with multiple data sources. BI tools can simplify this process by automating data integration and ensuring data accuracy. By streamlining data integration, businesses can save time and resources and make better use of their marketing analytics data. - Visualise Your Data
Data visualisation is a powerful BI technique that can help businesses make sense of their marketing analytics data. It involves presenting data in a visual format, such as graphs, charts, and maps, to help users identify patterns and trends quickly. Data visualisation can also help businesses communicate their findings to stakeholders more effectively. By using data visualisation tools, businesses can gain insights into customer behaviour, campaign performance, and market trends. This can help them make data-driven decisions and improve their marketing ROI. - Embrace Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics is an advanced BI technique that uses statistical algorithms and machine learning to analyse historical data and predict future outcomes. In marketing, predictive analytics can help businesses forecast customer behaviour and identify opportunities for growth. For example, predictive analytics can help businesses identify which customers are most likely to churn, allowing them to take proactive steps to retain them. By embracing predictive analytics, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights. - Focus on Data Quality
Data quality is essential for accurate and reliable marketing analytics. Poor data quality can lead to incorrect conclusions and misguided decisions, which can harm a business’s bottom line. BI tools can help businesses maintain data quality by providing data governance and data cleansing features. Data governance ensures that data is accurate, consistent, and reliable, while data cleansing removes duplicate or outdated data. By focusing on data quality, businesses can ensure that their marketing analytics data is accurate and actionable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, business intelligence can help businesses power up their marketing analytics and gain a competitive edge. By streamlining data integration, visualising data, embracing predictive analytics, and focusing on data quality, businesses can unlock the full potential of their marketing analytics data. As a small business owner, it’s important to consider the benefits of BI and incorporate it into your marketing analytics strategy. By doing so, you can make informed decisions, improve your ROI, and stay ahead of the competition.
Why Small Businesses Should Invest in Business Intelligence and Analytics Tools
Small businesses often have limited resources, making it challenging to compete with larger corporations. However, technology has levelled the playing field, and business intelligence and analytics tools have become affordable and accessible for small businesses. In this article, we will discuss why small businesses should invest in business intelligence and analytics tools.
Why Do I Need Data Analytics?
- Improving Decision-Making
Small businesses often face numerous challenges and must make informed decisions to survive and grow. Business intelligence and analytics tools can help small businesses access valuable insights that can guide them in making better decisions. By using data to identify trends and patterns, small businesses can make informed decisions about inventory management, marketing strategies, and other critical aspects of their operations. For example, a small business can analyse sales data to determine which products are selling well and which ones are not. This data can then be used to adjust the inventory, create targeted marketing campaigns, and improve customer satisfaction. - Reducing Costs
Small businesses often operate on a tight budget, making finding ways to reduce costs essential. Business intelligence and analytics tools can help small businesses identify areas where they can save money. By analysing data, small businesses can identify inefficiencies in their operations and find ways to reduce costs. For example, a small business can analyse shipping data to determine the most cost-effective way to ship products to customers. They can also analyse data from their supply chain to identify opportunities to negotiate better prices with suppliers. - Enhancing Customer Experience
Small businesses need to provide excellent customer service to compete with larger corporations. Business intelligence and analytics tools can help small businesses provide better customer service by analysing customer data. By analysing customer data, small businesses can identify trends and patterns in customer behaviour. This data can then be used to create targeted marketing campaigns, personalised offers, and other initiatives that can improve customer satisfaction. - Staying Competitive
Small businesses need to stay competitive to survive and grow. Business intelligence and analytics tools can help small businesses stay competitive by providing valuable insights into their operations and the market. By analysing data, small businesses can identify industry trends and benchmark their performance against their competitors. This data can then be used to adjust their strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
Conclusion
Small businesses often face numerous challenges and must make informed decisions to survive and grow. Business intelligence and analytics tools can help small businesses access valuable insights that can guide them in making better decisions. By improving decision-making, reducing costs, enhancing customer experience, and staying competitive, small businesses can use business intelligence and analytics tools to their advantage.
The Rise of Data Analytics: What Job Seekers Need to Know
Data analytics has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields in recent years. As companies continue to collect and generate vast amounts of data, there is a growing need for professionals who can make sense of this information and provide insights that can drive business decisions.
What You Need to Know
- Skills Required
To succeed in data analytics, you need to have a strong foundation in statistics, data management, and data visualisation. You should also be familiar with programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL, as well as data analysis tools like Domo and Power BI. Soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication are also essential in this field. - Types of Data Analytics Jobs
There are different types of data analytics jobs, including data analysts, data scientists, business intelligence analysts, and machine learning engineers. Data analysts are responsible for collecting, processing, and analysing data to identify trends and patterns. Data scientists go beyond this by building predictive models and algorithms. Business intelligence analysts focus on using data to support decision-making, while machine learning engineers develop algorithms and models that enable computers to learn from data. - Industries Hiring Data Analytics Professionals
Data analytics professionals are in high demand across many industries, including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and marketing. Healthcare organisations use data analytics to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Financial institutions use it to detect fraud and identify investment opportunities. E-commerce companies use it to personalise customer experiences and improve conversion rates. Marketing teams use data analytics to measure campaign effectiveness and optimise customer acquisition and retention. - Certifications and Education
While a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, statistics, or mathematics is typically required for entry-level positions, many employers also value industry certifications. Certifications like Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), SAS Certified Data Scientist, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate can help job seekers stand out in a crowded job market. It’s also important to continue learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in data analytics.
Conclusion
Data analytics is a fast-paced and exciting field with many opportunities for growth and career advancement. Job seekers who possess the right skills, education, and certifications can thrive in this field and make a meaningful impact on the organisations they work for.
So what’s stopping you from pursuing a career in data analytics?
How to Build a Successful Career in Data Analytics
Data analytics and business intelligence are two of the most promising career fields in today’s job market. With the explosion of data-driven decision making across industries, companies are seeking professionals who can analyse and interpret data to make strategic business decisions.
Our Tips and Tricks
If you’re looking to build a successful career in data analytics or business intelligence, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Develop your technical skills
To succeed in this field, you need to have a strong foundation of technical skills such as data analysis, database management, statistical analysis, and programming languages like Python or SQL. There are many online courses and certification programs available that can help you develop these skills. - Gain industry-specific knowledge
While technical skills are important, it’s equally important to have industry-specific knowledge. You should have a good understanding of the industry or industries you’re interested in working in, as well as the types of data that are important in those industries. For example, if you’re interested in working in manufacturing, you should have knowledge of machine run-times and maintenance reports. - Build a portfolio
One of the best ways to demonstrate your skills to potential employers is by building a portfolio of your work. This could include examples of data analysis projects you’ve completed, reports you’ve created, or dashboards you’ve built. A strong portfolio can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers. - Network
Networking is key to building a successful career in any field, and this is no exception. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and connect with other professionals on social media platforms like LinkedIn. You never know when a connection may lead to a job opportunity or valuable career advice. - Stay up-to-date
Data analytics and business intelligence are constantly evolving fields, with new tools, technologies, and techniques emerging all the time. To stay relevant and competitive in the job market, you need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments. Attend industry conferences, read industry publications, and take online courses to continue developing your skills and knowledge.
Conclusion
Building a successful career in data analytics requires a combination of technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, a strong portfolio, networking, and a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. With dedication and hard work, you can build a rewarding and fulfilling career in this exciting field.
Navigating the Complexities in Data Analytics for Business Growth
Data analytics has become an integral part of the modern business landscape, providing valuable insights that can help drive growth, optimise processes, and increase efficiency. However, navigating the complexities of data analytics can be a daunting task for enterprise-level IT managers and Chief Technology Officers. In this article, we’ll explore some of the challenges that organisations face when using data analytics for business growth, and how to overcome them.
Data Analytics Common Problems
One of the most significant challenges in data analytics is ensuring that the data is accurate, relevant, and timely. Organisations need to ensure that the data they collect is reliable, and they should establish data governance policies to ensure that data is secure and compliant with regulations.
Another challenge is choosing the right data analytics tools and technologies. With so many options available, it can be challenging to identify the right tools and technologies that will meet your organisation’s specific needs. You should evaluate the various tools and technologies available, considering factors such as ease of use, cost, and functionality.
Another challenge is integrating data from different sources. Most organisations have data stored in various systems and applications, which can make it difficult to access and analyse. It’s crucial to establish a data integration strategy to ensure that data from different sources can be easily accessed and analysed.
Once data has been collected and analysed, it’s essential to ensure that the insights generated are actionable. Many organisations struggle to turn data insights into action, either due to a lack of resources or a lack of understanding of how to implement changes. It’s important to have a plan in place to ensure that insights are turned into actionable steps.
Finally, it’s crucial to ensure that data analytics is integrated into your organisation’s overall strategy. Data analytics should be viewed as a critical component of your organisation’s growth strategy, and it should be integrated into all aspects of the business, including marketing, sales, operations, and finance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, data analytics can provide valuable insights that can help drive growth, optimise processes, and increase efficiency. However, navigating the complexities of data analytics can be a challenge for enterprise-level IT managers and Chief Technology Officers. By ensuring that data is accurate, relevant, and timely, choosing the right data analytics tools and technologies, integrating data from different sources, ensuring insights are actionable, and integrating data analytics into your organisation’s overall strategy, you can overcome these challenges and harness the power of data analytics for business growth.