10 Must-Consult Resources for Business Intelligence Software Selection

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When it comes to the selection of a data analytics tool for a new business Intelligence initiative, where should you start? A typical internet search may yield some worthwhile answers, though you’ll likely be bombarded with sponsored links to so-called ‘expert’ analysts pushing their own agendas.

Consulting trustworthy sources of information is the name of the game. At Solutions Review, we put ourselves in the middle of it all, constantly coming across resources that can assist buyers of enterprise technology to achieve their goals in selecting the tools that best fit their needs.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best resources solutions-seekers should consult while in the research phase of a new analytics project. Since each organization needs a tool to match up with their specific use cases, these resources allow researchers to sift through solutions that satisfy a wide range of BI requirements.

1.  Gartner Magic Quadrant & Critical Capabilities

Gartner is the world’s largest information technology research and advisory firm, delivering reports and market research studies that assist businesses in making enterprise technology product selections. Gartner is best-known for its patented Magic Quadrant reports, which feature market analysis  and rankings of the top providers based on a variety of metrics.

Each individual Magic Quadrant report focuses on a specific sector of the space, giving researches a wide-angle view into the many tools that are available to them. Gartner also offers a Critical Capabilities resource, which acts as a companion to the Magic Quadrant. Critical Capabilities allows the reader to compare vendors based on specific use cases which relate to their own environments.

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2. Forrester Wave Report

Forrester offers a wide variety of resources to assist business leaders in selecting the right enterprise technology solutions. As one of the most well established technology research outlets, Forrester is a trusted source of information, offering expansive market studies that encompass a multitude of charts, graphics and figures.

Forrester’s flagship methodology lies in the company’s ever-evolving quarterly Wave reports. Forrester’s wide range of market coverage is sure to satisfy the needs of any organization seeking the resources to make an informed purchasing decision.

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3. Solutions Review Buyer’s Guide & Buyer’s Matrix Report

Solutions Review has engineered two tools for assisting buyers in their search for business intelligence and data analytics tools. The Buyers Matrix Report, which is a visual reference and summary of the top-28 best-of-breed BI tools, will make it easier for companies considering next generation solutions to compare and contrast the leading BI providers in order to find the best possible fit for their organization.

Coupled with the release of its newest buyers tool, Solutions Review also offers a free Business Intelligence Buyer’s Guide, further enhancing the ability of the IT professional to make the right product decisions. In using these tools in conjunction, solutions-seekers will be armed with all of the materials they need to ensure selection of the best software for their company.

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4. Dresner Advisory Services Wisdom of Crowds

Dresner Advisory Services is an independent analyst firm that specializes in business intelligence and related markets. The firm’s founder, Howard Dresner, is one of the foremost thought leaders in the world of data and analytics. He even coined the term in 1989. Dresner does not pre-fund its market studies, meaning that they take no sponsor money. This means that you can be absolutely sure that Dresner studies are agnostic and reflect only the industry at large.

The Wisdom of Crowds studies leave no stone unturned, and cover every avenue of the BI market, including cloud computing and business intelligence, big data analytics, embedded analytics, SMB enterprise BI, and advanced predictive analytics.

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5. TrustRadius TrustMap & Buyer’s Guide to Business Intelligence

TrustRadius offers a visually appealing diagram in order to help organizations assess their options for BI solutions. The diagram, which the company refers to as the TrustMap, is a two-dimensional chart that allows the reader to compare products based on end-user satisfaction ratings and research frequency by prospective buyers.

In order to appear on the visual, products must meet a 15-rating threshold. In addition, TrustRadius also offers a Buyer’s Guide to Business Intelligence, allowing organizations to compare the top BI software vendors across multiple verticals. The guide also provides in-depth reviews, user ratings and advice on key trends to keep in mind while shopping.

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6. G2 Crowd Grid for Business Intelligence

G2 Crowd is one of the largest business software peer review sites in the world, leveraging more than 70,000 user reviews to help solution-seekers make the best purchasing decisions. The G2 Crowd Grid is similar to Gartner’s Magic Quadrant in look and feel, though this one is a little more interactive and visually pleasing. The G2 Grid rates products based on the Business Intelligence products customer satisfaction and market presence.

Selecting each product allows for a more detailed comparison, and only tools with 10 more reviews are shown. G2 Crowd also offers a free intuitive ‘Buying Assistant’ which helps narrow down your search even further, based on various organizational criteria. Like Gartner, G2 Crowd also offers up some tricks of the trade, providing detailed buying considerations to further assist buyers.

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7. Capterra Reviews & Ratings

Capterra is a great resource for those who are unfamiliar with the current state of the enterprise BI market because it provides a simple way for readers to peruse vendors, read reviews and ratings, and gain a better understanding as to who the key players are. Capterra’s ‘Add to Compare’ feature is handy for measuring solutions up against one another if there is a specific functionality on your wish list. What Capterra lacks in terms of sophisticated graphics and visuals it makes up for in ease-of-use.

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8. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the premier place for enterprise technology professionals to gather, connect with one another, share ideas, and network. If you are a business person who works in the data and analytics field, or you’re just looking for additional insights into what the smartest in the space are talking about, LinkedIn professional groups are a great place to start. Join the discussion to discover new insights, best practices, and learn which software tools the experts are using in their daily operations.

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9. Twitter

With an active user base more than double the size of the population of Russia, Twitter has evolved into one of the top resources for professionals in just about every field. The social media platform allows users to fill their timelines with whatever they find most interesting, and can act as a great educational tool. Further, enterprise professionals can quickly connect with thought leaders, solution providers and technology pundits to familiarize themselves with trends, best practices, and product news relevant to any vertical.

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10. The Definitive Business Intelligence Glossary

Solutions Review has compiled the most complete BI and data analytics glossary of terms available on the web. This resource is sure to help keep you hip to all the latest and greatest lingo in enterprise Data Analytics. The analytics market is undergoing a major evolution, making terminology and vocabulary an integral part of keeping up to date with all the changeover.

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There you have it! The 10 best resources to assists in your search for a new business intelligence solution. Also, be sure to check out our BI vendor directory and data science best-seller books list.