Business Automation and Software Blog

Business Intelligence Helps You Make Better Forecasting Decisions

Posted by Robert Baran on Wed, Nov 15, 2017 @ 11:00 AM

business intelligence

Business intelligence systems can be used to improve forecasting and make better business decisions. When circumstances around you are constantly changing, it’s important to have a system you can rely on. Data from your Sage 300 ERP or SYSPRO system can be used in conjunction with other modules such as CRM, HR, and more, through your business intelligence system, to create useful and insightful reports for decision makers.

Forecasting: The Big Three Questions

Forecasting typically asks three important questions.

  1. What are you selling?
  2. Who are you selling it to?
  3. When will you close the sale and take the order?

Prior to the advent of business intelligence systems, accurate forecasting was difficult. Delays in reporting data meant delays in knowledge and that impacted business forecasts. Now, however, many BI systems offer real-time data updates throughout the business as it is synchronized through web-based connections.

Efficient, Productive, Cost-Effective Businesses

The right BI system can make your business much more efficient. Dashboards that provide company leaders with information that’s updated daily empower them to make smart decisions based on accurate, real-time data.

Think about it: procurement can receive better forecasts, so they save money by ordering in closer to actual on raw materials. Production can ensure they are ready to go based on the best estimate of what is needed. Sales and marketing can use this data to target customers and industries more effectively by trying to sell more of what’s already selling well. Accounting and finance can do a better job at managing the company’s finances when they have information ready for meetings and decisions.

Transactional data that flows from individual systems can be easy to access, but it isn’t of much value when it exists in separate spreadsheets. The real value is derived when all data flows can be mixed, matched, sorted and used in one system, one dashboard, and one set of integrated reports.

The beauty of a comprehensive business intelligence system is it can take all of these disparate data flows and merge them into one comprehensive source. You’re no longer chasing down separate spreadsheets or reports; it’s all in one spot. It’s a great time saver!

It can’t do everything, of course, but it can save you time so you can go out and do more. Learn more about business intelligence systems from Positive Vision.

Business Intelligence Built Into ERP

PositiveVision provides consulting and services to manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies. We can help you with choosing an ERP package and creating a great business intelligence experience. Two ERP software packages we offer to help you manage business information and improve product development processes are Sage 300 and SYSPRO. Sage 300 offers a powerful, flexible ERP system build, so it grows with your business. SYSPRO automates many businesses processes and can help you improve communications with customers, among other benefits.

With the right data, you can better manage your business. Learn more on our website or contact us today.

Topics: Sage 300, SYSPRO