This edition of BI Trends and Strategies opens with a piece by Lou Agosta on the need for data warehouses to adapt to new data types, innovation and big data. Alan R. Earls also offers advice for incorporating spreadsheets into your BI programs without problems and Richard Herschel calls for universities to step up their BI and analytics programs. 

Does your business rely on spreadsheets for performance management? Spreadsheets require labor-intensive manual processes and are highly error-prone. Learn how you can replace or augment your spreadsheets with planning applications that integrate easily with spreadsheets, leveraging the best of your existing investment. 

Read this paper to learn how Sage Fixed Assests software eliminates the need for spreadsheets and is designed specifically for the tracking of fixed assets to reduce over payments on taxes and insurance while improving your bottom line. 

With new technologies—such as planning and analysis solutions powered by IBM Cognos® software—companies are automating the process, getting faster reports and data that fuel “what is” and “what if” scenarios. Read this paper to learn more. 

Read this white paper and learn about the business challenges and risks in existing manual ‘last mile’ processes dependent on different version spreadsheets, word processing files and unsecured emails, and the benefits and the value of automating ‘last mile’ processes. 

If you’re like most midsize companies, the only way to grow the business is by being smarter and nimbler than the next guy. Watch this short video to see how you can be instantly executing your business strategy based on the latest, most accurate information, while the other guys are still trying to figure out exactly what just happened. 

This edition of BI Trends & Strategies features a lead article by SearchCIO.com's Linda Tucci, who offers a helping hand in the quest to dismantle the dreaded data silo. The second piece outlines mobile BI, including a reference to Apple's iPad, and the final article delves into the world of performance management. 

Not long ago, the average executive’s idea of a business forecast was a simple, spreadsheet-based extrapolation of previous performance. Today, however, business executives are recognizing the need to use the billions of data records stored within their company’s IT systems for more advanced analytics. 

<p>Businesses need to keep a close eye on the evolution of cloud based services to avoid wasting money and missing out on business opportunities.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> 

<p>This e-guide features editorial articles with insight from IT industry consultants and technology professionals on the importance of data quality as well as advice for ensuring a successful program.</p> 

Master data management (MDM) tools are on the rise as more companies look toward ways to solve all their data needs through one system. This expert e-guide from our editorial team features two articles with exceptional insight on what vendors and trends are prevailing in the current MDM market. 

Tim Zimmerman, Gartner research director offers some practical advice to organisations wanted to use iPads on their corporate wireless networks.