Birst is a cloud-hosted business intelligence software product that fuses and extends the collected data of a company. The software is able to turn data into actionable insight by compiling all of the data that team members have amassed. Birst uses what it calls “networked business intelligence” where users use only one software solution to gain insights from their databases. It also works with the company’s existing business intelligence software.
Birst takes a different approach to cloud business analytics because of its networked business intelligence software. It also has a multi-tenant cloud architecture that lets users, teams, and departments share findings and data. The software is intended for all business users from marketing, IT, to executive management because of its features.
Birst Features
Networked business intelligence software virtualizes the analytics and data process. It gets your raw data and then runs the information through the software’s Extract, Transform, and Load process. Birst then creates a warehouse for the data and then the information is ready for users. Data via visual analytics and reporting tools give users answers even to the most convoluted of questions.
Adaptive User Experience
Birst has responsive HTML5 dashboards and visual discovery interfaces. They unify the legacy format of a separate dashboard and discovery interface. Users can explore data with drag-and-drop features, as well as autocomplete search and visual filtering. The software has interactive dashboards and they are able to filter information that users can cascade to other filters and dashboard pages. Birst also supports drill-anywhere capabilities, which means users can start their search from any place, and then go from there.
Birst is compatible with mobile devices, so users can access all the information even from outside the office. The mobile-accessed software makes use of an HTML5 interface that is usable on laptops, desktop PCs, and most mobile devices. Birst also leverages the interactivity of mobile applications, with features like pinch to zoom, swiping, and GPS. It is also able to rotate to fit the screen.
Birst has an open-client interface that gives open database connectivity access to the Uniform Business Model, which allows it to create direct connections to any other front-end software. As a result of this, users can still make use of their existing tools or software and simply integrate them into Birst. Users have the ability to easily generate, alert, schedule, and deliver reports as the software melds extensive report authoring, delivery, and scheduling with data suppression, enterprise security, and translation. The software also has a report designer for expert-level report presentation to make it easier for the members who would eventually use the information.
User Data Tier
Birst’s two-tier business intelligence and analytics technology provide a platform that has data acquisition capabilities, data transformation features, as well as analysis and modeling capacities. It has Automated Data Refinement that filters information to generate a unified business model. The software has what it calls an Infinite Connectivity Framework that allows users to configure access to multiple sources. Users can set up a specific connector to any source without needing to write any code. Configurations can also be set to specific company needs as well as be updated when needed.
Birst has a large repertoire of pre-existing connectors to well-known data sources. The connectors are geared to siphon custom, as well as standard objects, from their applications that are then maintained over time to keep the connectors up-to-date. The software also has the capability to query real-time data—Birst Live Access has the ability to query on-premise information sources in actual time without needing to siphon and store the information in the cloud. The software’s Automated Data Refinement technology also melds information from various sources into a centralized data store that is designed for analytics queries.
Birst also has a two-tier analytics server that is made up of a semantic layer and then a relational online analytical processing (ROLAP) engine and data navigator. The semantic layer is a single array of business regulations that govern over the data and supplies a single “source of truth” as well as easing development and administrative tasks. Any alterations to underlying information structures are immediately proliferated across the whole environment. The ROLAP engine and data navigator draw data from user-created sources and then move it into the workflow.
Multi-Tenant Cloud Architecture
Because of it being a cloud-hosted software solution, Birst has the ability to virtualize the whole business intelligence ecosystem. It can be deployed on the public cloud or on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, as well as an on-premise virtual appliance with the same code base, level of support, and upgrade path. Companies are able to move from one deployment model to another to meet their specific operational goals. The platform is designed as a multi-tenant system so users are able to scale horizontally or on demand by adding computer codes. The software also features intelligent caching, pre-aggregation, and optimized SQL generation. Birst leverages column-store database technology like Amazon Redshift as well as the in-memory cloud database technology SAP HANA.
Birst allows users to connect to the on-premise cloud and data systems in real-time. Birst Cloud needs no hardware or software installation and it is pre-configured for automatic failover as well as 24/7 support and availability. As usage grows, the software can expand server capacity to accommodate the growth. The multi-tenant architecture allows companies to create different business intelligence instances with the same infrastructure, which improves iterating time on business intelligence development.
Birst’s cloud platform includes strict data security standards for the user’s privacy, as well as the safety of the company data. It has layered defense protocols in the data center and it enforces internal product controls as well as regularly audits the security policies and procedures using third-party auditors. Birst’s systems, processes, and data centers are cloud analytics solutions that are certified for ISO 27001 and SOC II, TYPE II.
Birst Benefits
Birst allows top-down as well as bottom-up data blending, which results in global governance with only local execution. This accelerates business intelligence delivery across all parties and makes it more convenient for users. The software connects and extends the collective intelligence of companies through sharing campaign analytics to all pertinent members. It gives users the ability to create data-driven marketing decisions as well as exploit every opportunity provided by the analytics.
The features allow companies to shorten the needed time allotment for marketing, and give users the ability to collate all the necessary data for data visualizations and projections. The interface is easy to make use of because of its built-in modeling and drag-and-drop analytics. It automatically creates a data warehouse when importing data or making it work with other software that users have, making getting the data that users need quick and efficient.
Birst Pricing
The pricing for Birst’s enterprise is only available upon request, therefore interested parties will need to contact the vendor directly for a quote.
Conclusion
Birst’s two-tier business intelligence and analytics technology provide a simple yet robust solution for the specific needs of companies and its ability to interconnect the collective data of its users allow them to make more logical and impactful decisions. If you’re looking for a business intelligence software product, Birst is certainly a product that’s worth considering.