The Clearly Podcast

The Evolution of BI and Dynamics

Summary

The discussion focused on the evolution of business intelligence (BI) and reporting within the Dynamics ecosystem. The guests included experienced professionals who have witnessed the progression from basic transaction-based reporting to advanced real-time analytics.

Initially, reporting in Dynamics used proprietary databases and was primarily for transactional data like purchase orders and sales orders. Over time, with the acquisition of Navision and other products by Microsoft, tools like SQL Server and SSRS were introduced, enhancing reporting capabilities significantly. The introduction of Power BI has further transformed the landscape, allowing for real-time data processing and advanced analytics.

The conversation highlighted how early tools like FRx revolutionized management reporting by enabling detailed financial reports directly from the general ledger (GL). The evolution continued with the integration of SQL Server, enabling more complex and insightful data analysis.

The participants agreed that while more data offers potential for greater insights, it must be organized and presented meaningfully to avoid overwhelming users. They emphasized the importance of effective data visualization in making informed business decisions.

Clients today are more aware of tools like Power BI and are looking for ways to leverage them for better insights. However, there remains a gap between understanding the tool's potential and effectively implementing it. The role of consultants is crucial in bridging this gap by helping clients transform raw data into useful reports.

For clients starting with BI and reporting, the advice included making key metrics easily accessible on devices like phones and smartwatches, integrating data from various systems, and ensuring clean, well-organized data. The discussion concluded with the importance of educating clients on using existing tools effectively to unlock their full potential.

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Transcript

Andy:
Hi everyone, we have great guests today to discuss the evolution of business intelligence (BI) and reporting in the Dynamics world. Joining us are Amit Wason and Haseet Sanghrajka. Amit, could you introduce yourself first?

Amit:
Thanks, Andy. I've been in the Dynamics world since 1995 and have seen reporting progress into dashboards and powerful analytics over the years.

Andy:
Great. Hasit, can you introduce yourself as well?

Haseet:
Hi, I'm Haseet, CEO of Citi Dynamics. I've been working with Microsoft Dynamics since it was Great Plains Software in 1997.

Andy:
We have a lot of experience here today. Let's start with how reporting has evolved in Dynamics. Shailan, can you give a brief history of reporting from when you started with Navision to where we are now?

Shailan:
Sure. I started in 1997, back when Navision used a proprietary database. Reporting was transaction-based, mostly for things like purchase orders and sales orders. Over time, reporting evolved to include management reporting and performance indicators like KPIs and trending. With Microsoft's acquisition of Navision and others, we saw the introduction of SQL Server and SSRS, and now we have Power BI integrated into the Dynamics suite.

Haseet:
I remember the early days with dot matrix printers and basic reports. As technology evolved, we saw tools like FRx for GL data, which was revolutionary at the time for management reporting. With the advent of SQL Server and SSRS, reporting capabilities expanded significantly.

Amit:
Indeed, and Navision had its account schedules for GL-based management reports. Over time, these tools evolved to support more advanced analytics and real-time data processing.

Andy:
Has there been a specific technology or iteration that you felt was a game-changer for BI and reporting in Dynamics?

Haseet:
The technology was always there, but cost and client readiness often hindered its adoption. The real shift came when we moved from 15-day month-end reporting to real-time data with tools like FRx and later Power BI.

Amit:
I agree. The need for more insightful data has grown, and now tools like Power BI allow for real-time analytics and better decision-making.

Andy:
How do you ensure that more data translates to more insight and value for clients?

Amit:
More data offers more potential for value, but it requires meaningful visualization. The key is to present data in a way that highlights important insights, rather than overwhelming users with information.

Haseet:
It's about organizing data effectively and using it to make informed decisions. Successful businesses can pivot quickly by leveraging their data intelligently.

Andy:
What are the current conversations you're having with clients about data, reporting, and BI?

Shailan:
Clients are increasingly aware of tools like Power BI and want to know how to leverage them for better insights. There's a growing understanding of the power of data analytics across organizations.

Haseet:
Clients now recognize the capabilities of Power BI, but there's still a gap between understanding its potential and implementing it effectively. Our role is to help bridge that gap.

Amit:
Clients often need help transforming raw data into useful reports. The tools are there, but understanding how to use them effectively is crucial.

Andy:
If you're advising a client on how to start with BI and reporting, what would you suggest?

Haseet:
Start by getting key metrics on accessible devices like phones and even smartwatches. The goal is to make data easily accessible to drive decision-making.

Amit:
Focus on integrating data from various systems and presenting it in a unified way. The goal is to have a comprehensive view of all business data.

Tom:
Educate clients on the tools they already have and how to use them effectively. Often, it's about helping them see the full potential of their existing solutions.

Shailan:
Ensure the data is clean and well-organized. Even the best tools can't provide valuable insights if the underlying data is a mess.

Andy:
Thanks, everyone. This was a great discussion on the evolution of BI and Dynamics. Amit, Hasit, thank you for joining us.