In the modern world, business intelligence is about more than making your organisation work smarter – it’s about getting the right information to the right people, who can then analyse it and make crucial, timely decisions. What so many companies are missing, however, are the tools to distribute that data and make the best use of it.

That’s where active reports come in. In the past, interacting with relevant data from within your business was only possible when you were connected to your network, leaving you with fewer opportunities to work on your business intelligence. Nowadays, however, active reports allow you to carry that data as an archived file, able to be analysed and manipulated while you are on the go.

Traditional workplaces are evolving

Take a look around your office, and chances are you’ll see a greater proliferation of internet-connected devices than ever before – everything from the computer on your desk to the watch on your wrist could be a potential workstation. Cisco estimates that by 2020, the world will be home to almost 12 billion mobile devices, being used by 70 per cent of the global population.

Deploying active reports amongst members of your organisation is all about offering freedom – the freedom to work on business intelligence strategy from wherever they so choose. Shifting to the flexibility of a mobile workforce has genuine productivity and efficiency benefits. In the US, the Gallup State of the American Workplace poll found that remote workers not only logged more hours than office-bound colleagues, but felt more engaged by their occupation.

Make your organisation’s data more visually appealing with active reports.

Conveying information visually

Collecting and using data is hugely important in this day and age, however how that data is later displayed often isn’t particularly easy to understand – or visually appealing. Being able to quickly assess information based on visuals alone can have a significant effect on our ability to understand it.

Through active reports, your relevant data can be customised for visual impact through interactive charts, evocative colours and clickable objects. All of that in-depth information is still accessible should you require it, but to give a general impression of whatever business intelligence project you might be working on, the visual appeal of active reports can make a huge difference.

Business intelligence doesn’t have to be bogged down in unattractive, incomprehensible data and statistics. With active reports, you can free up your organisation to deliver better strategic initiatives, no matter where they might be located.