Companies that make informed decisions based on data analytics usually come out on top, especially in today’s fast-paced world where trends evolve rapidly. In this post, I want to go over the best big data analytics tools to use for your business in 2021. These are the tools that have been proven and tested by companies of all sizes.
There are many ways to gather data - from cold calling surveys to social media analytics, data can be collected every day. However, data in its raw form is virtually useless. For data to be valuable, it must be reviewed, analyzed, and organized in a way that is easy to understand. This is where business analytics tools shine. Simply put, a business analytics tool is a software that collects data from one or more business system applications and consolidates all of the data into a ‘warehouse’.
Most companies that are actively gathering data do so with a combination of data mining tools, statistical tools, predictive modeling, and business analytics software. Quantitative and qualitative data are used to help companies:
Today’s analytical tools are packed with innovative features that allow companies to view data in real-time, collect data efficiently, and identify patterns quickly. For a business analyst tool to be effective, it must be able to:
There are many analytical tools available that will satisfy the requirements of your business and perform the type of data analysis you need. To help you get started in your search for the right business analytical tools, let’s take a look at some of the most popular applications in 2021.
1. Apache Spark – Apache is the go-to for sorting huge volumes of data or unstructured data. Used by large organizations like Netflix, Spark boasts a large system of data frames, graph computation, streaming, machine learning, and large-scale data processing.
2. Sisense - An advantage of the Sisense platform is its unique In-Chip technology, which uses CPU caching to compute data and can lead to 10-100x faster computation. The platform is ideal for both technical developers and business analysts to process and organize business data. Drag-and-drop tools and interactive dashboards make for a user-friendly interface and ability to collaborate.
3. SAS Forecasting - This forecasting tool offers a selection of methods, including scenario planning, event modelling, “what-if” analysis, and hierarchical reconciliation. Data analysts use forecasting to understand and identify potential trends and events that may unfold, so that they can recommend the best course of action for businesses. SAS Forecasting is an easy-to-use platform that allows for automatic forecasting for a large volume of entities or products.
4. RapidMinder - One of the most popular data science platforms, RapidMiner is used to improve productivity through automated machine learning. Users can integrate, clean, and organize data through a simple graphical interface. RapidMiner can also be used with third-party plugins available through their marketplace
5. R - Ideal for technical analysts with programming skills. R features a large number of graphical tools and open-source packages for loading, manipulating, modeling, and visualizing data. If you don’t have programming skills, we recommend choosing a different platform.
6. Clear Analytics - If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use system with no training required, Clear Analytics is a great solution. This analytical tool is an Excel-based software that requires basic knowledge of Excel. Team members and collaborators have the ability to access data on demand quickly and safely.
7. Datapine - Beginners and advanced users alike enjoy Datapine’s simple yet powerful features. This tool features a visual drag-and-drop interface, interactive charts and dashboards, and predictive analytics features. Ideal for users looking for a fast and reliable data analysis solution.
8. Looker - Looker is a cloud-based tool that offers data analytics, business intelligence, and advanced visualization capabilities. It can connect with a number of databases and sources with a built-in code editor to modify generated models.
9. Talend - Talend is a Java-based tool that features data preparation, integration, and an assortment of data management requirements for small and large organizations. Its responsive system can efficiently process millions of data records and deliver complete and reliable information.
10. Lexalytics - Designed for businesses that want to understand their customer’s experiences. Lexalytics is an Intelligence Platform that gathers text data from social media posts, comments, and engagement. It uses machine learning and language processing to analyze text and identify the consumer’s attitudes and feelings about the company’s services or products.
Business analytics and intelligence are quite technical. While it’s important to gather data for the purpose of making sound business decisions, humanizing your efforts is key to success. Behind the numbers and the graphs are faces and individuals who are interacting, engaging, and using your products and services. The right tools combined with actively listening to the voice of your customer is what will create a meaningful experience with your brand, establish trust, and foster sustainability.