The move away from manually analysing data to a more automated data system enables business to make informed decisions faster, saving time and costs, says business intelligence solutions provider QlikView South Africa MD Davide Hanan.

QlikView offers companies a business solution that can process and analyse large amounts of data immediately and provide business owners with real-time answers about issues.

The company’s software allows users to plan, monitor and improve production and efficiency results, while empowering users through self-service business intelligence. Users are able to take ownership and provide insights on the way forward based on QlikView’s ability to immediately analyse data when needed.

“The QlikView software not only looks at helping companies make more informed decisions, but also aims to afford businesses the opportunity to learn more of their businesses’ needs and challenges,” says Hanan.

The software was developed in the early nineties, in Sweden, at parent company QlikTech’s head office, which has since been moved to the US.

The software was introduced in South Africa eight years ago. The increasing volume and pace at which organisations receive data prompted QlikTech to develop a data discovery tool such as the QlikView software, Hanan states.

As a result of improvements in computeri- sation over the years, data is easily assessable, compared with a few years ago when analysis and data discovery were not simple and companies did not have a single view of all their data. The QlikView software allows users to identify patterns and trends from their data and, from that, make informed business decisions on various issues.

The key feature of the software is that it is easy to operate. Hanan compares the operation of the software to that of a search engine, which is easy to use, immediate and hosts a vast supply of information.

The software also provides users with mobil- ity, as it can be accessed on a computer, a tablet or a smartphone. It analyses all types of opera- tions, from human resources, finance and procurement to stock control, asset management, plant use and planned management.

Users are able to access all data in the company and, more uniquely, individual customers’ sales, product purchases and the area in which the customers operate.

Hanan describes QlikView as operating in a dynamic environment where data is associated.

“As a result of the improvements made to computer memory and processing abilities, accessing data off memory is faster and easier than before. Associativity in memory has revo- lutionised the way we access data and this has saved companies a lot on costs,” he says.

Many companies are now adapting to the move to memory, but associativity is still unique to QlikView, with the software gaining a new customer in South Africa every day, he states.

Further, he reveals that a survey was conducted among 1 000 international QlikView users by market research and analysis firm International Data Corporation two years ago. The survey showed that the average return on investment for these users was 186% over a period of six to seven months.

The software has been used in industries such as finance, manufacturing, distribution and research, as well as by nonprofit organisations.

Hospitals and police services in Sweden and Israel have used this software, improving analysis of data immediately after operations and leading to apprehension of criminals through data patterns.

The software can be found on a server and users can access it through a browser. It can also be used on a personal computer or laptop.

Training on how to use the software takes about half an hour, says Hanan – an advantage in the business world, as time is an important factor.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.