/ 5 things to keep in mind when choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution

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5 things to keep in mind when choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution

Ad-hoc reporting is a valuable feature of business intelligence (BI) tools that can empower your users to create their own reports and conduct their own analyses– without needing to rely on IT or other centralized resources.

However, before you choose an ad-hoc reporting solution for your organization, you should keep a few things in mind. In this guide, we are going to break down the 5 things you need to consider when choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution:

Ease of Use
Data Connectivity
Scalability
Flexibility
Support

Each of these elements plays a vital role in ensuring that your ad-hoc reporting solution can meet your organization’s specific needs. Let’s take a closer look at each one, and see some tips on how you can ensure that your chosen solution hits the mark.

First, let’s look closer at embedded ad-hoc reporting solutions.

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What is embedded ad-hoc reporting?

Embedded ad-hoc reporting is a type of business intelligence tool that enables users to create their own reports without needing to rely on IT or other centralized resources.

This can be a valuable way to empower your users and allow them to take a more active role in their own data analysis.

To be considered an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution, the tool must allow users to create and deploy reports into the websites or applications where they will be used. This is in contrast to traditional ad-hoc reporting solutions, which require users to export their reports into a separate application in order to view or share them.

What are the benefits of embedded ad-hoc reporting?

There are several benefits that can come from using an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution, including:

1. Increased user engagement

One of the biggest benefits of using an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution is that it can help to increase user engagement. By allowing users to create their own reports, you can encourage them to take a more active role in their data analysis. This can lead to better insights and decision-making across your organization.

2. Reduced dependence on IT

Another benefit of using an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution is that it can help to reduce dependence on IT or other centralized resources. This can free up these resources to focus on other projects, and it can also help to shorten the time to market for new reports or analyses.

3. Greater flexibility

Embedded ad-hoc reporting solutions can also offer greater flexibility than traditional BI tools. This is because they are designed to be easily integrated into a wide range of websites and applications. This can make it easier to add new features or functionality and customize the look and feel of reports to match your brand.

4. Improved user experience

Finally, embedded ad-hoc reporting solutions can also offer an improved user experience. This is because they are designed to be easy to use and allow users to create reports without needing to have any technical expertise. This can help to ensure that your BI solution is accessible to a wider range of users, which can lead to better adoption rates.

Now that we’ve seen some of the benefits that can come from using an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to keep in mind when choosing one.

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5 things to keep in mind when choosing an embedded ad hoc reporting solution

Here are some of the main things you need to keep in mind when choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution:

1. Ease of use

One of the most important things to look for in an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution is its ease of use.

The solution should be designed to be easy to use, even for users with little or no technical expertise. It should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, and it should allow users to create reports without needing to write any code.

The risk of an embedded solution being too complex or difficult to use is that users will simply not adopt it. This can lead to wasted time and money and missed opportunities for insights and analysis.

If you can find a solution that strikes the right balance between power and ease of use, you’ll be in a good position to ensure high adoption rates.

2. Flexibility

Another essential thing to look for in an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution is flexibility.

If your users are unable to customize reports to meet their specific needs, they are likely to become frustrated and give up on using the solution. On the other hand, if the solution is too flexible, it can be challenging to use and may require extensive training.

The best embedded ad-hoc reporting solutions strike a balance between these two extremes by offering a wide range of customization options while still being easy to use. This can allow users to create reports tailored to their specific needs– without needing to wade through a complex interface.

3. Integration

Another important consideration when choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution is integration.

Integration in ad-hoc reporting means that the solution can be easily embedded into a wide range of websites and applications. This is important because it allows you to take advantage of the existing infrastructure rather than needing to build a new one from scratch.

In addition, integration can also make it easier to add new features or functionality to reports. This can be important if you need to respond rapidly to changes in your business or market.

For example, if you are looking to embed an ad-hoc reporting solution into an ecommerce website, you will need to ensure that the solution can be easily integrated with the website’s existing shopping cart software.

4. Support

When choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution, it is also important to consider support.

Support is important because it can help ensure you can get the most out of your investment. In addition, it can also help to ensure that you are able to quickly resolve any issues that may arise.

The best embedded ad-hoc reporting solutions offer a wide range of support options, such as online forums, FAQs, and customer service. This can give you the peace of mind that you will be able to get the help you need– when you need it.

5. Pricing

As you can imagine, pricing plays a big role in choosing an embedded ad-hoc reporting solution.

The best way to determine whether a particular solution is right for you is to consider your specific needs and budget. In general, the more features and functionality you need, the more you can expect to pay.

However, it is essential to remember that price is not the only consideration. You also need to consider things like ease of use, flexibility, integration, support, and pricing. When you consider your needs in all of these areas, you will be in a better position to choose the right solution for your business.

Don’t invest in a poor-quality ad-hoc reporting solution

When it comes to business intelligence (BI), ad-hoc reporting is an essential tool. An ad-hoc report is a type of BI report that is created on-the-fly, without predefined parameters.

This means that users can generate reports with whatever data they need without having to rely on IT or a data analyst. This can give businesses a huge advantage when it comes to making decisions because they can get the information they need as quickly as possible.

However, not all ad-hoc reporting solutions are created equal. In fact, some BI ad-hoc reporting solutions are simply inadequate to meet businesses’ needs. If you’re considering investing in an ad-hoc reporting solution, follow the five tips above to ensure that you pick a good one.