Business Intelligence
One of the companies that use data mining approaches is Wal-Mart; the company uses data mining techniques with a major purpose of understanding buying patterns among its targeted clients. In addition, American Express and AT&T are some of the companies that have implemented the use of data mining techniques; they also apply data mining techniques as a means of understanding how consumers behave, hence enhancing their capacities to implement promotional strategies.
Data that the System considers to make course recommendation
The system uses students’ profiles as well as transcripts in order to provide recommendations to the students on the most appropriate course they should select.
The Number of Courses Recommended to Students
The program provides a suggestion of 10 courses. The course recommendation is based on students’ performance data. The major goal of this approach is to steer learners towards courses/learning units that will ensure that they have better grades.
Other Tennessee Schools using the Program
There are other three colleges in Tennessee that are also using the program. Furthermore, institutions outside the state are also in the process of developing versions of the program.
The Answer to Question 1 on Page 64
The use of database management systems has become an important aspect of information management in various organizations. Improved database management has promoted Business Intelligence that has facilitated the success of a significant number of organizations in the contemporary business environment. However, in order for an organization to generate Business Intelligence, there are two dimensions of data that the information system must access, they include: External and Internal data. Internal data/information is usually gathered within the organization and may include information of sales, records of personnel, expenditure and other key transaction data. Organizations may utilize internal information/data to produce business intelligence, for instance: Understanding consumer buying patterns. In regard to external data, it is usually collected from sources through field research. The corpus of business intelligence involves the information technology tools in order to transform data, that is, raw information into useful data that can be applied to make pertinent business decisions.
One of the companies that have indicated tremendous success in regard to the application of business intelligence is Exxon Mobil, a major global oil company. In the first quarter of 2015, the company recorded about $11.7 billion in sales (Behind Oil Profits). This success has been attributed to its initiative to invest in business technology as means of enhancing the implementation of business intelligence. Research shows that Exxon Mobile has been one of the pioneer companies that align technology with its objectives as well as corporate goals (Behind Oil Profits). Through business intelligence, the company has been in a position to understand the consumption patterns as well as the perception of consumers towards prices. This has enabled it to apply appropriate pricing strategy, a technique that has made it a major competitor in the oil industry.
The other company that has successfully applied the concept of business intelligence is the Australian and New Zealand Banking Company (Business Intelligence and Analytics). In their annual report, the company has indicated that the use of business intelligence is among their top operational strategies. The company has used business intelligence in order to gain a high competitive advantage over its rivals. This has been achieved through improved efficiency, where information is gathered among their clients, analyzed and the results are used for decision-making. The Australian and New Zealand Banking company has also indicated that the use of Business Intelligence has enabled its management team to expand its activities through a refinement of business activities, improved collaboration as well as radical innovation.
Consequently, Platntronics is another company that has successfully implemented the use of business intelligence, for instance: The Company recently implemented the use of dashboards in order to have a proper understanding of the graphical presentation of their opportunities (Maltillion Business Intelligence). This has enabled its managers to determine the most appropriate approaches that can be considered in relation to resource allocation.
In conclusion, the use of Business Intelligence cannot be considered a mere theoretical concept, but is a workable business operational strategy. The above three companies are just but a few examples of how business organizations can succeed by implementing business intelligence. Business intelligence enables business-oriented and non-business organizations to utilize data in the most appropriate manner.
Works Cited
"Behind Oil Profits: A Look At ExxonMobil's Technology Alignment." Behind Oil Profits: A Look At ExxonMobil's Technology Alignment. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Projects-Processes/Behind-Oil-Profits-A-Look-At-ExxonMobils-Technology-Alignment-[1]>.
"Business Intelligence and Analytics Top Priority for ANZ CIOs." :: Industry News. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/it-management/news/business-intelligence-and-analytics-top-priority-for-anz-cios-996188496>.
Bidgoli, Hossein. MIS5: Management Information Systems. Boston, Etats-Unis: Course Technology, Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.
Maltillion Business Intelligence. "6 Real Life Examples of Successful Business Intelligence Systems." Matillion. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.matillion.com/insight/6-real-life-examples-of-successful-business-intelligence-systems/>.
