Business analytics and Power BI in managing a café chain
Nilivaara, Kalle (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052715963
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052715963
Tiivistelmä
The main objective of this study is to create a practical way to implement business analytics for a business unit within a large Finnish group company which operates in food industry. The business unit itself is specialized in café and restaurant business. The implementation is done by creating a functional Power BI dashboard to help utilize data more effectively within the organisation and by investigating different ways on how and why business analytics is of benefit to the target organisation and what could affect its implementation. The study is valuable for the organisation as business analytics is actively implemented and there is a gap in knowledge and skills on how to implement analytics and what potential there is in different situations.
Within theoretical framework it is explained how business analytics is a tool for organizations seeking to harness data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making and drive operational efficiency. There are different ways to create value for an organisation within café and restaurant business by implementing business analytics, from predicting production needs or possible profit-ability of a new location, to simulate processes or simply improve customer service with predictive offers. Descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive have different uses and requirements for the organization who intends to start using them. Data and its management are at the core of analytics, although in this study database management is only described on a general level.
The research approach is constructive research, where a practical solution that can be used for solving a problem is to be developed. Data collection methods are a survey, and an interview with the stakeholders within the target organisation. Other methods used are the development of a dashboard with Power BI and workshop with chosen members of the organisation with whom the dashboard is developed in collaboration.
Power BI is a business analytics tool developed by Microsoft, designed to transform raw data into meaningful insights through interactive visualizations and intuitive reports. A solution on Power BI is developed during this study to investigate business analytics and its implementation within organizational environment. Different functions of Power BI are used and described while implementing CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) methodology during the development. No other platform is researched as Power BI has already been chosen by the organisation.
As a conclusion a functional dashboard is created and can be used within the organisation and developed further. Through the research done, ways to introduce business analytics even further to the organisation are found. Combined with this knowledge and a team of business controllers with the correct set of skills and knowledge in analytics and Power BI can manage it and develop further with the active support from the organisation.
Within theoretical framework it is explained how business analytics is a tool for organizations seeking to harness data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making and drive operational efficiency. There are different ways to create value for an organisation within café and restaurant business by implementing business analytics, from predicting production needs or possible profit-ability of a new location, to simulate processes or simply improve customer service with predictive offers. Descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive have different uses and requirements for the organization who intends to start using them. Data and its management are at the core of analytics, although in this study database management is only described on a general level.
The research approach is constructive research, where a practical solution that can be used for solving a problem is to be developed. Data collection methods are a survey, and an interview with the stakeholders within the target organisation. Other methods used are the development of a dashboard with Power BI and workshop with chosen members of the organisation with whom the dashboard is developed in collaboration.
Power BI is a business analytics tool developed by Microsoft, designed to transform raw data into meaningful insights through interactive visualizations and intuitive reports. A solution on Power BI is developed during this study to investigate business analytics and its implementation within organizational environment. Different functions of Power BI are used and described while implementing CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) methodology during the development. No other platform is researched as Power BI has already been chosen by the organisation.
As a conclusion a functional dashboard is created and can be used within the organisation and developed further. Through the research done, ways to introduce business analytics even further to the organisation are found. Combined with this knowledge and a team of business controllers with the correct set of skills and knowledge in analytics and Power BI can manage it and develop further with the active support from the organisation.