The world of business and technology is awakening, starting to become aware of, and use, the huge potential that data analysis science has in store for them. Meanwhile, a number of data analysis tools are emerging that allow developers to manage, present and draw conclusions from the information that is obtained.
What are the most widespread data analysis tools at the time, and what can they be used for? We analyze this below.
What are the most useful data analysis tools?
With the rise of fields such as Operational intelligence to make business decisions, there is an increasing number of companies that value data analysis as an essential part of their initiatives and strategies.
The impact of this new science on the markets is positive: according to data provided by the McKinsey consulting firm, companies that intensively apply data analysis have twice the chances of multiplying their profits than their competitors.
Data analysis allows companies to identify problems that used to be hidden and make better decisions. Because of this, choosing the right data analysis tools can be essential.
An adequate data analysis platform enables developers to obtain data, evaluate it and present it in a way that is comprehensible. This means that it can provide companies with valuable information, leading to solutions in regard to efficiency or strategic decisions.
The most popular tools include:
Zoho Analytics
This platform consists of software that is centered on business intelligence, the generation of reports and data analysis. Zoho Analytics enables companies to access their key business metrics and visualize which trends are maintained in time, revealing hidden information that can be essential for their business.
Its strong point is the generation of personalized dashboards in a matter of minutes, though it also provides alerts and prediction tools. In addition, it facilitates the visualization of data via tables, Excel-style pivot tables or graphs based on KPIs.
To make its use easier, Zoho Analytics includes a smart virtual assistant that helps users. This assistant is based on AI, Machine Learning and natural language processing, allowing it to provide efficient help to users in a simple manner.
Tableau Public
This is a key platform in the performance of Business Intelligence processes: in other words, Tableau Public facilitates the analysis of historical data for strategic decision making in a business.
This platform allows information to be processed, shaped and later presented through data visualization tools. The tool does not require coding or specific programming language knowledge.
Furthermore, it allows for an especially intuitive use in regard to visualization, since it offers automatic templates that can then be customized. As a last step, the platform allows the sharing of conclusions with the client over social networks or as downloads.
There are also other data analysis tools whose functionality is similar to that of Tableau Public, such as Power BI and FineReport.
Rapid Miner
Rapid Miner consists of a data analysis and Machine Learning platform, that can be used to generates analytics and monitor data transformation in real time.
This software enables the integration of information from different sources and types, including data from Access, Excel and Microsoft SQL, among others. Furthermore, it includes Machine Learning features to generate a platform that is as intuitive as possible. This means that it is not necessary for the user to know how to code to make the most out of the tool, while allowing developers to be more efficient in their work. In any case, there is a training resource section in their website containing frequently asked questions regarding the use of the tool.
According to the tool itself, over 40,000 companies are already using Rapid Miner, applying the advantages of the platform to apply data science to their business.
Knime
This software generates an open-source environment for data analysis, becoming one of the most popular and complete data analysis tools. Among its functionalities, it includes components for the detection of anomalies in company processes, the optimization of inventories or the measurement of customer satisfaction.
When it comes to ease of use and intuitiveness, Knime has also created a forum where technical personnel can ask questions regarding the use of the platform. This tool also integrates with the Azure and Amazon AWS cloud software.
Everything about a REST API is HERE
Qlick Sense
An evolution of Qlick View, it is an integrated solution to explore data generated by a company and leverage its potential based on the principles of Business Intelligence. It also offers AI applications that, through the use of associative technology, show suggestions to users to foster the discovery of trends and opportunities hidden in the information.
Among its advantages, we can find its intuitive use, which means that knowing how to program is not required to take advantage of the data. For example, this software has been designed to show data and related trends using similar colors.
Apache Spark
Apache Spark is an analytics software for the processing of large volumes of data or unstructured data. Despite not being as intuitive as other platforms, since it requires being familiar with programming languages, it uses common languages such as Java, Scala, Python, R and SQL.
To facilitate the introduction and exploration of the tool, this data analysis platform also offers resources and documents to those that are getting started with it, while it also organizes specific user gatherings.
SAS
This is one of the most veteran data analysis tools, and its origins can be found in the programming environment and language developed by this institution in 1966. Targeted both at data scientists and statisticians or Business Intelligence experts, it allows for the exploration, analysis and visualization of data within one same platform.
Since 2011, SAS has been enhancing the software features in relation to marketing and sales, becoming a powerful B2C platform: it includes Artificial Intelligence features related to clients and leads, in addition to marketing analytics and social networks. In this way, it allows companies to have a thorough overview in this field, enabling the management and prediction of client behaviors and improving the communication with them.
Talend
This is a data analysis platform that focuses on data visualization and exploration to facilitate decision making in companies. It works through a cloud storage system and integrates all processes surrounding data science: from the acquisition of information to different ways of sharing it.
Based on the needs of the companies, the platform offers different software options, some of which are free.
Nexus Integra: the industrial data analysis platform
Nexus Integra is an operating platform integrated with data analysis capabilities focused on adding value to industrial businesses.
This platform is comprised of a powerful three-layer structure that allows for the integration, acquisition, standardization, unification, management and display of data from dispersed industrial assets and other sources of information such as ERP, MES and others in a simple and intuitive way. Using data both from assets and other applications, Nexus Integra allows for the interoperability and generation of dashboards and reports, as well as viewing and controlling all data in a single platform.
Nexus Integra is based on three layers:
- Nexus Connect to integrated and acquire data from any structured or unstructured source of information, such as OPC, PLCs, BBDD, SCADAS, csv….
- Nexus Core, which standardizes and unifies data.
- Nexus Applications, which manages and displays data in a way that makes that information valuable.
This makes Nexus Integra a global operations and monitoring environment for the large-scale management of industrial assets.
The industrial sector has characteristics that demand specialized tools. In addition to platforms such as Nexus Integra, there are also specific networks such as Industrial IoT, the use of sensors and automation mechanisms to collect data with the purpose of improving the efficiency of industrial processes.
The use of these tools leads to benefits such as a boost in productivity, higher quality of manufactured products, and cost reductions. As a result, companies that have already integrated the Nexus Integra platform in their processes have obtained cost savings in energy consumption for 1 million euros and a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, among other advantages.
Furthermore, the platform implementation process is guided by our team via a personalized analysis, and includes the personalized training of the technical personnel that will be in charge of operating the software so as to achieve the best performance.
Are you looking to incorporate an industrial data analysis platform to your operational processes? Contact us so that we can study your case and discuss how data analytics can reduce costs and eliminate risks.
