Real-Time Analytics & Dashboard

Challenge

The client came to Wimmer Solutions looking to build a centralized business intelligence portal for their retail stores. They wanted to enable real-time analytics, give report consumers the ability to analyze trends, and request improvements to reporting. 

Centralizing reporting was a challenge for the client because retail locations used multiple enterprise systems to manage their Point of Sale (POS) and Purchase Order (PO) records. In addition, the retail data was stored in different locations across the globe. As a result, the client found its team spending more time reconciling data than delivering analytics and insights to internal customers. 

Solution

Wimmer assembled a senior-level DataOps team to develop and maintain the client's business intelligence portal. The team first restructured how data was transformed for analytics. Using SQL Server Integration Services, the team imported data from each enterprise system and different global locations into a single SQL Azure database instance. Once the data was centralized, the team used it to create a data model in Azure Analysis Services. As a result, report writers could easily access measures and dimensions needed to create meaningful analytics from once disparate data sources. 

In addition to the data model, the team also developed a Power BI dashboard to display the analytics and visuals now possible with the new data model. The dashboard showcased real-time analytics and was distributed to a list of key internal stakeholders that the team also maintained. 

Beyond developing the data model and dashboard, the team also became the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders making new features requests of the intelligence portal. This allowed the team to consolidate requests, clarify requirements, and onboard new data sources as stakeholders needed. Serving in this capacity gave the team the ability to evolve the data model and Power BI dashboard independently while the client focused on their business objectives.

Innovation & Impact

The retail client's initial ask of Wimmer focused on solving the issue of connecting and collecting the data sources for its retail locations. Once on the ground, our team saw a need for additional analytics and processes to gauge the performance of the new global volume licensing campaigns enabled by the data model and dashboard it developed. 

Our work in Global Performance Measurement resulted in the following successful outcomes:

• Enhanced Real-Time Analytics: The development of a Power BI dashboard provided real-time insights and performance tracking, enabling more informed decision-making.
• Streamlined Reporting Processes: By restructuring data transformation and automating data uploads, the solution reduced manual effort and improved the efficiency of reporting processes.
• Improved Collaboration: The integration of performance scorecards into the VL Dashboard facilitated better communication and coordination between the client’s licensing and finance teams.