In an era where data drives decisions, the traditional mechanisms of reporting and analytics are undergoing a significant transformation. The custom report, once the pinnacle of personalised data analysis, has now become outdated, overshadowed by an emerging need for more dynamic, insightful, and accessible forms of data visualisation and interpretation. This shift raises critical questions including “What are the limitations of custom reports?”, “What would prevent data from appearing in a custom report?”, and “What challenges do custom reports pose in terms of data discrepancies?”. 

This article will address all these questions and more. We will also explore how Bestiario's approach to data management serves as an innovative and agile solution to these enduring challenges.

What Are Custom Reports?

Custom reports are specialised analyses designed to meet the unique needs of businesses, allowing for the extraction and examination of specific data sets based on predefined criteria. Instead of wading through a one-size-fits-all report filled with irrelevant information, you can create a custom report that focuses solely on the data that matters to you - whether it's sales performance, customer behaviour, or inventory levels. However, creating these reports often requires significant technical skills, including knowledge of data query languages and analytical tools, which can limit their accessibility to non-technical users.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Dashboards

Traditionally, dashboards have been the go-to solution for creating custom reports, helping businesses understand their performance at a glance. However, the adage "dashboards are dead" is gaining traction, not because dashboards are unnecessary, but because their traditional delivery fails to provide clear, actionable insights.

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of traditional dashboards.

Pros:

• Centralised Data Visualisation: Dashboards aggregate data from multiple sources, offering a unified view of business performance.
• Real-Time Monitoring: They allow for the monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) in real time, enabling quick responses to changes.

Cons:

• Complexity and Rigidity: Many dashboards are too complex for non-specialist users and too rigid to adapt to changing business needs.
• Lack of Narrative: Traditional dashboards often fail to tell a story or provide context, making it hard for businesses to derive meaningful insights.

Why Are Traditional Custom Reports Dead?

So, why are traditional custom reports dead? And what would prevent data from appearing in a custom report?

Dashboards and custom reports are necessary because they help businesses understand how well the company is performing. However, with the abundance of data that businesses have at their fingertips these days, the way traditional dashboards deliver information is no longer up to scratch. Insights are difficult to interpret, and they require specialised personnel to manage and interpret data, making them less accessible to the wider team and leading to bottlenecks in data-driven decision-making. 

Moreover, the rigid structure of traditional custom reports does not accommodate the fluid nature of today's business questions, which evolve and expand continuously. As businesses seek to become more agile, the limitations of custom reports in terms of flexibility, timeliness, and relevance become glaringly apparent. 

In terms of data discrepancies, several factors could prevent data from appearing in a custom report, further underscoring the redundancy of traditional custom reports. These include improper data filtering, where overly strict criteria exclude relevant data; mismatched or outdated data fields that no longer align with the current database structure; and integration issues with real-time data sources, leading to gaps or delays in the data presented. Additionally, the lack of automated updates means that any changes in data sources or structures might not be reflected in the report, leaving out critical information and preventing accurate analysis.

What Is the Solution to Prevent These Data Discrepancies?

The key to preventing data discrepancies lies in adopting a more flexible, integrated, and intuitive approach to data management and analysis. Modern businesses require solutions that can not only process large volumes of data in real time but also present this data in a user-friendly manner that supports quick decision-making. This involves moving beyond static reports and dashboards to more dynamic, interactive platforms that allow users to explore data in various dimensions without the need for specialised technical skills.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies play a pivotal role in this transformation, offering advanced analytics capabilities that can automatically identify trends, anomalies, and patterns within vast datasets. By leveraging AI, businesses can ensure that their data analysis is not only faster but also more accurate, reducing the risk of discrepancies that could lead to misinformed decisions.

Moreover, a solution-centric approach to data management emphasises the importance of storytelling in data presentation. Instead of merely displaying numbers and charts, new tools aim to narrate the data's story, providing context and insights that guide users towards understanding the implications of their data. This narrative approach makes data more accessible and actionable for non-technical users, facilitating a more inclusive decision-making process.

Essentially, instead of continuing to rely on outdated traditional dashboards, businesses need dashboards that tell a story based on data and share insights that help businesses create narratives, as well as dashboards with more ad hoc tools that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each department within an organisation. In other words, tools that can keep pace with the dynamic nature of modern business environments and don’t prevent important data from appearing in a custom report.

How Bestiario Is Paving the Road to More Agile and Innovative Data Management Tools

Bestiario stands at the forefront of this transformation, reimagining the future of data management. Our approach goes beyond the traditional dashboard, offering solutions that are as insightful as they are intuitive. By integrating ad hoc tools and customisable features, our data visualisation tools are designed to meet the specific needs of any department, ensuring that information is not just presented but also contextualised and interpreted.

Through innovative data visualisation and interactive reporting, Bestiario helps prevent data discrepancies by ensuring that all relevant data points are captured, analysed, and presented in a manner that tells a coherent story. This narrative-driven approach not only makes data more accessible but also more engaging, facilitating a deeper understanding of what the data implies for the business.

Furthermore, Bestiario recognises the limitations of market solutions that are either too rigid or overly complex. Our solutions are designed to be flexible and user-friendly, enabling businesses to adapt their data reporting and analysis processes as their needs evolve. This agility is crucial in a fast-paced business environment where the ability to respond to new information quickly can be a significant competitive advantage.

Ultimately, the shift away from traditional custom reports and dashboards towards more dynamic, narrative-driven data analysis tools represents a pivotal moment in business intelligence. Through our innovative solutions, we are not just addressing the current shortcomings in data reporting; we are also setting the stage for a future where data insights are more accessible, actionable, and meaningful than ever before.