Dashboard is a software solution that allows you to create, receive, analyze data in real time. The "smart reports" issued by the dashboard help the owner and the managers to understand certain trends in a particular segment of activity and to control the current events.
Relevant: The benefit of using a dashboard report instead of a traditional report in your work, is that important indicators are presented in a clear and accessible way. The dashboard greatly simplifies the user's perception of complex and versatile information. Anyone who receives data through a dashboard can assess at a glance the current state of affairs at any point in time.
To make it easier for you to understand what a dashboard is, we will give several examples of using such a software solution. Do you remember giant monitors from feature films about global catastrophes or super-powerful tests? Summaries and important indicators of the numbers, the actual location and other information appear on the wall-display. Such monitors with operational information can be found not only in the motion films but also in real life. *There are many examples of using dashboards for the timely receipt and analysis of information in real life. Those are:
In business, it is difficult to operate without such a software solution, which automatically processes incoming information and displays it in the form of clear diagrams, columns, graphs. It is obvious. But "games of the rich" are far from including the sole use of dashboards. They are extremely useful not only for intercontinental corporations, financial networks, trusts. A house manager, housekeeper, housewife, teacher, accountant in a small production, warehouse manager can also work with data through a dashboard. The program can visualize any variable data. The information is displayed on the monitor, and all you have to do is evaluate the indicators, make informed decisions, and take thoughtful steps.
Interesting facts: The simplest example of a dashboard that any modern person can understand is the car dashboard. It displays several sensors that demonstrate important information in an understandable form - speed, oil and gasoline levels, engine speed, temperature in the cabin and "overboard". Data is updated in real time.
It is noteworthy that any data can be "processed". Their volume, subject matter, frequency of receipt of information in the dashboard are secondary. The main thing is that there are "conditions" that can be compared, analyzed. The theme determines the content of tables and diagrams, nothing more. Yes, dashboards are often chosen as an effective tool by business representatives. But dashboards can be used in any industry.
Are you still not sure if dashboards are the data control and analysis tools you need? After reading this article, your opinion may change dramatically. We invite you to learn more about dashboards and the results that can be achieved with this tool.
Dashboard, as mentioned above, is a software solution. This format collects, analyzes and visualizes processed data. In practice, it looks like this: indicators that change in real time are displayed in the form of diagrams on a panel with a simple interface. The program compares the received numbers and gives the user "live" graphs. For ease of use, the types and methods of visualization are configured in the dashboard, taking into account individual preferences.
Interesting facts: Each of us used a primal "relative" of the dashboard at least once. The simplest examples are a report in Excel, an invoice in a store or cafe, a notebook with a record of expenses, a report on the movement of a warehouse. The dashboard differs from all these examples with its dynamism, interactivity of the visualized data.
It is a mistake to think that such a service is suitable only for managers, top managers and chief accountants. It is enough for bosses to periodically receive a thorough report on key business indicators. Employees who work with information every day are another matter. They perceive the dashboard as an effective working tool with a user-friendly interface that is customizable for a specific user. So, to summarize:
Accessibility and readability of the analyzed data is achieved in dashboards with a variety of tools. These can be arrow indicators like in vehicles or more familiar tables. A convenient visualization is set for the customer's tasks while taking into account his personal preferences.
Any information with variable data can become a source of use in a dashboard - the simplest tables in Excel, statistics of social networks, site traffic, specialized Data Warehouse databases, multidimensional OLAP and MDX cubes.
This and other types of information are shown on the display in the form of tables, diagrams, maps.
Essentially, a dashboard is a report. Its key difference from the classic analogue is the dynamic format. The traditional report is compiled at a specific point in time. Within a few minutes, the data may be outdated and not relevant.
Dashboard is a software solution that provides constant collection and updating of information. That is, at any given time, the most important indicators will be fresh and relevant. Think of stock exchange programs that change data on dashboards in real time; that is a dashboard.
Another difference is that reports tend to be associated with tables in Excel. Yet dashboards are built in conjunction with analytics formats, for example, Power BI and Qlik. Dashboard, undoubtedly, can be configured to work in conjunction with Excel, but these are not all of its capabilities. It is much more efficient to integrate Google Spreadsheets into the online software.
An effective example of a dashboard: Every Internet user who has his/her own website has used Yandex.Metrica at least once. This is a pure dashboard. The service collects data and displays it through graphs and reports. Information is constantly updated.
Other examples: The dashboard is used not only in business, but also in other segments of life. For example, museums set up such systems to track the total attendance of exhibitions. In the medical field, the consumption of materials and medicines is controlled. Also, hospitals can monitor the "movement" of patients, the workload of particular doctors. In the educational segment, the dashboard analyzes the results of tests, exams and student performance in general. The administration can control the workload of lecturers and track the popularity of lectures among students. Students of the courses receive information about the results of their studies, their own rating compared to other students.
So, why do you need a dashboard for successful work, control and analysis? It allows you to:
These are the 3 distinguished types of dashboards:
We have already discussed how the dashboard works, what goals this service helps to achieve. What reports can you get using this tool?
We have learned a lot about this software solution. Well, how do you exactly work with the dashboard? The most effective dashboards are designed and customized for the needs and requests of a particular user. To make it convenient for the customer to work, an interactive data visualization system should have the following characteristics:
At first glance, dashboards and infographics are very similar. However, these are different tools. Information graphics only visually show the data, while the dashboard preliminarily analyzes, summarizes, groups, compares and highlights it. Infographics are a picture with ready-made data, while the dashboards are interactive widgets. Basically, an infographic can be a dashboard element. But the interactive panel is much more than that.
Interesting information: Analytical information is demonstrated by various visual tools - tables, graphs, charts, indicators with arrows. Even video is available in some software products.
Those users who choose a software solution for the first time often make common mistakes. We would like to highlight the main points among those:
If you are interested in the dashboard and want to use it as an assistant, we invite you to learn more from Stephen Few's blog. American expert Stephen Few specializes in data visualization. He is the author of the book "Information Dashboard Design" about the work of dashboards.
Developing a personal dashboard can be very expensive. It is much more profitable to buy a ready-made software solution that can be easily configured for a new user. The Waytobi service is what you need. The system is suitable for working with data from companies of any size. It allows you to efficiently work with information flows. The information panel is simple, convenient and affordable. It can be easily configured to handle any information:
It is crucial for the user to understand what data you want to receive. Ask yourself a few questions, and the answers will help you customize the Waytobi.com service to your needs:
A dashboard is a "live" analytical panel. Take the opportunity to test the Waytobi.com software solution on real data, choose the best visualization option. You are guaranteed to appreciate all the benefits of the service and to wish to "introduce" it into the business on an ongoing basis.
And as a summary, we would like to note that the dashboard only sounds complicated. In practice, this solution is very convenient both for business and for other activities that are absolutely not related to sales, marketing, and goods turnover. Freedom of settings, an intuitive interface, dynamics and control - dashboards become indispensable assistants after a few test usage practices. They completely displace boring office tables not only from life, but also from habits and thinking. Try it yourself.
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