Report Modernization refers to the fact of evolving the technological systems of companies to more efficient models where business processes are automated and the most up-to-date reporting tools are provided. This allows users to have the best possible information available in a reduced time, optimizing the possibility of making decisions and detecting risks or business opportunities.

The current scenario

Many companies or departments have taken on processes and mechanisms with little data maturity and, in many cases, even with non-automated systems. This situation is quite common and results in inefficiencies that incur in cost overruns due to time spent, error correction and the high volume of personnel that must manage these tasks.

Other times we detect companies that have on-premise technologies that limit their growth due to the high cost of licensing and the low scalability they offer.

In both cases the leap to tools in the public cloud allows them to collect and store data more easily and economically, so they can automate business processes and generate advanced reporting systems. This allows them to reduce management time and dedicate it to productive tasks of greater value, which in turn leads to an overall reduction in costs.

The change process

The transition from on-premise reporting systems to cloud-based solutions begins with detailed assessment and planning. This process involves selecting a cloud platform appropriate to the client’s needs, preparing and cleansing existing data to ensure accuracy and security, and implementing an effective migration strategy that minimizes operational disruptions.

Once the data is in the cloud, reporting tools are configured and integrated. This step includes customizing dashboards and reports to meet specific business requirements. In addition, it is crucial to provide training and support to facilitate staff adaptation to the new platform.

The final phase of the process involves continuous monitoring and optimization of the cloud reporting system. This ensures that the solution remains efficient, secure and aligned with changing business needs, thus maximizing the benefits of cloud technology in terms of accessibility, scalability and efficiency in data-driven decision making.

Benefits of modernizing reporting systems

Experience has shown us that clients who choose to embark on report modernization processes have seen their information possibilities increase, which leads them, among other things, to:

• Tackle advanced Data Science projects to obtain greater value from their information, not only to know what has happened, but also to predict future situations that allow them to anticipate in decision making.
• Incorporate IoT applications to their technological ecosystem that give them substantial improvements in customer service and control or monitoring of systems.
• Use modern reporting tools that provide them with greater control and understanding of their business, allowing them to centralize information and expand knowledge by democratizing access to data.
• Make data-driven decisions, where strategic and operational decisions are based on insights and accurate data analysis, improving effectiveness, reducing risks and allowing faster adaptation to market changes and opportunities.
• Generate Data Lakes that provide a democratization of internal information in constant progress to accommodate more areas, users and functionalities.
• Adapt machine learning and pattern search strategies that allow them to perform prescriptive analysis. These activities are becoming more and more effective by taking advantage of the functionalities that AI provides.

The challenges of change

The road to achieve report modernization is not always easy, there are numerous setbacks encountered in the projects, many of them intrinsic to the companies or individuals, as well as unpredictable situations.

• It is quite complex to break with entrenched methods, many areas present resistance to change due to the persistent use of Excel in work teams, or do not conceive other methodologies than waterfall development.
• The shortage of profiles that can transfer business needs to the technical team and act as intermediaries.
• Lack of confidence in the information due to the lack of Data Quality processes and lack of control in the sources of information due to work done by people who are no longer in the organization or duplicate sources.
• Information silos in the different areas that generate knowledge gaps in the companies.

First steps towards Reporting Modernization

The transition from on-premise to cloud reporting is a comprehensive process that requires planning, an expert team and a strategy focused on the democratization of data. This change not only implies a technological improvement, but also an evolution in the management and culture of data that enhances decision making throughout the organization, leading to greater efficiency, innovation and competitiveness in the market.

We summarize the process in these 5 keys to a successful transition:

1. Know at what moment or technological state, regarding data management, the company is in and from there define what is the goal to achieve.
2. Organize a team of Product Managers and Agile experts to lead the change together with the business teams and the Data team.
3. Develop a strategy based on the democratization of data with a centralized data structure and the management, through roles, of the access of areas and users to the information.
4. Internalize that it is a process of continuous improvement and detect evolutions or new processes associated with new technological opportunities.
5. Manage recurring deliveries to increase the value of the information, involving users, while providing visibility of the work being done to the rest of the company.

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