Business Intelligence (BI); A System to Optimize Business Performance

Abstract

Many Organizations struggle in collecting data, retrieving information and making sound decisions within good time. With a very high increase in data collection due to the growing global market and customization, the decision making process needs to be fast and more accurate. The research was conducted at the National Identification Authority which is a Government Identity Management Institution. A survey method and a Stratified Random Sampling method of data collection were used. In looking at the possibility to optimize Business performance through Business Intelligence, it was expedient to investigate the current BI tools used by the organisation under study. Find out the awareness of Business Intelligence to some critical staff and their perception on the adaptation of a full scale Business Intelligence system by the organisation. It was found out that the institution does not have a BI system in operation and about half of the respondents interviewed acknowledged the need of using a Business Intelligence system. They were however concerned about Business Intelligence capital intensiveness, the need for intelligent planning, highly skilled technocrats to man such a system as the main challenges. In addressing these concerns some recommendations are outlined which would go a long way in helping the National Identification Authority.