ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a high-level description of several prominent classes of tools in business analytics. Business Intelligence Software is typically designed to aid in the consumption of prepared data and does not require a significant technical training. On the other hand, Open-Source Analytics Tools and Proprietary Analytics Tools typically expect higher levels of technical proficiency and can be utilized to consume prepared data or to facilitate the preparation of data for consumption. The intended audience for Open-Source Analytics Tools is best described as technically skilled and willing to design a custom workflow tailored to specific needs. Microsoft Power BI is an excellent tool that is widely available and inexpensive to use. By creating interactive dashboards using BI software like Power BI, it is possible to explore many different research questions using a single interface, and without programming knowledge or expertise.
