jpc consolidates data from Google Ads and Microsoft Bing Ads in Power BI, thereby creating a central...
Business intelligence consultancy starts with the data. A dashboard is only as reliable as the figures behind it.
collana supports companies throughout their BI journey – from BI strategy and data integration to data modeling, reporting, and self-service BI. Using Microsoft Power BI and TARGIT, we develop solutions that bring together data from ERP, CRM, e-commerce, production, marketing, and other systems to create a consistent foundation for decision-making.
We’re not just familiar with the BI layer. Within the collana group, we work BI, data and ERP specialists together. The collana group is also Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI. This is how we connect deeply Microsoft expertise with an understanding of the Systems and business processesWe understand more than just the BI layer. Within the collana group, BI, data, and ERP specialists work closely together. The collana group is also a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI. This allows us to combine in-depth Microsoft expertise with a thorough understanding of the systems and business processes that generate your data – from individual business applications to complex international IT environments.
BI strategy, data integration, data modeling, reporting, dashboards, self-service BI, and data governance.
Microsoft Power BI and TARGIT, supported by the appropriate underlying data architecture.
Solutions Partner Designation Data & AI as well as Business Applications.
Let’s take a look at your requirements together and find the right approach, from the database to reporting.
BI consultancy usually becomes relevant when data is available but it still does not provide a reliable overview of the business.
Situations include:
In these situations, the dashboard itself is usually not the real problem. The crucial work happens before the dashboard is built.
Even the best dashboard cannot compensate for a poor data foundation. If KPIs are defined inconsistently, source systems are not properly integrated, or it is unclear which data sources should be authoritative, a BI tool will simply visualize existing problems.
That's why our business intelligence consulting approach considers the entire data journey:
This is where our close connection to operational business systems makes a difference. Within the collana group, business intelligence specialists work alongside experts in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, collana diva, and other business applications.
This eliminates the need to constantly translate operational business logic between different service providers.
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Before discussing individual dashboards, we establish what business intelligence should achieve for your organization. Which decisions should become better or faster? What data is required? Which systems serve as the primary sources of information? Which KPIs need to be comparable across the organization? And what architecture will continue to support your business as additional data sources, users, or subsidiaries are added? Based on these requirements, we develop a target architecture and a realistic implementation roadmap.
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A common data model transforms raw data into reliable key performance indicators. We define dimensions, relationships and business logic in such a way that dashboards interpret the same data consistently. The semantic layer links technical data structures to their business meaning. This ensures that terms such as turnover, margin, stock and conversion rate have the same definition across the entire organisation.
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Using Microsoft Power BI or TARGIT, we develop reports and interactive dashboards for management and specialist departments. Management receives the key performance indicators needed to steer the business. Specialist departments can carry out analyses without having to wait for IT to produce every new report. What matters is not having as many visualisations as possible, but having the right information in the right context.
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We clarify who defines key performance indicators, who is responsible for data quality, and who is authorised to access which data. Together, we develop KPI responsibilities, access models, quality rules and governance structures that function effectively across systems, companies and countries. This ensures that key performance indicators remain comparable without creating new data silos or unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
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A BI solution should be capable of being used and further developed within the organisation in the long term – without any ongoing dependence on the implementation partner.
That is why we involve key users and specialist departments at an early stage, document data models and processes, and transfer the necessary knowledge to your team in a structured manner. In this way, we lay the groundwork to ensure that your staff can understand the solution, use it independently and handle new requirements on their own.
If you wish, we can also support you beyond the implementation phase and take charge of support, day-to-day operations and the ongoing development of your BI platform.
Let’s take a look at your requirements together and find the right approach, from the database to reporting.
The exact process depends on how clearly your objectives, current data environment, and use cases have already been defined. In general, we work in four steps.
We analyze existing reports, data sources, systems, KPIs, responsibilities, and user groups.
Our goal is not only to understand what data is available, but also which decisions and business processes it should support.
Based on your requirements, we design the data model, integration architecture, and overall BI concept.
This includes determining which technologies are best suited to your use case and how the architecture can accommodate future requirements.
We connect source systems, model the data, develop reports, and test the results together with the relevant business departments.
This helps identify business-related errors before the solution is rolled out across the organization.
Key users and business departments are actively involved in the solution and receive training for self-service scenarios.
The BI platform can then be expanded step by step to include additional data sources, business units, locations, and use cases.
Not every company should jump straight into a BI project. If your data landscape, responsibilities, and target architecture are still unclear, we start one step earlier: with our Data Strategy Assessment.
We assess areas such as data maturity, architecture, governance, and existing gaps. Based on these findings, we develop a target vision, prioritize areas for improvement, identify quick wins, and create a practical roadmap for the next steps.
The assessment is particularly useful when multiple data initiatives are running in parallel or when it's still unclear which architecture will best support your long-term objectives.
If your objectives and use cases are already clear but the required data foundation is missing, a Data Sprint may be the right next step.
Within a clearly defined scope, we build a usable and documented data foundation – from connecting source systems and developing data models to performing quality checks and establishing the reporting layer.
The result is a technical foundation that can be used immediately for BI and analytics and expanded as your requirements evolve.
The best BI tool isn't necessarily the one with the longest list of features. It's the one that fits your data architecture, users, business processes, and existing IT environment.
Power BI It is particularly suitable for organisations that already work extensively with Microsoft technologies or wish to set up flexible self-service analytics.
The platform offers extensive features for data visualization, data modeling, and enterprise-wide reporting. It also integrates closely with Microsoft's data ecosystem and business applications.
TARGIT is an established business intelligence platform with a strong focus on reporting and analytics.
Especially in Microsoft Dynamics environments, the Business Intelligence Accelerator can help accelerate the implementation of standardized data models and analytics.
Business intelligence provides transparency into business processes, KPIs, and developments.
The same data foundation can subsequently support more advanced analytics and AI applications. However, these applications depend on the same fundamentals that make business intelligence successful: accessible data, well-structured data models, transparent data flows, and clearly defined responsibilities.
If your focus is on specific AI use cases, our Data & AI services can support you from strategy through implementation.
Let’s take a look at your requirements together and find the right approach, from the database to reporting.
Success Stories
Our client projects demonstrate how business intelligence transforms dispersed data into reliable key performance indicators and a sound basis for decision-making. From marketing reporting through to financial control and international corporate management.
jpc consolidates data from Google Ads and Microsoft Bing Ads in Power BI, thereby creating a central...
Altano International is consolidating operational and financial key figures using a centralised BI solution...
At the German Economic Institute, TARGIT forms the basis for a centralised reporting system...
An international BI platform based on TARGIT and Microsoft technologies was developed for Beckhoff ...
It comes from ERP, CRM, e-commerce, production, and other business systems. That's why BI and data specialists within the collana group work closely with teams that implement and develop these operational systems. This reduces coordination efforts and is particularly valuable when dealing with complex data models, business logic, and heterogeneous IT environments.
The collana group holds Microsoft Solutions Partner designations for Data & AI and Business Applications. Microsoft awards the Data & AI designation to partners that meet defined requirements regarding skills, performance, and customer success. This allows us to combine Microsoft-validated Data & AI capabilities with extensive expertise in ERP systems, data platforms, analytics, and business intelligence.
With b-imtec, the collana group includes a specialized business intelligence team with more than 20 years of experience delivering BI projects. This expertise covers data warehousing, data integration, departmental dashboards, and international reporting platforms using Power BI and TARGIT. As a result, we can support both focused BI use cases and enterprise-wide, cross-border data architectures.
A BI strategy only creates value if it can be implemented successfully. That's why our consulting services don't end with a target vision and architecture. Our data architects, data engineers, analytics specialists, and ERP consultants can work together to implement, roll out, and continuously develop the planned solution.
Business intelligence consultancy helps organisations transform data from various systems into reliable information for operational and strategic decision-making. This includes, amongst other things, BI strategy, data integration, data modelling, KPI definitions, reporting, dashboards, self-service BI and governance.
A BI consultant analyses business requirements and data sources, develops a suitable BI architecture and translates business requirements into data models, key performance indicators and reports.
Depending on the project, a BI consultant works alongside data architects, data engineers, ERP consultants and business departments.
Business Intelligence encompasses the process from the data source through to analysis. This includes data integration, data warehousing or data platforms, data models, key performance indicators, reporting, dashboards and self-service BI. Data governance and data quality are essential for ensuring that the results remain reliable.
No.
Whether a data warehouse is necessary depends on the number and structure of the data sources, the volume of data, timeliness requirements and future use cases. In simple scenarios, a leaner architecture may be sufficient. Where there are many source systems, multiple companies or more complex requirements, a central data platform or a data warehouse often ensures greater consistency and scalability.
That depends on the circumstances. Power BI is particularly strong in Microsoft ecosystem and in flexible self-service scenarios. TARGIT offers, amongst other things, pre-configured BI solutions within the Microsoft Dynamics environment. Key factors include data architecture, user groups, reporting requirements, existing technologies and economic conditions.
The collana Group holds the Microsoft Solutions Partner designation for Data & AI.
To award this designation, Microsoft assesses, amongst other things, qualifications, performance and proven customer success. This means that the group’s data and AI expertise is also recognised within the Microsoft Partner Programme.
The duration depends on data quality, the number of source systems, the required data model, the complexity of the integration and the scope of the reports.
Clearly defined scenarios can be implemented within a few weeks. Comprehensive BI platforms, on the other hand, are often built up in stages and expanded to include further data sources, companies and users.
The costs depend in particular on data sources, the complexity of integration, data quality, architecture and the scope of the reports required. For this reason, we do not calculate the cost of BI projects on a flat-rate basis based on the number of dashboards. Following an initial analysis, we are able to assess the scope, work packages and investment framework more reliably.
To get started, we need, above all, access to the relevant data sources and contacts within the specialist departments.
Even more important is the question of which decisions or processes should be supported by better data.
If the target vision, KPIs or data responsibilities are not yet clear, these can be developed in a structured manner as part of the Data Strategy Assessment.
Yes.
BI architectures can be designed in such a way that centralised data models and KPI definitions are combined across different companies, countries or business units.
What is crucial is an architecture that enables centralised governance whilst taking local requirements into account.
Yes.
The BI technologies used do not require all source systems to be from Microsoft.
Among other things, we integrate data from ERP and CRM systems, online shops, marketing platforms, databases, APIs and other specialist applications.
