Custom Reporting Tools

Collecting data is an important first step for any enterprise; it provides the basic information required to achieve your goals. In order to turn that information into knowledge, you need excellent reporting tools.

We work with your organization to develop intuitive, user friendly reporting systems that help reveal the relationships hidden in your data. We typically build custom reporting solutions using Microsoft Business Intelligence Tools, following these simple rules:

Avoid jargon. You understand what all those terms mean, but chances are that someone in your audience does not. If some jargon is unavoidable, make sure that definitions are readily available.
Explain limitations. Be honest about what your data can and cannot do. If two variables aren't comparable, don't use them in the same table.
Use charts when possible - and meaningful. The human eye is capable of handling a much higher data density than a data table provides. Charts, graphs and maps offer users a more immediate, intuitive feel for the data. By all means, provide the raw data as well - users with visual disabilities will especially appreciate them. Just be sure you are using every tool available to you to enhance your users' understanding of what they are looking at.
Ask yourself: What would Tufte do? To see farther, stand on the shoulders of giants. When it comes to displaying quantifiable information, they don't get much bigger than Edward Tufte.