Data Analytics And Business Intelligence for Walmart Analysis 2022

Running Head: DATA ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR WALMART
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence for Walmart
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DATA ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR WALMART
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Ackoff Hierarchy of Data................................................................................................................3
Walmart Value Chain......................................................................................................................4
Justification for the solution and expected gains to Walmart..........................................................6
Recommendations............................................................................................................................9
Conclusions....................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................12
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DATA ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR WALMART
Data analytics and Business Intelligence for Walmart
Introduction
Business Intelligence (BI) is a term commonly used to describe technologies, practices,
and applications that are used in the integration, collection, analysis, and presentation of business
data. It is a Decision Support System (DSS) that is data-driven, making it useful in the decision-
making process for businesses (Shollo & Galliers, 2016). Business intelligence is of great
importance to companies since it provides for the past, present, and also predictive information
regarding the business operations by use of the data collected and saved in the data mart and
sometimes using the operational data for its operations. The business intelligence tools can
provide an interactive interface, data presentation, analyses and visualizes the company statistical
data. At Walmart, data analytics and BI are applied in different departments such as production,
sales, financial et cetera with the sole aim of providing the firm with digital performance
management (Kumar, 2018).
Big data analytics refers to the use of advanced techniques on big data. It is the
sophisticated analytics of big data (large datasets) to enhance decision-making processes, reduce
risks, as well as uncover new understanding that can be used in future predictions. Big data
analytics encompasses applications with components that include what-if analysis supported by
higher-performance analytics systems, statistical algorithms, as well as predictive models (Sun &
Huo, 2019).
Hence by utilizing business data analytics, business intelligence tools are in a position to
making strategic and tactical decisions for both small businesses and large corporations. Data
analytics and BI tools have a unique way of presenting analyzed business information and
application. For example, Sisense presents the information in discrete forms in visible charts and
scales hence ideal for people and firms that are not so technologically advanced. On the other
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DATA ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE FOR WALMART
hand, the SAP business intelligence tool can offer many analytics tools that are highly advanced
and has real-time predictions equipped with machine learning that helps in planning and analysis
(Hussein et al., 2018).
Ackoff Hierarchy of Data
In creating the hierarchy, Ackoff focused on several aspects of data including data itself,
information, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Fig 1: Ackoff hierarchy of data
Wal-Mart Value Chain
One of the keys to attaining retail success in today's world is to be more data-centric
rather than guesswork. Some of the data analytics technologies like business intelligence, big
data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and simulation/optimization and process
analytics enable retailers to make smarter decisions towards higher profits and better customer
satisfaction (Hussein et al., 2018).
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