Data Handling and Business Intelligence for Superstore

DATA HANDLING AND
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Determination of decline in profit and sales and evaluation of use of excel for pre- processing
.....................................................................................................................................................3
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Presenting workings and findings.........................................................................................6
2.2 Explaining the data mining methods used in business........................................................12
2.3 Explaining the advantages & disadvantages of SPSS over excel.......................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

PART 1
Determination of decline in profit and sales and evaluation of use of excel for pre- processing
Use of excel for pre- processing of data
The data pre- processing is being referred to as the process through which raw data is
being transformed into a clear and understandable format so that it can be easily understandable.
For the success of the data analysis it is very crucial that the use of data pre- processing is being
undertaken (Dai, Ji and Wang, 2019). This is particularly because of the reason that it will
provide a clear idea that how the raw data can be used as a meaningful information. There are
times that the data is incomplete or is not having any meaning coming out of it, thus, in this case
data pre- processing will be helpful in order to evaluate the data. For the good data pre-
processing the major steps being followed involves cleaning of data, integration of data, data
reduction and transformation of data. All these steps involve the use of effective analysis and
evaluation of data in order to draw some meaning.
Thus, it is clear that for drawing correct inferences from the raw data, data pre-
processing is the most crucial element. Hence, for this there are many different tools and
software which can be used in order to process the data and draw correct inferences from it. The
different tools and software involves Weka, SPSS, Python, Excel and many other different
software. Out of all these, the most common and easiest software to be used is Excel. This is
particularly because of the reason that this software is very easy and user friendly and assist in
compiling the data and evaluate it in proper and effective manner.
As per the views of Vanfretti and et.al., (2017) excel is a software which provides for a
wide range of different functions which makes it much easier in evaluating the data. The excel is
providing many different function like mathematical, graphs, accounting, goal planning
worksheet and many other different features and functions. Further, it can be stated that Excel is
among the top tools helpful in analysis of data. In case of non- programmer, use of excel is very
important and assistive. This is particularly because of the reason that excel is a great tool which
assist in good pre- processing of the data and handling data for effective decision making. In
excel there are different types of data and function which are very helpful in pre- processing of
the data. These functions involve IF, COUNTIF, PIVOT TABLES, VLOOKUP and many other
functions which are helpful for the effective analysis of the data.

Thus, the use of the excel is very helpful for the business in analysing and evaluating the
data in proper and effective manner. Also, the use of excel will be assistive to the company in
easily drawing inferences from the collected data. In the present case of superstore, a large set of
data is being provided and this need to be analysed. This is particularly because of the reason that
the data of superstore is very large and many different components are being provided (Selwyn,
2020). Hence, it is very important to filter the data which is relevant to the question to be
answered. Hence, by undertaking the use of the excel, Superstore data can be evaluated in proper
and effective manner. This is particularly because of the reason that use of excel will be
providing good base to analyse the superstore data. In addition to this, excel will also be
providing the different functions which will be assistive to the company in evaluating the reason
for the decline in profits.
For analysing and evaluating, the data relating to superstore, the function of charts and
graphs will be undertaken. This is particularly because of the reason that when the graphical
presentation will be undertaken then it will be clearly providing the outcome. In addition to this,
the graphical presentation will clearly outline the actual position of the sales and profit and with
help of picture it will be clearly presented. Hence, the use of the charts and other graphical
presentation will definitely attract the interest of the reader and will provide the knowledge of the
data by just viewing the chart or any other graphical presentation.
Hence, in case of superstore it is very essential for the company that they identify the
trend in sale and profit. this is particularly because of the reason that if there is decrease in sales
and profit then it can be analysed and reason for decrease can be evaluated. Hence, the graphical
presentation will clearly outline the fact that what trend the sales and profit are outlining and how
these need to be managed. Hence for the effective evaluation of the data it is necessary that all
the steps are followed in proper and effective manner. These steps to be followed are as follows-
 The calculation will start by first cleaning and sorting the data. This will be accomplished
by applying filter to the data. The option of filter will provide the option of select the data
which is of relevance.
 After filter is applied then the data will be selected on the basis of year that is in filter
2009 will be selected and then all the data relating to 2009 will come. Further in this only
sales and profit will be evaluated (Clase and Byrn, 2018).