The right stuff: 5 essential data discovery traits to look out for

It is a business-intelligence system that allows companies to receive detailed, highly interactive information from a variety of data sources. As opposed to standard business-intelligence, data mining focuses on big picture trends with a less structured approach.

This makes it easy to display the information via something like a dashboard, in turn making it far easier for staff across the entire organisation to understand said data. Using visuals like tables, graphs and charts, data discovery tools present the data in an easily-comprehensible manner, making what could otherwise be confusing data incredibly digestible.

But to do this, the tool requires the following traits:

What you need to look for in your new tool

The data discovery tool requires certain capabilities to be truly effective. Naturally, you have a wide diversity of options when it comes to choosing it, so it’s important to take a specified approach to choosing the tool your organisation will go with.

Not all data discovery tools provide the same benefits for different organisations, so you have to take the time to make your decision based on these organisation-specific considerations:

1. Is there a need for much IT Support?

The best data discovery tools are those that don’t constantly require experts to decipher its contents. In the past, data was highly structured, and this could make it difficult for staff across the company to understand.

Therefore, it is designed to make it easy to navigate and comprehend. The data discovery provider should be able to demonstrate to you its product’s usability.

2. Is it customisable to your needs?

Data, naturally, differs from business to business. Each business has a different need for certain data sets and the data discovery tool should be able to reflect this need.

Your organisation should be able to select parameters and determine how it would like the information displayed, ensuring that you’re not being presented with too much fluff or completely unnecessary information.

3. You want to ensure it is compatible

The process is an ongoing, that falls under numerous employees’ responsibility. Therefore, it should be a highly mobile, highly integrated platform that allows for access whenever - and wherever - the data is needed.

Not only does this promote a more mobile approach to data use, but it also enhances the possibility for streamlining interdepartmental data interpretation.

4. It should have an advanced data collection system

The ideal data discovery tool is one that collects and compiles complex, source-varied data and presents it in the simplest form possible. Data can be simple or incredibly complex, and it should be able to handle even the most complex data before condensing or presenting it into something highly accessible for team members.

5. It must have a presentable platform

Data discovery is designed to be accessible. Therefore, what would be the point of having such tool if it were to simply regurgitate the information in a way that was impossible to digest?

The tool should be revered for its clear, easily-comprehensible graphics, with charts, tables and graphs providing an easily-readable solution for employees across the board.

It’s a great option for businesses

Data is now more digestible than ever thanks to such tools. Your organisation and its employees can now have streamlined, easily-accessible and readable access to data, it’s just important to take in the above considerations before investing your budget in a provider.