The 21st century has seen the growth of “data” in a big way. Data today is the lifeblood of any commercial activity, big or small. Data today is called the “New Oil” because it is one of the main drivers of the global economy. Proper data can help an organisation plan its goals, decisions and objectives better and more systematically.
The sheer volume of data available today, thanks to the internet, digital business processes and the growth of multiple customer touchpoints, means that companies must scale up their investments in systems to manage this information and draw meaningful insights out of this data. This has led to the growth of “Business Intelligence” as a company process, which has grown in importance over the years!
Page Contents
What is Business Intelligence?
Business Intelligence refers to companies’ technology, processes and strategies to analyse data. Business Intelligence uses specialised software and other tools to take out insights from the data collected and serves up these insights in a way that a company can use for planning its growth, strategy and business plans. Companies can also use Business Intelligence to finetune or improve internal processes.
Data filtered through the business intelligence system of a company is presented through findings in the form of reports, graphs, dashboards and other visual representations. The data collected by a company is stored in special digital vaults called databases or data warehouses.
What are the types of jobs in Business Intelligence?
A Business Intelligence professional can play several roles:
1. Breakdown business data by gathering, cleaning and analysing information such as sales, revenue or other business metrics
2. Interpret data through patterns or identify areas that highlight a possible improvement in business channels or practises
3. Present and share findings through data visualisation, graphical presentations or reports, and submitting recommendations based on these findings
The nature of work in Business Intelligence requires people with experience and expertise in various fields, including (but not limited to):
1. Data compilation
2. Analysis
3. Modelling
4. Database solutions
5. Systems architecture
Typical job titles and salaries in the Business Intelligence field are as below:
Source: www.glassdoor.com. All figures in U.S. Dollars
Note that a “Business Intelligence Analyst” provides insights from data while a “Business Analyst” takes those insights to design and implement practical, “on the ground” applications to run the business.
Business Intelligence professionals are much in demand, and like in most “specialised” fields, the demand is far more than the supply. Many universities offer basic to advanced programs to train people in this field, but as companies are becoming more and more data driven and implementing huge digital transformation plans, the skill sets in Business Intelligence are evolving rapidly. There is thus a strong need for certifications in Business Intelligence skills.
What is a Business Intelligence Certificate?
A Business Intelligence certificate or certification helps people with different academic and professional backgrounds to earn expertise and skills in Business Intelligence management and implementation. A certificate from a reputed organisation such as IBM or Coursera equips the certificate holder with formal abilities in business intelligence methods and shows companies that the holder has the required knowledge.
How can a certification help get a job in Business Intelligence?
While certifications are not mandatory for a job in Business Intelligence, having one from a reputed course provider gives several benefits:
1. Helps the holder keep up with the latest trends and technology
2. Gives an added edge to qualifications which can make the difference when looking for a job
3. Allows the holder to move from one company or country if the certification is universally accepted and is from a reputed institute or organization.
How to get a certification in Business Intelligence?
It is useful to have an academic qualification in maths or computer science to be a successful business analyst. However, even people without these formal academic skills who have a flair for data sets and number crunching can obtain business intelligence management skills through a Business Intelligence certification. Many reputed companies and training websites offer courses of varying duration and competence levels and give out a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Many course providers or business intelligence software companies offer certifications specific to a particular platform and are meant for basic and advanced skills in those platforms only. Thus, a candidate wanting to start in business intelligence should identify and choose a basic skills certificate from a platform with greater acceptability in industries and companies.
The Nine Best Certifications for Business Intelligence
We have listed below the top nine such certifications globally accepted and recognized. Note that the list is not in any particular order.
1. Microsoft Certified Data Analysis Certificate
This certification is for data and Business Intelligence professionals who use Power BI (an interactive data visualisation software developed by Microsoft). It provides training in designing and building scalable data models, reviewing and transforming data and generating data visualisations for business.
The course will be renamed “Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate” from 28 February 2022.advanced skills in those platforms only.
2. IBM Certified Designer: IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11
This certification helps candidates develop skills in building reports and dashboards using relational datasets and managing professional reports. Basic knowledge of JavaScript, SQL and database concepts is useful for maximum benefit from this course.
3. Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)
This course is meant for senior business intelligence professionals with at least two years of experience in information systems, modelling, enterprise resource planning or systems analysis. This advanced certificate program is built around data management and business analytics and updates solutions, best practises and new trends.
4. SAP Certified Application Associate: SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform 4.2
This certification is for candidates interested in using SAP’s BI platform. It gives the holders skills in managing servers to run SAP’s BI platform.
5. QlikView Business Analyst
This certification helps the candidate learn how to design QlikView application interfaces. Prior experience of working on QlikView applications is required, and candidates also need to show basic knowledge of business intelligence, data analysis and reporting on data sets.
6. SAS Visual Business Analytics Professional Certificate
This two-month long course on Coursera helps candidates learn how to use SAS Visual Analytics for data presentation. The program also teaches how to manage data using SAS Data Studio, create reports using SAS Visual Analytics and present the data through analysis.
7. SAS Certified Specialist: Visual Business Analytics 7.5/8.3
Analysts who use Visual Analytics for data analysis and report generation can choose this certification to improve their data item management, analysis and reports skills.
8. Tableau Desktop Certified Professional
This certification is meant for professionals using Tableau data visualisation software and requires at least one to two years of experience on the Tableau platform. It gives skills in advanced Tableau functions and visual best practises. The candidate must have prior certification as a Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate. The certificate is valid for three years.
9. Tableau Server Certified Professional
This certification is for candidates with a minimum of one year of experience using Tableau Server. The programme is designed to help candidates improve their knowledge in architecture and platform integration. The certificate is valid for three years.
All these courses have a course fee and can be completed online. They also have examinations and quizzes to test the candidates’ knowledge before the certificate of completion is issued to the candidate.
What are the benefits of a Business Intelligence certification?
Business Intelligence certifications have been designed to help candidates build and improve their professional skills regularly. Some of the main benefits of a business intelligence certification are:
1. Imparts better knowledge of the data management life cycle
2. Gives credibility and confidence to the certificate holder
3. Improves the analysis and visual presentation skills of the holder
4. Provides access to a larger and varied job pool
5. Gives opportunities to move up the hierarchy
6. Allows the holder to influence business strategy and outcomes at multiple levels
7. Opens more avenues for higher salaries
Conclusion: Are Business Intelligence Certifications Worth It?
The answer to this question is a very clear “Yes”! The Business Intelligence field is a complex and dynamic field requiring the management of huge amounts of data from multiple sources. The field is likely to become even more demanding as more and more companies get onto the data bandwagon, and transactions become increasingly data led and relational, rather than transactional.
The skill and ability to make sense out of multiple datasets, present a clear and concise macro, micro or granular visualisation of multiple business areas and design a holistic business strategy using data are going to be increasingly valuable, and certifications to learn and improve business intelligence skills are a very important way of keeping abreast of the latest developments in this field.