Deciphering complex technologies to build robust digital solutions is what we do best at Deploi. Choosing the right business intelligence (BI) platform can significantly impact your organization’s ability to make data-driven decisions. Today, I’m going to demystify two popular self-service BI tools: Birst and Holistics. If you, as a digital leader, are grappling with this decision, this comparison will serve as your guide.
Imagine you’re constructing a pathway for your organization, aiming to empower data-driven strategies. You need a robust and scalable BI tool to transform raw data into actionable insights seamlessly. This comparison aims to provide a roadmap to help you make an informed choice.
Understanding the Contenders
Birst and Holistics offer self-service business intelligence solutions but approach it distinctively, each with its own strengths and potential drawbacks.
Birst is a comprehensive end-to-end BI solution built with cloud-native architecture. It is hailed for its scalability and integration capabilities. Originating as an offering from Infor, Birst combines data discovery, visualization, and advanced analytics, catering to the needs of large enterprises.
Holistics, on the other hand, is a modern BI platform known for its simplicity and ease of use. Aimed at making data accessible to non-technical users, Holistics provides an environment where data teams can connect various data sources, build reports, and visualize data without complex configurations.
Ease of Use and Setup
When deploying a new BI tool, ease of setup and usability are often primary concerns for leaders. Let’s see how Birst and Holistics fare in these aspects.
Birst: Offering a robust suite of tools, Birst can initially seem overwhelming due to its intricate setup process. However, its cloud-native architecture simplifies deployment over time, especially in large enterprises with complex data landscapes. The comprehensive set of features means the learning curve is steeper, requiring more significant investment in training.
Holistics: In contrast, Holistics prides itself on user-friendly setup and intuitive design. Targeted at non-technical users, it significantly reduces the onboarding time. Clear documentation and simplified interfaces make it easy for teams to start generating insights with minimal training. For startups and smaller teams, Holistics’ ease of use is a compelling advantage.
Data Integration and Connectivity
A BI tool’s effectiveness hinges on its ability to integrate seamlessly with various data sources.
Birst: Being feature-rich, Birst excels in data integration. It supports a wide array of data sources and uses a networked BI approach, allowing data from different departments to be unified and analyzed collectively. This is particularly advantageous for large businesses seeking a cohesive view across the organization. The platform also hosts an extensive suite of APIs for custom integrations.
Holistics: Holistics takes a somewhat simplistic but effective approach to data integration. It connects directly to SQL databases and integrates with various data warehouses like BigQuery, Snowflake, and Redshift. The platform’s straightforward data connector setup makes it easy for teams to connect data sources, offering a plug-and-play experience for many businesses.
Data Modeling and Transformation
Turning raw data into tailored insights necessitates advanced data modeling and transformation capabilities.
Birst: Excels in data modeling with its automated data refinement and preparation capabilities. The tool allows users to create a comprehensive data model leveraging its Unified Business Model approach, which ensures consistency and scalability in data reporting. Advanced users can also customize data transformations using Birst’s scripting capabilities.
Holistics: Is designed to make data modeling accessible. Its code-based approach, known as Data Transformations, allows users to define data models directly in SQL. While this makes it easy for data teams familiar with SQL, it may require some learning for non-technical users. However, Holistics’ focus on reusability and simplicity of transformations can be highly efficient for agile teams looking to build quick iterations.
Visualization and Reporting
Visual storytelling is critical to making data insights actionable. Here’s how Birst and Holistics compare in their visualization and reporting capabilities.
Birst: Offers a wide array of advanced visualization options. With its pixel-perfect report generation capabilities and customizable dashboards, Birst empowers users to create complex multi-page reports ideal for detailed enterprise reporting. Birst’s interactive dashboards allow users to drill down into data for more intricate insights.
Holistics: Prioritizes simplicity and speed in delivering visualization. The platform allows users to create interactive dashboards and reports effortlessly. While Holistics doesn’t offer as many advanced visualization options as Birst, it excels in making the process straightforward and engaging for end-users. Expedience in report generation is a notable plus here.
Scalability and Performance
Ensuring your BI tool can grow with your organization without compromising on performance or user experience is crucial.
Birst: Built for enterprise-level scalability, Birst can handle large volumes of data and numerous users without performance degradation. Its Multi-Tenant Cloud Architecture provides elasticity, ensuring the platform can scale dynamically as your data needs grow. Organizations with complex, evolving data landscapes can benefit significantly from Birst’s scalability.
Holistics: While more geared toward small to mid-sized enterprises, Holistics efficiently handles scaling challenges. The platform’s ability to connect directly to existing data warehouses ensures that performance remains optimal, leveraging the data processing power of the connected databases. This model makes it suitable for growing businesses looking for a scalable yet user-friendly BI solution.
Support and Community
Reliable support and a strong community can make a significant difference in the adoption and continuing use of a BI tool.
Birst: As part of the Infor family, Birst offers extensive support services, including training programs, consultancy, and a robust knowledge base. The community around Birst is vibrant, with plenty of resources available for troubleshooting and learning.
Holistics: Stands out for its approachable and responsive support team. The platform’s documentation is comprehensive, and the community forums are active, providing an additional layer of assistance. Holistics focus on user satisfaction is evident in their commitment to providing continuous support.
Cost Considerations
Finally, let’s delve into the financial aspects, which often play a decisive role in technology selection.
Birst: As an enterprise-centric solution, Birst comes with a higher price tag, reflecting its extensive feature set and scalability. The investment is justified by the capabilities it offers, particularly for larger organizations with complex needs. Licensing and implementation can be substantial, but the ROI for large data-driven entities can be significant.
Holistics: Designed to be cost-effective, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses. Its pricing model is transparent and competitive, making it accessible while offering robust BI capabilities. For businesses looking to maximize value without significant upfront investment, Holistics presents a compelling case.
Conclusion
Choosing the right BI platform is paramount in empowering your organization to make data-driven decisions. Birst and Holistics both offer powerful self-service BI capabilities but cater to different organizational needs.
Birst, with its comprehensive feature set, seamless integration, and scalability, is ideal for large enterprises seeking an end-to-end BI solution capable of managing complex data landscapes.
Holistics, with its simplicity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, stands out as a versatile and accessible tool for smaller and medium-sized businesses aiming to democratize data insights without extensive technical overhead.
At Deploi, we understand the nuances of technology selection. If you’re looking to realize your business intelligence vision effectively, reach out to us. We’re here to turn your data into actionable insights, setting you on the path to informed, strategic growth.
Contact us today to explore the best BI solution for your organization. Let's drive your business forward together.
