HellerConsulting BusinessIntelligence 0513

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
APPLICATIONS FOR THE

NONPROFIT SECTOR
What business intelligence is, what you
need to know about it, and a review
of the business intelligence
product landscape.
Products Reviewed:
Altosoft
Birst
IBM Cognos 8 Planning
Jaspersoft BI
LogiXML
Microsoft SQL Reporting Services
QlikView
Tableau
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3
Part 1: Understanding Business Intelligence
So, What Is Business Intelligence ............................................................................. 5
What are Industry Leaders Saying About BI? .......................................................... 5
The BI Strategy ........................................................................................................... 7
Key BI Concepts ........................................................................................................ 8
Part II: Reviews of Business Intelligence Solutions
The BI Product Landscape ...................................................................................... 10
Altosoft ...................................................................................................................... 12
Birst ............................................................................................................................ 15
IBM Cognos 8 Planning ........................................................................................... 18
Jaspersoft BI ............................................................................................................. 21
LogiXML .................................................................................................................... 24
Microsoft SQL Reporting Services .......................................................................... 27
QlikView ................................................................................................................... 30
Tableau ..................................................................................................................... 33
Conclusion
Getting Started with BI ............................................................................................. 36
Important Disclaimer
The information contained in this report is as true and accurate as we could make it at
the time of its writing. All information in this report is based on public information from
each software vendors website, our own observations from using and/or testing each
product, or from direct communications with each vendors staff members. Software
applications are continually changing, so keep in mind that this report is accurate as of
April 2013; you should always confrm information from each vendor before making a
purchasing decision.
2013 HELLER CONSULTING
3
INTRODUCTION
Over the past few years, the commercial sector has proven the value of Business
Intelligence (BI) the processes and technologies that transform data into meaningful
information that helps move a business forward. Companies have used BI to:
Unify disparate data sets and create both historical analysis and predictive
modeling to guide strategic decision-making
Supplement standard customer data with social media content including
customers interests, purchasing activity, and social circles
Identify key metrics that will determine their overall effectiveness and progress
toward goals
THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE IN
THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
Today, the nonprofit sector is in a unique position to reap the benefits of BI. More
nonprofts are understanding the value of Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)
to their organizations, and have also discovered
that a solid CRM foundation eliminates many of the
roadblocks that previously prevented them from
taking advantage of a complete BI strategy. In
addition, the cost of BI solutions has come down
signifcantly, and technology has become more
accessible as challenges associated with integration
and tool usage have decreased. But, the time is right
for BI not simply because the sector can now access
these tools. The time is right because nonprofts
must analyze and use their CRM data to survive
and thrive.
Constituents now expect a more custom, user-centric
experience. Content must be targeted, multi-channel,
and relevant to capture attention. In order to create
this effective content to be able to appeal in the
most compelling way we must better understand
our constituents. And fltering our rich CRM data with BI tools is the most effective way to
provide this understanding.
A SOLID CRM
FOUNDATION ELIMINATES
MANY OF THE ROAD
BLOCKS THAT PREVIOUSLY
PREVENTED NONPROFITS
FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE
OF A COMPLETE
BI STRATEGY
4
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER
The purpose of this paper is three-fold:
We provide a high-level introduction to BI. We describe what it is, identify key
terms and concepts associated with BI, and further develop why the time is right
for the nonproft sector to seek the value that can be gained from it.
We describe the groundwork needed prior to effective implementation of a BI
solution. We begin to explore strategy, business alignment, and technical needs
that precede such an effort.
We explore some of the tools available on the market. The range of solutions
is intended to provide some initial guidance on pricing, complexity, and
experience in the nonproft sector.
5
SO, WHAT IS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE?
If an organizations needs are limited to flat, summary reports of data from a single
database, then most softwares native reporting modules will suffice. However,
since most, if not all, organizations have disparate data sets that must be joined
together in order to extrapolate trends and other useful analytics, more robust BI
solutions are required.
In a 2010 paper entitled Business Intelligence
and Business Impact, the leading information
technology research firm, Gartner, defined BI
simply as the process of gathering information
in the field of business or the process of turning
data into information and then into knowledge.
Since then, particularly due to the vast amount
of information now available over the Internet,
BI or at least data-driven decision making has
become a critical component for an organizations
ability to strategically collect general data about its
constituents and their behavioral patterns, forecast growth, and ultimately inform
future planning and projects. At a minimum, a strong BI solution can do
the following:
Collect fnancial statistics about revenue and expenses
Capture large amounts of enterprise data that can be manipulated easily
for analysis
Display data in a way that captures insights, including using dashboards
and visualizations
WHAT ARE INDUSTRY LEADERS SAYING ABOUT
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE?
In a study completed in April 2012, the Nonproft Technology Network (NTEN) noted that 99%
of nonprofts surveyed are already tracking some type of metrics with fnancial data and
operational effciency being the most common. However, NTEN also found that organiza-
tions track other data, such as the number of people on their mailing list, their Facebook
comments, or more traditional statistics like the amount of new donors in the past year.
These types of metrics can help build a foundation on which to quantify social impact, but
many of the organizations surveyed are not using this type of outreach data to inform
decision making.
Part I: Understanding
Business Intelligence
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE:
THE PROCESS OF
TURNING DATA INTO
INFORMATION AND
THEN INTO KNOWLEDGE
6
Nonproft technology expert and blogger, Beth Kanter, notes that the problem might have
a straightforward answer: I keep hearing that a big reason that nonprofts are not looking
at the data they collect or even collecting it is because of skills. As organizations mature,
most will look forward to moving beyond spreadsheets as the primary tool for reporting. With
many nonprofts looking to streamline their work processes, they do not have time to waste
on manually-intensive data analysis.
At the same time, while nonprofts work to understand
their data, fundraisers are increasingly relying on online
giving to expand their engagement with constituents
and make it easier to submit donations. Blackbaud, a
company that develops industry-leading solutions for
the nonproft sector, recognizes that the generational
demographics for contributed revenue are changing,
and many younger donors are gravitating toward the
Internet to submit their frst online gifts. For this reason,
Blackbaud recommends that organizations adopt
multi-channel fundraising strategies that incorporate
an online component. With this approach, fundraising
strategies include social media websites like Facebook and mobile tools that bring with them
another dimension of data a.k.a., Big Data that can be tracked and analyzed for
impact. Hence, the need for a BI solution becomes more important.
Meehan, Patric, and John P. Roberts. Executive Summary: Business Intelligence and Decision Impact.
Gartner. Gartner, Inc., 01 May 2010. Web. 7 Jan 2013.
Nonproft Technology Network. The State of Nonproft Data. Nonproft Technology Network. Nonproft
Technology Network, Nov 2012. Web. 7 Jan 2013.
Kanter, Beth. Does Your Nonproft Need Some Data Therapy? Beths Blog: How Networked Nonprofts
Leverage Networks and Data for Social Change. Beth Kanter, 12 Dec 2012. Web. Web. 7 Jan. 2013.
http://www.bethkanter.org/data-therapy/>
AS ORGANIZATIONS
MATURE, NONPROFITS DO
NOT HAVE TIME TO WASTE
ON MANUALLY-INTENSIVE
DATA ANALYSIS
7
THE BI STRATEGY
At Heller Consulting, we believe that the beginning of any conversation to implement BI
starts with aligning the BI strategy with the organizations mission. As with many software
projects, BI can be costly to roll out without a clearly defned set of objectives.
In a blog post for TechCrunch, Robert Moore, co-founder of RJMetrics, a frm that
specializes in data-driven decision making, outlines fve primary lessons for organizations
that desire to use data more effectively in their businesses:
1. Defne and communicate a single version of the truth.
2. Create an auditability chain from your metrics to your raw data.
3. Establish specifc, actionable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
4. Ensure around-the-clock availability of data.
5. Accept the limitations of your data.
Moore understands that the best KPIs are actionable, practical, transparent and
well-communicated.
These same lessons dovetail with Heller Consultings approach, in which we believe
Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) is ideally not just about software and
systems, but also an articulated constituent engagement strategy with the
following characteristics:
Interaction is initiated and driven by the
organization.
Engagement is with a broad number and
type of constituents.
Engagement is more effective for an orga-
nization when it is accurate, adaptive and
responsive.
Participation happens across the organiza-
tion with all levels of staff and requires
planning, communication and coordination.
Engagement includes internal staff and external constituents in expanding the
impact of the organizations mission.
At every level of interaction, engagement and participation, there is data. While work-
ing to select, implement and optimize the right products for fundraising, online marketing
and CRM, your organization should defne the KPIs and the platform for a BI solution that
will support your mission while promoting growth in revenue and program impact.
THE BEST KPIS ARE
ACTIONABLE, PRACTICAL,
TRANSPARENT AND
WELL-COMMUNICATED
8
KEY BI CONCEPTS
Before choosing a BI solution, there are a few important concepts to understand in
order to evaluate the options. Following are defnitions of basic components of a BI
application as well as common terms associated with the feld of BI.
Ad-hoc Query
A query that is dynamically generated at the time it is needed.
Dashboard
In BI parlance, the ability to display data as a visualization or graphic. A dashboard is
typically used to provide insights into performance metrics, such as a meter that shows
the number of donations received over a given period.
Data Mart
Stores data for a specifc area of the organization such as sales or marketing and can be
considered a subcomponent or smaller, simpler version of a data warehouse.
Data Mining
The process of extracting data and transforming it into meaningful insights. Also
referred to as Knowledge Discovery, it usually refers to the computational process
used to analyze data.
Data Warehouse
A centralized database repository that stores all data from across the organization such
as constituent information, fnancials, and other operational functions.
Extract, Transform, Load (ETL)
The specifc processes that extract data from original data sources and load them into
the BI system. Each BI solution may have a different approach to ETL architecture.
In-Memory Database
A database whose data is stored in main memory in order to provide faster response
times. Data is loaded into system memory where it is compressed and stored in a
non-relational format. In-memory databases improve the performance for
processing queries.
9
Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
A value or metric that an organization uses to evaluate performance. A KPI could be
as straightforward as the number of donations received or the number of constituents
served. KPIs will vary for each organization and should tie directly to the organizations
mission and goals. A BI solution can be designed to support decision making and report
on these KPIs to provide the necessary insights for measuring performance.
Metadata
Often casually defned as data about data, it provides a way to translate data
warehouse structure into usable reporting.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
A programming language standard or middleware that allows an application to
connect to multiple database management systems.
Portal
A web-based application or web page that pulls information into a single space to
perform many functions or services.
Query
A formula or line of code that is sent to a database to request information.
Relational Database
A database structure in which data is organized into formally described tables. Data
can be collected from the tables without having to reorganize the tables themselves.
The opposite of a relational database might be a fat spreadsheet in which all of the
data is stored in a single fle that must be manipulated in order to analyze the data from
different perspectives.
Reporting Tools
A front-end, graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to view, create and
schedule reports from the data warehouse.
Dennis McCarthy, Clint OBrien, and Allison Van Diest. Leveraging the Supporter Shift: How Changes In the
Way We Look at Data Will Revolutionize Fundraising. Blackbaud, Inc. 29 November 2012. Webinar.
Moore, Robert J. Lessons for Data Driven Businesses. TechCrunch. AOL, Inc., 27 Oct 2012. Web. Web. 7 Jan.
2013. http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/27/lessons-for-data-driven-businesses/.
10
Part II: Reviews of
Business Intelligence Solutions
THE BI PRODUCT LANDSCAPE
BI has become a part of many organizations seeking to unlock the data generated through
the normal course of operations. As a result, the product landscape has matured and offers
solutions that can ft large-scale enterprises and smaller organizations.
The Heller Consulting team examined a cross section of BI tools in the marketplace, selected
for the following reasons:
They represent a cross-section of small, medium, and large organization needs.
They are already in use by our nonproft clients.
They are frequently discussed in the marketplace.
We approached each product objectively using the same evaluation criteria. We would like
to thank all of the vendors who graciously made themselves available to our staff. Vendors
did not have editorial control over the content of this report, nor did we receive any
fnancial or other support from any vendor.
THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ARE
11
Price
Range
Data
Storage
Costs

Reports Dashboards
Skill Level
Needed
Install
Location
$$ Intermediate
Saas or
On-Premise
$$
Intermediate
Saas or
On-Premise
$$
with certain
editions
Expert On-Premise
$ if SQL
server is
present
Expert On-Premise
$
Beginner
Deployed
on-premise,
reports
published to
the web
$$$$
Expert
Deployed
on-premise,
reports
published to
the web
$$$
Beginner
Deployed
on-premise,
reports
published to
the web
$$$
Expert On-Premise
Product
12
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Graphical, web-based report designer.
Dashboards? Codeless, point-and-click tools to create dashboards.
Other Notable Features? Real-time Insight Studio tool prompts you through creating
reports through a drag-and-drop interface.
Beginner, Intermediate,
or Expert?
On-premise setup will require expert skills, but the interface
is user-friendly.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? Both; on-premise can support a multi-tenant environment.
Total Cost? Minimum cost of $20,000, scaling upward as number
of users and amount of data increases. Maintenance
costs estimated at 18% of licensing costs.
Support Options? Altosoft offers implementation services, email and
phone support.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Altosoft provides BI tools using a codeless approach to creating reports and dashboards.
An easy, guided visual interface allows users to connect to data sources, map and
defne metrics, load data and design dashboards to display information. All of these
functions can be completed within either a Windows application or web browser using a
drag-and-drop interface. It can connect to Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon Cloud
data sources as well ODBC data sources. Although
Altosoft offers a Cloud version of its services, it does
not have a native Salesforce.com connection.
HOW IT WORKS:
The Altosoft product centers around a design mod-
ule called Insight Studio to set up data sources. This
includes mapping data and setting reporting metrics.
The data is stored in the Insight Studios Metadata
database. Data is moved from the original sources
during an initial data load or as part of an automatic
update of its MetricsMart. Users can then log into
the web-based Dashboard Designer to create reports and dashboards. Altosoft
comes with Visual Process Intelligence and fow charts to show processes and
analyze the data related to them. Dashboards can be embedded into an
external-facing website such as through an iFrame.
ALTOSOFT PROVIDES
BI TOOLS USING A
CODELESS APPROACH
TO CREATING REPORTS
AND DASHBOARDS.
Altosoft
www.altosoft.com
13
Altosoft can notify users when data falls below certain parameters. It can send email
or text messages to a computer or smartphone. Altosoft comes with workfow-based
incident management and can escalate if further action is needed.
USABILITY
One of Altosofts key selling points is its drag-and-drop visual interface for both the end
user and the BI administrator. Reports can be exported to Microsoft Excel and PDF
format, and can be integrated with Sharepoint. Technical resources are required for the
on-premise SQL server installation and setup. A BI administrator will be needed to under-
stand the source data structure and the relationships between tables.
COST
The minimum cost for implementation is
$20,000. Licensing is per named user, per
data connection. Options are available
for a perpetual license or subscription.
Altosoft offers specialized packages such as
Healthcare, Financial, and an Infnity prod-
uct that scales to any business model.
Larger organizations can expect to pay
more than smaller organizations.
Maintenance is estimated at 18% per year of the perpetual license cost. Additional
expenses include data storage fees, which will depend on setup and existing server
capability. No programmers are needed to develop Altosoft, but a system administrator
may be required for system setup and support.
ONE OF ALTOSOFTS
KEY SELLING POINTS
IS ITS DRAG-AND-DROP
VISUAL INTERFACE
14
THE BOTTOM LINE ON ALTOSOFT
Since Altosoft reports and dashboards can be designed without programming,
the product does not require a high level of technical skill. The backend setup
does not require ETL, coding, extractions, or cubes, which has a big impact on
reducing implementation time. Once Altosoft is set up, vendor involvement to
maintain the system should be minimal. This is all good news for small to medium
sized organizations. Overall, while Altosoft is not geared directly toward the
nonproft sector, the ease of use and low overhead and the exciting Visual
Process Designer and workfow-based incident management tools, make this
system worth checking out.
15
Birst
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Highly visual, self-service reports.
Dashboards? Interactive dashboards.
Other Notable Features? Stresses agility and user-friendly analytics.
or Expert?
Beginners may fnd the Discovery Edition to be a simple
introduction to BI. A free Birst Express version is available
on the companys website for trial purposes.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? Both, but SaaS may be the better value.
Total Cost? Est. $30,000-35,000/year, plus equal implementation costs
and possible data storage costs, depending on the
amount of data.
Support Options? Birst provides consulting services and 24/7 technical
support.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Birst bills itself as agile business analytics with an emphasis on delivering immediate insights
through multi-dimensional and highly visual reports and dashboards. The Enterprise Edition
is designed as a single tool that can be delivered through the Cloud or an on-premise
implementation. It can connect to an online data mart or a data warehouse using integrated
ETL capabilities. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a Pivot Control Tool to connect and
slice and dice data. One particular highlight is the ability to toggle between a dashboard
and the raw data that sits behind it. The application comes with a connector to
Salesforce.com and templates to connect to other custom objects.
HOW IT WORKS
Birsts technical components for example, ETL, data warehousing support, and dashboards
are all fully integrated and offer a single, integrated user experience. The application comes
with a wide array of pre-built connectors for data uploads (everything from delimited fat
fles and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to SQL, Oracle and SAP) and live access (Google
Analytics, MySQL, Hive/Hadoop and more). Birst uses an in-memory database for in-
creased performance.
Depending on the users preference, the data is loaded into an online data mart or data
warehouse. The information is aggregated using a Pivot Control Tool to create meaningful
and measurable reporting metrics and visualizations. Reports can be disseminated to peers
www.birst.com
16
through email or fle servers, or on mobile applications. Additionally, Birst allows for scheduling
of reports and dashboards, which can be exported to PDF, XLS, PowerPoint and CSV fles
for distribution.
USABILITY
As with most BI tools, some technical expertise is required to manage this application.
Reports and dashboards are set up by a developer or database administrator and
published for use by the end user. However, there are some minor visual and metrics
adjustments that can be made by the user, and
the product allows users to annotate dashboards
to communicate with colleagues.
COST
Birsts Professional edition runs at $30,000 per year.
The Enterprise edition averages to $35,000 per year.
This is based upon 1-20 users. Implementation
costs are estimated to be proportionate to the
licensing costs. For example, if the Enterprise edition
costs $35,000 per year, implementation will cost
about $35,000.
Cost can be further scaled depending on the amount of data storage. An organization that
already has a data warehouse would not have to purchase Birsts proprietary data mart. Birsts
in-memory technology also offers alternatives for data storage. Generally speaking, expect
costs to rise based on the amount of data that needs to be stored.
BIRST ALLOWS FOR
SCHEDULING OF REPORTS
AND DASHBOARDS, WHICH
CAN BE EXPORTED TO PDF,
XLS, POWERPOINT AND CSV
FILES FOR DISTRIBUTION
17
THE BOTTOM LINE ON BIRST
Birst may scale well from smaller to larger organizations due to the option of having
multiple software editions. However, keep in mind that there are tradeoffs. The
Discovery edition does not have ETL and seems to act more like a visualization
layer, which may be easier to use and better suited for smaller organizations with
less complex data analytics. Birst appears to be one of the easiest systems to
manage, although a nonproft should still have staff members available with the
aptitude to handle a system implementation.
The application also can provide product inventory, which may be helpful for
membership organizations.
18
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Reporting with a focus on enterprise planning.
Dashboards? Visual dashboards and scorecards to support planning
scenarios.
Other Notable Features? In general, a feature-rich platform for operational and
fnancial planning.
or Expert?
Expert.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? On-premise.
Total Cost? Obtain directly from IBM. User licenses range from $800-
$14,000, depending on level of access needed.
Support Options? Software subscription and support is included in the
product price for the frst year.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Out of the BI applications reviewed in this paper, IBMs Cognos product line is arguably
the largest and most well-known, particularly for large-scale enterprises. The Cognos 8
Planning software is a web-based, integrated BI suite that provides a toolset for reporting,
analysis and monitoring of events and metrics. As implied by its name, the data analytics
are designed to empower the user to plan through developing what if scenarios in order
to evaluate business performance. The product requires the creation of a data warehouse,
but it also runs in a browser-based environment that requires no desktop client software or
plug-ins. The system includes data source connectors to all the major database platforms
like Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle.
HOW IT WORKS
Cognos 8 Planning offers a set of modules to collect, design and view data analytics:
1. In Framework Manager, the modeler ensures that metadata is presented in a
manner that business users can understand. Modelers import the metadata from
one or more databases, and then add to the model to meet user requirements.
2. In Metric Designer, the modeler identifes the data items and calculations that
form the targets and actual results for each metric.
IBM Cognos 8 Planning
www.ibm.com/software/analytics/cognos-8-planning/
19
3. The modeler then publishes and updates packages to Cognos Connection so
that authors can use them to create reports, agents and scorecards.
4. In Transformer, users can leverage queries in published packages, queries from
Cognos 8 reports, and personal data sources, such as Microsoft Excel, to create
a unique, focused model of the business.
From there, users and report authors use published packages to understand their business
data. They run, view, and manage content in Cognos Connection. A robust set of security
permissions are available to manage who can run and view reports or manage schedules,
portal layout, and other settings.
USABILITY
On one hand, organizations will likely need an
in-house technical expert to administer and
maintain this application. It is not an application
that an average person can use without a
technical background. On the other hand, it is
defnitely one of the more robust tools on the market.
IBM offers over 30 different training classes for users
in almost every role developers, administrators,
project managers, consumers, and more.
COST
IBMs software subscription and support is included in the product price for the frst year. It
is best to consult IBM directly for the most accurate information and licensing structure. IBM
offers the option to download software online after purchase.
IBMS COGNOS 8 IS
DEFINITELY ONE OF THE
MORE ROBUST TOOLS
ON THE MARKET, BUT IT
IS NOT AN APPLICATION
A PERSON WITHOUT A
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
CAN EASILY USE
20
THE BOTTOM LINE ON IBM COGNOS 8 PLANNING
By purchasing Cognos 8 Planning, an organization would be buying into one
of the largest technology frms in the world. That means the application has
a well-developed roadmap backed by a well-stacked support team with a
deep history of experience in the industry. If Cognos 8 Planning is too loaded
for a smaller nonproft, it is worth looking through IBMs complete BI product
line. For example, there is a lighter version called Cognos Express, which
might scale well for organizations that are just dipping their toes into the BI
pool. On the other end of the spectrum, IBM offers a Cognos 10 suite, which
is the next step up from Cognos 8. If for no other reason, it is worth comparing
other companies BI products with Cognos 8 Planning to get a baseline of the
features and technology available on the market.
21
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Print-ready and interactive reports.
Dashboards? Only available in the Professional and Enterprise editions.
Other Notable Features? Reporting and analytics can be embedded into your
own applications.
or Expert?
On-premise setup will require expert skills, but the interface
is user-friendly.
Total Cost? Minimum of $28,000, plus a paid subscription to access
custom reporting features.
Support Options? Self-service online documentation and options for
subscription-based support.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Jaspersoft BI is a highly customizable reporting software package. It offers both print-ready
and interactive reports with features such as online sorting, fltering and formatting. It can
be installed as a stand-alone application or embedded in other applications such as
Salesforce.com. The Professional and Enterprise editions of the product include an in-memory
analysis server and data virtualization for improved performance. Other editions also
include dashboard features. The interface is web-based and easy to use with self-service,
drag-and-drop functionality. Jaspersoft BI comes with native connectivity to ERP and CRM
applications such as Salesforce.com, SAP, and SugarCRM along with Amazon support for
mainframe, transactional, and analytic databases (e.g., SQL, Oracle).
HOW IT WORKS
Jaspersoft BIs setup involves domains that are used to create representations of data to match
the business or object model in a way that users can understand. The domains create a layer of
abstraction between the database and the user that is creating reports. This is achieved through
predefned joins, labels, etc., to make it easier for users to create reports. Domains also add an
additional layer of security to the data through the ability to create row and column-level
security based on the user profle.
Jaspersoft BI
www.jaspersoft.com
22
USABILITY
This is a powerful and sophisticated BI solution. System administrators will need a high degree
of technical knowledge and skill to implement the system. However, after the domains have
been set up, the report writers drag-and-drop approach makes it easy for end users. Reports
can be published in many formats, including PDF, XLSX, XML, HTML, CSV, and DOC. Jaspersoft
BI can send notifcations with a link to a report or physically attach them to emails. The system
also can integrate with other applications, but will require some programming to set up.
COST
An annual subscription to Jaspersofts BI
Professional Edition costs a minimum of $28,000
which would support 80 concurrent users. Its
Report Designer is open source, but a paid
subscription is required to get the features that
allow users to design their own reports. Additional
features like dashboards also require the
Professional Edition. Total cost of ownership
should also include hardware requirements
and any additional modules chosen. Lastly,
since it requires a larger degree of technical
skills to implement, the amount of setup time
for the organization is proportional to its
technical savvy.
THIS IS A POWERFUL
AND SOPHISTICATED BI
SOLUTION. SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATORS WILL
NEED A HIGH DEGREE OF
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
AND SKILL TO IMPLEMENT
THE SYSTEM.
23
THE BOTTOM LINE ON JASPERSOFT BI
While very sophisticated and robust, given the technical skills required for
implementation, this solution is best for large-sized organizations. Technical
requirements aside, it comes with solid support and training and a well-defned
roadmap. Organizations that get Jaspersoft BI up and running can enable
their users to meet their own reporting needs without burdening the IT
department or software application providers. It is not specifcally geared
toward nonproft use, but as with most BI tools, it can analyze any data.
24
AT A GLANCE www.logixml.com
Reports? Yes.
Dashboards? None.
Other Notable Features? Web-based solution that can be embedded into existing
enterprise applications.
or Expert?
Beginner.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? Both; installs on-premise, allows users to access reports via
the web.
Total Cost? Scalable; licensing models are based on server
configurations rather than on number of users. Low
end starts around $40,000 per year.
Support Options? Community, training, professional services.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION/PLATFORM
LogiXML offers an attractive suite of products that includes Logi Info Studio, Logi Ad
Hoc Reporting and Logi ETL. These can be purchased together or separately.
Together they offer end user reporting and enable developers to bring data together
from various disparate sources and platforms including, but not limited to, Oracle and
SQL Server. It also includes special connection elements to data sources such as MySQL
and Google Docs. It is a web-based solution and can be embedded into existing enterprise
applications, negating the need for a data mart or a data warehouse.
FUNCTIONALITY
It is important to understand the three main elements of this product, how they can work
together to create a software suite, or how they can be a standalone solution depending
on the organizations needs:
1. Logi ETL is a web-based data management tool that allows database administrators
or developers to collect and manipulate data, which can be reported on using other
Logi tools. The data produced also can be written to any of the data sources that it
extracts data from.
2. Logi Studio enables developers to create reports using a drag-and-drop interface.
It is not a web application and must be installed on a computer.
3. Logi Ad Hoc is a web-based reporting application that allows business users to
build and share dashboards and reports.
LogiXML
25
USABILITY
LogiXML is especially user-friendly for a typical end user. LogiXML Ad Hoc reporting enables
end users to create data visualizations and reports using a code-free drag-and-drop in-
terface. However, it is important to note that Logi Studio does require a fair level of skill to
navigate and develop the data connections that
enable the end users to report on. A SQL developer
would probably be best suited for this role.
COST
Deploying LogiXML does not require a data mart
or a data warehouse, nor does it add additional
costs for end user fees. This enables it to have
a lower cost structure compared with other BI tools on the market today. LogiXMLs
cost structure includes the cost of software, maintenance and support, implementa-
tion costs and training. It is also important to be aware that processing speeds may be
affected if the server is bogged down by other processes. Hence, it is important to review
the products hardware requirements and invest in the appropriate elements.
LOGIXML IS ESPECIALLY
USER-FRIENDLY FOR
A TYPICAL END USER
26
THE BOTTOM LINE ON LOGIXML
While LogiXML is not specifcally designed for nonproft use, its ability to
connect to various sources, including a prebuilt connector to
Salesforce.com, makes it a candidate for any organization looking to analyze
data for key performance indicators. LogiXML is best suited for small to
medium sized organizations or departments within a larger organization. Its
biggest strength is its low cost, which becomes especially relevant for or-
ganizations that require a large number of user licenses since LogiXML offers
licensing models based on server confguration rather than the number of
users. This will allow organizations that require access for a large number of
end users the ability to grant access without driving up their costs. LogiXML is
also known for its quick and easy deployments, which is a beneft for any
nonproft organization, but especially smaller organizations with fewer
internal resources.
27
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Build custom reports using Reporting Services.
Dashboards? None.
Other Notable Features? Reports can be delivered in many visual formats: HTML,
PDF, CSV, XML, image (TIFF), MS Word, MS Excel, and
PowerPivot.
or Expert?
While SSRS installation is easy, implementation and setup
is dependent on MS SQL Server, which requires expert
skills.
Total Cost? Licensing models vary, but if the organization already owns
SQL Server, no additional license purchase is necessary.
Support Options? Support is bundled with licensing models; in addition, support
content is available on MSDN online forums, although it
may be mixed in with SQL Server documentation.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Unlike off-the-shelf BI products, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based
reporting platform included in the SQL Server business intelligence suite. Expertise in SQL and
its setup is required. It provides comprehensive reporting functionality for a variety of data
sources and offers a complete set of tools to create, manage, and deliver reports. APIs
are available that enable developers to integrate or extend data and report processing in
custom applications. SSRS is ideal for organizations that use Microsoft products and have the
resources to design and implement their own reporting applications.
SSRS can be used to build reports from any data source type that has a Microsoft .NET
Framework-managed data provider, OLE DB provider, or ODBC data source, as well as data
sources such as Oracle, DB2, XML data sources, and many more. Additionally, SSRS uses one
of two different modes: SharePoint integrated mode or Native mode. SharePoint integrated
mode allows SSRS to store its reports, report items, and metadata in SharePoint. Along with
SSRS and SharePoint, a separate add-in will need to be installed to associate the two
products. Native mode only requires a SQL Server instance to store its needed information.
SSRS is installed on-premise. However, later versions of SQL Server can be confgured to
build, migrate and consolidate existing on-premise SQL Server applications to the Cloud
using Windows Azure Virtual Machine and Windows Azure SQL Database Service.
Microsoft SQL Server
Reporting Services
www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/
28
HOW IT WORKS
SSRS works with a Report Database that stores the metadata of the reports, report items,
and security information. The Report Server hosts the SSRS reports. It also provides a
Windows service and a web service that handles report functionality for rendering reports,
listing report items, scheduling reports, and more. Lastly, SSRS includes a Report Manager,
a web application interface to the Report Server that administrators can use to manage
reports and developers can use to deploy them and set up subscriptions to users for delivery.
USABILITY
SSRS includes the MS Report Builder, an intuitive
and familiar authoring environment that allows
users to create their own reports and explore
corporate data. Report results can be delivered
in many ways with a variety of formats: HTML, PDF,
CSV, XML, image (TIFF), MS Word, MS Excel, and
PowerPivot. Reports also can be delivered by
email or posted on shared folders on a network.
They can be embedded into applications and
portals and published to an MS Offce SharePoint
report library. Depending on the size of the
organization and complexity of reports needed,
a dedicated analyst may be essential.
COST
The cost for SSRS is variable, depending on whether it is a frst time install or upgrade, as well
as the number and type of licenses needed. It is best to consult Microsofts buyers guide for
the most accurate pricing and licensing information: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/
en/us/get-sql-server/how-to-buy.aspx .
SSRS INCLUDES THE
MS REPORT BUILDER,
AN INTUITIVE AND FAMILIAR
AUTHORING ENVIRONMENT
THAT ALLOWS USERS
TO CREATE THEIR OWN
REPORTS AND EXPLORE
CORPORATE DATA
29
THE BOTTOM LINE ON MICROSOFT SQL
SERVER REPORTING SERVICES
MS SQL Server Reporting Services is suitable for any type of organization, but
it is best in Microsoft environments where it can be easily integrated. While it is
convenient for a SQL administrator to set up, it is not recommended for smaller IT
departments that would beneft from applications that are already customized
for their needs. Organizations that do not use Microsoft products will likely not fnd
a lot of beneft in implementing only SSRS.
On the plus side, organizations that are already using SQL Server as their database
management system will fnd that Reporting Services is available at no additional
cost. As part of the SQL Server suite of services, it offers a robust environment to
create and deliver reports to users. As a result of being a part of the Microsoft
family of products, SQL Server can be integrated with other Microsoft tools such as
SharePoint and Offce products.
Lastly, as with all Microsoft products, support options and a massive amount of
online documentation are available.
30
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Yes.
Dashboards? Yes.
Other Notable Features? Allows connections to a wide variety of traditional and
non-traditional data sources.
or Expert?
Expert-level understanding of data models, plus strong
SQL skills to create reports.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? Both; installed on-premise, and users access reports via
the web.
Total Cost? Base price for 10 user licenses plus software and support
estimated at $250,000+ for frst year.
Support Options? Online and phone support, plus training and consulting
options.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
QlikViews business discovery platform consists of three major components: QlikView Server,
QlikView Publisher and QlikView Desktop. QlikView is a BI tool that is able to connect to
multiple data sources including standard ODBC or OLEDB-compliant databases, standard
fat fles such as Microsoft Excel, XML, etc., as well as from systems such as SAP NetWeaver,
Salesforce.com, and Informatica.
HOW IT WORKS
QlikView uses in-memory technology to store data on a dedicated QlikView server, which
avoids the need for a data warehouse. The memory necessary to run the application relates
directly to the amount of data to be analyzed. Data sets are loaded onto the QlikView
Server where they can then be connected and manipulated by a developer for reporting,
analyzing and creating visualizations using QlikView Desktop. QlikView permits custom-built
and third-party visualization options. Once the developer publishes reports to the server, end
users can access them via the web or a mobile device. Information can also be exported
into multiple formats and sent via email.
Like a number of other tools on the market, it was not designed specifcally for nonproft use,
but its ability to connect many traditional sources as well as non-traditional sources like
Microsoft SharePoint, Facebook and Twitter, makes it a good option for nonprofts,
especially those that have robust online communities.
QlikView
www.QlikView.com
31
USABILITY
The staff in charge of adding and linking data sets as well as creating the reports and
dashboards should have a strong understanding data modeling and table linking as well as a
basic understanding of SQL. QlikView is more reliant on a developer or database administrator
to create dashboards and reports, which are then
published to the wider audience. Part of the report
creation process is for the developer to enable
minimal fltering and manipulation of the report
by end users. In this way, QlikView is slightly less
user-friendly than some of the other tools on the
market. However, QlikView permits annotation of
reports and discussion of or collaboration on reports
within the application.
COST
QlikViews pricing structure reads like an la
carte menu. There are many other options for
additional components, some at a cost and some free. For example, the Salesforce.com
Connector is currently free. However, there is a fee for the SAP NetWeaver Connector.
The three most important elements to their cost structure is the QlikView Server, QlikView
Publisher, and licensing fees. For most nonprofts, QlikViews initial costs will seem high,
running at approximately $250,000 or more for the frst year for 10 users.
QLIKVIEWS ABILITY
TO CONNECT MANY
TRADITIONAL SOURCES
AS WELL AS NON-TRADI-
TIONAL SOURCES MAKES
IT A GOOD OPTION
FOR NONPROFITS
32
THE BOTTOM LINE ON QLIKVIEW
Due to the specialized resources necessary to manage QlikView, it is likely best
suited for larger organizations that need to pull information from many different
data sets in order to report on key performance indicators to drive strategic
planning. QlikView offers QlikCommunity, a valuable resource where customers
can get sample scripts. Certifcation is available for the designer, developer,
and system administrator levels of expertise.
33
AT A GLANCE
Reports? Quickly create visual representations from large amounts
of data.
Dashboards? Point and click to create dashboards and embed them
in other applications.
Other Notable Features? Emphasizes ease of use to create visual representations
of large amounts of data.
or Expert?
Beginner.
Cloud, On-Premise, or Both? Both; deployed on-premise, reports can be published to
the web.
Total Cost? Nonproft pricing is $1,500 per user for Tableau Desktop and
$750 per user for Tableau Server. Annual maintenance is
25% of initial cost for year two and beyond.
Support Options? Online manuals, tutorials, knowledgebase, release notes,
and a support community.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Tableau software is a drag-and-drop tool with direct connection to data sources that does
not require pulling data into a data warehouse. Tableaus strength is creating visual
representations from large amounts of data that are easy and quick to manipulate. The
software works with CSV, Excel, SQL, Oracle and Sybase data sources and will reportedly
connect to Salesforce.com in the next release (8.0). It is deployed on-premise with a desktop
report writer component and a server-based interactive end user component where users
can log into the server and manipulate the reports. Once visualizations are created and
published they can be viewed by logging into the server or can be published to the web.
HOW IT WORKS
Data is pulled into the desktop application for design, and then reports can be published for
others to see and interact with on the server. Although Tableau can connect to live data
sources, users can create extracts to improve performance by taking advantage of the
Tableau data engine or by reporting on a subset of data from a large data source. While
Tableau
www.tableausoftware.com
34
Tableau is not geared specifcally toward nonprofts, as with most BI tools it should be able
to connect to and create metrics for any tabular data. Tableau can use the existing data
security system (Active Directory) or use the built-in security to limit what data users can
view, which means that if the server is set up with Active Directory logins, then additional
user logins do not need to be created.
USABILITY
The desktop design tool is relatively easy to use, but as with other BI tools, Tableau requires a
degree of understanding of the structure of the data source(s). Adding new data tables is
intuitive, but it does involve manual linking of data fles, which could be time-consuming for
a complex data source. It is easy to change the view of the data and to change between
various types of charts with a single click. Reports can be exported to Excel or PDF, and the
software can be integrated with SharePoint.
Tableau can also access dashboards through
iPad and Android apps.
COST
Nonproft pricing is $1,500 per user for Tableau
Desktop and $750 per user for Tableau Server.
Annual maintenance is 25% of the initial cost for
year two and beyond. Note that it is necessary to purchase a server license for any user
who wants to be able to manipulate the reports on the server or online. Implementation
should not include additional costs as long as an organizations existing server meets the
minimum requirements based on the number of users. Since this product does not include any
customization with other applications, there would be no corresponding add-on costs.
ADDING NEW DATA TABLES
IS INTUITIVE, BUT IT DOES
INVOLVE MANUAL LINKING
OF DATA FILES
35
THE BOTTOM LINE ON TABLEAU
Tableau is one of the most straightforward BI solutions for users and
administrators. According to Gartner reviews, it is rated very high in ease
of use and implementation. Tableaus accessible price point makes it
a good option for small to medium sized nonprofits, though there is no
deterrent to larger organizations as well. The company appears to have
good software support including online manuals, tutorials, knowledgebase,
release notes, and a support community.
36
Conclusion
GETTING STARTED WITH BI
Now that you understand BI and the spectrum of BI tools in the marketplace, you may
have found a few that might be a good ft to help your organization take advantage of
the data available in your CRM system. But, tool selection and implementation are the
fnal steps in the process. Determining an overall strategy including identifcation of
KPIs, aligning your operational model, and ensuring technical infrastructure is in place,
must come frst.
At Heller Consulting, we can help you determine how to plan a successful BI initiative at
your organization.
If you are just getting started, we will:
Develop a strategy, including key performance indicators
Review your operational model and business processes to ensure they will
provide the data that will support the KPIs
Discuss and develop technical architecture that will enable tool implementation
Help select and implement the tool itself
If you have already begun this process as part of a larger CRM strategy, we can assist
with requirements gathering and application selection.
YOUR NEXT STEP
To get going, gather your team leaders and complete our Business Intelligence
Worksheet (http://bit.ly/1100oxk )This worksheet will help your team unite your
understanding and expectations around Business Intelligence, and prepare you
for more detailed discussions.
Then, call us at 800-794-0774 to schedule a time to review your internal assessment
with us and determine the best next steps. We can help you with a Business Intelligence
Assessment that will give your organization a complete roadmap for BI integration.
37
ABOUT HELLER CONSULTING
Heller Consulting helps nonprofts streamline their operations and maximize their use of software
and online communication tools for fundraising, marketing and mission management. The
company specializes in software selection, implementation and optimization for fundraising,
online marketing and Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) products. In addition, the
company provides marketing services that help nonprofts plan and execute online and social
marketing techniques that integrate with a nonprofts CRM system for building and tracking an
active community of supporters. With offces in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, the Heller
Consulting team has helped hundreds of nonprofts nationwide.
Visit us at www.teamheller.com.
The Connected Cause is a community that shares information about how nonprofts
are using technology to connect with their supporters and deliver on their mission.
Our contributors are knowledgeable and passionate about using existing and new
technology to build and nurture nonproft organizations.
As technology and the way we communicate evolves, CRM systems and social
media are quickly converging. Our goal with The Connected Cause is to promote an
ongoing conversation about this exciting convergence and provide insights that will
help your nonproft succeed now and in the future.
Visit us at theConnectedCause.com today and join in the conversation.

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