What features could Infor add to its Birst business intelligence platform to provide more actionable insights for manufacturing clients?

Introduction

To improve Infor's Birst business intelligence platform for manufacturing clients, we need to focus on adding features that provide more actionable insights. This involves understanding the current platform capabilities, the specific needs of manufacturing clients, and identifying areas where we can enhance data analysis and decision-making processes. I'll approach this by examining user segments, analyzing pain points, generating solutions, and prioritizing features based on their potential impact and feasibility.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions

• Looking at the manufacturing context, I'm thinking about the diverse data sources these clients might be dealing with. Could you elaborate on the types of data Birst currently integrates for manufacturing clients, and are there any common data sources we're not yet supporting?

Why it matters: Determines the scope of our data integration capabilities and potential areas for expansion. Expected answer: Birst integrates ERP, CRM, and basic IoT data, but struggles with real-time machine data and advanced supply chain analytics. Impact on approach: Would focus on enhancing real-time data processing and supply chain visibility features.

• Considering the actionable insights aspect, I'm curious about the current decision-making process for manufacturing clients using Birst. Can you share insights on how clients typically use the platform in their daily operations and what kind of decisions they're making based on the insights provided?

Why it matters: Helps understand the current value proposition and identify gaps in actionability. Expected answer: Clients use Birst for historical reporting and basic forecasting, but struggle with real-time operational decisions. Impact on approach: Would prioritize features that enable more immediate, data-driven operational decisions.

• Thinking about the competitive landscape, I'm wondering about Birst's current market position in the manufacturing sector. How do we compare to other BI platforms specifically in terms of providing actionable insights for manufacturing clients?

Why it matters: Identifies our strengths and weaknesses relative to competitors, guiding our feature prioritization. Expected answer: Birst is strong in data visualization but lags in predictive analytics and machine learning capabilities for manufacturing. Impact on approach: Would focus on enhancing predictive capabilities and industry-specific AI/ML features.

• Considering Infor's broader strategy, I'm interested in understanding how improving Birst aligns with the company's overall goals. Are there any specific company-wide initiatives or partnerships that this improvement project should take into account?

Why it matters: Ensures our product improvements align with broader company objectives and leverage existing resources. Expected answer: Infor is focusing on cloud migration and AI integration across its product suite, with strategic partnerships in IoT and blockchain. Impact on approach: Would prioritize cloud-native features and explore integration with Infor's AI and IoT initiatives.