Bring Your Own Data Visualization

Data happens. It emerges from previously unimagined sources. It develops organically. It moves fast, and it filters throughout organizations in unexpected ways. Over time, different departments and pockets of users within the enterprise can embark on discrete paths for exploring the value within specific sets and combinations of data. As a result, various user groups within one enterprise might adopt different visualization tools to help them make sense of the data and lev-erage it for very specific insights and decision making.

Wiping the slate clean and immediately requiring everyone to use the same data visualization tool can bring benefits — for example, streamlining IT and creating a common language for the enterprise. But such a large-scale disruption might not make sense for every organization. Some internal groups might require a particular visualization application for a niche need. Others might be waiting on a broad-scale enterprise data and systems transformation before replacing a useful legacy visualization app. Still others might have contractual obligations or third-party needs that require them to stick with a specific data visualization tool.

Visualizing Value

Even though the use of visualization tools across an enterprise can vary greatly, organizations don’t have to wait for some enterprise-wide transformation to bring new value to their disparate visualization activities. SAP HANA can serve as an engine to make a variety of visualization tools more streamlined, effective, and powerful.

As an open platform, SAP HANA enables you to bring real-time in-memory computing to third-party tools and to activities such as data visualization. And the openness of SAP HANA allows you to use it with existing visualization tools as well as with any new tools your organization might acquire.

Adopting SAP HANA as a backbone for visualization applications means you can deliver data more rapidly, with the platform’s in-memory processing capability providing real-time predictive analytics for your visualization activities. Injecting greater speed into your data visualization means not only that you can generate data-driven insights faster; you can share them faster, too. Decision-makers can get data in a meaningful form and act faster. Your business can move faster because it can see faster.

The demonstrated, real-time benefits of SAP HANA-driven visualization go beyond collaboration and decision-making, however. The benefits of SAP HANA extend to the Internet of Things (IoT), as well. As the IoT vision grows to encompass predictive asset maintenance and customer-facing visualization capabilities, the real-time functionality of SAP HANA can become a must-have for organizations that want to stream insights visually and in real time within an IoT chain of processes or transactions.

Thinking Strategically

Unlocking the identified value of SAP HANA for visualization requires some strategic thinking. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Look within your organization to find examples of users tapping the power of SAP HANA to enhance visualization activities, and find out how they are generating value.
• Understand the investments you already have made in visualization technology and whether it is giving you value now, or the value you want to see.
• Look for areas that can generate valuable real-time data yet lag on visualization capabilities.

Want a deeper view into the strategic value you can unlock with SAP HANA-powered visualization? A conversation with an SAP global services partner such as Deloitte can serve as a great first step. Contact us at SAP@deloitte.com or visit www.deloitte.com/SAP to get the conversation started. 

^{As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.}

^{This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms, or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte Network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte Network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.}