Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide (The Savvy Manager's Guides) [Paperback]

David Loshin (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Savvy Manager's Guides | Publication Date: July 9, 2003

Business Intelligence describes the basic architectural components of a business intelligence environment, ranging from traditional topics such as business process modeling, data modeling, and more modern topics such as business rule systems, data profiling, information compliance and data quality, data warehousing, and data mining. This book progresses through a logical sequence, starting with data model infrastructure, then data preparation, followed by data analysis, integration, knowledge discovery, and finally the actual use of discovered knowledge. The book contains a quick reference guide for business intelligence terminology. Business Intelligence is part of Morgan Kaufmann's Savvy Manager's Guide series.

* Provides clear explanations without technical jargon, followed by in-depth descriptions.
* Articulates the business value of new technology, while providing relevant introductory technical background.
* Contains a handy quick-reference to technologies and terminologies.
* Guides managers through developing, administering, or simply understanding business intelligence technology.
* Bridges the business-technical gap.
* Is Web enhanced. Companion sites to the book and series provide value-added information, links, discussions, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Interesting, timely, and above all, useful, Savvy Guides give IT managers the information they need to effectively manage their technologists, as well as conscientiously inform business decision makers, in the midst of technological revolution.

From the Back Cover

"Here is a book that takes the time to identify and define all of the pre-requisite parts of a corporate business intelligence world from the point of view of the expected BI benefits. David Loshin simplifies complicated topics in order to emphasize the true power of organized information."
-Adrienne Tannenbaum - President, Database Design Solutions, Inc.

"Relief from the mundane and ineffective writings that take up valuable space on many practitioner bookshelves ... This Savvy Manager's Guide is a thorough and pleasant read that should be included in the toolkit of all Business Intelligence managers." -Robert S. Seiner, Publisher, The Data Administration Newsletter (TDAN.com), President & Principal, KIK Consulting & Educational Services

How can a manager transform a company's wealth of information into profits? The answer lies in this book. Business intelligence (BI) is the sum total of best practices, tools, methods, and processes used to transform an organization's data into actionable knowledge. Written by an expert in data management and knowledge discovery to enhance business applications, Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide outlines the technical, management, and political issues for building a successful business intelligence and information exploitation program--from the basics of a BI plan to the actual use of discovered knowledge.

Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide:
* Provides clear explanations without technical jargon, followed by in-depth descriptions.
* Articulates the business value of new technology, while providing relevant introductory technical background.
* Contains a handy quick-reference to technologies and terminologies.
* Guides managers through developing, administering, or simply understanding business intelligence technology.
* Bridges the business-technical gap.
* Is Web enhanced. Companion sites to the book and series provide value-added information, links, discussions, and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann; 1 edition (July 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558609164
• ISBN-13: 978-1558609167
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Loshin, president of Knowledge Integrity, Inc, (www.knowledge-integrity.com), is a recognized thought leader and expert consultant in the areas of data quality, master data management, and business intelligence. David is a prolific author regarding BI best practices, via the expert channel at www.b-eye-network.com and numerous books and papers on BI and data quality. His book, "Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide" (June 2003) has been hailed as a resource allowing readers to "gain an understanding of business intelligence, business management disciplines, data warehousing, and how all of the pieces work together." His book, "Master Data Management," has been endorsed by data management industry leaders, and his valuable MDM insights can be reviewed at www.mdmbook.com.

David can be reached at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for BI Professionals, November 12, 2003

By 

David Wells (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide (The Savvy Manager's Guides) (Paperback)

This book is a must read for any business or information technology (IT) professional who is involved in data warehousing and business intelligence (BI) projects. As Director of Education for The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI) I'm intimately involved in the learning needs and processes of BI professionals. I firmly believe that the future of BI depends on better integration of technology with business at a human level. Business leaders must become more IT-savvy, and IT leaders must become more business-savvy. David Loshin's book is a fine start for both groups. You'll gain an understanding of business intelligence, business management disciplines, data warehousing, and how all of the pieces work together.

As a speaker at conferences and seminars I frequently challenge IT people to become more business savvy. My recommendation -- read David Loshin's "Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide" first. Then read a BPM book, a CRM book, a supply chain book, and so on. If you're working in IT and have data warehouse or BI responsibilities, I make the same recommendation to you.

The proof, however, is in the practice. At a recent TDWI conference (San Diego, November 2003) this book sold out within the first few days of the event -- before Loshin had even arrived at the conference to teach a class. The Savvy Manager's Guide was among the top-selling books at this event and the first the be sold out.

Read this book. You'll be glad that you did!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent structured and indepth presentation of topic, November 1, 2005

By 

climbhigh - See all my reviews

This review is from: Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide (The Savvy Manager's Guides) (Paperback)

The book does a fantastic job of providing a managerial level overview of the business intelligence area and the various topics it includes (ETL, Data Cleansing, Metadata, Data Werehousing, ....).

To me its easily the first book one should start with in understanding these areas. After which you can choose to dig into areas of interest - data mining, ....

I direct a group of product managers in one of the leading business intelligence/ETL companies in this arena and I have made this required reading for all my product managers.

I highly recommend this book. Simply buy it - read it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview for Business Manager, October 12, 2005

By 

ZJS (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Business Intelligence: The Savvy Manager's Guide (The Savvy Manager's Guides) (Paperback)

This book does a very good job of providing an overview and insight into the concepts of business intelligence without getting bogged down in the details of technology. The book covers a wide range of topics from the value of business intellligence (BI) to the issues of data quality and information compliance. Additionally, the book includes a quick reference guide at the end of the book which is an executive summary of the topics presented and at the end of many chapters includes a section titled "To Learn More" which provides links and references to further explore the topic.

I am an IT professional familiar with BI, charged with designing and implementing a BI stretgy for my organization. This book did not add significantly to my knowledge, however as a tool for those unfamiliar with the concepts and challenges of BI this is a very good read and reference tool.