A framework on data analysis using business intelligence for decision making : a case for LION limited.

Partial fulfillment for award of the degree of Masters of Information Systems.This study seeks to understand why companies that have invested in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) lack adequate reporting tools effective analysis and monitoring for decision making. It seeks to propose a framework on implementation of business intelligence tools (BI). This study has been guided by the following research questions : i) What are the factors that influence BI? ii) What are the strengths and weaknesses of existing BI frameworks? iii) What are the challenges of implementing BI? iv) What additional resources are required for the successful implementation of BI? A case of Lion Limited has been used to bring out the issues and to help expound on the research questions. the survey was conducted through questionnaires distributed to senior and middle members of staff at Lion limited being users charged with the responsibility of Business Performance reporting. the sample was purposive and very specific to people either responsible for implementation (Information Technology) or users of the system charged with the responsibility of business performance reporting. The study revealed a significant difference in perception between the users and the implementers of business intelligence tool, on the extend to which objectives were met. Based on respondents, 100% emphasized the need for management support in all stages of the implementation. Challenges experienced include: Lack of time, management support and unclear objectives. There are no additional resources required by the organization to implement BI. However, emphasis is on proper planning. the need for a project team dedicated to BI implementation is critical. This ensures that necessary resources are availed to avoid handing the task a a by the way project. Therefore, organizations that intend to maximize on gains from the ERP implementation, they must be willing to invest in a business intelligence tool. They must implement software that can help answer the why questions such as why are sales trending downwards or why are stock-outs for a particular product. That is where business intelligence comes from