Lawrence Freeman, Negosentro | Most business researchers commence their searches on Google, Yahoo and sometimes on social networks. However, as they become more and more informed, they often resort to more advanced search tools and sources where they can find niche-oriented search results. Discovery tools differ from traditional search engines, in that, they produce results that are more comprehensive.
In the majority of the cases, the tools are bought by organizations to resolve issues that arise regarding data access, data assessment, and data provision. The need for the tools has been growing quite fast over the past few years. At the same time, they have evolved into some of the most up-to-date business intelligence and analytics in the current business world. In addition to that, about 2,800 BI professionals have come to emphasize the importance of these search tools in the BARC’s BI Trend Monitor 2017.
Types of Business Search Tools
Advanced search has continued to transform and evolve into complex systems that continuously adds value to businesses. Similarly, this functionality has since been integrated into traditional data systems that retrieve data semantically. There are three types of data discovery tools in the current market:
- Visual Interaction tools
- AI based tools
- Search Engine tools
Visual Interaction Tools
These are analytic tools that are employed to access data from large databases using a small device like a laptop without having to go through the usual semantic layers of stored information. In simpler terms, they retrieve data by spotting patterns and utilization of the visual interface. Visual interaction analysis is used to analyze data that is not readily available.
This data could be in the form of charts, graphs, Excel and even PowerPoint. Furthermore, it is correct to say that visual data interaction tools make up the most of the data discovery system in the market. Both large, medium and small organization rely exclusively on the dominant data analysis platform.
AI based tools
AI based tools otherwise referred to as artificial intelligence tools have made remarkable progress in the recent past. Most of the milestones achieved on this tool have been such that its usability has been boosted to include most industries and purposes relevant to the businesses in the twenty first century. A good number of institutions that specialize in research have made it the ultimate goal of cracking the AI’s horizon.
In so doing they have developed more platforms that are open besides including ethics. It is also important to note that AI requires the integration of other tools. For instance, statistical programming language that makes it able to visualize patterns in narrative format for the users. However, if you are a business owner be careful not to replace your analyst just yet. Human knowledge is required to verify and vet the models to ascertain their significance.
Search Engine Tools
These tools are more or less like the traditional search engines. However, they produce narrowed results that are strictly relevant only to the keywords searched. They are also suitable for retrieving data from large files and have a similar interface to the traditional search engines. Search engine tools are useful discovery tools for organizations that have more of textual data like documents, surveys, and presentations. The businesses can track down information that would have taken longer to retrieve and send to their employees promptly.
Best Business Search Tools
- Sisense
It is a simple tool that is easy to use for the average worker. It can be used to prepare, analyze and visualize data. The flexible tool can adapt to your organization’s data. Sisense analyzes data from different sources and merges it into more refined solutions based on the input.
- Domo
It is a cloud-based data management tool designed to combine several sources of data. Domo supports Windows and Mac operating systems. In addition to that, Domo offers real-time updates and analysis on top performing products. It is suitable for both small and large organizations.
- Board
This is a tool developed to bring together business analytics, visual intelligence and performance management to large organizations. The user can retrieve almost any type of data and produce excellent self-service reporting. What’s more, these reports can be uploaded in various formats such as CSV and HTML.
