It’s been just over a year since we started working with FIMC and in that amount of time the data warehouse project has come a long way! Through an iterative process, we have incorporated data covering almost all aspects of operations at FIMC, growing it into a tool that can provide comprehensive views of the entire organization. Both John and Dustin are thrilled with the meaningful and precise insights into their company data.
Along with the data warehouse itself, SCS designed and created a tabular data model for FIMC based on the content of their data warehouse. The tabular data model provides the following advantages:
- Storage of the data in an architecture that provides highly efficient retrieval and aggregation of the data for analysis
- Definition of the relationships within the data
- Presentation of the data in a format that is business-user friendly
- Capture of the business logic used for calculating FIMC’s key performance indicators and other measures
Each iteration of the data warehouse and tabular data model covers one subject matter area within FIMC: manufacturing operations, supply chain, sales, finance, etc. With each iteration, SCS created dashboards and reports for that business area. These reports and dashboards were designed and authored by SCS Data and Analytics developers using Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. This ensured each iteration carried its own return on investment for FIMC.
The entire FIMC data analytics environment has now matured to the point where it is time to begin to turn the keys over to the technical staff and the business users at FIMC. SCS remains engaged as a partner providing additional expertise and person-power when required. However, like we reminded Dustin recently, one of our goals is to empower our clients to take on as much as they are comfortable with when it comes to the care and growth of their analytics environments.
One of the major steps in this process is providing training to both the technical staff and the business users. This training process took a big step forward last week. We provided training at multiple levels to several different audiences at FIMC:
Technical Staff
- Understanding of the concepts and structure behind the data warehouse and tabular data model
- Hands-on training on the creation and enhancement of a tabular data model. This includes work with the DAX expression
- language used to define business logic and create analytics content within the tabular model
- Instruction in best practices for tabular model design and support
- Mentoring on the security model created within the tabular model
Power Users
Comprehensive, hands-on training on the creation of data visualizations using Power BI
Instruction in best practices around data visualization
Interactive sessions on the data analytics techniques that can be implemented within Power BI
Business Users
Comprehensive, hands-on training on the use of Power BI data visualizations
Interactive sessions on the data analytics techniques within Power BI
The business user training included a train-the-trainer aspect. Two of the participants will serve as trainers for new FIMC employees going forward, so everyone within the organization will know how to get the most from their analytics environment.
Stay tuned as we will soon be embarking on an extranet site for data sharing with FIMC’s vendors and customers!
Disclosure: Foam Injection Mold Company is a fictional organization created to allow SCS to more fully convey the details of business needs and technical environments related to actual solutions created by SCS without infringing upon the privacy of our clients. All SCS consultants, technical expertise, consulting services provided, and implemented solutions referred to in the Foam Injection Mold Company articles are real! Only the client names and lines of business have been changed to protect the innocent.
