A recent study report by Gartner finds four trends that will drive the evolution of BI and analytics over the next few years. The first is a shift from mere reporting to analysis of Big Data streams. The second is the fast-growing role of connected "smart" devices in providing the data streams that BI works with. The third is the merging of traditional vended BI software with hosted solutions in the cloud. Finally, the fourth trend will be the mainstreaming of BI and analytics over the next few years.

As Samuel Greengard writes at CIO Insight, the path of BI in the business world has not always been an easy one, and it becomes ever-more complex. But over the next few years BI and analytics will play a central role in shaping enterprise initiatives.

Of the four trends in BI that Gartner identifies, the first of them – the prioritizing of analytics – is in Greengard's view the most immediate. Companies have been generating reports based on relatively vast amounts of data since the dawn of business computing in the 1950s. But mere reporting as an end goal is fast giving way to analytics.

By next year, says Gartner, a majority of solutions offered will be analytics-centric. But, as Greengard asks, "are your vendors prepared to meet your need for analysis-centric BI?"

Gartner's second trend is the fast-growing role of embedded devices as sources for data streams. The "Internet of Things" is taking the enterprise by storm, and by 2017 should account for the majority of raw data that analytics will be working with. With this trend comes a growing need for the real-time flexibility needed to make the most of this data.

The third BI trend should surprise no one: The cloud is becoming pervasive, and (also by 2017) vended solutions will become indistinguishable from analytics provided as a service from the cloud.

The fourth trend is that while uncertainty about BI will continue for the next couple of years, the field is fast moving toward a maturity that will make BI and analytics a routine, mainstreamed tool in the enterprise.

At GRT Corporation our commitment is to customers, not solution vendors or providers. We can help your firm choose the solution mix that is best for your specific needs.

Big Data and related technologies – from data warehousing to analytics and business intelligence (BI) – are transforming the business world. Big Data is not simply big: Gartner defines it as "high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information assets." Managing these assets to generate the fourth "V" – value – is a challenge. Many excellent solutions are on the market, but they must be matched to specific needs. At GRT Corporation our focus is on providing value to the business customer.

src: grtcorp.com