This guide examines the key details to consider when choosing between PWAs vs. native apps, equipping you to make the optimal selection for your needs. It will also explore how Visual LANSA emerges as a versatile low-code platform capable of supporting either type of mobile app.

PWA vs. Native App: The Main Differences

The choice of PWA vs. native apps hinges on your project’s specific requirements. If you prioritize broad reach, cost-effectiveness, and a rapid development cycle, PWAs are a compelling option. However, if your app depends on deep integration with device features or a highly customized user experience, native apps might be a better fit.

Here are some other ways they compare:

What Is a Progressive Web App?

A progressive web app (or PWA) is a type of application delivered through the web and built using common web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. PWAs are designed to work on any platform that uses a standards-compliant browser, providing a seamless and app-like experience without the need for installation from an app store.

PWAs combine the best of web and mobile apps, offering features like offline access, push notifications, and fast load times. They are highly responsive and can adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, making them a versatile choice for businesses looking to reach a broad audience. This versatility is a key point in the PWA vs. native app discussion.

Because developers can use a single codebase to create an app that works across multiple platforms, PWAs reduce the time and resources needed for development and maintenance. This is particularly advantageous in the PWA vs. native app debate, where cost and efficiency are critical factors.

Another advantage of PWAs is their ability to function offline or in low network conditions, thanks to service workers that cache essential resources. This ensures that users can continue to interact with the app even when they are not connected to the internet. When considering native vs. progressive web apps, this offline capability is a significant benefit.

In summary, the native vs. progressive web apps comparison often highlights the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of PWAs, making them an attractive option for many businesses.

Examples of PWAs

• Starbucks. The Starbucks PWA allows users to order and pay for their coffee in advance, offering a convenient and contactless experience. It also provides access to rewards and personalized recommendations.
• Forbes. Forbes’ PWA delivers a news reading experience that’s optimized for mobile devices. Users can easily browse articles, watch videos, and stay updated on the latest news without the need to download a native app.
• Twitter Lite. Twitter Lite is a lightweight PWA designed for users with limited internet connectivity. It offers core Twitter features like browsing timelines, tweeting, and interacting with posts, providing a fast and efficient experience.
• Pinterest. The Pinterest PWA offers a seamless, app-like experience, allowing users to discover and save inspiration without the need for a native app. Its offline functionality ensures users continue browsing and saving even without an internet connection.

What Is a Native App?

A native app is an application developed specifically for a particular platform or operating system, such as iOS or Android. These apps are built using platform-specific programming languages like Swift or Objective-C for iOS and Java or Kotlin for Android. Native apps are downloaded and installed directly from the app stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Native apps offer several advantages, including superior performance and full access to device features such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications. This deep integration with the device’s hardware and software allows native apps to deliver a highly responsive and smooth user experience, which is often cited as a key differentiator in the PWA vs. native app debate.

However, developing native apps can be more time-consuming and costly compared to progressive web apps. Each platform requires a separate code base, which means that updates and maintenance need to be performed individually for iOS and Android versions. This can lead to higher development costs and a longer time to market.

When comparing PWA vs. native apps, native apps are often preferred for applications that require high performance, extensive use of device features, or a polished user experience. However, the native vs. progressive web app comparison often highlights the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of PWAs.

Pros and Cons of Each Solution

When deciding between native vs. progressive web apps, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Both PWAs and native apps offer unique benefits and potential drawbacks that can significantly impact your project’s success. Understanding these pros and cons will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals, target audience, and available resources. Here are some key factors in the PWA vs. native app.

PWA vs. Native App: The User’s Perspective

From a user’s standpoint, the native vs. progressive web app debate boils down to convenience, accessibility, and functionality. PWAs offer the convenience of being readily accessible through a web browser without the need for app store downloads or installations. They can even be added to a user’s home screen for quick access, mimicking the experiences of a native app. Additionally, many PWAs provide offline capabilities, allowing users to access core features without an internet connection.

In addition, PWAs are typically designed for performance and offer faster loading times, especially on slower internet connections. However, PWAs might have limitations when it comes to accessing certain device features like cameras, GPS, or fingerprint scanners compared to native apps. On the other hand, native apps, designed specifically for a particular platform, offer a seamless and intuitive user experience that feels integrated with the device. They can leverage the full range of device features, including camera, GPS, fingerprint scanning, and more. This is a key point in the PWA vs. native app discussion.

Ultimately, the user’s preference depends on their individual needs and priorities. If convenience, accessibility, and fast loading times are important, PWAs can be a compelling choice. However, for users who prioritize a seamless experience, full access to device features, and higher performance, native apps might be a better fit.

PWA vs. Native App: The Developer’s Perspective

Developers choosing between PWAs and native apps need to consider factors like development speed, code maintainability, access to device features, and overall project requirements. In the PWA vs. native app debate, PWAs, developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript offer a faster development time, especially for developers who already possess web development skills. Also, PWAs can be more cost-effective due to the use of existing web development tools and expertise.

However, PWAs might have limitations in accessing certain device features like GPS or camera functionality compared to native apps. On the other hand, native apps, while offering superior performance and unrestricted access to device features, require separate codebases for different platforms, leading to increased development time and cost for multi-platform development. Native apps also need to go through the app store approval process, which can add time to the development cycle. This is a significant consideration in the native vs progressive web apps discussion.

In terms of maintenance, PWAs require updates for web standards and browser compatibility, but updates are typically pushed automatically on the server side. Native apps, on the other hand, necessitate updates for each platform to keep pace with OS updates and ensure compatibility across different versions.

For more in-depth information on native vs. progressive web apps, watch our webinar, The Many Faces of Mobile App Development.

PWA or Native App: Which One Should You Choose?

The progressive web apps vs. native apps debate isn’t about choosing the universally better option, but rather selecting the approach that best aligns with your project’s needs and goals. Here are some reasons why you would choose a progressive web app vs. native app, and vice versa:

When to Choose PWAs

• Limited budget and resources: If you’re working with a tight budget or a small development team, PWAs can be a cost-effective solution. They require less development time and resources compared to creating native apps for multiple platforms. This is a key point in the PWA vs. native app discussion.
• Cross-platform compatibility is crucial: When you need to target users across various devices and operating systems without developing separate apps, PWAs offer a single solution that works on multiple platforms. This is often highlighted in the native vs. progressive web apps debate.
• Content-driven applications: For apps that primarily deliver content, such as news sites, blogs, or informational portals, PWAs can provide a seamless experience without the need for installation.
• Frequent updates required: If your app needs regular updates, PWAs allow for instant deployment without going through app store approval processes, ensuring all users have access to the latest version simultaneously. This is a significant advantage in the PWA vs. native app comparison.
• SEO is important: PWAs can be indexed by search engines, making them a better choice if discoverability through web searches is a priority for your business.
• Quick market entry: When time-to-market is critical, PWAs can be developed and deployed faster than native apps, allowing you to reach your audience more quickly.
• Limited storage space on user devices: PWAs can take up minimal storage space, making them attractive to users with limited device storage.

When to Choose Native Apps

• Performance is key: For apps that require high performance, such as games, video editing tools, or complex data processing applications, native apps offer superior speed and responsiveness. This is a crucial factor in the PWA vs. native app debate.
• Full access to device features needed: If your app relies heavily on device-specific hardware or APIs, a native app will provide the necessary access to features like camera, GPS, accelerometer, and more. This is often a deciding factor in the native vs. progressive web apps discussion.
• Complex offline functionality: When extensive offline capabilities are required, native apps offer more robust solutions for data stores and synchronization compared to progressive web apps.
• App store presence is beneficial: If discoverability through app stores and the ability to monetize through in-app purchases are important, native apps are the way to go.
• Brand loyalty and engagement: Native apps can provide a more immersive experience, potentially leading to higher user engagement and brand loyalty.
• Platform-specific user experience: If your target audience strongly performs the look and feel of their specific platform, a native app can provide a more familiar and intuitive user interface.
• Security is a top priority: For applications dealing with sensitive data or requiring high-level security features, native apps generally offer more robust security options and better integration with device-level security features.

When weighing progressive apps vs. native options, consider your project-specific requirements, target audience preferences, and long-term business strategies. Whether you opt for progressive web app vs. native app solutions or choose native over PWAs, Visual LANSA can help streamline your development process, allowing you to build high-quality applications efficiently. Read the full story on how PartyLite, a premier direct sales company for premium candles and home decor, used Visual LANSA to modernize their ERP system.

Key Takeaways

As we’ve explored the PWA vs. native app debate, several critical points have emerged to guide your decision-making process:

• Audience and platform considerations: PWAs offer a broader reach across devices, while native apps provide more tailored experiences for specific platforms. Consider your target audience’s preferences when choosing between progressive web apps vs. native apps.
• Performance and functionality: Native apps generally offer superior performance and deeper integration with device features. However, PWAs have made significant strides in functionality and can be sufficient in many cases. This is a key point in the PWA vs. native app discussion.
• Development time and resources: PWAs typically require less development time and resources, making them an attractive option for businesses with budget constraints or tight timelines. Native apps, while more resource-intensive, can provide a more polished, platform-specific experience. This is often highlighted in the native vs. progressive web apps debate.
• Distribution and discoverability: Native apps benefit from app store presence, while PWAs excel in web searchability. In the PWA vs. native app debate, your choice may depend on whether your target audience is more likely to search for solutions via app stores or web browsers.
• Maintenance and updates: PWAs offer easy maintenance and instant updates, whereas native apps provide more control over the update process but require separate updates for each platform. This is a significant consideration in the native vs. progressive web apps comparison.
• Offline capabilities: Both PWAs and native apps offer offline functionality, but native apps generally provide more robust offline features and data synchronization.
• Future-proofing: The landscape of PWA vs. native app is evolving rapidly. PWAs are gaining more capabilities, while native apps continue to offer cutting-edge features.

The ideal choice in the native vs. progressive web apps debate depends on your project’s requirements. But the good news is that Visual LANSA can help you bring your vision to life, regardless of whether you choose to create a PWA or a native app.

Contact us today to explore how Visual LANSA can streamline your app development process.

References

• [1] Mobile Application Market Size, Share & Growth Report 2030, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/mobile-application-market (accessed Aug. 18, 2024).
• [2] “Twitter lite PWA significantly increases engagement and reduces data usage : web.dev,” web.dev, https://web.dev/case-studies/twitter (accessed Aug. 18, 2024).
• [3] Data.ai, State of Mobile 2021, https://www.data.ai/en/go/state-of-mobile-2021/ (accessed Aug. 18, 2024).

The post PWA VS Native App: How to Choose Between Them? appeared first on LANSA.

The global B2B eCommerce market, valued at approximately $18.67 trillion in 2023, is on an upward trajectory with a projected CAGR of 18.2% from 2024 to 2030, driven by increased digital adoption and evolving buyer preferences [1]. Moreover, with nearly 75% of B2B buyers and sellers preferring online shopping to traditional sales processes, businesses recognize that the right B2B eCommerce website development can streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction [2].

This comprehensive guide explores the essential components and strategies for B2B eCommerce website development that drives sales, enhances customer satisfaction, and positions your business for long-term growth.

Read on to learn the key aspects of B2B eCommerce website development.

The B2B eCommerce Market Landscape

The B2B eCommerce landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by key factors that are crucial for effective B2B eCommerce website development:

• Rising B2B buyer expectations: Today’s B2B buyers expect consumer-grade online experiences, demanding intuitive interfaces and self-service options.
• Technological advancements: Cloud-based solutions, secure payment gateways, and advanced analytics tools are facilitating easier development and management of online sales channels.
• Globalized marketplace: B2B eCommerce platforms are enabling businesses to connect with suppliers and customers worldwide, creating new growth opportunities.

These factors are fueling significant market growth. According to Grand View Research, the global B2B Commerce market size was valued at $18.67 trillion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 18.2% from 2024 to 2030 [1].

B2B Website Development Essentials

Successful B2B eCommerce website development requires careful planning and execution. Here are some B2B website best practices to consider before designing a B2B website:

Set Goals

Before diving into B2B eCommerce website development, it’s important to establish clear, measurable goals. These objectives should align with your overall business strategy and address specific pain points in your current operations. Are you looking to increase sales, expand your customer base, or improve operational efficiency? Perhaps you’re aiming to enter new markets or launch a new product line.

Whatever your goals for B2B eCommerce website development, they should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance, you might set a goal to increase online sales by 30% within the first year, or you can aim to reduce order processing time by 50% through automation.

Know Your Competition

Understanding your competition is vital in B2B eCommerce website development. Conduct a thorough competitive analysis to identify who your main competitors are, what they’re offering, and how they’re positioning themselves in the market. Look at their websites, pricing strategies, product ranges, and customer service offerings.

Pay attention to their strengths and weaknesses to inform your own B2B eCommerce website development. What are they doing well that you could learn from? Where are they falling short, and how can you capitalize on these gaps? This analysis will help you differentiate your offering and create a unique value proposition for your B2B eCommerce website.

Choose the Right eCommerce Platform

Selecting the right eCommerce platform is a critical decision. It will significantly impact your B2B eCommerce website development process. Consider factors such as scalability, integration capabilities, and cost. LANSA Commerce Edition is a powerful and flexible B2B eCommerce website development platform that can meet the diverse needs of B2B businesses, offering a comprehensive set of features, including:

• Seamless ERP integration
• Advanced search and filtering
• Customizable pricing
• Personalized shopping experiences
• Robust security
• Scalability

Learn more about LANSA Commerce Edition.

Successful B2B eCommerce website development ensures a seamless and efficient user experience. Here are 15 essential steps to guide you through the process of B2B eCommerce website development. For additional insights, check out these eCommerce app development tips.

User-Friendly Interface

First impressions matter. A user-friendly interface is the cornerstone of B2B eCommerce website development. Clear categories, a logical layout, and straightforward navigation menus are essential. The goal is to minimize the number of clicks required to reach a product or complete a transaction, enhancing the overall user experience.

Responsive Design

Responsive design is a must in B2B eCommerce website development. Modern B2B eCommerce sites must be accessible and functional across all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This ensures that users have a consistent experience regardless of the device they use, which is important for maintaining engagement and driving conversions.

Security

Security is a top consideration in B2B eCommerce development. Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive customer data and transactions. This includes SSL certificates, secure payment gateways, and conducting regular security audits. Effective B2B eCommerce website development prioritizes security to maintain customer confidence and safeguard business operations.

Speed

The best B2B websites are fast. Website speed is an important factor in user experience and SEO. A slow website can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. Optimize your website’s performance by minimizing load times and ensuring fast page speeds. This can be achieved through efficient B2B eCommerce website development, image optimization, and using a reliable hosting provider. Quick loading times can transform good B2B websites into great ones.

Robust Product Catalog

A comprehensive product catalog is essential for business-to-business eCommerce websites. It should be well-organized and provide users with all the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. During B2B eCommerce website development, make sure to include features like:

• Product images: Include high-quality product images from multiple angles to showcase the products’ features and benefits.
• Specifications: Provide detailed product specifications that are relevant to your B2B audience. This could include technical details, dimensions, materials, and compliance standards.
• Videos: Consider incorporating product videos to demonstrate functionality and provide a more immersive experience for buyers.

Advanced Search and Filtering Options

Developing a successful eCommerce B2B platform requires understanding B2B buyers’ specific needs and requirements. Implement advanced search and filtering to allow them to quickly find the products they’re seeking. Look for filters by category, brand, price range, product features, and technical specifications in a B2B eCommerce website development platform.

Custom Pricing Options

B2B pricing is more complex than simple retail pricing, and it is a key aspect of B2B eCommerce best practices. During B2B eCommerce website development, make sure to include custom pricing options:

• Bulk discounts: Offer automatic or tiered discounts for larger order quantities.
• Custom price lists: Create custom price lists for specific customer segments or contracts.
• Exclusive promotions: Run targeted promotions and discounts for specific product categories or customer groups.

Personalized Shopping Experience

Create a personalized shopping experience by offering intuitive recommendations and promotions tailored to a shopper’s browsing history, preferences, and purchasing behavior. This can make the shopping experience more relevant and engaging. Effective B2B eCommerce website development involves implementing personalized features to foster customer loyalty and maximize conversions. Learn how to enhance customer experience with LANSA Commerce Edition.

Customization

Cater to the specific needs of your B2B customers by offering customization options as part of your B2B eCommerce site. This could include support for bulk ordering, saved shopping carts, custom order forms, and pre-configured product bundles tailored to specific industries or customer segments.

Connectivity

In B2B eCommerce website development, ensuring connectivity is crucial. Your B2B eCommerce website should connect with existing ERP systems, CMS platforms, accounting software, and other essential tools. This integration streamlines operations and ensures a seamless flow of information across different systems.

Analytics and Reporting

Incorporating robust analytics is a key part of B2B eCommerce website development. Track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rate using analytics tools. Analyze this data to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, identify areas for improvement, and optimize your B2B eCommerce website for better performance and greater ROI. Learn how to maximize ROI with LANSA.

Smooth Payments

Ensuring a user-friendly payment process is crucial in B2B eCommerce website development. Provide your B2B customers with a variety of secure and convenient payment options. This could include credit card processing, ACH payments, net terms for approved accounts, and integration with popular B2B payment platforms.

Powerful SEO Features

Use SEO best practices, including keyword optimization and high-quality content, to improve your search engine rankings. Powerful SEO features should be part of your B2B eCommerce website development platform and are essential for driving organic traffic to your B2B e-commerce websites.

Order Management System

A robust order management system is a vital component of B2B eCommerce website development. This system should allow customers to track their orders in real time, manage returns, and access order history. Features such as saved shopping carts and quick reordering functionalities can streamline the purchasing process for repeat customers.

Good Customer Support

In B2B eCommerce website development, integrating customer support is essential. Offer multiple support channels, including live chat, email, and phone support, to ensure customers can reach you easily.

8 Best B2B eCommerce Website Examples

In today’s digital landscape, top-notch B2B eCommerce website development is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Here are some B2B site examples from industry leaders who excel in B2B eCommerce web development:

Grainger

Grainger prioritizes the user experience with a clean and intuitive interface. Grainger offers a self-service portal with features like account management, order tracking, and reorder capabilities, all designed to streamline the buying process for businesses. This makes Grainer a standout example in B2B eCommerce website development.

MSC Industrial Supply

MSC goes beyond product sales, providing valuable resources for their customers. Their website offers a library of technical content, including CAD drawings, product specifications, and safety data sheets. This focus on customer education fosters trust and strengthens relationships with buyers, showcasing effective B2B eCommerce website development.

Fastenal

Fastenal prioritizes personalization with its B2B eCommerce website. They leverage customer data to offer targeted product recommendations and promotions, catering to the specific needs of each business.

Alibaba

Alibaba offers a vast selection of products, competitive pricing, and a variety of payment options. Alibaba also provides tools to help businesses manage their orders, track shipments, and communicate with suppliers, making it a leader in B2B eCommerce website development.

ThomasNet

ThomasNet is a leading online platform for sourcing industrial products and services. Their website features a comprehensive product directory, supplier profiles, and industry news. ThomasNet also offers tools like RFQ posting and supplier matchmaking to facilitate business connections, demonstrating effective B2B eCommerce website development.

Office Depot

Office Depot offers a seamless B2B buying experience with features like bulk ordering, custom pricing, and contract management. Their website also offers tools like inventory management and customizable product lists to streamline purchasing workflows.

Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics is a leading distributor of electronic components and offers a comprehensive online platform for B2B buyers. Their website features a powerful search engine, product catalogs, and technical support resources, showcasing top-tier B2B eCommerce website development.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is known for its extensive product catalog and fast shipping times. Their website offers a user-friendly interface and advanced search capabilities, making it easy for customers to find the products they need, a hallmark of successful B2B eCommerce website development.

LANSA Customer Case Study

Rotary Corporation sought to modernize its B2B eCommerce website as part of its rebranding exercise. They had a website, but it featured an outdated design and limited search functionality while lacking a user-friendly content management system, highlighting the need for comprehensive B2B eCommerce website development.

LANSA’s B2B eCommerce website development solution provided the parts supplier with:

• Responsive design: A key aspect of modern B2B eCommerce website development, ensuring a seamless user experience across all devices.
• Enhanced search: Improved product search capabilities for dealers, a crucial feature of B2B eCommerce website development.
• Content management system: Empowered the marketing team to update content easily, streamlining the B2B eCommerce website development process.
• Product data integration: Provided dealers with comprehensive product information, an essential component of effective B2B eCommerce website development.
• Dealer self-service portal: Offered features like personal catalogs and order tracking, showcasing advanced B2B eCommerce website development capabilities.

With LANSA Commerce Edition, the company was able to increase brand awareness, improve user experience, streamline business processes, and enhance its marketing capabilities. This case study demonstrates the transformative power of strategic B2B eCommerce website development. Learn more about how LANSA Commerce Edition can simplify your business practices in our free webinar.

Get a Leading B2B eCommerce Solution

By following these guidelines for B2B eCommerce website development, you can create a powerful online presence that drives your business forward.

Ready to take your B2B business to new heights? LANSA Commerce Edition offers a comprehensive B2B eCommerce website development solution tailored to your unique needs.

LANSA Commerce edition allows you to:

• Tailor your website to your specific brand and business requirements
• Seamlessly connect with your existing ERP system for streamlined operations
• Protect your data and transactions with advanced security measures
• Grow your online presence with ease as your business expands

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your B2B operations. Contact us today to learn more about how LANSA Commerce Edition can help you achieve your goals.

References

1. “Business-to-business E-commerce market size report, 2030,” Business-to-Business E-commerce Market Size Report, 2030, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/business-to-business-b2b-e-commerce-market (accessed Aug. 17, 2024).
2. J. Smith, “B2B buyers finally prefer e-commerce platforms for online purchases-now what?,” Copperberg, https://www.copperberg.com/b2b-buyers-finally-prefer-e-commerce-platforms-for-online-purchases-now-what/ (accessed Aug. 17, 2024).

The post B2B eCommerce Website Development: How to be Successful in the Digital World appeared first on LANSA.

Read on to explore various real-world web portal examples.

Client Portals

Client portals represent some of the most beneficial web portal examples and foster collaboration between businesses and their customers. These portals offer a centralized platform for clients, providing them with:

• Secure access to documents
• Real-time project progress tracking
• Ability to submit requests and inquiries
• Convenient payment processing

This streamlined approach

• Improves communication
• Enhances transparency
• Streamlines workflows

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) Partner Web Portal is a shining web portal example. With over 650,000 clients, HPE previously struggled to provide relevant information to each partner effectively. To handle this challenge, they built their award-winning partner web portal, which serves as a single point for partners to access various tools and services offered by HPE [1].

Vendor Portals

Another category of prominent web portal examples is vendor portals, which streamline interaction between businesses and their suppliers. These portals function as a central hub, offering vendors:

• A simplified procurement process
• Self-service functionalities for tasks like submitting invoices and tracking purchase orders
• Improved communication and information exchange

These features

• Foster improved efficiency
• Reduce administrative burdens
• Strengthen relationships

A perfect illustration of vendor web portal examples is Kawasaki’s supplier portal. By developing an in-house vendor portal, Kawasaki streamlined its procurement process, reduced costs, and improved collaboration with suppliers. The portal’s integration with the company’s ERP system and use of LANSA technology enabled efficient order management, automated document generation, and reduced manual intervention.

Education Portals

Educational portals showcase some of the most impactful web portal examples, centralizing resources and functionalities for educators, students, and administrators. They offer:

• Centralized access to educational materials and courses
• Communication tools for students, educators, and parents
• Streamlined learning management functionalities

These features promote a more streamlined learning experience with

• Improved communication and collaboration
• Enhanced accessibility to educational resources
• Effective learning management

A leading model of educational web portal examples is the Khan Academy web portal. This free online resource provides educational materials and practice exercises across various subjects, making it a valuable tool for students worldwide [2].

Government Portals

Government portals are designed to streamline citizen interaction with government agencies and serve as another category of valuable web portal examples. These portals act as a one-stop shop, offering citizens:

• Access to essential government services
• Ability to submit applications and track their status
• Online payment processing for fees
• Resources and information about government programs

These functionalities translate into

• Increased transparency
• Improved efficiency
• Enhanced accessibility

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services online portal is a good web portal example. This portal exemplifies a citizen-centric web portal, allowing users to submit various immigration petitions and applications electronically, check case study updates, and access immigration resources.

Corporate Intranets/Extranets

Corporate intranets and extranets further illustrate the vast capabilities of web portal examples. They provide secure digital spaces for collaboration and information sharing within an organization.

• Intranets: Function as a private network accessible only to employees. They provide:
  • A centralized platform for company resources
  • Collaboration tools
  • Employee self-service functionalities

• Extranets: Extend access to authorized external parties like vendors or partners. They enable:
  • Secure collaboration
  • Streamlined information exchange
  • Improved communication and visibility

These features contribute to

• Enhanced communication and collaboration within the organization (intranets)
• Improved efficiency and streamlined workflows (both intranets and extranets)
• Strengthened relationships with external partners (extranets)

An example of a corporate intranet is JPMorgan Chase’s internal portal, which serves as a central hub for employees, offering access to company news, training materials, and communication tools [3]. It illustrates the wide application of web portal examples. Coca-Cola’s collaboration portal, an example of an effective extranet, streamlines communication and information sharing with its extensive network of distributors and bottlers [4].

eCommerce Portals

eCommerce portals are some of the best-known web portal examples, functioning as virtual storefronts for businesses. They offer:

• Product display and search functionalities
• Secure shopping cart and checkout processes
• Customer account management
• Integration with payment gateways

This translates into several benefits for businesses and customers alike

• Increased sales reach
• Improved operational efficiency
• Convenient shopping experience

Examples of eCommerce portals include

• Barrus: This leading distributor of industrial equipment uses a web portal to streamline its B2B sales process. Barrus’s dealer network can access product information, pricing, and place orders, improving efficiency and reducing errors as showcased in LANSA’s Barrus case study.
• Demco: This library supplier leverages a web portal to provide a user-friendly platform for librarians and educators to search and order educational materials. The portal simplifies the procurement process and improves customer satisfaction, as detailed in LANSA’s Demco case study.

To learn more about the technology these companies used to build these web portal examples, watch LANSA’s webinar on building eCommerce solutions fast. To find out more benefits of partnering with LANSA, watch this webinar on simplifying your business practices and automating dev processes.

Patient Portals

Patient portals are another major category of web portal examples and empower patients to take a more active role in their healthcare. These portals provide a secure online platform for patients to:

• Access medical records
• Schedule appointments and manage cancellations
• Communicate directly with doctors
• Request prescription refills

These functionalities contribute to several benefits for both patients and healthcare providers

• Improved patient engagement
• Increased transparency
• Enhanced communication
• Improved efficiency

A perfect example is the Mayo Clinic’s patient portal. This web portal represents patron-centric web portal examples by allowing patients to view lab results, request medication refills, and securely message their doctors, giving them a more active role in managing their health [5].

Community Portals

Community portals foster communication and engagement among members with shared interests, making them valuable web portal examples. These online spaces provide:

• Discussion forums and message boards
• Member profiles and directories
• Content sharing functionalities
• Event calendars and registration tools

These features benefit community members with

• Stronger sense of belonging and community
• Improved communication and information exchange
• Enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Increased engagement and participation

Nextdoor, a popular online platform used in neighborhoods worldwide tops the list in community web portal examples. Nextdoor allows residents to connect with neighbors, share local recommendations, and stay informed about community events.

Partner Portals

Partner portals streamline collaboration and information exchange between businesses and their external partners, making them valuable web portal examples. These secure online platforms offer:

• Centralized access to marketing materials
• Training resources and tools
• Collaboration functionalities
• Real-time performance dashboards

Benefiting both businesses and their partners with

• Improved collaboration and project visibility
• Streamlined communication and information sharing
• Enhanced partner engagement
• Strengthened relationships

A familiar example is the Microsoft Partner Network portal. This web portal serves as a central hub for Microsoft partners, providing access to essential resources, training materials, and marketing tools.

Banking and Insurance Portals

Banking and insurance portals empower customers to conveniently manage their finances and insurance policies from a single location, making them valuable web portal examples. These secure online platforms provide:

• Account management functionalities
• Bill payment processing
• Online applications and quotes
• Secure messaging

These features benefit both customers and financial institutions

• Increased convenience
• Improved self-service capabilities
• Enhanced efficiency
• Greater customer satisfaction

JPMorgan Chase’s online banking portal is a user-friendly web portal example that allows customers to manage their accounts, make payments, and assess investment information. Another example is Nationwide, a leading insurance and financial services provider, which uses a web portal to give customers easy access to policy documents, online quotes, and 24/7 self-service.

To Sum Up

Web portals have revolutionized the way we interact with information and services online. You’ve just explored various web portal examples that showcase their diverse functionalities across different industries. From facilitating communication in educational institutions to streamlining transactions in eCommerce, web portals have become an essential tool for businesses and organizations to enhance user experience and improve efficiency.

LANSA Portalize empowers you to create secure, scalable, and user-friendly web portals without extensive coding. Our low-code development platform simplifies the process, allowing you to focus on building solutions that meet your specific needs.

Ready to unlock the potential of web portals for your business? Explore LANSA Portalize and experience first-hand how it can simplify the creation of secure, scalable web portals tailored to your business needs by scheduling a free demo.

References

1. Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Partner ready, [Online]. Available: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/solutions/partner-ready-program.html (accessed on Sep 10, 2024).
2. Khan Academy Support. What is the history of Khan Academy? [Online]. Available: https://support.khanacademy.org/hc/en-us/articles/202483180-What-is-the-history-of-Khan-Academy (accessed on Sep 10, 2024).
3. Nielsen Norman Group. Best merged intranets. [Online]. Available: https://www.nngroup.com/reports/best-merged-intranets/ (accessed on Sep 10, 2024).
4. Digital Workplace Group. Organizations recognized in Modern Intranet of the Year 2021 awards. [Online]. Available: https://digitalworkplacegroup.com/organizations-recognized-in-modern-intranet-of-the-year-2021-awards/ (accessed on Sep 10, 2024).
5. Mayo Clinic Health System. Patient online services. [Online]. Available: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/community-health-worker/patient-online-services (accessed on Sep 10, 2024).

The post 18 Real World Web Portal Examples by Type appeared first on LANSA.

What Is a Web Portal?

What is an online portal? A web portal is a dynamic and feature-rich web application that serves as a centralized access point for a specific audience. It aggregates information and services from various sources, presenting them in a unified and personalized way.

Web portals are important in today’s information-dense environment for several reasons. They combat information overload by acting as a single point of entry. Without a web portal, users would have to manage multiple applications, websites, and logins for different tasks. A portal website also offers personalization. Users can tailor the information and functionalities they see based on their roles, preferences, or past interactions.

A web portal also fosters collaboration and communication by providing shared workspaces, discussion forums, and communication tools, allowing teams to work together seamlessly. This is particularly valuable for organizations with geographically dispersed teams or those working on complex projects.

A web portal empowers users with increased control and efficiency. They simplify information access, personalize the user experience, and foster collaboration, making them a cornerstone of the modern digital landscape.

Web Portal vs Website: What Is the Difference?

While you may be asking, “What is a portal website?” The definition of a web portal goes beyond “website.” Think of a website as a single building. It serves a specific purpose, offers certain products or information, and caters to a general audience. A web portal, in contrast, is more like a town square. It acts as a central hub, bringing together various resources and functionalities under one roof.

A web portal is a centralized online platform, and here are some of its key differences from a website:

• Purpose: Websites typically serve a singular purpose, such as showcasing a company’s products or providing information about specific topics. A web portal, on the other hand, aggregates information and services from many sources, catering to a more targeted audience with specialized needs.
• Content and functionality: Websites typically offer static content or limited functionalities like contact forms or online brochures. A web portal, however, is a dynamic environment. It can integrate features like personalized dashboards, user profiles, search functionalities, and communication tools.
• User experience: Websites generally offer a one-size-fits-all experience. A web portal, on the other hand, can personalize user experiences by tailoring content and functionalities based on user roles, preferences, or past interactions.
• Security: Security requirements can vary depending on a website’s purpose. A web portal, however, often handles sensitive information and requires robust security measures to ensure user privacy and data protection. This is particularly true for secure IBM i portals, which often manage critical business information within organizations.

10 Web Portal Types

While the concept of a web portal is broad, there are various web portal examples, that cater to specific industries, purposes, and user groups. Here are 10 common types of web portals:

Client Portals

These secure online spaces function as a communication and collaboration hub between companies and their clients. A client portal typically offers features like account management, document sharing, project progress tracking, and support ticket systems.

Vendor Portals

Similar to client portals, vendor portals provide a platform for streamlined communication and collaboration between a company and its vendors or suppliers. A vendor portal can facilitate tasks such as order management, inventory tracking, invoice processing, and communication channels.

Education Portals

In the education sector, a web portal acts as a virtual learning environment. An education portal offers students a centralized location to access course materials, submit assignments, take quizzes online, and interact with instructors and classmates. These web portals can also provide faculty with tools for managing classes, delivering lectures, and tracking student progress.

Government Portals

Many government websites now offer a variety of services through a web portal. A government portal acts as a one-stop shop for citizens to access government services, apply for licenses or permits, track applications, and pay taxes electronically.

Corporate Intranets/Extranets

Corporate intranets provide employees with a secure platform to access company resources, collaborate on projects, communicate with colleagues, and stay updated on company news and announcements. Extranets extend this functionality to authorized external parties, such as vendors or partners.

eCommerce Portals

The online shopping experience we know today is often powered by an eCommerce web portal. ECommerce portals provide a platform for businesses to showcase their products, facilitate secure transactions, manage customer accounts, and offer features like order tracking and customer support.

Patient Portals

This type of secure web portal allows patients to manage their health information. Patient portals typically allow users to schedule appointments, view lab results, communicate with doctors, and even refill prescriptions. Healthcare providers will also have internal portals, but the online portal meaning for them will differ from the one used by patients.

Community Portals

These online spaces connect individuals with similar interests or hobbies. Community portals typically provide forums for discussion, resource sharing, event calendars, and member profiles.

Partner Portals

Businesses often collaborate with strategic partners. A partner portal creates a secure online environment for these partnerships to thrive. They can facilitate communication, document sharing, project management tools, and joint marketing initiatives.

Banking and Insurance Portals

Financial institutions will often leverage a web portal to empower us to manage our finances. Banking or insurance portals provide secure access to account information, online bill payments, investment tracking, and communication channels with customer service representatives.

Evolution of Web Portals

Web portals have undergone a significant transformation since the early days as glorified directories. If you haven’t used a web portal in a while, how you define a web portal might not fit the modern web portal definition.

An early web portal primarily functioned as an entry point, offering basic functionalities like search engines and links to various websites. They were more like advanced online directories, helpful for navigating the web but lacking the sophistication of today’s offerings.

The evolution of the web portal has been driven by the growing need for better user experience, personalization, and functionality. A modern web portal is a comprehensive platform that supports digital customer experiences. Here’s how:

• Advanced features: A modern web portal integrates many advanced functionalities. Content Management systems allow for dynamic and up-to-date information delivery while marketing automation tools personalize the user experience by tailoring content and offerings based on user preferences or interactions.
• Mobile support: A modern web portal is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless user experience regardless of the device used.
• User experience focus: A modern web portal prioritizes user experience by offering intuitive interfaces, personalized dashboards, and interactive elements.

Modern Portal Platforms

Modern web portals, like those created with Portalize, have transcended their role as simple information hubs. Portals have evolved into full-fledged web portal platforms, acting as the nerve center for many digital experiences. A modern web portal is characterized by three key features:

• Integration: A modern web portal platform excels at bringing together disparate systems and data sources. They seamlessly integrate with existing CRM, ERP, and marketing automation tools, creating a unified view of the customer and streamlining workflows. By eliminating the need for users to navigate multiple logins and applications, web portals boost efficiency and productivity.
• Consistency: A modern web portal platform ensures consistent branding, messaging, and navigation across all access points, be it desktop, mobile, or tablet. This creates a sense of familiarity and reduces user confusion, regardless of the device used.
• Personalization: A modern web portal leverages user data and behavior patterns to deliver personalized content, recommendations, and functionalities. This user-centric approach fosters engagement, increases customer satisfaction, and drives conversions.

By harnessing these characteristics, a modern web portal platform is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation initiatives.

Customers expect a seamless experience across all touchpoints, and a modern web portal enables omnichannel user experiences. By integrating various communication channels, such as email, chatbots, and social media, they create a unified platform for customer interaction, regardless of the channel used. This empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer service, build stronger relationships, and drive customer loyalty more quickly and efficiently.

Learn how to create web portals with productivity and speed in mind.

Benefits of Web Portals

We’ve explored the evolution and functionalities of web portals. But what does a portal mean to a business? Web portals offer a multitude of benefits, streamlining workflows, boosting user experience, and driving success. Let’s explain the benefits of web portals by exploring how they address key challenges faced by organizations.

From Web Portal to Digital Experience Platforms

Web portals have demonstrably transformed how we access information and interact online. But the evolution doesn’t stop there. As technology continues to advance and user expectations rise, web portals are morphing into even more sophisticated entities: Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs).

Digital experience platforms go beyond the core functionalities of a web portal. They act as comprehensive ecosystems that orchestrate the entire usage journey, encompassing every touchpoint a user might have with a brand. DXPs seamlessly integrate web portals, content management systems, marketing automation tools, and even artificial intelligence to deliver hyper-personalized experiences across all channels.

While a web portal can excel at providing a central hub for information access and user interaction, A digital experience platform elevates this experience to a whole new level. DXPs leverage data analytics and user behavior to personalize content, recommendations, and interactions in real time. This future-oriented approach empowers businesses to build strong customer relationships, drive loyalty, and achieve their digital transformation goals.

Portalize is actively innovating to bridge the gap between web portals and DXPs. This portal framework allows for custom web portal development and is loaded with the most essential portal features right out of the box, allowing businesses to leverage the power of both web portals and digital experience platforms.

Learn how to build superior user experience portals that function as powerful DXPs.

To Sum Up

Web portals have come a long way from their humble beginnings as online directories. Today, they are powerful tools that streamline workflows, empower collaboration, and personalize user experiences. Modern web portals, integrated within Digital Experience Platforms, offer the potential to orchestrate the entire user journey, fostering deeper customer connections and driving business success.

Whether you’re looking to improve internal communication, enhance customer service, or simply provide a one-stop shop for information, a web portal solution can be a valuable asset, and with a framework like Portalize, it is simpler to implement than ever before. As technology continues to evolve, web portals will undoubtedly continue to adapt and innovate, remaining at the forefront of digital transformation initiatives. Learn more about how a custom web portal can fit even the most sophisticated marketing needs.

The post What is a Web Portal? All About Web Portals appeared first on LANSA.

What Is Wholesale eCommerce, and How Does It Work?

Wholesale eCommerce is the digital transformation of traditional wholesale operations. Instead of relying solely on physical trade shows, catalogs, and phone calls, businesses conduct transactions online.

Wholesalers have established B2B eCommerce platforms where retailers and other businesses can browse products, place orders, and manage accounts electronically. This streamlines the buying process, reduces friction, and fosters stronger relationships between wholesalers and their clients.

Wholesale Trends and Statistics

The landscape of wholesale eCommerce is rapidly evolving, driven by digital transformation and changing buyer behaviors. With a staggering market value of $26.163 trillion in 2023, the sector is projected to grow to $56.921 trillion by 2028. This growth signifies the increasing importance of wholesale B2B eCommerce platforms and facilitating efficient, large-scale transactions.

Retail vs. Wholesale B2B eCommerce: 5 Key Differences

While both wholesale and retail businesses utilize eCommerce platforms, their core functionalities cater to different customer segments. Here is a breakdown of five key differences to consider.

Order Volume & Frequency

In wholesale eCommerce, orders are typically larger and less frequent, and they often involve bulk purchases for further distribution or resale. Conversely, retail eCommerce usually sees smaller, more frequent orders, reflecting the direct-to-consumer sales approach.

Customer Base

The customer base for wholesale eCommerce is generally other businesses or resellers. This contrasts with retail eCommerce, which often targets individual consumers or end users. This distinction affects marketing strategies and customer engagement practices.

Pricing Structure

B2B eCommerce wholesale pricing structures are complex. They are often tiered based on order volume or long-term contracts, providing room for negotiation. Retail eCommerce pricing tends to be fixed, with discounts offered through promotions or loyalty programs.

Product Customization

Customization is more prevalent in wholesale eCommerce, where products might be tailored to meet the specific needs of a business customer. In retail eCommerce, products are usually standardized for the mass market.

Relationship Management

Relationships in wholesale eCommerce are long-term and built on trust and reliability, with a focus on customer service and personal interaction. Retail eCommerce relationships may be more transactional, with an emphasis on user experience and convenience.

3 Types of B2B Wholesalers

The world of wholesale eCommerce encompasses a diverse range of players. Here are three prominent types of wholesalers:

Merchant Wholesalers

These businesses are the backbone of wholesale eCommerce. They purchase products in bulk from manufacturers or distributors and then resell them to retailers or other businesses at markup. Merchant wholesalers typically maintain warehouses and manage their own inventory, ensuring they have the product buyers need on hand.

Agents, Brokers, and Commission Merchants

Unlike merchant wholesalers, these entities do not take ownership of the products they sell. They act as intermediaries, connecting buyers and sellers and earning commissions on transactions facilitated. In the realm of wholesale eCommerce, these brokers can be a valuable resource for businesses seeking specific products or navigating a complex marketplace.

Manufacturers’ Sales Branches and Offices

These are in-house B2B wholesale operations established by manufacturers to directly sell their products to retailers, distributors, or other businesses. This approach allows manufacturers to exert greater control over brand messaging and product presentation within the wholesale eCommerce landscape.

7 Ways B2B eCommerce Helps Wholesalers

The transition to wholesale B2B eCommerce unlocks many benefits for wholesalers. Here are some compelling reasons to embrace this digital transformation:

Improved Buyer Experience

In today’s world, B2B buyers expect a seamless and convenient purchasing experience. Wholesale eCommerce platforms deliver exactly that. Buyers can browse product catalogs 24/7, access real-time inventory levels, and submit orders electronically, eliminating the need for time-consuming phone calls or emails. Wholesale eCommerce features like self-service options for order tracking and account management empower buyers and foster greater satisfaction.

Process Automation

Manual order processing and data entry are relics of the past. B2B wholesale eCommerce automates repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time and resources for wholesalers. This allows them to focus on strategic initiatives and build stronger customer relationships.

Simplified Buying Process

Wholesale eCommerce platforms simplify the buying process for both wholesalers and their clients. Intuitive user interfaces and features like quick reordering functions and bulk order capabilities make it easier for buyers to find products they need and complete transactions efficiently. This leads to increased customer satisfaction, reduced cart abandonment rates, and higher sales for wholesalers.

Increased Sales and Lower Spend

By offering a 24/7 online storefront and eliminating geographical limitations, wholesale eCommerce broadens a wholesaler’s reach and expands their potential customer base. This can lead to significant sales growth. Additionally, automation reduces labor costs associated with manual processes, and streamlined operations minimize administrative expenses. The combined effect is a boost to a wholesaler’s bottom line.

Innovation Through BI

Wholesale B2B eCommerce platforms generate valuable data on customer behavior, buying patterns, and sales trends. This data can be harnessed through business intelligence (BI) tools to gain actionable insights. Wholesalers can use this information to optimize product offerings, identify new market opportunities, and make data-driven decisions that fuel business growth.

Market Expansion

The beauty of eCommerce in wholesale is its ability to transcend geographical limitations. Wholesalers can expand their reach beyond traditional markets and connect with new customers across the globe. This opens doors to exciting growth opportunities.

Scalability

As your business grows, your B2B eCommerce platform should seamlessly scale with you. LANSA Commerce Edition, for example, is designed to accommodate the evolving needs of wholesalers. It offers a robust and scalable solution that can handle increasing order volumes and customer traffic.

Choosing a Wholesale eCommerce Platform: 7 Considerations

Selecting the right wholesale B2B eCommerce platform is crucial for your business’s success. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

Budget

Wholesale eCommerce platforms come with varying pricing structures. Consider your budget upfront and choose a platform that aligns with your financial resources. Some platforms offer tiered pricing models based on features or transaction volume, while others charge a flat monthly fee. Be sure to factor in additional costs like ongoing maintenance, development fees, and any third-party integrations you may require.

Integrations and Flexible APIs

A seamless integration capability is essential for a successful wholesale eCommerce platform. The platform should integrate effortlessly with your existing software, CRM system, and warehouse management system (WMS) to ensure smooth data flow and eliminate the need for manual data entry. Additionally, flexible APIs (application programming interfaces) allow for customization and integration with other business-critical tools, enabling you to tailor the platform to your specific needs.

SEO & Content Marketing Optimization

Search engine visibility is important for attracting new customers in the digital landscape. Choose a platform that offers built-in SEO (search engine optimization) tools to optimize your product listings and website content for relevant search terms. Wholesale eCommerce platform features like a content management system (CMS) and easy-to-use product upload processes empower you to create compelling product descriptions and rich content that resonate with your target audience.

Catalog Browsing and Search Functionality

A user-friendly product catalog is the foundation of any successful wholesale eCommerce platform. The platform should offer intuitive product browsing features like clear categorization, high-quality product images, and detailed descriptions. It should also have a robust search functionality with filters and sorting options to allow buyers to quickly and efficiently find the products they need.

Customer Experience

Look for a wholesale eCommerce platform that offers features designed to streamline the buying journey for your clients. This includes functionalities like self-service account management, real-time order tracking, and secure online payment options. You should also consider features like a built-in communication system to facilitate easy correspondence with your buyers and address their inquiries promptly.

Payment Versatility

To cater to the diverse needs of your B2B clientele, your wholesale eCommerce platform should support popular payment methods like credit cards, ACH transfers, and potentially net terms for established customers. Recurring payment options for subscription-based models or volume discounts to incentivize bulk purchases are other features you should look for if they fit your business model.

Omnichannel Inventory Management

Managing inventory across multiple sales channels is an important part of a wholesale eCommerce platform. Your chosen platform should offer robust inventory management features that provide real-time stock visibility across all channels, including your physical store and any online marketplaces you might use. This ensures you avoid overselling and eliminates fulfillment issues, leading to a smoother customer experience.

How Can LANSA Commerce Edition Support B2B Wholesale eCommerce Goals?

LANSA Commerce Edition empowers wholesalers with a comprehensive B2B eCommerce solution to sign for their needs. Here is how:

• Streamlined operations: LANSA’s wholesale eCommerce solution integrates seamlessly with your existing ERP system, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry and manual steps. This will make order fulfillment faster, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.
• Enhanced customer experience: The wholesale eCommerce platform provides features like user-friendly product catalogs, full-featured search functionalities, and self-service options for account management. This gives your B2B buyers a convenient and efficient buying experience.
• Scalability and growth: LANSA Commerce Edition is built to scale, accommodating your growing business needs. Whether you experience an increase in customer base, product offerings, or transaction volume, the platform can adapt and evolve alongside your business.
• Security and compliance: LANSA’s wholesale eCommerce solution prioritizes data security. With a multi-tiered security model and compliance with PCI DSS standards, you can be confident that your B2B eCommerce transactions are safe and secure.

Learn more about how LANSA Commerce Edition can support your wholesale B2B eCommerce goals by viewing our webinar, Building Scalable eCommerce Solutions Fast, or find out how LANSA Commerce Edition helped Nobilis Expand its internet B2B services.

To Sum Up

The world of wholesale is undergoing a digital revolution, and wholesale eCommerce is one of the forces driving this change. By embracing this transformation, wholesalers can uncover a multitude of benefits, from streamlined operations and improved customer experience to increased sales and expanded market reach.

LANSA Commerce Edition is a robust and scalable B2B eCommerce platform designed specifically to empower wholesalers. With its user-friendly features, seamless integrations, and focus on data-driven insights, LANSA Commerce Edition can equip you with the tools you need to thrive in the digital age.

The post Wholesale B2B eCommerce Explained: Types & Benefits appeared first on LANSA.

In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive understanding of legacy application modernization. We’ll explore what it entails, when the right time to modernize is, and what to expect throughout the process. We’ll also look at seven strategies for modernizing legacy applications and guide you in selecting the right approach for your business.

What is a Legacy System?

A legacy system may refer to an outdated software that is still in use within an organization. These systems have been in operation for years or even decades and often rely on older technologies, programming languages, and architectures. Despite the emergence of modern technologies, legacy systems continue to play an important role in many industries.

One example of legacy systems are IBM i applications which gained popularity due to its platform’s robustness, reliability, and scalability. Industries such as manufacturing, finance, distribution, and healthcare heavily rely on IBM i applications to support their critical business processes. These applications have proven their stability and continue to provide value to organizations, even though some of them are decades old.

What is Legacy Application Modernization?

Legacy modernization is the process of transforming and updating legacy applications to modern architectures, technologies, and platforms. The goal of modernization is to improve the functionality, performance, and user experience of the application while reducing costs and minimizing risks.

While legacy systems have proven their reliability through years or decades of service, there are a number of challenges associated with them, including:

• Technical complexity: Many legacy systems have been heavily customized or extended to meet specific business needs. These customizations can add complexity, especially if they were poorly implemented.
• Lack of documentation: As time goes on, the knowledge about the application and its intricacies may be lost as experienced developers retire or move on to other projects, leaving new developers with the challenge of understanding a complex system with limited guidance.
• Skills shortage: Legacy applications are typically built using older programming languages, frameworks, and technologies that are no longer in widespread use. This makes it difficult to find developers with expertise in these technologies.
• Cost: Maintaining and supporting legacy systems can be costly due to the need to find and retain specialized talent, source replacement parts, and deal with hardware and software issues. In the long run, it can add up to be much more than the cost of modernization.

Why Modernize Legacy Applications?

It is important to understand that modernizing legacy applications does not mean replacing them entirely. Replacing legacy applications can be risky, costly, and time-consuming. Legacy software modernization means transforming them into modern systems that can leverage existing business logic and data while enhancing the functionality and usability of the systems.

One example of a legacy system that is worth modernizing rather than replacing is the IBM i. IBM i applications are still widely used by many businesses because they are stable and reliable and support a wide range of functions. Modernizing an IBM i application can:

• Improve the user experience by replacing the green screen with a modern UI
• Enable easy integration with other systems that use modern APIs or microservices
• Provide access to new technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), or mobile devices

When it’s the Right Time to Modernize?

There are certain signals that indicate it may be time to modernize legacy systems:

• The inability to meet new business requirements due to legacy limitations
• Rising maintenance costs
• Struggles to find staff with the right skills to maintain legacy technologies
• The need for integration with other modern systems
• The desire to improve agility, customer experience, and competitive advantage
• Growth plans that required scalability that’s not possible with a legacy infrastructure
• Security and compliance risks posed by unpatched, older systems

If legacy systems start impeding business progress rather than enabling it, that is usually a clear sign that modernization should become a priority. At that point, the costs of not modernizing outweigh the short-term effort and disruption involved.

Benefits of Modernizing Legacy Applications: What to expect

Legacy system modernization delivers tangible business results. Here are some of the benefits it can bring your business:

• Cost savings: A study by IBM found that organizations that modernize their legacy applications can see 15-35% savings yearly on infrastructure, a 30-50% reduction in application maintenance and running costs, and a 74% reduction in costs on hardware, software, and staff. [1]
• Improved efficiency: Modernizing legacy applications can improve their performance, scalability, and reliability so that they can handle increased workload, process data faster, and recover from failures quicker.
• Enhanced security: Modernizing legacy applications can protect data and transactions from cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access as well as bring them up to date with regulations like GDPR, PCI, or HIPAA.
• Increased agility and innovation: By replacing outdated technologies with modern, flexible architectures, organizations can iterate faster, experiment with new features, and respond promptly to customer demands.
• Better integration and collaboration: DSI improved its supply chain visibility and collaboration by modernizing its legacy applications using EDI and other modern technologies.

Legacy Modernization Technologies

Legacy application modernization involves leveraging various technological advancements to transform and enhance existing systems. Here are some of the key technologies that play an important role in modernizing legacy applications:

Cloud

Migrating legacy systems to private or public cloud environments provides increased scalability, flexibility, and potential cost savings from not needing to maintain on-prem infrastructure. Cloud-native features can be added to expose services for mobile and web. Cloud also enables easier disaster recovery capabilities for legacy systems.

Containers

Container technologies allow legacy codebases to be containerized and deployed on modern container orchestration platforms. This brings greater portability and improved resource utilization to legacy applications, providing automatic scaling and load-balancing capabilities to legacy workloads.

Microservices

Monolithic legacy applications can be broken down into independent microservices by refactoring them into modular components with well-defined interfaces. This allows modernization to be done in stages by building new microservices that connect with legacy systems. Microservices make legacy applications more resilient, scalable, and easier to maintain.

Orchestration and Automation

IT process automation through orchestration tools helps streamline deploying upgrades, configurations, and new features for legacy systems. Automating these processes gives IT teams more time to focus on tasks that truly add value.

DevOps

Adopting DevOps practices and continuous delivery pipelines brings more agility to legacy system changes. Continuous integration and automated testing replace manual, error-prone software releases. This allows for faster, more reliable updates to legacy applications.

APIs

APIs enable simple integration of legacy systems with modern applications, devices, and cloud services. APIs abstract away legacy complexity and provide standard integration mechanisms.

.NET Solutions

Solutions like LANSA Open for .NET give Windows developers the ability to access IBM i data and software directly from their .NET applications, offering easy integration between IBM i and .NET.

The Role of APIs in Legacy Application Modernization

APIs play a pivotal role in modernizing legacy systems by enabling integration with modern technologies. APIs act as a bridge, allowing legacy software to securely expose functionality and data to other applications and devices. For example, adding REST APIs to legacy systems like IBM i allows for developing mobile apps, leveraging cloud services, and adopting microservices architecture.

APIs abstract away complex legacy code and provide standard modern interfaces for other systems to consume. Well-designed APIs minimize the need for refactoring. Companies use API-led integration to incorporate Innovations like IoT, AI/ML, and real-time analytics into legacy environments. They unlock legacy system capabilities without compromising security or reliability.

Legacy Modernization Steps

Modernizing a legacy application is a multifaceted process that involves several key steps to ensure a successful transformation. While every modernization journey is unique, most follow a similar high-level path:

Step 1: Evaluate your Legacy System

Assess the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of your existing legacy system. Gain an understanding of its underlying technologies, dependencies, and complexities. This evaluation process will provide valuable insights into the areas that require Improvement and help guide your modernization strategy.

Step 2: Define the Problems

Identify the specific pain points and challenges that your legacy application is currently facing. Are there performance bottlenecks, scalability issues, or outdated user interfaces? Define the problems you aim to address through modernization. This step sets the foundation for determining the most suitable modernization approach and selecting the right technologies and tools.

Step 3: Legacy Application Modernization Strategies: Choose the right one

There are quite a few strategies available for legacy application modernization. Each strategy offers a unique approach to transforming the existing system. Consider the following strategies and choose the one that aligns with your business goals and requirements:

Retain/Encapsulate

Encapsulation involves wrapping the legacy application in a modern framework or environment without making significant changes to the underlying code. This approach provides limited modernization benefits but can offer quick wins in terms of improved user experience and accessibility.

Replatform

Replatforming means making minimal modifications to the legacy application to take advantage of modern platforms and technologies. It may involve migrating to a newer version of the operating system, database, or development framework. Replatforming offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and modernization benefits.

Rehost

When rehosting an application, you’re moving it to a fresh environment without making any major changes. This is often one of the quicker and less expensive modernization options. Once you’ve migrated the app, you can take advantage of a more efficient and flexible infrastructure.

Refactor

Refactoring requires making significant code-level changes to improve the structure, design, and performance of the legacy application. This approach focuses on enhancing maintainability, scalability, and extensibility while preserving the core business functionalities.

Replace

When replacing an application, you completely discard the legacy app and build a totally new solution. In some cases, you have no choice but to replace it because your legacy app will never be compatible with an important software or system your business needs.

Rearchitect

Rearchitecting necessitates redesigning the entire application architecture to adopt modern architectural patterns, such as microservices or service-oriented architecture. This strategy enables organizations to achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and agility in their application landscape.

Rebuild

Rebuilding entails rewriting the legacy application from scratch while retaining its core functionalities and business logic. This approach offers the highest level of modernization benefits but requires substantial resources and the most time.

Explore our guide on application modernization strategies.

Step 4: Prepare for Future Growth

As you modernize your legacy application, it’s important to think of the future and how much you plan on growing and scaling the system. Ensure that the modernization efforts align with your long-term business goals and accommodate evolving technology trends. Future-proof your application by designing it to be flexible, modular, and easily adaptable to changing requirements.

Step 5: Choose the Right Modernization Solution

Selecting the right modernization solution is important for a successful legacy application transformation. Consider factors such as the complexity of your legacy system, the desired level of modernization, available resources, and the skills of your development team. Evaluate modernization tools, frameworks, and platforms to find those that best fit your business requirements.

Step 6: Observe and Optimize

Once the modernization process is complete, continue to monitor and optimize your modernized application. Collect feedback from users and stakeholders to identify areas that you can improve. Regularly assess the performance, scalability, and security of your new infrastructure to ensure that it is performing as expected.

How to Select the Best Mondernization Approach

Determining the best way to modernize a legacy application is not a one-size-fits-all decision. However, here are the factors you should consider when you are deciding which modernization strategy to use:

• Risk: Assess the business risks involved in modernizing your legacy application and choose the approach that minimizes them.
• Scope: Once you identify the features that need to be modernized in your current system, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right approach to add them.
• Architecture: Both your current infrastructure and the architecture of new features will help you determine the best strategy.
• Operations: Compare the new skills your team will need to use the modernized systems and the training they will need to your existing processes.
• Security: The approach you choose should prevent data loss before, during, and after the modernization process as well as comply with any governmental or industry regulations.
• Cost: Calculate your budget and spend wisely. Your budget will be one of the largest factors that help determine which approach to take.

Challenges of Legacy Modernization

Legacy application modernization is not a simple or straightforward process. It involves many challenges that organizations may face along the way. Here are some of the common challenges, along with some tips to help overcome them:

• Resistance to change: Communicate the benefits and goals of modernization clearly and frequently. Involve and engage the users in the modernization process and provide them with adequate training and support.
• Lack of skills: Invest in training, hiring, or outsourcing to acquire the necessary skills for modernization. Retain and reward the existing staff who have valuable knowledge and experience with the legacy systems.
• High costs: Calculate the return on investment (ROI) of modernization. Compare the costs and benefits of different modernization approaches and choose the best fit.
• Complexity: Conduct an assessment of the legacy applications’s architecture and leverage tools that assist in refactoring and code remediation. Break the modernization process into smaller, manageable tasks to make changes incrementally.

Questions to Ask Before Modernizing

Before undertaking any legacy modernization initiative, key considerations should be evaluated through targeted questions like:

• What pain points are the legacy applications causing for the business and customers?
• How would a modernized application better meet current and future needs?
• Which capabilities are top modernization priorities: mobility, cloud, analytics, etc.?
• What is the desired timeline based on business drivers?
• What integration capabilities are required with other systems?
• What regulatory and compliance requirements must be met?
• What skill sets are available internally vs. needing external partners?
• What risks need mitigation strategies?

Successful Case Studies

Legacy software modernization has proven to be beneficial for many organizations across a wide variety of industries. Here are some examples of how they achieved their modernization goals and improved their business outcomes:

The Museum of Modern Art – Modernizing Membership Management and Ticket Verification

The Museum of Modern Art successfully modernized its legacy system using LANSA. They implemented an integrated Windows and web-based membership management system, as well as a point-of-sale solution for ticket verification using wireless PDAs. This transformation enabled MoMA to streamline its operations, improve productivity, and improve the visitor experience.

Read case study

Kawasaki – Revolutionizing Warehouse Management

Kawasaki, a leading manufacturer of motorcycles and heavy equipment, leveraged LANSA to modernize its warehouse management system. Kawasaki needed a set of mobile apps for the iPad that could integrate with the corporate ERP system and access an external scanner. Using LANSA LongRange, they were able to develop the apps in-house and saved $3,500 per day in labor and safer assembly lines.

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Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores – Enhancing Mobile App Capabilities

Braum’s, one of the world’s largest dairy operations, used LANSA to enhance their mobile app capabilities. The company’s district and area managers gained real-time access to critical business reports, which allowed them to make informed decisions on the go. LANSA also facilitated the revamp of Braum’s maintenance system, resulting in streamlined inventory management and cost savings.

Read case study

Top Trends in Legacy Application Modernization

Legacy application modernization is continuously evolving to meet the demands of the digital age. As organizations strive for digital transformation and improved agility, several emerging trends and technologies are shaping the future of modernization efforts, including:

• Cloud-native architecture: Cloud technologies like serverless are gaining traction in modernization and provide scalability and flexibility.
• Low-code/no-code development: These development platforms can abstract complex coding tasks and enable rapid application development without extensive programming expertise.
• AI/ML: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to automate many tasks involved in legacy application modernization, such as code analysis, dependency mapping, and impact assessment.
• DevOps: Modern DevOps practices like containerization and orchestration are making legacy applications more scalable and resilient.

Don’t Wait Long to Get Started

Legacy application modernization will transform your legacy systems to meet the demands of the digital age. It can improve the performance, scalability, security, and user experiences of your business software as well as enable new digital business models and improve compliance with industry and government regulations.

Modernization is important for long-term success because legacy software can become a burden on organizations. Legacy applications can be expensive to maintain, difficult to integrate with other systems, and vulnerable to security threats, but with the right modernization approach, legacy systems can help propel business growth rather than hold it back.

LANSA’s comprehensive suite of modernization tools empowers businesses to transform their IBM i applications efficiently and within budget. To learn more about LANSA’s IBM i modernization solutions, visit our IBM i modernization page. If you’re ready to start the modernization process or have any questions, please contact us so we can guide you through the process.

References

[1] https://www.ibm.com/blog/four-steps-to-app-modernization-success/

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What is BI Reporting?

Business intelligence reporting is the process of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data to assist with informed decision-making within an organization. It is the art and science of transforming data into visual, digestible formats that allow stakeholders to understand complex information, identify trends, and make decisions with confidence.

The Crucial Role of BI Reporting

Business intelligence reporting is the foundation of data-driven decision-making. Here are some of the areas where BI reporting proves its worth:

• Strategic planning: It enables leaders to set realistic goals, identify growth opportunities, and mitigate risks.
• Performance monitoring: It allows you to track key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time, helping you react quickly to changing circumstances.
• Customer insights: It gives you a 360-degree view of your customers, enabling personalized marketing and improved customer experiences.
• Operational efficiency: It helps optimize processes, reduce costs, and streamline operations.

How Does BI Reporting Work?

Business intelligence reporting refers to the process of gathering business data from various sources, preparing and analyzing it, and creating reports to provide actionable insights. It typically involves extracting data from various sources like databases, cloud applications, social media APIs, and files, then processing and transforming the data to make it more usable. Tools like SQL and ETL (Extract, Load, Transform) are often used to pull data from these sources and standardize them.

Once the data is prepared, it can be loaded into a data warehouse or database optimized for analytics and organized into relevant categories like sales, inventory, finance, and HR. BI tools can then access the structured data to generate interactive reports and dashboards with metrics, KPIs, and visualizations. These reports help even non-technical users to spot trends, patterns, and anomalies that would be hard to notice in raw data.

BI reports encapsulate the insights derived and communicate them effectively to business users. Depending on the audience, reports may be interactive with filtering and drilling down but can also be used to generate static files, such as PDFs, that can be delivered via email. The goal is to provide the right data to the right users at the right time, enabling data-driven business decisions and strategic planning.

Here are some of its fundamental components:

Data Visualization

Data visualization is a critical aspect of BI reporting. It involves presenting data in a graphical or visual format, such as charts, graphs, heat maps, or maps. By visually representing data, it becomes easier to identify patterns, trends, and outliers. Data visualization enhances understanding and enables stakeholders to make data-driven decisions quickly.

BI Dashboards

A Bi dashboard serve as centralized hub for displaying key metrics and insights in real time. These dashboards provide a customizable interface where users can select specific metrics and visualizations that align with their reporting needs. By consolidating relevant data into a single view, BI dashboards facilitate quick and comprehensive analysis, allowing users to monitor performance and identify areas requiring attention.

Self-Service BI

Self-service BI tools empower business users to independently explore and analyze data without relying on data analysts or IT professionals. These tools often feature user-friendly interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality, and predefined data models. Self-service BI enables non-technical users to access and visualize data, create ad hoc reports, and gain insights on their own. This promotes agility and empowers users to make data-driven decisions in real time.

Data Stories

Data stories combine the power of data visualization with narrative storytelling techniques. They go beyond presenting raw data and provide context, explanations, and interpretations that guide readers through the data and its implications. Data stories connect data points to real-world scenarios, adding a human element to the analysis. By presenting data in a compelling and relatable manner, data stories enhance understanding and engagement, making insights more memorable and actionable.

In BI reporting, these components work together to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Data visualization techniques enable the effective communication of complex information, while BI dashboards and self-service BI tools provide user-friendly interfaces for accessing and analyzing data. Data stories add context and narrative making the insights more relatable and actionable for stakeholders.

Types of Business Intelligence Reporting

Business intelligence reporting encompasses various types and approaches to cater to different business needs. Here are three common types of business reporting:

Performance Management BI Reporting

Performance management BI reporting focuses on tracking and evaluating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). It provides insights into areas like sales performance, financial metrics, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Predictive Analytics BI Reporting

Predictive analytics adopts a forward-looking approach using statistical algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze historical data. It gives you the power to anticipate customer behavior, market shifts, and operational requirements.

Augmented Analytics BI Reporting

Augmented analytics BI reporting merges AI and machine learning with traditional reporting to automate data preparation, data modeling, and insights generation. This helps you to gain insights into your data quickly without requiring technical expertise.

Business Intelligence Reporting Benefits

Unlocking the full potential of business intelligence reporting brings many benefits that extend across various parts of your organization. Here are some of the key benefits:

Enhanced Decision Making

BI reports equip decision-makers with timely, accurate, and relevant insights that empower them to make informed decisions that align with business goals and drive success. In an independent study by Tableau, businesses using BI showed a 127% ROI.[1]

Improved Operational Efficiency

Business intelligence reporting provides a comprehensive view of your organization’s processes and can identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimization.

Deeper Customer Insights

Your business intelligence reports will enable you to analyze customer data comprehensively, leading to better customer segmentation, personalized marketing campaigns, and improved customer experiences.

Enhanced Performance Monitoring

Real-time dashboards and automated alerts enable organizations to monitor performance continuously and rapidly respond to deviations from targets or unexpected issues.

Competitive Advantage

BI reporting allows for trend analysis, competitive benchmarking, and identifying emerging opportunities, which can provide a competitive edge by allowing your organization to adapt to market changes quickly.

Selecting the Right BI Tool

Choosing the right business intelligence reporting tool is important to get the most value out of your data. Here are some important capabilities to consider when selecting a BI reporting tool:

Augmented Analytics

Look for BI software that integrates AI and machine learning to enhance data analysis. It should be able to automatically discover insights, suggest visualizations, and assist users in generating reports, making it accessible to a broader range of users. LANSA BI‘s assisted insights use AI to help find new insights hidden in your data, explain and compare data points, and automatically alert you of significant anomalies or trend shifts.

Automated Business Monitoring

This feature will allow you to set up notifications that trigger when conditions are met. It enables proactive monitoring of metrics like sales performance, inventory levels, or customer satisfaction and gives decision-makers the ability to respond quickly to critical events.

Contextual Analytics

This capability provides deeper insights by incorporating contextual information, like market trends, social media data, or economic data, into data analysis. This enables leaders to understand the broader context surrounding their data and make better decisions.

Data Storytelling

This BI feature allows users to combine data visualizations with annotations, explanations, and interpretations to create engaging narratives that guide readers through the data. This capability makes it easier for stakeholders to understand the insights the data provides.

Embedded BI (Analytics)

Embedded Analytics is an essential feature of your BI tool if you want to integrate BI reporting into your existing applications and workflows. It allows you to embed reports and dashboards directly into other software, such as CRM systems or custom web applications. LANSA BI does this for IBM i applications and allows you to build actionable BI reports through native DB2 integration.

Natural Language Query

This BI tool capability allows you to interact with data using everyday language rather than complex query languages. Natural Query Language (NLQ) is an important feature of LANSA BI that empowers non-technical users to ask questions and receive immediate answers about their data without needing help from analysts or developers.

BI Reporting Best Practices

Efficient BI reporting is not just about having the right tools; it’s also about adopting best practices that ensure your reports deliver insights that mean something. Here are some best practices to consider:

Clarify Requirements

The first step is understanding your reporting requirements. Define the goals, objectives, and questions you want to address with your reports. This will help you focus on gathering the right data and designing reports that provide insights aligned with your business needs.

Identify Your Audience and Their Needs

Different stakeholders require different levels of detail and specific insights. Consider who will use your BI reports, what information is most critical to them, and how they prefer to consume it.

Prepare Your Data

Before creating business intelligence reports, clean and prepare your data to make sure it is accurate and consistent. Address missing values, remove duplicates, and verify data integrity. Properly prepared data will enhance the reliability of your reports. According to Gartner, poor data quality costs businesses an average of $12.9 million a year.[2]

Choose the Right Metrics

When choosing metrics, focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly align with your business objectives. Avoid data overload by including only the most relevant metrics. A concise set of metrics will better highlight the important aspects of your business performance.

Accentuate the Most Important Information

Prioritize critical information by highlighting it prominently in your reports. Use visual cues like colors, icons, or callouts to draw attention to the most important insights. Make it easy for readers to quickly understand the most important findings.

Use the Right Visualizations for Your Data

Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and heatmaps all have their place, depending on the type of data and the message you want to convey. The visualizations you choose should enhance comprehension, not obscure it.

Provide Context

Contextualize your data by including relevant background information and explanations. Define terms, offer historical context, and provide insight into the implications of the data. This will help readers interpret the data accurately.

Add Interactivity

Make your reports interactive by allowing users to explore the data. Incorporate drill-down capabilities, filters, and interactive elements that allow users to investigate specific data points and customize their views to their needs.

Iterate and Evolve

BI reporting shouldn’t be static. Continuously update your reports based on feedback and changing business requirements. Regularly reassess the effectiveness of your BI reporting and make adjustments as needed to ensure they stay relevant and valuable.

Tips for Crafting Compelling BI Reports

BI reports play an important role in communicating insights and assisting decision-making within organizations. Here are some tips to help you ensure that when you report business intelligence, you also tell a meaningful story:

Structure Your BI Reports

Organize the report in a logical sequence that guides users through the information. Typically, start with an executive summary or key findings, followed by details and supporting data. Use clear and descriptive headings and subheadings to divide the report into sections. This makes it easier for users to navigate and locate specific information.

Build a Narrative

Craft a narrative that guides readers through the insights. Start with a clear problem or question, introduce the data, highlight key findings, and conclude with actionable recommendations.

Use Visualizations for Impact

Ensure that visualizations are uncluttered and labeled correctly. Use color to emphasize important points. Also, make sure to choose the right visualizations for your data, like bar charts for comparisons, line graphs for trends, and pie charts for proportions.

Turn Data into Stories

Explain the context behind each chart or graph. What story does it tell? What insights can be drawn? Use annotations or captions to guide readers through the visuals, highlighting important points.

Add Actionable Recommendations

Clearly outline what steps the organization should take based on the data presented. Ensure that your recommendations are specific, achievable, and aligned with the objectives of the report.

Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Define KPIs that align with your report’s goals and track them over time. Are your reports driving positive changes in the organization? Use KPIs to gauge the effectiveness of your reporting and make changes as needed.

Industries that Benefit from BI Reporting

Business intelligence reporting is a flexible tool that can be used across a variety of industries. Here are just some of the industries that can take advantage of BI reporting:

Retail Industry

BI reporting helps retailers optimize inventory management, track sales trends, and improve customer experience. It makes dynamic pricing strategies, personalized marketing campaigns, and real-time monitoring of store performance possible.

Telecommunications Industry

BI reports help telecommunication companies track network performance, detect anomalies, and proactively address service issues. They also assist in analyzing customer behavior, improving retention strategies, and identifying opportunities for revenue growth.

Financial Industry

In the financial sector, BI reporting is instrumental in risk assessment, fraud detection, and compliance monitoring. It gives financial institutions the ability to analyze market trends, make informed investment decisions, and optimize portfolio management. Banking accounts for 13.9% of total revenue for the BI market.[3]

Transform Data Experiences with BI Reporting

In this guide, we’ve examined the process of reporting business intelligence and the important part it plays in informed decision-making. As we wrap it up, let’s review some of the key insights:

• BI reporting is the linchpin of data-driven decision-making.
• Learning the mechanics of BI reporting will help you unlock its full potential.
• Explore the types of BI to find those that fit your organization’s needs.
• Consider the features of the business intelligence tool before deciding on one.
• Adhere to best practices in order to get the most out of your business intelligence reporting.

Data is your strategic ally, guiding you toward a future marked by informed decisions, growth, and prosperity, and business intelligence is the tool that helps you get there. LANSA BI can help you build actionable insights through native DB2 integration. To find out how to democratize data and intelligence with embedded analytics for IBM i (AS/400) applications, contact us today.

References

[1] https://www.tableau.com/forrester-roi-report-info-mgmt-1A

[2] https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/how-to-improve-your-data-quality

[3] https://yourstory.com/mystory/business-intelligence-applications-technology-industry

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