A supply chain under pressure

In 2020, container ships piled up off the coast of Los Angeles. The ports were a stark visual representation of the supply chain breakdown. Raw materials shortages rippled through the global economy.

This left companies with delayed orders, unpredictable inventory levels, and a lack of visibility. Decision-makers struggled to navigate the uncertainty. Big Lots, a major discount retailer, found itself in the eye of the storm.

"Our solution was to build the infrastructure to provide the insight for the business to highlight the risk," stated Jameson Parker, Manager of Transportation, Big Lots.

The new normal demands agility

This wasn't just a Big Lots problem—it was a wake-up call for businesses around the world. The post-COVID-19 pandemic world continues to challenge businesses with persistent volatility and uncertainty. Supply chains remain fragile, consumer behavior is unpredictable, and the margin for error is razor thin.

In this environment, agile, data-driven decision-making is no longer a luxury—it's essential for survival.

Interactive Dashboards: Your lifeline

Interactive dashboards have emerged as a critical tool for navigating this new landscape. They transform complex data into clear, actionable insights. Imagine having real-time visibility into your inventory levels, sales trends, customer behavior—and more. Interactive dashboards make this possible, empowering companies like Big Lots to:

• Anticipate problems: Identify potential disruptions before they escalate.
• Optimize operations: Fine-tune processes for maximum efficiency.
• Make strategic decisions: Confidently chart a course for growth, even in turbulent times.

What is an Interactive Dashboard?

Imagine a control center where you can monitor every aspect of your business in real-time. This is the power of an interactive dashboard. Static reports just offer a snapshot in time. Interactive dashboards are dynamic, living documents that empower the enterprise to explore your data and uncover hidden insights.

Features that drive action

Interactive dashboards deliver features designed to put you in the driver's seat:

• Filters: Slice and dice your data to focus on specific segments, time periods, or regions.
• Drill-downs: Dive deeper into the details behind the numbers, uncovering root causes and patterns.
• Instant updates: Get real-time data to quickly respond to market and operational changes. This allows you to react quickly to changes in the market or your operations.
• Customizable visualizations: Choose the charts, graphs, and gauges that best represent your data and make it easy to understand.

More than eye candy: Interactive Dashboards deliver actionable insights

Interactive dashboards are not merely visually appealing. They generate tangible, real-world results:

• Faster decisions: Access the information you need instantly, without waiting for reports.
• Improved efficiency: Identify bottlenecks and optimize processes with data-driven insights.
• Proactive problem-solving: Detect trends and anomalies early, before they escalate. Improve services such as customer service.
• Increased collaboration: Foster a data-driven culture and align your team around common goals.

In a world of constant change, interactive dashboards are the ultimate tool for turning business intelligence data into action. They empower the enterprise to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and drive your business forward.

To maximize the value of your data, choose a solution that's both flexible and adaptable. A powerful interactive dashboard platform can provide this adaptability, allowing your business to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

MicroStrategy: Your Interactive Dashboard command center

The MicroStrategy Interactive Dashboard puts you in control. With a comprehensive suite of features and a focus on customization, MicroStrategy enables you to:

• Connect to Any Data Source: Easily connect to your data from anywhere. Control your data management from in the cloud, on your servers, or across different systems. Consolidate data from every corner of your organization to gain a unified, comprehensive view of your business landscape.
• Build Custom Dashboards: Design dashboards that reflect your specific needs, with a wide range of visualizations and interactive elements.
• Scale with Your Business: Start small and expand as your data and analytical needs grow.

How Big Lots transformed with MicroStrategy

Leading discount retailer Big Lots faced a supply chain crisis in the wake of the pandemic. They turned to MicroStrategy's interactive dashboards to gain visibility, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions. The results were transformative:

• Improved inventory management: Big Lots gained real-time visibility into stock levels, enabling them to optimize inventory and reduce out-of-stocks.
• Enhanced supply chain efficiency: The company identified bottlenecks, streamlined processes, and reduced lead times, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Data-driven decision making: With access to timely and accurate data, Big Lots' leadership team was able to make informed decisions that drove growth and profitability.

The Big Lots story is just one example of how the MicroStrategy Interactive Dashboard is empowering businesses to overcome challenges and thrive in today's volatile environment.

Beyond retail: MicroStrategy Dashboards in action

While retail is a prime example, MicroStrategy's dashboards have applications across industries and functions. From finance and healthcare to manufacturing and government, organizations of all types are leveraging the power of interactive dashboards to:

• Monitor performance: Track key metrics, identify trends, and measure progress toward goals.
• Identify opportunities: Uncover hidden patterns and insights that can lead to new revenue streams and cost savings.
• Mitigate risks: Proactively address potential problems before they impact the bottom line.
• Improve customer experience: Gain a deeper understanding of customer needs and preferences, leading to more targeted products and services.

Building your own Interactive Dashboard with MicroStrategy

Creating a powerful interactive dashboard with MicroStrategy is a streamlined process that empowers you to turn your data into actionable insights.

Step-by-step guide

1. Connect to your data: MicroStrategy seamlessly integrates with a wide range of data sources, from cloud-based warehouses to on-premises databases. This allows you to consolidate your data and gain a comprehensive view of your business.

2. Choose your visualizations: MicroStrategy offers a vast library of visualizations, including charts, graphs, maps, and more. Select the ones that best represent your data and make it easy for your audience to understand.

3. Add interactive elements: Empower your users to explore data on their terms. Incorporate filters, drill-downs, and other interactive features to enable self-service analysis and discovery.

4. Design with purpose: Think about the story you want your dashboard to tell. Arrange your visualizations logically, use clear labels, and consider color schemes that enhance readability.

5. Share & collaborate: MicroStrategy makes it easy to share your dashboards with stakeholders, fostering collaboration and driving data-driven decision-making across your organization.

Best practices for effective dashboards

• Start with a clear objective: What questions do you want your dashboard to answer?
• Keep it simple: Avoid clutter and unnecessary complexity.
• Focus on user experience: Design for your audience and their needs with BI tools.
• Choose the right visuals: Different visualizations are better suited for different types of data.
• Use color strategically: Use color and data visualization to highlight key insights and trends.
• Test and iterate: Get feedback from users and refine your dashboard and finished product over time.

MicroStrategy resources

MicroStrategy provides a wealth of resources to help you build and optimize your interactive dashboards:

• Documentation: Comprehensive guides and tutorials on every aspect of the platform.
• Community: Connect with other MicroStrategy users to share ideas and get help.
• Education & Training: Online courses and workshops to expand your long-term skills.
• Support: Expert assistance for any technical questions or issues.

With MicroStrategy's intuitive interface and comprehensive resources, you'll be well-equipped to create interactive dashboards that deliver actionable insights and drive your business forward.

Embrace the power of Interactive Dashboards

In a world defined by rapid change and unexpected challenges, interactive dashboards are your compass. They can guide you through the storm and empowering you to make informed decisions that drive your business forward. They are more than just visualizations—they are a strategic tool that transforms raw data sets into actionable insights.

Interactive dashboards empower organizations across various industries, from retailers grappling with supply chain disruptions to healthcare providers optimizing patient care.

Chart your course with MicroStrategy

Don't let your data remain trapped in static reports and spreadsheets. Unleash its full potential with the MicroStrategy Interactive Dashboard. Experience the power of real-time insights, intuitive visualizations, and seamless collaboration.

Discover how MicroStrategy can empower your business to navigate uncertainty, optimize operations, and achieve lasting success. The future of your business is in your hands—make sure you have the right tools to steer it.