The Difference Between Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
Introduction In today’s hyper-digital business world, data flows through every corner of an organization. But the value of that data is only realized when it’s converted into intelligence and ultimately, action. That’s where Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics come in. These two often-interchanged terms form the backbone of data-driven decision-making, but they serve very different purposes. This guide unpacks the nuances between the two, helping you understand where they intersect, how they differ, and why both are critical to a future-ready enterprise. What is Business Intelligence? Business Intelligence is the systematic collection, integration, analysis, and presentation of business information. It focuses primarily on descriptive analytics — what happened, when, and how. BI is built for reporting and monitoring, not for experimentation. It’s your corporate dashboard, a rearview mirror that helps you understand performance trends a...