Top 10 Essential Features Of A BI Dashboard Solution. Part 2 of 2

In the first blog, we discussed the first 5 musts for a modern dashboard development and deployment platform: Interactive visualization in popular browsers, Mobile support, Web-based architecture, Access data in any format, in any location and Rapid development environment. In this blog, we will discuss the final five functions good bi dashboard solutions should possess. 

Flexible security

A platform must provide, at a minimum, fine-grained user access control across every layer of the dashboard applications, including charts, application functions, columns, and rows. Single sign-on integration with popular security frameworks or homegrown applications (LDAP, Windows Active Directory, or custom databases that store user profiles) is mandatory. The server-side passing of credentials from custom applications for embedded use cases is highly desirable.

Embedding

Because BI dashboards are often embedded in other applications, an open platform architecture should provide developers with the flexibility to customize the look and feel of their applications. Custom themes, CSS, and JavaScript are common mechanisms used to create unique user interfaces aligned with branding or other business requirements.

Write-backs, process initiations & workflows

Modern dashboards are no longer one-way information delivery channels that require end-users to access another application or run separate software when a response is needed. Taking action from within a dashboard means that the platform much enables updates to databases, launch processes and participate in workflows. These features contribute significantly to end-user productivity and dashboard ease-of-use.

Scale without limits

Because dashboards have so many uses, they are used increasingly within companies as well with the extended enterprise (partners, suppliers, and customers). The platform should have no technical barriers to expansion as long as proportional compute, storage and network resources are available. Equally important: Licensing terms should specify a cost structure that reflects factors tied to a company's growth (e.g., number of employees, revenue, usage) as opposed to large step functions based on infrastructure components (e.g. server counts)

Other customizations

A business intelligence dashboard software platform should be able to incorporate third-party data visualizations and have controls meet specific requirements of a use case or industry. As well, support for a plug-in model to extend platform capabilities is highly desirable. Examples include executing unique business logic, implementing proprietary algorithms or complying with unusual data handling procedures. 

I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Leave me a comment or quesiton below, also don't forget to click the button to download our eBook to get more information on dashboards.