Data Visualisation and NetSuite

In today's data-driven world, the ability to visualise and interpret complex data sets is crucial for charities aiming to stay ahead of the curve.

NetSuite’s visualisation analysis tool is a comprehensive tool designed to transform raw data into actionable insights. Data visuals can be shown on user dashboards, making it easy for users to access and engage with relevant information

Let’s take a look at how you can use this tool to better track your charity’s progress and KPIs.

The Importance of Data Visualisation in Charities

Data visualisation is not just about creating pretty charts or graphs; it's about conveying complex data in a format that is easy to understand and interpret.

In a charity context, this means:

Quick Decision Making: Visual data allows stakeholders to grasp complex information swiftly, leading to quicker and more informed decisions.

Identifying Patterns: Through visualisation, charities can easily spot trends, anomalies, and patterns that might be overlooked in tabular data.

Engaging Presentations: Visual data is more engaging, making it easier to present to stakeholders and ensuring that the message is effectively communicated.

What is NetSuite?

NetSuite is a leading cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that offers a suite of applications, including accounting, CRM, and e-commerce.

One of its standout features is its data visualisation capabilities, which allow charities to represent their data in a more comprehensible and visually appealing manner.

With its user-friendly interface and robust functionalities, NetSuite empowers companies to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

If you have more question's about how NetSuite can help your organisation, please contact us.

Core Features of NetSuite’s Data Visualisation Tool

NetSuite's data visualisation software is packed with features designed to cater to the diverse needs of charities.

From real-time dashboards to advanced reporting tools, let's delve into what makes this software a must-have for companies.

Intuitive Dashboards

The tool offers customisable dashboards that allow users to get a holistic view of their key metrics at a glance.

These dashboards can be tailored to display the most relevant KPIs, charts, and graphs pertinent to a user's role or department.

An example of such a dashboard might be to include a real time, drill-downable budget versus actuals report specific to the department of the user

Real-time Data Access

NetSuite's platform ensures that the data visualised is always current; this real-time access to data ensures that businesses can make informed decisions based on the latest information business intelligence.

Advanced Analytics

Beyond basic charts and graphs, the tool offers advanced analytics capabilities.

Users can drill down into data, perform trend analysis, and even forecast future scenarios, providing deeper insights into business operations.

Interactive Visualisations

The visualisations are dynamic; users can interact with displays by hovering over data points for more details.

Customisable Reports

Alongside and extensive list of standard pre-built reports users also have the flexibility to create custom reports tailored to their unique needs.

This customisation ensures that organisations can focus on the metrics that matter most to them. With charities and non profits, this allows the specific focus required, for example donors or grantees, to be presented.

Secure Data Handling

With data security being paramount, NetSuite ensures that the data visualisation tool adheres to the highest security standards.

Role-based access controls further ensure that only authorised personnel can view or modify sensitive data.

Collaboration Features

Users can share their visualisations and reports with team members, fostering collaboration and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Best Practices for Using NetSuite Data Visualisation

Data visualisation is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness is contingent on how it's used.

When leveraging NetSuite's Data Visualisation capabilities, consider the following best practices to maximise its potential:

Setting Clear Objectives

Before diving into data visualisation, it's crucial to have a clear view of the desired outcome i.e. what are we trying to understand/investigate/communicate?

By setting clear objectives, you can ensure that the data you visualise aligns with your goals. Ask yourself:

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter most to your charity?
Which metrics will drive actionable insights?
Are there specific trends or patterns you're looking to uncover?

By answering these questions, you can prioritise which data to visualise, ensuring that your visualisations are both relevant and impactful.

Regularly Updating and Reviewing Dashboards

Data is dynamic, and what's relevant today might not be tomorrow.

To ensure that your visualisations remain pertinent:

Schedule regular reviews of your dashboards to check for outdated or irrelevant data.
Encourage feedback from users to identify areas of improvement or new data needs.

By keeping your dashboards updated, you ensure that decisions are based on the most recent and relevant data available.

Training and Onboarding

A visualisation tool is only as effective as the people using it.

To ensure that your team can make the most of NetSuite's Data Visualisation:

Provide comprehensive training sessions for new users, covering both the technical aspects of the tool and the business context of the data.
Offer refresher courses or advanced training for existing users to keep them updated on new features or best practices.
Encourage a culture of data literacy, where team members feel comfortable asking questions and exploring data on their own.

By ensuring that all team members understand how to use and interpret the visual data, you empower them to derive actionable insights and make data-driven decisions.

Incorporating Power BI into NetSuite

While NetSuite offers extensive data visual capabilities, Power BI can be an attractive addition, particularly when Power BI is already being used extensively within an organisation.

The difference between Power BI and NetSuite’s visualisation tool is Power BI is a visualisation solution created by Microsoft, whereas NetSuite’s solution is already in the package.

The main focus of Power BI is on data visuals; not analytics.

Data preparation within Power BI requires greater technological knowledge and time than NetSuite’s tool, although it can be seamlessly incorporated on NetSuite dashboards, if needed.

It should be noted that Power BI does not offer the automatic, real-time reporting capabilities that NetSuite Visualisations has.

However, Power BI does allow for in depth data visualisation which, for those that have already made the investment, may be a great way to visually manage budget to actuals. You can see this in action on our website.

The undeniable value of NetSuite Data Visualisation

NetSuite's Data Visualisation tools not only simplify complex datasets but also transform them into actionable insights.

By presenting data in a visually intuitive manner, charities can discern patterns, trends, and anomalies that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

This clarity can lead to better decision-making, optimised processes, and a deeper understanding of both opportunities and challenges.

As the old adage goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." In the realm of charity data, a well-crafted visualisation might very well be worth a thousand decisions.

Embrace the power of NetSuite's Data Visualisation, and let your data guide you to success.