"Automated decisions systems are probably already being used in your industry, and they will undoubtedly grow in importance. If your business needs to make quick, accurate decisions on an industrialized scale, you need to read this book." Thomas H. Davenport, Professor, Babson College, Author of Competing on Analytics The computer-based systems most organizations rely on to support their businesses are not very smart. Many of the business decisions these companies make tend to be hidden in systems that make poor decisions, or don't make them at all. Further, most systems struggle to keep up with the pace of change. The answer is not to implement newer, "intelligent" systems. The fact is that much of today's existing technology has the potential to be "smart enough" to make a big difference to an organization's business. This book tells you how. Although the business context and underlying principles are explained in a nontechnical manner, the book also contains how-to guidance for more technical readers. The book's companion site, www.smartenoughsystems.com, has additional information and references for practitioners as well as news and updates. Additional Praise for Smart (Enough) Systems "James Taylor and Neil Raden are on to something important in this book-the tremendous value of improving the large number of routine decisions that are made in organizations every day." Dr. Hugh J. Watson, Chair of Business Administration, University of Georgia "This is a very important book. It lays out the agenda for business technology in the new century-nothing less than how to reorganize every aspect of how a company treats its customers." David Raab, President, ClientXClient "This book is an important contribution to business productivity because it covers the opportunity from both the business executive's and technologist's perspective. This should be on every operational executive's and every CIO's list of essential reading." John Parkinson, Former CTO, Capgemini, North American Region "This book shows how to use proven technology to make business processes smarter. It clearly makes the case that organizations need to optimize their operational decisions. It is a must-have reference for process professionals throughout your organization." Jim Sinur, Chief Strategy Officer, Global 360, Inc.

Business Intelligence (BI): It's not just a technology. It's not just a methodology. It's a powerful new management approach that - when done right - can deliver knowledge, efficiency, better decisions, and profit to almost any organization that uses it. When BI first came on the scene, it promised a lot but often failed to deliver. The missing element was the business-centric focus explained in "The Profit Impact of Business Intelligence". Written by BI gurus Steve Williams and Nancy Williams, "The Profit Impact of Business Intelligence" shows step by step how you can achieve the promise of BI by connecting it to your organization's strategic goals, culture, and strengths while correcting your BI weaknesses. It provides a practical, process-oriented guide to achieve the full promise of BI. It shows how world-class companies used BI to become leaders in their industries. It helps senior business and IT executives understand the strategic impact of BI and how they can ensure a strong payoff from their BI investments. It identifies the most common mistakes organizations make in implementing BI. It includes a helpful glossary of BI terms. It also includes a BI readiness assessment for your organization. It includes Web links and extensive references for more information. Steve Williams, President and founder of DecisionPath Consulting, is a leading advocate of business-driven BI design and development. His consulting firm is one of the largest in the specialized field of Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing. Steve has over 23 years experience in information systems and systems engineering and has co-authored a training course on the BI Pathway Method. Nancy Williams is Vice President of DecisionPath Consulting. With over 21 years of business and technical experience, she provides technical and strategic leadership on business intelligence as well as hands-on guidance for client engagements. This is a practical, process-oriented book that will help organizations realize the promise of BI. It is written by Nancy and Steve Williams, veteran consultants and instructors with hands-on, 'in the trenches' experience in government and corporate business intelligence applications. It will help senior business and IT executives understand the strategic impact of BI and how they can help ensure a strong payoff on BI investments.

Praise for "Successful Business Intelligence". "If you want to be an analytical competitor, you've got to go well beyond business intelligence technology. Cindi Howson has wrapped up the needed advice on technology, organization, strategy, and even culture in a neat package. It's required reading for quantitatively oriented strategists and the technologists who support them". (Thomas H. Davenport, President's Distinguished Professor, Babson College and co-author, "Competing on Analytics"). "When used strategically, business intelligence can help companies transform their organization to be more agile, more competitive, and more profitable. "Successful Business Intelligence" offers valuable guidance for companies looking to embark upon their first BI project as well as those hoping to maximize their current deployments". (John Schwarz, CEO, Business Objects). "A thoughtful, clearly written, and carefully researched examination of all facets of business intelligence that your organization needs to know to run its business more intelligently and exploit information to its fullest extent". (Wayne Eckerson, Director, TDWI Research). "Using real-world examples, Cindi Howson shows you how to use business intelligence to improve the performance, and the quality, of your company". (Bill Baker, Distinguished Engineer & GM, Business Intelligence Applications, Microsoft Corporation). "This book outlines the key steps to make BI an integral part of your company's culture and demonstrates how your company can use BI as a competitive differentiator". (Robert VanHees, CFO, Corporate Express). "Given the trend to expand the business analytics user base, organizations are faced with a number of challenges that affect the success rate of these projects. This insightful book provides practical advice on improving that success rate". (Dan Vesset, Vice President, Business Analytics Solution Research, IDC).