Business intelligence (BI) is a technology-driven process for analyzing data and presenting actionable information to help corporate executives, business managers and other end users make more informed business decisions.

A complete Business Intelligence solution is subdivided into various areas. SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence (SAP NetWeaver BI) provides comprehensive tools, functions, and processes for all these areas.

Business Intelligence systems have grown more powerful and comprehensive, mainly due to

• Increased data collection
• Greater storage capacity 

Business intelligence platforms sift through this data to find pattern and trends.

Business intelligence can be used by enterprises to support

• A wide range of business decisions - ranging from operational to strategic.
• Basic operating decisions include product positioning or pricing.
• Strategic business decisions involve priorities, goals and directions at the broadest level.

• Gives you quicker responses to your business-related queries.
• Obtain important business metrics reports whenever and wherever you need them.
• Gain valuable insight into your customer’s behavior.
• Pinpoint up-selling as well as cross-selling opportunities.
• Get the knack of streamlining operations.
• Develop efficiency.
• Find out what your real manufacturing costs are.
• Conduct better inventory.
• Gain a better understanding of your business’ past, present and future.
• BI makes it possible to quickly create reports about business processes and their results and to analyze and interpret data about customers, suppliers, and internal        activities.
• Dynamic planning is also possible.

Business Intelligence therefore helps optimize business processes and enables you to act quickly and in line with the market, creating decisive competitive advantages for your company.