For data crunchers, Pokémon Go isn’t just the hottest gaming trend since Super Mario. It’s a metaphor for what a great Business Intelligence program really needs.

Pokemon-Go-Business-Intelligence-Dashboard copy

Unless you’ve spent the summer utterly disconnected from the Internet, your mobile devices, and any form of television, you’ve probably heard about Pokémon Go. It’s a video-game-meets-real-life phenomenon that sends people out into their neighborhoods with their mobile devices and a pressing need to capture and tend to virtual beasties.

The genius of Pokémon Go is that its developers have come up with a way to use real-world settings as part of the gameplay. For example, nocturnal Pokémon (the critters players try to catch) are found around dusk; water-dwelling Pokémon are discovered near lakes, streams, and other aqueous places.

From a technology perspective, Pokémon Go is great. But what does it have to do with BI?

Four Things that BI Has In Common with Pokémon Go

You could draw a direct link between actively searching for business insights and actively searching for fictional characters. But the similarities between BI and Pokémon Go are actually a bit more interesting.

  1. Both Are Fully Mobile

Pokémon Go players have to get moving if they want to play the game; that’s just how it works. So it’s no surprise that the game itself is mobile-dependent rather than simply mobile-friendly.

For BI users, mobility is also a must. While there’s no injunction against accessing information in the office, today’s executives are very often on the go. They need to have up-to-date information that’s available at the touch of a screen anywhere they are. So having your BI dashboard fully geared to a mobile experience is important.

Speaking of dashboards…

  1. Both Rely on Intuitive Dashboards

In Pokémon Go, your mobile device becomes a Pokémon-hunting dashboard that clearly tells you where you can find meetup areas and Pokémon creatures. It gives you all the information you need to make your next action, and it continually updates itself as you move through the game (which is also your physical location.)

Easy-to-use dashboards that constantly provide a steady flow of data for decision making. Does this sound familiar? Many BI tools, in addition to being mobile-friendly, are designed to those exact specifications. Users have a window into company performance that can be accessed at any time and that can be mined down to the most granular level for additional insights. They can use this material to make better-informed decisions, to see how their business metrics measure up, and to find areas for improvement and growth.

  1. Both Encourage Information Sharing

Pokémon Go users are famous for their dedication to the game. Players can post news of rare Pokémon sightings online or even meet up with each other in real life. There’s a huge sense of community.

Sharing BI information throughout the company has a similar effect. People become aligned with a goal. They can work together to solve problems and brainstorm solutions, which makes them more engaged with their jobs. And ultimately, this can lead to a more successful company.

  1. Both Are Still Evolving

Pokémon Go recently announced that it is launching its own device to make the gaming experience even more immersive. Some even say that it will be a game-changer.

Likewise, BI is ever evolving. And its adoption rate is highest when it is used over mobile devices. Look for the trend toward clean visual presentations of up-to-date data to continue to increase in this industry, driven by the need to have information available wherever and whenever it’s required.

There’s room for BI to expand. As with any technology, there’s a transitional period between initial deployment and widespread wholehearted adoption. But as BI continues to evolve, look for it to become even more necessary to businesses. Those who start using it now will get a competitive advantage over later adopters.

Authored by Richa Kapoor – Marketing Manager at Absolutdata