Bostik deploys an information delivery framework using Microsoft Data Warehousing, Cognos Business Intelligence and Simpson Associates

Bostik

Challenge

• The business was re-organising into five Global Business units.
• The regional reporting structures had to be replaced with horizontal reporting across business units spread over three continents.
• Sales information had to be available for analysis within two days of the month end.
• Information had to be self service but controlled and supported by a central department.
• Requirements were being identified as the business units were being formed, so change was a given.

Solution

• Introduced a “standard platform” of central codes, mappings and data submission processes.
• Prince 2 was used to create a robust project management process that informed key stakeholders around the world.
• Automated SQL Server processes to validate and load global data submissions into a Kimball data warehouse.
• IBM Cognos Business Intelligence software supplied standardised reporting and analysis on demand to all time zones.

Benefits

• The first two Global Business units had operational data in time for their first budget cycle.
• Standardised product codes were implemented without having to modify source systems.
• The automated global system could be administered by one FTE in Europe.
• The conformed data warehouse structure enabled the addition of new subject matter data marts.
• Information workers in any country could create, administer and consume their own reports.