Business Intelligence and analysis tools have grown in popularity as they provide better data integration, more flexibility for extraction, reporting results of queries and enhancing business decisions along with more accurate data representations over visuals.
Based on my analysis of studying a few of the BIA tools available, I have selected five of them to carry out my evaluation to understand their usage in today’s fast moving competitive corporate world.

TABLEAU BI
Unlike a few BIA tools, Tableau does not require additional modeling assuming all the data required is stored in a single repository for extraction and reporting. This is very useful for quick deployments across organizations. The Seattle based Tableau software is highly visual allowing users to easily access their data even while answering questions. One of its feature allows quick translation of the data into graphics that can be manipulated in the drag and drop interface. Since all of its training materials are incorporated online for free, it is an excellent fit for organizations that do not have large IT department lacking highly efficient BI reporting skills. Tableau’s philosophy revolves around the visual thinker, and Desktop’s capabilities reflect that belief. As a user’s thoughts and ideas change, it is easy to click through visuals to follow potential patterns. There is no complicated struggle to create complex wizards or build dashboards from the ground up: it’s done automatically. This makes connecting to data much simpler for users, who can create dashboards in just a few moments.

PROS
CONS
Usability and Extremely efficient Data visualization
In-memory engine, which is fast, but not as good for analytics as Spotfire provides.
Exhaustive Online Training and support leading to software renewals
Collaborative capabilities are not integrated by Tableau Software into social platforms such as Microsoft SharePoint, Twitter, etc. As a result, the customer service regarding post-sale scenario is limited.
Fully compatible with mobile platforms
Expensive for personal users
Customizable dashboard and a user friendly interface
Struggles with advance features like OLAP calculations when working with Teradata, etc.
Ad hoc and predictive analysis capabilities offered
Despite a customized dashboard, it is not possible to customize Tableau Software, or integrate it with other applications.

Hybrid SaaS platform

Data collection from various data sources and 3rd party data integrations possible

Birst
It is the first of its kind as an enterprise-caliber Business Intelligence platform born in the cloud. It is engineered with an automated data warehouse and rich, visual analytics, to give meaning to data—all types and sizes. Birst’s BI software has two two editions: Discovery and Enterprise. The first is more basic and is aimed at personal and professional entrepreneurs who need quick and easy information. It is bundled with ad hoc analytics, dashboards, and mobile analytics. The latter edition adds value with automated data warehousing, data mashups, and dimensional database management. Birst also provide data analytic solutions that are specifically for the following users – sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, and supply chain.

PROS
CONS
Less costly and more agile
No multi language support
Full-stack BI platform with data warehouse, ETL layer, reporting engine and visualizations all hosted in the cloud
Although easy to produce, reports are limited to basic ad-hoc reports.
Sleek UI for report design and visualizations
No Customizable features and dashboard settings
Relatively easy to create data models for data warehouse
No direct reporting to view profit analysis
Integrates with multiple RDBMS including Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL and to OLAP sources such as Microsoft Analysis Services and business applications Salesforce, SAP, NetSuite
Difficulty in discovering the source of errors in reports, and issues in resolving them