---
title: Why Business Intelligence (BI)?
description: What is Business Intelligence, Why BI,
---

[BI Insights | 5x Technology ](https://www.performanceinstitute.org/blog-business-intelligence-plus)

# [Why Business Intelligence (BI)?](https://www.performanceinstitute.org/why-business-intelligence-blog/bid/58510/why-business-intelligence-bi)

 Written by [Jeffrey Yefsky](https://www.performanceinstitute.org/blog-business-intelligence-plus/author/jeffrey-yefsky) | 7/1/11 5:08 PM

***Welcome to the 5x Technology BLOG…     ***

I’m Jeffrey Yefsky, 5x Technology CEO.  I have to say this is something I never thought I would ever do, write about something I have knowledge about. 

I have been in the Business Intelligence business for over 15 years. I have been a Business Analyst, Implementer, Sales Person and now CEO. I have seen every product configuration to come down the pike and yet, I still love to help people with how they process information they use to run their organizations.

People (old and new) to the concept of business intelligence… and it is a concept to understand – Business Intelligence is NOT a tangible item, it is a process and sometimes a tool to help people decide what is the next step in decision-making for their business: To make the next purchase, create the next product or start the next division of an organization … or NOT. These are all based on information from the gut, a spreadsheet, or a database or a recommendation.  ALL decisions are made based on information…which is a piece of Business Intelligence.

I am all about defining things. My perception of a Widget is different than someone else’s. But, by using Business Intelligence, all parties gain a more synchronized and focused understanding of the information to make concise and intelligent decisions.

So, let’s start with a couple of different definitions from some very well know sources…

**Business Intelligence**…

Defined by *[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_intelligence)*: **Business intelligence** (**BI**) refers to computer-based techniques used in identifying, extracting, and analyzing business data, such as sales revenue by products and/or departments, or by associated costs and incomes

Defined by *[Forrester Research](http://www.forrester.com/ER/Glossary/Item/1,2425,834,00.html?Alpha=B)*: Business Intelligence is a set of methodologies, processes, architectures, and technologies that transform raw data into meaningful and useful information used to enable more effective strategic, tactical, and operational insights and decision-making.

Defined by *5x Technology:* Business Intelligence process includes communicating findings and effecting change for small parts or group within an organization or an entire enterprise. Business Intelligence provides organizations with information to help in 3 main areas: Improve business processes, Improve customer's response, and Adapt to changing market conditions.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be devoting time to helping you understand the basics of BI. The goal is to educate people on how they can do more with the information they have available - with less energy and the ability to make better decisions.

Thanks for reading and I hope this becomes one of your regular BLOGs!

**Related: [Business Intelligence Solutions for Building a Winning Strategy](http://www.5xtechnology.com/blog-business-intelligence-plus/business-intelligence-solutions-for-building-a-winning-strategy)**

[View full post](https://www.performanceinstitute.org/why-business-intelligence-blog/bid/58510/why-business-intelligence-bi)

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