Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Computer Science

Collaborative Specialization

Artificial Intelligence

Supervisor

Dr. Milani Mostafa

2nd Supervisor

Dr. Iftekher Chowdhury

Abstract

This thesis examines business intelligence (BI) tools, which are essential for processing and analyzing business data to support informed decision-making and enhance operational efficiency in modern organizations. Our research includes a comprehensive survey focusing on small to medium enterprises to assess BI tools’ adoption, usage, and satisfaction levels. Unlike previous studies, our survey uniquely begins by identifying the evaluation criteria users consider important for BI tools rather than assuming predefined criteria. This user-centered approach led to a two-part survey: Section A collects insights on the general criteria relevant to BI tool evaluation. In contrast, Section B assesses specific BI tools based on the criteria established in Section A. Our research was motivated by a collaboration with Instacart, a leading online grocery plat- form. We identified significant security concerns related to using BI tools to manage sensitive centralized data. In particular, we observed that user management and access control pose substantial challenges in environments where BI tools are shared among multiple users with varying access levels, such as managers and data analysts generating reports from sensitive client data. These challenges are exacerbated by frequent changes in data and users accessing it, which necessitates constant updates to access controls. Through our survey and collaboration with Industry Collabration, we highlight the critical role of security in evaluating and selecting BI tools. We also propose a prototype for a central system designed to address the identified security challenges, ensuring that BI tools remain secure and effective in dynamic environments. This thesis offers practical implications for companies in selecting BI tools, emphasizing security concerns. By providing a user-centered evaluation framework and addressing com- mon security issues, this research aims to enhance BI tools’ overall effectiveness and security, reinforcing their value as indispensable assets for organizations.

Summary for Lay Audience

One key aspect of my study is the evaluation of BI tools from the user’s perspective, emphasiz- ing what criteria they consider most important. This user-centered approach allows companies to select BI tools that best fit their specific needs. Security emerged as a significant concern, especially when managing sensitive data shared among different users within a company. My research, which included collaboration with the online grocery platform Instacart, highlighted challenges such as managing access for users with different roles, like managers and data an- alysts. These challenges are particularly tricky in dynamic environments where data and user access requirements frequently change. To address these security issues, my study proposes a central system to better manage user access and ensure data security, making BI tools safer and more effective for companies. This research not only helps organizations choose the right BI tools but also guides them in securing their data, ultimately making BI tools more valuable assets in their operations. Through this work, I aim to improve how businesses use BI tools, focusing on security and user needs, which are crucial for making data-driven decisions that can boost their performance and competitiveness.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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