Start with free BI and visualize orders and shipments with just three graph designs

Introduction to Free BI Tools for Order and Shipment Visualization

In today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s crucial for decision-makers to have the right tools at their fingertips to make informed choices.
Business Intelligence (BI) tools offer a way to analyze data and extract insights, but many people shy away from them, thinking they are complex and expensive.
However, there are several free BI tools available that can help you visualize orders and shipments clearly and effectively.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can start using free BI tools and visualize your orders and shipments with just three simple graph designs.

Why Use BI Tools?

BI tools are designed to help businesses make sense of large volumes of data.
They allow users to track performance, identify trends, and make more informed decisions.
For businesses dealing with orders and shipments, being able to visualize this data can lead to better inventory management, improved customer satisfaction, and increased efficiency.

Free BI tools provide a cost-effective way for small to medium-sized businesses to leverage the power of data without the financial commitment of premium services.

Getting Started with Free BI Tools

Before diving into the specific graph designs you can use, you’ll need to choose a BI tool.
There are several free BI tools available online with various functionalities and ease of use.
Some popular options include:

– Google Data Studio
– Microsoft Power BI (free version)
– Zoho Analytics Free Edition
– Tableau Public

Each of these tools offers unique features, but they all support the creation of graphical representations of your data.
Once you’ve selected a tool, you’ll need to import your order and shipment data into the platform to start creating visualizations.

Graph Design 1: Line Graph for Trends Over Time

The first graph design we’ll explore is the line graph.
A line graph is perfect for showing trends over time, which is particularly useful for tracking changes in orders and shipments.

To create a line graph:

1. Open your chosen BI tool and select the option to create a new report or visualization.
2. Import your dataset and select the fields related to the date, order quantity, and shipment quantity.
3. Choose the line graph option from the chart types.
4. Plot the date on the x-axis and both orders and shipments on the y-axis.

This graph will help you quickly identify patterns such as peak ordering times, periods of increased shipments, and any discrepancies between orders and shipments.

Benefits of Using a Line Graph

– Easy identification of trends and patterns.
– Clear visualization of data points over time.
– Enables comparison between two variables (orders and shipments).

Graph Design 2: Bar Graph for Quantity Comparison

A bar graph is another simple yet effective way to compare quantities, such as the number of orders versus shipments in a given time period.

To create a bar graph:

1. In your BI tool, select the option for a bar graph from the chart types.
2. Place the date or category field on the x-axis, with the order and shipment quantities on the y-axis.
3. Use different colors to represent orders and shipments for easy differentiation.

The bar graph enables a straightforward comparison between the orders fulfilled versus shipments sent out, which can be helpful in spotting inefficiencies or supply chain issues.

Benefits of Using a Bar Graph

– Easy to interpret and compare different quantities.
– Useful for highlighting differences and discrepancies.
– Ideal for quantitative data representation.

Graph Design 3: Pie Chart for Proportional Visualization

Pie charts are excellent for displaying proportional data and are particularly useful when you want to show the distribution of orders and shipments as a whole.

To create a pie chart:

1. In your chosen BI tool, select a pie chart from the chart types.
2. Input the order and shipment data as separate segments of the pie.
3. Use labels to clearly identify each segment.

This chart offers a visual understanding of the proportion of orders to shipments, making it easy to spot which area might need more attention.

Benefits of Using a Pie Chart

– Simple and engaging visual representation.
– Quick insight into proportional data.
– Useful for summarizing data in a compact form.

Conclusion

Visualizing orders and shipments using free BI tools can greatly enhance your business operations by providing clear insights and aiding in more informed decision-making.
By utilizing line graphs for trend analysis, bar graphs for quantity comparisons, and pie charts for proportional visualization, businesses can better manage their order and shipment processes.

Starting with free BI tools not only saves costs but also empowers you with the capability to harness data-driven insights effortlessly.
Explore the BI tools available and start transforming your order and shipment data today for improved business outcomes.