An Intelligence Operator, Data Scientist, Statistical Analyst, Cloud Expert, and Software Engineer walk into a bar…that's got no beer due to Supply Chain Issues.

I was recently asked about the difference between intelligence analysis and data analysis. My initial response was that it's mainly about how you get the data, but I don't think that was the point of the question. So after a little more thought, here's my take on how these disciplines differ, and how Bolster combines them to solve problems. 

Intelligence Analysis

Intelligence analysis is all about understanding and predicting the actions and motivations of individuals or groups. It's about creating structured and meaningful insights from various data sources, aiming to inform decision-making. Governments and military organisations often use this type of analysis. However, it can also hugely benefit businesses looking to inform strategic planning and policy development.

Data Analysis

On the other hand, data analysis focuses on understanding trends and patterns in data to inform business decisions or optimise processes. It involves examining and manipulating data to extract useful insights that can be applied in various fields.

The Combination

But here's the exciting part (part 1 of 2): by combining these two types of analysis, you can gain a truly holistic understanding of your data and make informed decisions that drive success. Intelligence analysis can give you a deep understanding of the motivations and actions of individuals and groups, while data analysis helps you understand trends and patterns. Together, they offer a powerful toolkit for maximising your company's potential.

So why settle for just one type of analysis when you can have the best of both worlds? Embrace the combination of intelligence and data analysis and watch your company soar to new heights of success.

Easier said than done, right?

Supply Chain - Shipping Visibility Example

Let's take Bolster's work in shipping visibility, for example, as just one element of a business's supply chain. Our knowledge of Intelligence analysis brings expertise in understanding and predicting the actions and even potential motivations of entities involved in a given voyage. We can help identify and analyse patterns and trends in data related to ships, shipping companies, shipping routes, ports, and other factors that could impact a vessel's journey.

Our data analysis expertise helps extract insights from data and understand trends and patterns, helping to process large amounts of shipping data rapidly and further provide insights into the performance of ships, shipping companies, shipping routes and ports based on a multitude of disparate data sources.

Cloud Native SaaS Platform

Our software and cloud engineering exponents bring expertise in building and maintaining the technology platform and software needed to track the journeys of container ships. They develop the systems and tools required to collect, process, and analyse shipping data in real-time, make the insights available to the users, and feed future machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) automation.

Combining these various skill sets and outputs is critical. Our product wisdom ensures that the developed solution addresses the customers' needs and meets the end-users expectations.

Here's the exciting part (part 2 of 2): what's been built is a SaaS platform, a data integration powerhouse readying businesses for the benefits of AI and ML, ready to point at any problem that could be another element in the supply chain for example, maybe underleveraged or isolated in-house data such as vehicle or machinery telematics, human resources data or financials, these can be smaq-ified and integrated to provide a clearer picture of a businesses operations and how one department can impact another.

Don't settle for one-dimensional data solutions. Elevate your business with the power of combining intelligence and data analysis, enhanced with advanced technology. Embrace this powerful toolkit and watch your business soar to new heights of success.