Using Open Source Platforms for Business Intelligence

Chapter 12

Developing a cost-benefit analysis for OSBI A practical look at ROI and TCO calculations

Organizations need a clear understanding of the factors that affect their solution choice. As mentioned previously, each company’s validation of potential ROI and TCO will differ slightly based on:

• The size and structure of IT

• Previous BI use and knowledge

• Planned resources

• Overall purpose of the solution

But at the same time, all of the factors discussed in Chapter 11 will also be a part of any TCO and ROI evaluation, even if to varying levels. Consequently, understanding the components behind each aspect of a calculation also leads to better knowledge of what goes into a successful implementation, and maybe even more importantly, a broader ...