More Than Reports

Episode 4 of 6 in our Data Architecture series.Welcome to the 4th episode in our 6-part series, where we dive deep into the world of data architecture, breaking down why it matters and how it impacts your business. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Operational Data Stores, or ODSs—an often-overlooked architecture that can provide real-time insights for faster, more effective decision-making.  But here’s the catch: "Operational Data Store" means different things to different people, and the terminology can get confusing fast. In this episode, we unpack both the advantages and limitations of ODSs, showing you where they can drive value and where other solutions might be better suited.Whether you’re looking to streamline reporting, integrate data sources, or just understand the building blocks of a sound data strategy, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you make informed choices.Tune in to learn how ODSs could fit into your data architecture journey and the key factors to consider when planning your next steps!Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Episode 3 of 6 in our Data Architecture series.Ready to level up your data game? If your transactional system isn’t providing all the insights you need, it might be time to explore more powerful ways to extract information from your data. In today’s episode, we discuss the simplest way to store data in a database and introduce two essential concepts in data architecture: the persistent staging area (PSA) and staging. We’ll dive into why these methods matter. Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Episode 2 of 6 in our Data Architecture series.Like many things, data architectures can range from simple to highly complex. In this episode, Paul and Alex explain what "simple" means when building a reporting and analytics solution for your business. The advancement of business intelligence (BI) tools make system of record (SOR) reporting much more feasible than in the past. You can connect multiple systems to a front-end presentation layer tool. But at some point in your growth you will find that you can't get away with this any longer.However, it may be worth it to start with a simple architecture that delivers a quick win for your organization, even if you know this system may only be sufficient for a year or two. Your organization can see the value of your solution and grow from there.Tune in as we dive into system-of-record reporting and how it can give you a quick advantage.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Episode 1 of 6 in our Data Architecture series.Paul and Alex start a series of conversations about the importance of data architecture. While business leaders at growing companies may have limited time to focus on technical issues, Paul and Alex demonstrate the significant value in understanding how different system designs affect outcomes. They discuss what to consider when building a data solution, showing how a basic understanding can help business leaders gain an advantage.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Business is all about staying ahead of the competition. Can data give you a competitive edge?People and the decisions they make determine a company’s success. In today’s world of information overload, a data-driven culture is essential to successfully compete.How does data inform your team members’ decisions?If you are thinking about how to leverage data to outsmart the competition and foster long-term success, tune in to this episode!Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Your data, your choice—where you store it is up to you. While cloud vendors often make compelling pitches, their services come at a cost, and the truth is, it can add up quickly. For mid-market businesses, every dollar counts, and decisions about using the cloud for data storage, infrastructure, computing, integration, and analytics can have a major impact. There is a lot to consider, including cybersecurity.  In this episode, join Paul and Alex as they delve into the key factors to consider when evaluating solutions and making smart spending decisions for your business's data needs. Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Think data solutions are only for big enterprises?Think again. This episode explores how small and mid-sized businesses can build effective data systems without breaking the bank. While technology prices are dropping, overall spending continues to rise—especially in the world of data. Increased data volumes play a role, but there’s more to the story. Join us to discover why you might be overpaying to store and process your data, and how cloud technology, while convenient, can be more expensive than you might expect. Tune in to learn how to get the most value from your data investments. Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

How do you measure the value of a data solution? How much is a dashboard really worth to your business? ROI, or return on investment, is the go-to metric for evaluating the viability of capital projects. But how does it apply to data projects? While data pipelines and dashboards may not directly generate revenue, they’re crucial for organizing your team to drive growth and improve performance. Does the organization have the metrics or KPIs to make good decisions?In this episode, Paul and Alex examine the challenges of justifying investments in data technology and how to measure their true value.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

What are the roles in a successful data team? In this episode, Paul meets with Alex again to discuss data teams. If all decision-making depends on good information, what's the best way to organize people to manage it?We also reflect on the evolving role of technology. The abundance of technology at our disposal today is not making the role of people less important.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

All businesses depend on information systems to function. Are transactional systems sufficient?What about spreadsheets?Are they enough when it comes to producing reports?With so many systems around, should growing companies invest on reporting systems? How far can you get without one? In this episode Paul Felix (founder of LeapFrogBI) explores the whys and why-nots of using specialized reporting solutions.With Alex Almeida he describes some of the hard questions managers and owners must confront when deciding whether or not to put resources on improving management reporting.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Welcome to More Than Reports, a podcast for business leaders looking for that edge that will allow their vision to turn into reality.This podcast is a continuation of an audio podcast series I started years ago, Love Your Reports. I have graduated to video now and decided on a name change.On More Than Reports, I will be sharing insights on how data solutions can help businesses grow.Topics like Big Data, AI, and data warehousing will be demystified. I will focus on real-world applications and the value of accurate reports.The goal is to bridge the gap between data technology investments and actual business value, helping business leaders make informed decisions.It's not just about data, but what you do with it.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Join Paul B. Felix on "More Than Reports," where we offer practical solutions and data-driven results for business leaders.Listen as we:Tackle real-world data challengesAnswer questions about data technologyShare best practices for managing complex data environmentsWe go beyond the buzz to help you make the most of your data.It's not just about data; it's what you do with the data that makes the difference. Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

A trend that we should all consider is the growing number of nomads.  People are increasingly choosing to live a non-traditional mobile lifestyle.  What is driving this change?  How does this impact our business intelligence solutions?  I'll address these questions and more in today's episode.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

It is helpful to segment reports into categories.  Doing so helps in describing the value each report delivers.  In today's episode I'll describe the 4 categories of reports and provide examples of each.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Business Intelligence is often thought to be limited to only large organizations that can afford a team of experts to build elaborate technical solutions.  In fact, nearly every company already uses business intelligence no matter how small.  There are vast differences in architecture and level of automation, but BI is not optional.  Business builders and operators will do what needs to be done to capture value opportunities even if this requires 100% manual data wrangling.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

How long will it take to build a specific feature into your reporting solution?  This is a common question that unfortunately does not have a simple answer.  Today we will dive into estimates.  The goal is to provide an understanding of the type of work required to complete certain types of requests.  This should also explain why certain requests are estimated to consume much more time than others.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

The term "business intelligence" (BI) has been around for quite a while.  Unfortunately, there is often confusion as to what exactly BI means.  Today I'm going explore some top vendor definitions of BI and provide my own perspective.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

This week I'm revisiting a prior topic; Trust.  Everything we are doing to build reportopia hinges on business users trusting the reports being provided.  In this episode I'll break down one critical component of building trust; testing.  With a focus on business users' role, I'll cover the testing process and discuss some of the challenges we must overcome.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

Exception reports identify situations that are out of range or unexpected.  Today I'll cover a few types of exception reports and discuss how they can be useful.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon

As organizations grow it is increasingly important for everyone to understand goals, know how to measure progress, and monitor performance.  Reporting which includes the ability to drill down from company level to all lower levels can aid greatly.  Today we will step through a typical scenario, forecasted sales, but the same concept can be applied broadly.Interested in being a guest or have a suggested topic?Email me at Paul@leapfrogbi.comConnect with Paul (Founder and Managing Partner, LeapFrogBI): LinkedInWatch on YouTube: LeapFrogBI - YouTubeSubscribe on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon