Data analysis essential for decision making

The typical educational institution generates terabytes of learning management system (LMS) data on an annual basis. When combined with data extracted from other sources such as network or security devices, operating systems and complimentary application systems such as SIS, ERP or HR solutions, the sheer volume of information can be crippling.

Obviously, data alone are not enough. What's needed is a solution which can transform that invaluable data into relevant knowledge - the kind educators need to make smart, informed decisions that will support their institutional objectives. Desire2Learn® Analytics, recently demonstrated at the global IT event  EDUCAUSE 2009, is one such solution.

"Institutions must analyze and monitor various data, tapping into information in their existing systems on demand, quickly and in ways that enable them to make fast, accurate decisions,” says John Baker, President & CEO, Desire2Learn. "With Desire2Learn Analytics, clients have the ability to execute complex queries with an easy to use interface. They can integrate work from non-Desire2Learn platforms, perform true business analysis and, through the use of logical layers, transform data, enabling them to do much more than simple reporting."

Core features of Desire2Learn Analytics include:

• Secure, web-based business intelligence for Desire2Learn applications
• Integration with Desire2Learn Learning Environment
• Centralized collection of pre-defined reports with drill down and user driven filtering
• Drag-and-drop custom report creation with conditional filtering, themes, and sharing capabilities
• User defined custom dashboards
• Full extensibility and ability to consume data from other (non-Desire2Learn) sources allowing for holistic reporting functionality
• Full scheduling and automation capabilities: set it and forget it reporting
• Export to html, csv, and xls
• Custom branding capability