MicroStrategy is a business intelligence tool trusted by some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Visa, Pfizer, and Sony. Is it the right solution for you and your team, though?
This straight-talk review outlines everything you need to know about MicroStrategy, its capabilities, and the benefits and drawbacks that come with it.
What Is MicroStrategy?
MicroStrategy offers an AI-powered business intelligence platform that touts itself as the “most productive and performant analytics platform yet.”
With this platform, users can create and share data-driven dashboards, reports, and visualizations and provide real-time performance monitoring and predictions through machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and AI analytics.
MicroStrategy Capabilities
MicroStrategy’s ONE platform users can carry out various tasks using one (no pun intended) solution. The following are some of its most well-known capabilities:
Self-Service Analytics
Users can access and analyze data without extensive technical or analytical skills. Non-technical users are empowered to explore and derive insights from data independently, without relying on IT or data specialists.
Business Reporting
Users can also easily collect, analyze, and present data in a relevant and understandable format. They can also make their reports more engaging with dashboards, charts, and graphs.
Advanced Apps in MicroStrategy
MicroStrategy allows users to personalize the analytics app experience and create AI-powered apps that streamline everyday workflows.
MicroStrategy Embedded Analytics
With MicroStrategy, users can embed analytics into any app or product. This seamless integration makes data-driven decision-making more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly.
AI Infusion
MicroStrategy is equipped with Auto, a virtual AI assistant that can provide support for numerous tasks, from answering questions about data to creating dashboards, visualizations, and other types of content.
MicroStrategy Pros
There are plenty of advantages to using MicroStrategy, which has been around for a long time and is well known and trusted within the BI world. Many organizations use MicroStrategy successfully and are happy with its features. Here are some of the top pros associated with this tool:
Easy to Use
Many people praise MicroStrategy’s BI platform for being relatively easy to use. They appreciate the self-service analytics features and find that they can quickly explore insights and generate basic reports even if they don’t have an extensive tech background.
Easy to Customize
Users also like the customization options that come with MicroStrategy. They like the drag-and-drop functionalities and find them very helpful when it comes to creating dashboards, reports, etc.
Fast Loading Speeds
Some users have also praised MicroStrategy for its speed, which allows them to upload multiple dashboards simultaneously. They find that they can work efficiently and manage large amounts of data without grappling with frustrating slow-downs.
Scalable
MicroStrategy is designed to be scalable as well. Small businesses and large enterprises alike can benefit from this tool and use it to carry out everyday BI-related tasks while still maintaining a high level of productivity.
MicroStrategy Cons
There are also some downsides to MicroStrategy. Some of the most frequently cited cons and complaints are listed below:
Outdated User Interface
MicroStrategy is a legacy product that has been used successfully for decades. While this can be a strength in some circumstances, it also works against the platform.
Many users complain that MicroStrategy’s user interface is outdated. Because it’s outdated, it may also be difficult for some people, especially those who are used to more modern tools, to navigate.
Expensive
The cost of implementing and maintaining MicroStrategy can be high, especially for smaller businesses and startups. Between licensing fees, training costs, and hardware requirements, it’s easy to spend a lot of money to use MicroStrategy -- and for many users, those initial investments haven’t necessarily yielded significant returns.
Limited Customer Support
Although MicroStrategy does offer users access to a knowledge base and documentation, many people still complain that it is hard to get support if you run into a problem. The company’s customer support features are relatively limited, and it doesn’t have much of a community surrounding it (despite being used by so many organizations).
Web vs. Desktop Inconsistencies
Some users have noted inconsistencies between the web and desktop versions of MicroStrategy’s BI platform. For example, it can be harder to design dashboards using the web version than the desktop version, and users frequently find themselves jumping back and forth to access the correct tools.
Company Focus on Bitcoin
MicroStrategy as a company is also heavily focused on and invested in Bitcoin -- so much so, in fact, that some people wonder how committed they are to BI compared to Bitcoin (especially when they factor the company’s limited customer support into the equation).
How DashboardFox Can Help
As you weigh the strengths and limitations of MicroStrategy, it's critical to consider not just the software's capabilities but also the total cost of ownership—including hidden expenses like specialized staff and ongoing maintenance.
Enter DashboardFox, an alternative that stands out for its affordability and user-centric design. Unlike complex systems that may require a steep learning curve, DashboardFox boasts an intuitive interface that welcomes users of all skill levels, ensuring that powerful data analytics is within everyone's reach.
Our commitment to service excellence means that with DashboardFox, you're never alone in your analytics journey. From the smallest question to the most complex query, our dedicated support team is ready to assist, empowering you to unlock the full potential of our suite of tools.
Furthermore, DashboardFox's straightforward one-time fee structure eliminates the worry of recurring costs, offering you the transparency and control needed to budget with confidence, even as your business expands.
This is your sign to use DashboardFox in leveraging your business analytics needs.
Curious to see how DashboardFox can enhance your data-driven decision-making? We invite you to participate in a free live demo. For a more tailored experience, schedule a one-on-one meeting with our specialists. Discover how DashboardFox can elevate your business intelligence capabilities today.