In 2025 data is more abundant than ever and implementing business intelligence and data analytics is no longer just a luxury, it is a necessity. No longer can organizations make decisions based on gut instincts solely; there needs to be data-driven decisions. Implementing BI solutions requires a significant investment in technology, personnel, and infrastructure. The question for many companies is, is the cost worth the return? 

In this blog, we will explore the cost, return on investment, benefits, and challenges of BI adoption and why partnering with the right experts (DRA) can make all the difference. 

The Perfect Duo

 

What is Business Intelligence?

Business intelligence is a set of processes, technologies, and tools that transform raw data into meaningful and actionable insights. Providing an intuitive UI and an easily digestible representation of large volumes of data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement in shorter-term decision-making. 

What is Data Analytics?  

Data analytics is the process of strategically applying statistical or logical techniques to further dissect and explore data. Providing comprehensive insights, ability to predict future trends, and generating recommendations for actions based on desired outcomes.

The Cost of BI & Data Analytics

Investing in BI and data analytics isn’t just about hiring a few data professionals, it’s a significant financial commitment that extends beyond salaries. From building a skilled team to implementing the correct tools and infrastructure the costs can quickly add up. 

Personnel

Average Employee Salaries in the US

  • Data Engineer (130K): Builds and maintains data infrastructure, ensuring data is stored securely and efficiently for analysts and scientists.
  • Data Analyst (80K): Collects, cleans, and analyzes data to help organizations make better decisions by identifying patterns and trends
  • Data Scientist (120K): Uses statistical models, machine learning, and programming to extract meaning from data and provide predictive insights
  • Data Architect (138K): Designs the framework for how data is stored, integrated, and managed across IT systems
  • Dashboard Developer (115k): Specializes in creating interactive dashboards that visualize key business metrics for decision-markers 

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Chief Data Officer (CDO) Survey, 47% of CDOs manage teams of 5-7 direct reports, with an average data team size of 192 employees, representing 1.1% of the workforce. Even smaller organizations must budget for salaries, onboarding, training, and retention.

Source: Deloitte Chief Data Officer Survey 2024

Source: Glassdoor & Indeed for Average Salaries

 

Technology Infrastructure & Tools

There are several tools and infrastructure considerations such as data processing, cloud computing, orchestration, real-time streaming, and AI/ML infrastructure let’s focus on the three foundational areas essential for most organizations:

  • Data Visualization Tools: Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, and Looker Studio help businesses analyze, visualize, and present data. These tools can range from 0-300 per month per user. 
  • Data Integration Tools: Allows companies to connect to various data sources and automate data movement. These can vary between 1-5K per month
  • Data Storage & Cloud Computing: Includes cloud-based data warehouses and computing resources that scale with business needs. (500-10K+ per month depending on usage and volume)

Source: https://www.brevo.com/blog/data-analytics-costs/

 

The total estimated cost for implementing and maintaining BI and analytics can range from 50-500K per year depending on company size. This includes employee salaries, technology infrastructure, and tools, as well as training and HR support services.

Source: https://www.datateer.com/blog/data-analytics-cost/

Source: https://www.grow.com/blog/can-an-enterprise-bi-be-expensive

 

The ROI of BI & Data Analytics

Outside of financial returns implementing business intelligence and data analytics can help your organization improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and gain a competitive edge in an increasingly data-driven market. The ROI of BI solutions can be substantial delivering both qualitative and quantitative benefits to organizations of all sizes. Here are some of the core benefits

  • Improved Productivity: Minimize manual efforts through automation, allowing teams to focus on high-value tasks rather than routine data processing.
  • Better Customer Experience: Utilize data analysis to tailor products, offerings, and marketing strategies to better align with customer needs and preferences
  • Personalization at Scale: Consumers in 2025 expect highly personalized content and services, rather than generic marketing. BI enables companies to meet these expectations efficiently.
  • Proactive vs. Reactive Decision-Making: With real-time insights, companies can quickly respond to market shifts and changing consumer behaviors before they impact revenue.
  • Stronger Collaboration Across the Organization: Data fosters transparency, enabling departments to align on common goals, work more efficiently together, and break down silos
  • Competitive Advantage: Use predictive analytics and market trend analysis to stay ahead of industry shifts and anticipate customer demands before competitors do.

Sources: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/unlocking-the-next-frontier-of-personalized-marketing

https://www.analytics8.com/blog/build-your-case-for-business-intelligence-with-roi-figures/

https://willdom.com/blog/how-is-data-analytics-used-in-business/

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/04/12/unlocking-the-power-of-analytics-how-to-adopt-a-data-driven-mindset/

https://medium.com/@analyticsemergingindia/10-reasons-why-data-analytics-for-business-strategy-is-your-growth-engine-f2329cb39078

The Challenges of BI/Analytics Implementation

There are several challenges that companies must navigate through to ensure a successful infrastructure and analytics implementation

  • Technical Debt – Rushing to roll out BI, analytics, or AI solutions without the proper infrastructure, data quality, and governance can be very costly and will not return the desired results. Taking the time to set up processes correctly from the start prevents wasted efforts and dollars and ensures long-term success. 
  • Data Silos: Organizations often have disconnected data sources—from marketing platforms to HR systems to financial data. Departments may work with different versions of the truth, leading to conflicting reports and unreliable insights. Without proper integration, businesses can’t get a complete picture of their performance.
  • Lack of Strategy & Direction: Many companies want to be ‘data-driven’ but don’t have a clear plan for how analytics will support their business goals. Without a defined roadmap, organizations risk investing in BI tools without understanding how they should be used. A well-thought-out strategy ensures data is used to measure success, identify risks, and support informed decision-making.
  • Security and Compliance Risks: Mishandling customer or business data can lead to costly fines and reputational damage. Security must be a priority in any BI implementation.
  • User Adoption & Change Resistance: Some employees are hesitant to move away from spreadsheets and familiar workflows, even if BI tools offer more efficiency. Without proper training and clear processes, BI adoption can be slow, leading to underutilized dashboards and wasted effort. Companies need to ensure their BI initiatives align with business goals and provide genuinely useful insights.

Sources: 

 

Why You Should Let DRA Be Your Data Team

Whether you already have an established data infrastructure or need to build one from scratch, we can be your dedicated data team. Our expertise spans all aspects of business intelligence, analytics, and data strategy, ensuring you maximize the value of your investment. Here’s why partnering with us makes sense:

  • Expertise: Our team specializes in BI, data integration, and predictive analytics.
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: Scalable options that reduce the need for an expensive in-house team.
  • End-to-End Support: From data strategy and implementation to ongoing optimization.
  • Industry-Specific Insights: Customized solutions tailored to your business needs.

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics are no longer optional, they’re essential for companies looking to optimize operations, increase revenue, and stay ahead of the competition. By understanding the costs, maximizing ROI, and addressing common challenges, businesses can build a data-driven culture that fuels success.

 

Looking to take your Business Intelligence to the next level? Contact DRA to learn more about what we can do for your business!