Latest news with #PowerBI
National Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Toolio Joins Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program to Accelerate AI-Powered Retail Planning Innovation
Article content NEW YORK — Toolio, a next-generation merchandise planning platform for modern retailers, today announced its participation in the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program. Article content Toolio has also launched a strategic integration with Microsoft Azure and is now a transactable solution on Azure Marketplace, enabling Microsoft sales teams to directly bring Toolio's innovative solution to customers worldwide. Article content Revolutionizing Retail Planning with Toolio Article content Toolio is a cloud-native merchandise planning platform that helps retailers make faster, more data-driven decisions. From merchandise financial planning and open-to-buy management to assortment planning and demand forecasting, Toolio provides a single source of truth for retail planning teams. Article content Trusted by leading modern brands like Boll & Branch, MeUndies, Magnolia, and Rothy's, Toolio delivers measurable results—saving time, boosting top-line revenue, and improving profitability and cash flow. Article content 'Retailers are navigating increasing complexity across channels and inventory. Toolio's AI-powered platform delivers intelligent forecasting, merchandise and assortment planning, allocation, and end-to-end analytics, giving retailers the visibility and insights needed to optimize inventory and drive smarter decisions,' said Tom Davis, Partner at Microsoft for Startups. 'Through the Pegasus Program, Toolio can now leverage Microsoft's resources to scale its impact and help retailers operate with greater efficiency and confidence in today's dynamic landscape.' Article content Built on Azure: Scalable, Intelligent, and Future-Ready Article content Toolio's platform, built on Microsoft Azure with integrations into Dynamics and Power BI, ensures enterprise-grade reliability and speed. Its cloud-based solution offers ease of use, flexibility, connected planning, and rapid time to value through a scalable infrastructure. Article content By integrating with ERP systems like Dynamics, Toolio syncs critical data such as sales, inventory, product details, POs, receipts, and transfers in real-time. Once finalized, plans are seamlessly exported back to the ERP for operational execution. Article content Retailers benefit from enhanced data accuracy, streamlined operations, and improved decision-making capabilities, leveraging the power of connected planning and real-time insights provided by Power BI. Article content The platform also utilizes advanced AI and ML workflows—powering key retail planning functions: Article content Demand Forecasting with XGBoost & LightGBM Clustering stores & products for smarter regional planning Promo & Markdown Optimization based on price elasticity AI-generated Business Reviews with OpenAI Exception Alerts that guide planners to key insights Article content Toolio's Future Plans with Microsoft Article content As part of the Pegasus program, Toolio is working on migrating large-scale datasets, scaling ML workflows with automated model training, hyperparameter tuning, and model tracking, and enhancing monitoring, resilience, and notifications through Microsoft's observability stack Article content Toolio's technical roadmap is closely aligned with Microsoft's enterprise ecosystem—bringing AI-driven planning to the forefront of retail transformation. Article content Founded in New York, Toolio is a cloud-based merchandise planning platform helping retailers streamline their end-to-end planning workflows. Built for speed, collaboration, and intelligence, Toolio enables better decisions through data. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Vena Recognized as a Leader With Outstanding Overall Rating in 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix from BPM Partners
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vena, the only Complete FP&A platform powered by agentic AI and purpose-built to fully amplify the Microsoft technology ecosystem, today shared its eight total Outstanding and Excellent rankings in the new 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix (VLM) produced by BPM Partners, the leading independent authority on business performance management. Vena was ranked as an all-around Outstanding provider, the highest possible ranking, with a score of 4.69 out of 5, signaling its ongoing success in providing customers with a holistic financial planning solution that meets their needs. In addition to its overall ranking, Vena was a Top-rated provider in the Budgeting and Planning and Customer Support categories with scores of 4.85 and 4.62 respectively, well above competitors in both categories. The company also earned Excellent rankings in the following five categories: Performance and Scalability, Financial Reporting, Financial Consolidation, Finance Self-Sufficiency and Ease of Use. The VLM found Vena's key strengths to be its intuitive interface, the platform's flexibility, the low total cost of ownership and its integrated business planning and AI-powered capabilities. In BPM's report, 73% of survey respondents ranked the use of AI in CPM as either important or very important, showcasing Vena's future-forward focus and emphasis on providing customers solutions that integrate with the platforms they already know and trust. Vena is leading the way in FP&A with its agentic AI deployments and integrations, including industry-first reporting and analytics agents as well as Vena Copilot for Microsoft Teams, an integration that brings these powerful tools directly into business workflows and collaborations. 'Our VLM score jumped from 4.54 last year to 4.69 this year—concrete proof that Vena's AI-powered, customer-oriented approach is resonating more than ever with customers around the world,' said Hugh Cumming, CTO of Vena. 'We are particularly honored by the continued recognition for our integration capabilities. During times of volatility, a business needs better information flow and increased agility. Vena's integration and AI features help finance teams make more strategic decisions faster.' Finance teams are facing more pressure to provide fast and accurate information, reflected in 67% of VLM respondents saying pre-built templates were important or very important to them when evaluating a vendor's platform. In addition to its native integration with the Microsoft technology ecosystem, Vena offers a quick startup time and easy adoption no matter the industry, thanks to its robust library of 50+ pre-built templates that include everything from Power BI dashboards to employee growth kits. 'The VLM is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to purchase, upgrade or replace a performance management system,' said Craig Schiff, President and CEO of BPM Partners. 'We currently track more than 50 vendors that provide software to address one or more aspects of business performance management and related business intelligence. Only the most active vendors competing for and successfully delivering BPM solutions are included in the VLM report, and Vena is certainly making its mark.' From high-growth startups to global enterprises, finance and operations teams are turning to Vena to unify their planning in a single platform that's fast to deploy, flexible to use and powered by the tools finance teams already trust—Excel, Power BI, Teams and more. With agentic AI, real-time analytics and a seamless Microsoft-native user experience, Vena empowers finance leaders to go beyond the numbers and make confident, insight-driven decisions that move their business forward. To learn how companies are planning with confidence using Vena, visit our Customer Stories. To download a copy of the 2025–2026 Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix (VLM) report produced by BPM Partners, click here. About Vena Vena is the only agentic AI-powered FP&A platform purpose-built to harness the full power of the Microsoft technology ecosystem for finance teams everywhere. Vena amplifies Microsoft's world-leading productivity tools, cloud technology and AI innovation to make FP&A, operational planning and adjacent strategic processes more flexible, efficient and intelligent. Thousands of the world's leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ajay Kumar Kota is shaping global BI innovation, one step at a time
Ajay Kumar Ajay Kumar Kota continues to set new benchmarks in the dynamic realm of data architecture, dashboard development, and enterprise business intelligence. With a reputation built on precision, innovation, and strategic foresight, he has delivered transformational BI solutions that enable organisations to unlock the full potential of their data assets. His command over platforms like Qlik Sense, Power BI, and SQL-based environments reflects a deep-rooted expertise in building scalable, end-to-end BI systems. From raw data extraction and advanced modeling to optimised dashboard deployment, Ajay has engineered ecosystems that are celebrated for their clarity, responsiveness, and business value. His work has supported decision-making in sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, finance, and manufacturing, where the stakes of real-time analytics are high and rising. Ajay's approach is grounded in robust multi-tier BI architecture and high-performance data modeling. He is known for designing solutions that incorporate incremental load strategies, manage complex joins, and ensure data integrity using advanced techniques like link tables, dimensional modeling, and concatenation logic. Each of his implementations reflects a seamless integration of business rules with technical frameworks, ensuring that dashboards serve as intelligent platforms rather than static reports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Save up to ₹23.71L on Luxury Homes in Whitefield Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo The dashboards he delivers are highly interactive and driven by scenario-based logic. With embedded set analysis, cyclic dimensions, what-if simulation features, and predictive insights, his solutions empower business users to explore data dynamically, identify patterns, and act with agility. These tools have become critical to executive decision-making, helping stakeholders understand trends, forecast outcomes, and mitigate risk. A firm advocate of data integrity, Ajay has built quality assurance into every phase of the BI lifecycle. Through embedded QA pipelines, unit testing procedures, and validation layers, he ensures that data is consistently accurate, reliable, and aligned with business objectives. This discipline carries through to his work in ETL design and MDM integration, where he applies rigorous governance strategies to unify enterprise data and improve compliance. His technical fluency extends into tools like SSIS and Alteryx, which he leverages to develop resilient data pipelines that support complex enterprise ecosystems. His designs balance performance and maintainability, allowing organisations to evolve their reporting infrastructures without sacrificing stability or speed. Ajay's influence extends beyond the walls of any one organization. He is regularly invited to serve as a judge at prestigious international conferences, where he evaluates pioneering work in business intelligence, data science, and AI. His thought leadership is also shared in academic forums, where he is a sought-after speaker at universities and research institutions. His work is well appreciated by the global scientific community, with numerous scholarly articles being cited by researchers and referenced in academic curricula across his domain. Whether he is advising enterprise leaders, mentoring future analysts, or architecting high-impact solutions, Ajay Kumar Kota exemplifies the integration of technical excellence with visionary thinking. His continued contributions are not only advancing the field of business intelligence but also inspiring a new generation to approach data with purpose, precision, and insight.
Geeky Gadgets
21-07-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Power BI For Beginners : Easily Transform Data Into Actionable Insights
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data at your fingertips, unsure how to transform it into something meaningful? In a world where decisions are increasingly driven by data, the ability to extract insights from raw numbers is no longer optional—it's essential. Enter Power BI, a tool that has transformed how businesses and individuals approach data analysis. With its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities, Power BI enables users to turn complex datasets into visually compelling, actionable insights. Whether you're a professional looking to boost your career or a business leader aiming to make smarter decisions, mastering Power BI could be the most impactful skill you add to your toolkit. As Mo Chen's expertly crafted guide will show, this isn't just about learning software—it's about unlocking the potential of your data. In this beginner-friendly guide Mo Chen explains how to navigate Power BI's core features, from importing and cleaning data to creating dynamic dashboards that tell a story. Along the way, you'll explore how Power BI integrates seamlessly with tools like Excel and Teams, making it a natural fit for those already familiar with Microsoft's ecosystem. But this guide isn't just about the mechanics; it's about understanding how to apply Power BI in real-world scenarios—whether you're tracking sales trends in retail, optimizing budgets in finance, or analyzing patient outcomes in healthcare. By the end, you won't just know how to use Power BI; you'll understand why it's a fantastic option for anyone seeking to make data-driven decisions with confidence. After all, the power of data lies not in its volume, but in the clarity it can bring to your vision. Power BI Overview and Benefits The Value of Learning Power BI Power BI consistently ranks among the leading business intelligence platforms globally. Its seamless integration with Microsoft tools such as Excel, Teams, and Azure makes it an ideal choice for businesses already operating within the Microsoft ecosystem. Compared to its competitors, Power BI distinguishes itself with its affordability and intuitive interface, particularly for users familiar with Excel. The tool's ability to convert raw data into actionable insights has made it indispensable across various industries, including: Finance: For tasks like budget tracking, financial forecasting, and detailed reporting. For tasks like budget tracking, financial forecasting, and detailed reporting. Healthcare: To analyze patient data, optimize resource allocation, and improve operational efficiency. To analyze patient data, optimize resource allocation, and improve operational efficiency. Retail: For monitoring sales trends, enhancing customer insights, and managing inventory effectively. If your goal is to make informed decisions or present complex information in a clear and impactful way, mastering Power BI is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance your professional toolkit. Career Opportunities with Power BI Expertise Developing proficiency in Power BI can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in data analysis and business intelligence. Some of the most sought-after roles include: Power BI Developer: Focuses on designing data models, creating interactive dashboards, and optimizing performance for large datasets. Focuses on designing data models, creating interactive dashboards, and optimizing performance for large datasets. Power BI Analyst: Specializes in analyzing data and delivering actionable insights to support strategic decision-making. Specializes in analyzing data and delivering actionable insights to support strategic decision-making. Business Intelligence Specialist: Oversees the implementation of BI strategies and ensures alignment with organizational objectives. Oversees the implementation of BI strategies and ensures alignment with organizational objectives. Data Visualization Specialist: Crafts visually compelling reports and dashboards to simplify complex data for diverse audiences. These roles are in high demand as organizations increasingly rely on data to shape their strategies. By mastering Power BI, you position yourself as a critical asset in today's data-driven job market. Power BI Guide for Beginners in 2025 Watch this video on YouTube. Advance your skills in Power BI by reading more of our detailed content. Getting Started with Power BI Embarking on your Power BI journey is straightforward and involves a few key steps: 1. Download and Install Power BI Desktop: Power BI Desktop is free and compatible with Windows. Once installed, familiarize yourself with its interface, which includes essential views such as Report, Data, and Model. These components form the foundation for creating reports and dashboards. 2. Load and Prepare Your Data: Use Power Query to import and clean your data. This tool allows you to perform essential tasks such as removing duplicates, splitting columns, and standardizing formats. For instance, you can extract specific date components or clean up inconsistent text entries to ensure your data is ready for analysis. 3. Understand Data Modeling: Establish relationships between tables to create a cohesive and efficient data model. Proper data modeling is crucial for making sure the accuracy and reliability of your analysis. Creating and Enhancing Visualizations Power BI offers a diverse range of visualization options, including bar charts, line graphs, maps, and tables. To make your reports more engaging and interactive: Incorporate slicers and filters to allow users to explore data dynamically. For example, a slicer can enable users to filter sales data by region or product category. and to allow users to explore data dynamically. For example, a slicer can enable users to filter sales data by region or product category. Link visuals to create responsive dashboards. Changes made in one chart can automatically update others, providing a cohesive and interactive view of your data. These features not only enhance user engagement but also make it easier to uncover meaningful insights that drive better decision-making. Publishing and Sharing Your Work Once your report is complete, you can publish it to the Power BI cloud service. This step makes your dashboards accessible through a web browser, allowing stakeholders to interact with the data in real time. For example, a sales team can monitor performance metrics and adjust strategies using a shared dashboard. Publishing also assists collaboration, allowing team members to comment on and contribute to the reports. This collaborative approach ensures that insights are shared effectively across the organization. Expanding Your Power BI Knowledge To deepen your expertise in Power BI, take advantage of the wealth of resources available online. These include: Structured Courses: Platforms like Microsoft Learn, Coursera, and Udemy offer beginner to advanced lessons with practical exercises. Platforms like Microsoft Learn, Coursera, and Udemy offer beginner to advanced lessons with practical exercises. Certifications: Earning credentials such as the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate validates your skills and enhances your professional credibility. Earning credentials such as the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate validates your skills and enhances your professional credibility. Community Engagement: Join Power BI forums and user groups to exchange tips, troubleshoot challenges, and stay updated on the latest features. These resources provide valuable insights and help you stay competitive in the ever-evolving field of business intelligence. Maximizing Power BI's Potential To fully use the capabilities of Power BI, consider these best practices: Experiment with data modeling to create efficient relationships between tables and improve the accuracy of your analysis. to create efficient relationships between tables and improve the accuracy of your analysis. Use Power Query for advanced data cleaning and transformation tasks, making sure your data is analysis-ready. for advanced data cleaning and transformation tasks, making sure your data is analysis-ready. Incorporate interactivity features such as slicers, drill-throughs, and tooltips to make your dashboards more engaging and user-friendly. By applying these strategies, you can create impactful reports and dashboards that resonate with your audience and drive meaningful outcomes. Media Credit: Mo Chen Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamat has a job offer for you: Here's who can apply
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath is seeking top talent for his team. Kamath is recruiting for his personal investment team in Mumbai, seeking highly analytical minds for two senior positions: a Senior Data Scientist and a Senior Researcher . Both roles will work directly with Kamath and his core team, contributing to high-stakes investment decisions. Kamath announced the openings on LinkedIn, saying they will be working closely with him. Here's his full Linkedin post: You'll be working closely with me and my investment team. We're currently looking for: 1. A Senior Data Scientist who can turn data into smart insights. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 2. A Senior Researcher who can dig deep into sectors and trends. The executive has also attached a link where you can apply. Who all can apply for job at Zerodha The Senior Researcher role targets candidates with 6–8 years of experience in deep-sector research, particularly those with backgrounds in economics, business, or social sciences. Responsibilities include synthesising extensive information, developing investment theses across critical sectors like energy, AI, and media, and rigorously testing ideas with academics and industry experts. For the Senior Data Scientist position, Kamath is looking for individuals with 5–8 years of experience in analytics and proficiency in tools such as Python, SQL, and Business Intelligence platforms like Tableau or Power BI. This role involves designing and building models to inform investment decisions, identify performance anomalies, and forecast revenue and risk, combining statistical expertise with business acumen. Kamath and the job description do not provide details on the compensation, however, it may be a big opportunity in itself to work directly with Nikhil Kamath, one of India's most prominent investors. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
