Written by:
Chris Wright
Managing Director
Sources
Market Scoop, Keevee, Techjury, G2, ElectrolQ, BusinessWire, Gartner, Microsoft Learn, Alan Turing Institute
Headline BI Statistics
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The global business intelligence market has surged to £39 billion in 2025—and is set to more than triple by 2034.
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Over 78% of companies now use artificial intelligence within their BI systems, making AI the number one driver of BI adoption.
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Organisations with strong BI adoption are five times more likely to make better, faster decisions than their competitors.
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Data-driven businesses are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, six times more likely to retain them, and 19 times more likely to be profitable.
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91% of companies plan to increase their BI investment this year.
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67% of organisations have adopted BI tools, with accessibility and affordability driving widespread uptake.
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Cloud-based BI is growing by 30% annually, with the UK and Europe seeing rapid adoption.
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Organisations using BI report a 27% improvement in decision-making speed and a 20% reduction in operational costs.
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94% of organisations say BI and analytics are critical or very important to their business success.
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Nearly half of all companies have increased their use of BI analytics since the pandemic.
BI Overview
We provide services such as advanced data analytics, custom dashboards, and automation solutions for businesses across sectors. Our goal is simple: help organisations of all sizes harness the power of business intelligence to make smarter decisions, improve efficiency, and unlock growth. BI is transforming industries at speed, turning raw data into actionable insights that drive performance across finance, operations, sales, and beyond.
Business intelligence adoption is at an all-time high, with 67% of organisations now using BI tools to streamline reporting and forecasting. Finance, operations, and customer service are among the fastest-growing areas, as businesses deploy BI for real-time dashboards, predictive analytics, and performance tracking. On average, organisations now integrate BI across multiple functions, showing how quickly the technology has moved from isolated pilots to widespread deployment.
The rise of AI-powered BI is accelerating this trend, with 78% of companies leveraging AI within their BI systems. These tools don’t just report on what happened—they predict what’s coming next, helping leaders act faster and with confidence. Businesses using BI report 27% faster decision-making and 20% lower operational costs, proving the tangible impact of data-driven strategies.
Looking ahead, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. 91% of executives plan to increase their BI investment over the next three years, highlighting its strategic importance for future growth. The global BI market is already worth £39 billion in 2025, with forecasts predicting strong double-digit growth in the years ahead. In the UK alone, BI adoption is surging as organisations seek clarity and control in an increasingly complex business landscape.
Despite these benefits, challenges remain. Many companies still struggle with fragmented data sources, siloed departments, and a lack of skilled BI professionals. Ethical considerations, data security, and governance continue to be priorities as businesses expand their analytics capabilities.
As BI-powered insights become essential, staying ahead of emerging trends is no longer optional—it’s critical. The BI revolution is here, and businesses that embrace it will unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and redefine the way they operate.
BI Trends 2024
Business intelligence is evolving at speed, reshaping how organisations collect, analyse, and act on data. In 2025, BI is no longer just about dashboards—it’s about real-time insights, predictive analytics, and AI-driven decision-making. These trends are defining the future of BI and transforming the way businesses operate.
1. AI-Powered BI Becomes Standard
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now core to BI platforms. From automated data preparation to predictive analytics, AI is enabling faster, smarter insights without manual intervention. Businesses are using AI-driven BI to forecast demand, optimise operations, and personalise customer experiences—making data more actionable than ever.
2. Real-Time Data Processing
Waiting for monthly reports is a thing of the past. Organisations are moving towards real-time analytics, allowing leaders to make decisions as events unfold. This trend is critical for sectors like finance, retail, and logistics, where speed and accuracy can make or break performance.
3. Self-Service BI Goes Mainstream
Self-service BI tools are empowering non-technical users to create their own dashboards and reports. Marketing managers, operations leads, and finance teams can now access insights without relying on IT—reducing bottlenecks and accelerating decision-making across the business.
4. Cloud-Native BI and Hybrid Deployments
Cloud-based BI solutions are becoming the norm, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Hybrid setups are also gaining traction, allowing businesses to combine on-premise security with cloud agility. This shift supports remote work and global collaboration without compromising data governance.
5. Augmented Analytics and Natural Language Queries
Augmented analytics is making BI more intuitive by using AI to automate data preparation and generate insights. Natural language processing (NLP) allows users to “ask” questions in plain English and receive instant answers—removing barriers to data access and making BI truly democratic.
6. Embedded BI in Everyday Workflows
BI is moving beyond standalone platforms and becoming part of daily tools like CRM and ERP systems. Embedded analytics ensures that insights are available where decisions happen—boosting productivity and reducing context-switching for teams.
7. Data Governance and Security Take Centre Stage
As data volumes grow and regulations tighten, governance and security are top priorities. Organisations are investing in robust frameworks to ensure data integrity, compliance, and ethical use—especially as AI-driven BI becomes more prevalent.
8. Mobile BI and Anytime-Anywhere Access
With decision-makers increasingly on the move, mobile BI adoption is rising. Businesses want secure, real-time access to dashboards and reports from any device—making mobility a key feature of modern BI platforms.
BI in 2025 is not just about reporting—it’s about transformation. Organisations that embrace these trends will gain a competitive edge, improve efficiency, and unlock new opportunities in a data-driven world.
BI Statistics
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The global BI market is worth £39 billion in 2025 and is forecast to more than triple by 2034.
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67% of organisations have adopted BI tools, with usage accelerating across finance, operations, and customer service.
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91% of executives plan to increase BI investment over the next three years.
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Businesses using BI report a 27% improvement in decision-making speed and a 20% reduction in operational costs.
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78% of companies now use AI within their BI systems, making AI the top driver of BI adoption.
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Cloud-based BI adoption is growing by 30% annually, supporting remote work and global collaboration.
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94% of organisations say BI and analytics are critical or very important to their success.
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Data-driven businesses are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, six times more likely to retain them, and 19 times more likely to be profitable.
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Nearly half of all companies have increased BI usage since the pandemic.
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Self-service BI tools are growing by 25% annually, empowering non-technical teams to access insights independently.
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Mobile BI adoption is up 28%, enabling decision-makers to access dashboards on the go.
BI adoption is accelerating across every industry—transforming operations, decision-making, and customer experiences. When choosing a BI partner, it’s vital to ensure they understand the security and governance challenges that come with advanced analytics. See our business intelligence page for more information.
Internal Case Studies - IT Desk
Background
IT Desk is a leading IT services provider offering solutions across cloud, security, and ERP. Like many growing businesses, IT Desk faced challenges with fragmented data, manual reporting, and limited visibility across departments. Managing Microsoft NCE licences was particularly time-consuming, requiring multiple spreadsheets and manual checks to ensure accuracy.
The Challenge
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Manual Processes: Licence management relied on spreadsheets, creating inefficiencies and risk of human error.
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Limited Visibility: No centralised dashboard to track licence usage, renewals, and costs.
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Time Drain: Monthly reporting consumed hours of admin time, slowing decision-making.
The Solution
Hydrogen BI implemented a custom dashboard that connected IT Desk’s Microsoft NCE data with its internal systems. This solution provided:
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Real-Time Visibility: A single dashboard showing licence status, renewals, and cost trends.
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Automated Reporting: Eliminated manual spreadsheet updates, reducing errors and saving time.
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Predictive Insights: Forecasting tools to anticipate renewals and optimise licence allocation.
Outcomes
✅ Reporting Time Reduced by 60%
✅ Licence Accuracy Improved to 99%
✅ Decision-Making Speed Increased by 27%
✅ Operational Costs Lowered by 15%
Why It Matters
This case study shows how BI can turn a complex, manual process into a streamlined, data-driven workflow. IT Desk now spends less time on admin and more time on strategic planning—proof that BI isn’t just about data, it’s about transformation.
External Case Studies - Netflix
Background
Netflix is one of the world’s leading streaming platforms, serving millions of subscribers globally. With vast amounts of viewing data generated daily, Netflix needed a way to turn this data into actionable insights to improve user experience, optimise content recommendations, and reduce churn.
The Challenge
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Data Overload: Billions of viewing events per day made it difficult to extract meaningful insights quickly.
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Personalisation Pressure: Users expect highly tailored recommendations, but manual or static models couldn’t keep up.
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Content Investment Decisions: With production costs soaring, Netflix needed accurate forecasting to decide which shows and films would resonate with audiences.
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Churn Risk: Retaining subscribers in a competitive market required predictive analytics to identify at-risk users.
The Solution
Netflix implemented advanced BI and analytics tools integrated with machine learning models to:
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Analyse Viewing Patterns: Real-time dashboards track what users watch, when, and on which devices.
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Predict Content Success: BI-driven forecasting helps decide which genres and formats to invest in.
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Personalise Recommendations: Embedded BI and AI algorithms power Netflix’s recommendation engine, improving engagement.
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Monitor Churn Indicators: Predictive analytics identify users likely to cancel, triggering targeted retention campaigns.
Outcomes
✅ Personalisation at Scale: Recommendation accuracy improved significantly, driving higher engagement.
✅ Content ROI Optimisation: Data-driven decisions reduced investment risk and increased hit rates for new releases.
✅ Reduced Churn: Predictive models helped retain millions of subscribers through timely interventions.
✅ Operational Efficiency: Automated reporting and real-time dashboards replaced manual analysis, saving thousands of hours annually.
Why It Matters
Netflix’s success shows how BI isn’t just about reporting—it’s about creating competitive advantage. By combining BI with predictive analytics and AI, Netflix transformed raw data into strategic insights that shape content, marketing, and customer experience.
Notable Changes in BI (2023-2025)
Two years ago, BI looked very different. Reporting was slow, adoption was patchy, and predictive analytics felt like a luxury. Fast forward to 2025, and BI has become a core business capability. Here are the biggest shifts:
1. BI Adoption Surges
In 2023, BI tools were still considered advanced tech for large enterprises. By 2025, 67% of organisations use BI solutions, and 91% plan to increase investment—making BI mainstream across industries.
2. From Static Reports to Real-Time Insights
Monthly reporting cycles dominated in 2023. Today, real-time dashboards are standard, giving leaders instant visibility into performance and enabling faster, data-driven decisions.
3. AI Moves from Add-On to Essential
AI-driven BI was experimental two years ago. Now, 78% of companies use AI within BI platforms, powering predictive analytics, automated insights, and natural language queries.
4. Cloud BI Becomes the Default
On-premise BI was the norm in 2023. By 2025, cloud BI adoption is growing 30% year-on-year, with hybrid models offering flexibility and compliance for regulated industries.
5. Self-Service BI Empowers Teams
In 2023, BI was IT-led. Today, self-service BI tools have grown by 25% annually, enabling marketing, finance, and operations teams to create dashboards without technical support.
6. Governance and Compliance Take Priority
Data governance was often overlooked in 2023. Now, with stricter regulations and rising data volumes, businesses are investing heavily in frameworks to ensure security, compliance, and ethical analytics.
In just two years, BI has shifted from a reporting tool to a strategic engine—driving real-time decisions, predictive planning, and competitive advantage.
How Hydrogen BI stay up-to-date with BI
At Hydrogen BI, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we actively build into our culture. As a Microsoft Partner, we’re regularly invited to exclusive training sessions on Power BI, Business Central, and emerging analytics tools, ensuring we stay up to date with the latest features, security updates, and best practices straight from the source.
But we don’t stop there.
We proactively monitor trusted resources, including Microsoft Learn, Gartner BI reports, and research from leading data institutes such as the Alan Turing Institute. Through our vendor partnerships, we also receive early access to new BI features, whitepapers, and implementation guides—which we test internally before rolling them out to clients.
We believe learning should never be a one-off. That’s why we’ve built BI knowledge-sharing into our internal processes—from team huddles to lunch-and-learns—so our entire team stays informed and confident using BI responsibly and effectively.
Our commitment to continuous learning means we don’t just use BI—we understand it. And that helps us guide our clients through the ever-changing data landscape with clarity, confidence, and care.
Hydrogen BI's Policies
At Hydrogen BI, security and quality aren’t optional—they’re embedded in everything we do. Our policies are designed to protect client data, maintain compliance, and deliver services to the highest standards.
ISO Certifications
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ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
We follow strict protocols to safeguard data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This includes risk assessments, access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent breaches and ensure compliance. -
ISO 9001 – Quality Management
Our processes are built around continuous improvement, ensuring consistent service delivery and customer satisfaction. Every project follows documented workflows and quality checks.
Information Security Policy
Our InfoSec policy outlines how we protect sensitive data across all systems and processes. Key principles include:
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Data Protection: Encryption for data at rest and in transit.
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Access Control: Role-based permissions to prevent unauthorised access.
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Incident Response: Clear procedures for detecting, reporting, and resolving security incidents.
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Compliance: Adherence to GDPR and other relevant regulations.
Continuous Review
We regularly audit our policies and update them in line with industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging threats. This proactive approach ensures our clients can trust us with their most critical data.
Our Solutions
Our products are pre-connected, e.g.: Risks defined in one place are then visible in the Reporting process alongside the financial numbers.
Using Excel as the 'front end' to our Cloud Database means Finance are able to tweak the logic of their reports expertly and rapidly.
Power BI is pre-connected to all of our data so assembling flexible reporting dashboards spanning Risk and Financials is fast and simple
Our expert support team are always on hand to help build complex reports, accelerate financial close automation steps and more.
Our Benefits
Reduced:
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Cost - less FTE time wasted on manual cutting and pasting
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Time - to Financial Close because of fewer dependencies (waiting for one person to finish working on a required spreadsheet)
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Risk – more reliable numbers because of the sophisticated cloud database replacing spreadsheet weaknesses
Improved:
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Flexibility and agility in the creation of reports means a better financial close faster
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Adoption by finance teams because the familiar spreadsheet approach works with their BAU processes
Our Product
Cloud CFO is a product containing 3 pre-integrated modules with each one solving a specific business problem in the production of:
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Management Accounts
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Forecasts
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Financial Risk Modelling
Cloud CFO is differentiated by an extreme flexibility that means delivering customised results is a much faster process.
This speed to final reports happens because the main interface to Cloud CFO is Excel, which of course is familiar to all Finance teams.
This approach makes matters much simpler for our customers; they are very familiar with Excel and therefore already have a foundation with no need to train within a new system.
Latest 2025 BI Statistics
Last updated: 27.10.25
People Also Ask
What is Business Intelligence?
Business Intelligence refers to technologies and practices that collect, analyse, and present business data to help organisations make informed decisions. It transforms raw data into actionable insights through dashboards, reports, and analytics.
How is BI different from Business Analytics?
BI focuses on descriptive analytics—understanding what happened and why—while Business Analytics goes further with predictive and prescriptive insights, helping businesses forecast and plan future actions.
Why is BI important for businesses today?
BI enables faster, data-driven decisions, improves operational efficiency, and helps identify trends and opportunities. Companies using BI are significantly more likely to be profitable and competitive.
What are the main benefits of BI?
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Real-time visibility into performance
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Improved decision-making speed
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Cost reduction through process optimisation
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Enhanced customer experience via data insights
What tools are commonly used for BI?
Popular BI tools include Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, and Looker. These platforms offer data visualisation, reporting, and integration with multiple data sources.
Is BI only for large enterprises?
No. BI solutions are scalable and increasingly accessible for SMEs. Cloud-based BI tools make it affordable and easy to implement for businesses of all sizes.
What industries use BI the most?
BI is widely used in finance, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services—any sector that relies on data for decision-making.
What challenges do businesses face with BI?
Common challenges include:
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Integrating data from multiple sources
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Ensuring data quality and governance
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Lack of skilled BI professionals
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Resistance to change within teams
How does BI integrate with AI?
Modern BI platforms use AI for predictive analytics, automated insights, and natural language queries—making data analysis faster and more intuitive.
Is BI secure?
Yes, when implemented correctly. Leading BI tools offer encryption, role-based access, and compliance with data protection regulations. Governance frameworks are essential for security.
