Regular and structured customer reporting is a key concern for many companies: However, the existing solutions and processes usually do not fulfil customer and supplier requirements. These are often imprecisely defined reporting processes in which PDF and Excel files are sent by e-mail at irregular intervals. It is now possible with comparatively little effort to guarantee structured - and if desired, automated - reporting to all relevant stakeholders. At the same time, control and transparency are created with regard to data analysis and access. The options range from simple dashboards focussing on a handful of selected key figures to detailed, multidimensional reports that also enable exploratory data analysis - all with maximum freedom in terms of layout and design.

Why do we need client reporting?

In the client reporting process, relevant information for clients and partners is prepared in regularly updated reports and made available to the respective target groups. For example, current performance, results from previous reporting periods or the status of current projects and processes can be analysed and monitored. The reports also serve to show clients possible future developments and provide them with further customised information.

Client reporting therefore not only provides a foundation for data-based optimisation and monitoring processes, but also offers the opportunity to inform customers at any time about what your company is doing for your customers and how - and above all: how well.

What are the advantages of client reporting?

  • Client reporting creates transparency and trust by enabling a flow of information between service provider and client.
  • Reporters are empowered to provide specific information interactively for the client. At the same time, they are given more freedom in terms of how the information is presented.
  • Customers are enabled to retrieve all the information they need in the desired form and at the desired time within the framework defined by the reporter.
  • The manual creation and dispatch of static reports is replaced, which reduces time and labour costs.
  • Recurring effort in the creation of updated reports is minimised.
  • Maximum flexibility in handling the data is guaranteed, both in terms of the presentation method and the management of access rights.
  • Weak points and opportunities for optimising the reports can be identified at an early stage and can therefore be rectified or exploited with little effort.
  • Client reports offer the opportunity to emphasise the quality of your own service.

Requirements for client reporting

The first and most fundamental prerequisite for client reporting is data availability. A corresponding dashboard can only be developed if the required data is available in sufficient quality. In order to be able to cover this form of reporting, the data must also be able to be stored in the cloud. Furthermore, the implementation of client reporting requires a general idea of the KPIs to be covered and the end users. We are happy to support and guide you through these processes if required.

Our approach to the development of end products

As experts in data visualisation and interactive and meaningful reporting, we have already successfully implemented a large number of client reports for various industries. Our dashboards are always created in close and agile collaboration with customers and clients, ideally with the involvement of the report target groups, stakeholders and end users.

In the initial meeting, we discuss approximate ideas and clarify technical and legal requirements. In particular, data procurement, provision and preparation are reviewed:

  • Is all the data available or do other systems need to be connected first?
  • Is the data complete or does it need to be enriched and supplemented (manually) if necessary?

Existing reports can be included in the process as a starting point for the new reporting environment.

Visual and content concepts are then created based on these clarifications and the defined requirements. The first dashboards are then developed based on these concepts. These dashboards can already fulfil the status of a minimum viable product (MVP) and are subsequently tested for their functionality in close cooperation with the customer and the reporting end users. In an ongoing optimisation process, adjustments can be made at any stage, whereby such adjustments at an early stage of development generally involve less effort than changes to a dashboard that is already fully developed and running. Once the dashboards have been finalised, customers can continue to receive support or further development as required.

In addition, targeted training courses have proven their worth, enabling users to make certain adjustments themselves in order to get the most out of the tools on offer.

Solution approaches

The concrete use case and specific requirements determine which tool proves to be optimal in terms of implementation and utilisation. We usually use Tableau or Google Data Studio. On the one hand, smaller and simple reports can be implemented efficiently and, on the other, flexible and advanced visualisations can be realised in complex projects. In many cases, a direct connection to databases, servers and APIs is possible. We would be happy to check the possibilities for you in your individual setting. In the case of manually recorded data, for example via interfaces to Google Drive or Google Sheets, automated visualisation is always possible without any problems.

The scope and complexity of the reporting can be tailored to the individual needs of each customer, as there is maximum freedom in the processing, aggregation and presentation of the data. For example, reports can be issued at the end of the day, month or quarter. Live connections for real-time data are also possible. In addition, different sections of extensive reports can be linked together as required. Furthermore, the dashboards created can be accessed via various devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) as required.