Data resilience is the foundation of reliable operations. To deliver unmatched curated data and insights powered by Windward Maritime AI™, we’ve collaborated with globally recognized data providers. As the AIS data market keeps on evolving, these strategic partnerships ensure redundant data sources are in place, safeguarding continuity even in the face of acquisitions or closures....
If there’s one thing 2024 taught us about the maritime and supply chain ecosystems, it’s that change is constant – and often unpredictable. To succeed, organizations must be proactive and agile, ensuring that their strategic decision-making is built on a foundation of flexibility and foresight. This blog leverages insights from Windward’s 2025 Top Trends in...
What are Business Intelligence (BI) and Analytics?
Business intelligence (BI) and analytics are the processes and technologies used to gather, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. BI focuses on presenting historical and current data in an accessible way, often through dashboards, reports, and visualizations.
Analytics delves deeper into data patterns to predict trends, identify opportunities, and solve complex problems. Together, they empower businesses to enhance operational efficiency, strategize effectively, and maintain a competitive edge.
By leveraging advanced analytics and real-time data from diverse maritime sources, Windward empowers businesses in the supply chain, trading, shipping, and government sectors to make smarter, data-driven decisions. From tracking vessel movements and assessing compliance risks, to optimizing operations, our platform transforms complex maritime data into actionable insights, ensuring our customers stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.
What is the Difference Between BI and Analytics?
Business intelligence (BI) and analytics often work hand-in-hand, but they serve distinct purposes:
Business intelligence (BI): BI focuses on descriptive analytics, which means it looks at historical and current data to answer the question, “What happened?” It emphasizes monitoring and reporting, offering insights through dashboards, reports, and visualizations. BI is about making data accessible and understandable for better day-to-day operational decision-making.
Analytics: analytics takes a more advanced approach, often involving predictive and prescriptive analytics to answer questions like “Why did it happen?” and “What will happen next?” Analytics uses statistical models, machine learning, and algorithms to uncover trends, identify opportunities, and solve complex problems, enabling forward-looking strategies.
BI provides the foundation with accessible insights, while analytics drives deeper exploration and future-focused decisions.
What are the Key Benefits of Using BI and Data Analytics in the Shipping Industry?
The key benefits of using BI and analytics in the shipping industry include:
Enhanced decision-making: BI tools provide real-time data visualizations and performance metrics, helping shippers make informed operational and strategic decisions quickly
Cost optimization: predictive analytics can optimize fuel consumption, improve route planning, and reduce delays, leading to significant cost savings
Improved risk management: analytics helps identify potential risks, such as compliance issues or supply chain disruptions, allowing companies to mitigate problems before they escalate
Increased operational efficiency: by automating data analysis and integrating multiple data sources, shippers can streamline processes and boost productivity
Regulatory compliance: BI tools track adherence to international shipping regulations, aiding in environmental compliance and reducing penalties
How Can Windward Help?
Business intelligence (BI) and analytics are essential for transforming maritime data into actionable insights. With Windward’s Maritime AI™, businesses can harness these capabilities to identify operational hotspots, uncover new opportunities, and navigate competitive landscapes effectively.
Identify hotspots: spot emerging global trends by monitoring trading patterns, analyzing cargo flows, vessel balance, anchoring times, and movements to and from ports or areas of interest.
Spot incoming business: gain visibility into potential leads through customized queries and automated alerts, identifying vessels owned by past partners, new arrivals to the area, or those linked to target companies.
Explore market share: dive deep into your competitive landscape by analyzing ports and areas of interest. Receive AI-driven insights on company-specific meetings, lost business vessels, and benchmarking laytimes for anchoring.
Windward empowers businesses to integrate BI and analytics seamlessly, driving smarter decisions and growth in a dynamic maritime industry.
Learn more about Windward’s BI & Analytics solution.
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