Loop is a retail performance management solution that empowers multi-site organisations by going beyond the data dashboards offered by traditional data visualisation tools. Additionally, Loop surfaces issues and opportunities, allowing them to be remedied or proactively addressed. In this article, we explore some of the key differences between Loop and data visualisation tools:
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How Loop compares to data visualisation tools
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User Interface
Loop is designed for all stakeholders in a multi-site organisation and is extremely intuitive to use, enabling a speedy onboarding. It also ensures a consistent unified story for all, allowing seamless data aggregation. The interface can also be customised in terms of brand and language. In contrast, generic data visualisation solutions like Tableau and Power BI are out-of-the-box tools that tend to be complex and are often geared toward technical users. -
Data Useability
At the set-up stage, Loop can integrate your organisational hierarchy, segment data and create tailored dashboards that are easy to interpret. Reports are configured and tested during the development process. However, once operational, visualisation tools are easy to update on an ad-hoc basis , in terms of individual regions and site needs, though their displays can sometimes be difficult to understand. -
Resource Reliance
The complexity of data visualisation tools requires dedicated data experts and analysts to manage them. Loop, on the other hand, is designed to be accessed by all, eliminating the risk of a ‘single point of failure’ within a data team, especially when reports need to be manually generated. -
Feature Set
While visualisation tools focus solely on data dashboards, Loop goes further and concentrates on actions and outcomes to help meet your KPIs. Loop’s comprehensive core modules include Dashboards, Balanced Scorecards, Action Planning, Visit Management, Surveys/Audits and a Margin Programme, plus a range of add-on tools. -
Industry Focus
Experts with over two decades of industry experience built Loop specifically for the automotive sector. It’s already used by 20 of the world’s top brands including Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, Skoda, Suzuki, Lotus, Honda and Aston Martin. Visualisation tools are more generic, without a particular industry focus. -
Impact / ROI
Loop can link actions to scorecard KPIs, with evidence showing this improves performance by up to 3x. It also surfaces automated improvement opportunities to optimise efforts. Without this focus on actions, you risk network dispersion with no unified standard. Data Visualisation tools are cost effective and will give a quicker return on investment, but the impact will be limited to displaying the data. -
Data Preparation & Maintenance
Loop’s data specialists integrate your data (in any format), automate future data feeds and KPIs and handle all technical updates and improvements. With visualisation tools, this responsibility typically falls on your in-house team. -
Understanding Improvements
Loop highlights which actions are driving performance improvements, allowing best practice to be shared in a centralised location accessible to all. With standalone dashboards, there’s often no visibility into what is improving or why. -
Service Support
Loop offers email-based support for users (both head office and network), including handling setup requests, access issues, system functionality queries and data-related questions. It also provides dedicated training and follow-up sessions. Automotive organisations will also benefit from Loop’s in-depth industry knowledge. Visualisation tools are unlikely to offer the same level of dedicated support. -
Roles & Permissions
Unlike visualisation tools, which are not designed with complex hierarchies in mind, Loop is highly configurable for multiple hierarchy levels. You can control user privileges, views and access to ensures the right information is shown the right people at the right time. -
Security
Given that OEM IT departments are governed by strict data controls, Loop prioritises data security with robust measures to keep your data safe without needing additional resources. In an era of increasing cyber threats, it’s important to choose a provider that takes security seriously.
We’re not denying the power of a data visualisation tool for smaller enterprises; indeed, they are essential for analysing and converting business data into accessible dashboards, ultimately helping to drive data-driven decisions. However, for those larger or scaling multi-site organisations with complex hierarchies, a more customisable, comprehensive solution is necessary to aid data collection, interpretation and communication of next steps, in order to affect your KPIs. Loop offers a thorough demo that highlights how the software works and illustrates the range of modules designed to tackle the challenges you’re facing.
