EHS experts rely on data to drive workplace safety, compliance, and risk management – and there are plenty of business intelligence tools to help make sense of that data. But picking the right tool can feel overwhelming, with many factors to consider. A common question is whether the BI tools built into the EHS platform are enough, or if an entirely new business intelligence platform is required.
This blog highlights the critical capabilities that EHS professionals should look for within their BI toolkit and includes real EHS examples.
Critical Capabilities of EHS Business Intelligence (BI) Tools
1. Connectivity & Interoperability
Data is everywhere, and not all organizations have a single source of truth within their EHS ecosystem. One of the most important capabilities in any BI solution is the ability to pull data from other sources – and push resulting analyses elsewhere.
This opens the door to analysis that might not have been previously considered, such as connecting with IoT sensors in the field or regulatory bodies like OSHA, EPA, and ISO for compliance tracking.
A strong API architecture can be a major indicator of these capabilities, especially for under-resourced IT professionals maintaining data systems.
2. Customizable Dashboards & Reporting
BI tool requirements vary between organizations and even between users. The ability to present data through dashboards that adapt to user type, location, job role, and department is critical for EHS professionals.
Data literacy is a growing concern, and delivering the right information to the right people—without overloading them—is key. Tailored views help professionals get the insights they need, without unnecessary complexity.
3. User-Friendly Data Visualization
Beyond removing irrelevant data, BI tools should offer simple, intuitive interfaces. Complex analytics mean little if users can’t interpret the results.
When assessing user-friendliness, consider: Is training available? Are there features that highlight data quality concerns? How easily can admins ensure users will find dashboards clear and useful?
Also consider: Can users explore data using filters or natural language search? These features boost engagement and improve organizational data literacy.
CorityOne includes a number of native BI tools and collaborations with partners. Click to learn more.
4. Advanced Analytics & Predictive Insights
For many EHS teams, the goal of BI is moving from reactive to proactive—using data to prevent incidents before they occur.
BI tools with trend analysis or AI-powered insights can uncover patterns a human might miss. These don’t need to be overly complex—some simply help users surface key findings more quickly.
One useful feature is root cause analysis. For example, if lack of PPE is the common root cause in many incidents involving a certain user group, targeted interventions for that group can reduce future incidents. This can then be measured and optimized over time.
5. Accessibility Across Device Types
It’s essential that all users can access the BI tools and data they need, no matter the device. If your organization has field teams that rely on mobile or offline access, this is a crucial consideration.
This also ties back to interoperability: leading EHS providers may offer built-in BI tools that deliver data to both desktop and mobile platforms—ideal for field agents needing real-time or offline access.
Final Thoughts
The most important features in BI tools will vary based on organizational needs and how EHS professionals interact with the platform. The capabilities above provide a solid foundation for evaluating whether to adopt built-in BI features or invest in standalone tools.
