You don’t have your laptop, but you get an email on your iPhone or iPad saying that last quarter’s figures have come out. Thankfully, there is a data report reader that is as functional as it is chic. Roambi, short for Roaming Business Intelligence allows you to interpret, view, store and interact with data using a gorgeous touch interface, curing you of some analytical apathy.

The application is free to download from the iTunes Store and works on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It’s free to set up a lite account for personal use, which makes it a great way to try Roambi and get comfortable using it. The other two account types, which harness the full power of Roambi, are aimed at the corporate crowd. The Pro account, designed for companies and work groups, will run $99USD a year, and ES3, designed for enterprises, is priced specifically based on your needs. For the full rundown on all three account types check out this comparison chart.

How it works

Roambi creates stunning outputs that are perfect for presentations. The application comes loaded with a set of sample data for you to play around with. Once you have created an account, upload data from your computer, from a variety of programs such as Excel or Numbers. When you are using the application, you can sync with the Roambi server to find any new data sets that have been uploaded. The enterprise level account also allows you to import and analyze more intense data outputs, such as SAP readouts, IBM Cognos, and Microsoft Reporting Services. All you have to do is log in to Roambi on an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad and you literally have the data at your fingertips. For anyone who works with numbers, Roambi is a must try.

What it is

The most noticeable benefit of using Roambi is that it allows the user to interpret data any one of several ways. You can get a brief overview of the data (above left) or use PieView (above right), but it also allows you to select a data slice for more information. The “Cardex” allows you to flip through charts, just like a Rolodex, and the “SuperList” allows you to read your data in a spreadsheet. Arguably, the most powerful mode is “CataList” (below left) which is a great comparative tool. For example, the sample data set that comes with the application includes store location and type information. You can compare store categories against a number of different statistics, such as: sales, visitors and specific inventory over a given time period. Finally there is also a very in-depth trend analysis tool (below right).

What it is not

Despite its ability to display data, it’s not a data creation or collection tool, like Excel or Numbers. This can be frustrating if you want to edit on the fly.  Plus, because the application is so powerful and rich with features, some people might have a big learning curve. You will need to give yourself some time to test drive all of the features.

Is it worth it?

Given that the app is free, and you can try it out with a lite account, free of charge, it’ s definitely worth checking out. Upload your own dataset and run an analysis that is relevant to your business, rather than using the example numbers that are included. If you’re on the road often and your team analyzes data on a regular basis, then this application is worth piloting.

Conclusion

The Roambi application has the potential to be a business professional’s best friend. When important information is needed in a pinch, Roambi is there.
Have you had the opportunity to use this app? If so, post your thoughts below.