Proper analytics can offer businesses a myriad of advantages and, as big data continues to grow, the number of business components that can be analyzed is seemingly endless. While information has been used to gain new insights about the sales and marketing side of business, the people behind a company's actions can also be viewed, and their behavior can be analyzed to help executives manage them. 

An article in Bloomberg BusinessWeek refers to people analytics as the "next big thing in big data." Using information to help understand the way workers interact with each other, how they operate, when they are most productive and so on and so forth can allow organizations to effectively manage a number of key areas of business, including scheduling and task assignments.

For example, if one individual is more productive in the afternoon and the data supports this, companies can change the way they manage that worker after lunch. The insights gained from people analytics can design a more efficient and productive workforce.

This strategy is already in place in some areas, according to Ben Waber, the article's author.

"Some companies are using this approach to boost productivity," Waber wrote. "Bank of America analyzed their call center operation to change how their employees took breaks, reducing turnover and increasing performance dramatically. Cubist Pharmaceuticals found that it had too many coffee machines. By introducing centralized coffee areas it was able to increase serendipitous interactions and sales."

To assist with this process, it's important to be equipped with the proper software. FileMaker development will help create a custom database software system designed to track employees, monitor activity and help make smart personnel decisions.