When you think about ice cream, data might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But at Global Scoops, we've learned that data - especially the kind that's accessible right where our teams work - is the secret ingredient to staying ahead in a fast-moving, flavor-hungry world. That's why we've embraced embedded analytics as a core part of our digital transformation journey. And let me tell you, it's been a game-changer.

Why Embedded Analytics Matters in Ice Cream

We're not just in the business of making ice cream. We're in the business of understanding what people crave, when they crave it, and how to get it to them faster and fresher than ever. That means our decisions need to be informed by real-time insights - not static reports or spreadsheets buried in email threads. Embedded analytics lets us put that data directly into the hands of our frontline teams, from flavor development to supply chain to retail operations.

Users get the information they need right where they work

For example, our retail managers now see live dashboards showing sales trends by flavor, region, and even time of day - all within the same system they use to manage inventory. No more toggling between apps or waiting for someone from IT to pull a report. They can spot a spike in demand for, say, lavender honeycomb in Portland and adjust their orders before the weekend rush hits.

From Data Overload to Actionable Insights

Before we embedded analytics into our workflows, we were drowning in data. We had it all - production stats, logistics data, customer feedback, you name it. But it was scattered across different platforms, and only a few people knew how to make sense of it. We needed a way to democratize that information, to make it useful for everyone from our warehouse staff to our flavor scientists.

That's where tools like Qlik came in. By embedding analytics directly into our internal apps and portals, we gave every team member a window into the metrics that matter most to them. Our logistics team, for instance, can now monitor delivery performance and identify bottlenecks in real time. That means fewer melted pints and happier customers.

Embedding has completely improved that user experience

And it's not just about efficiency. It's about empowerment. When people can see the impact of their work - whether it's reducing waste in the production line or boosting customer satisfaction scores - they feel more connected to our mission. That's the kind of culture we want to build at Global Scoops.

Scaling Smarter with Embedded Analytics

As we've grown, one of our biggest challenges has been maintaining consistency across locations. We now operate dozens of scoop shops and distribution centers across the country, and each one has its own quirks. Embedded analytics helps us standardize best practices while still allowing for local flexibility.

Take our seasonal rollout strategy. In the past, we'd launch a new flavor nationwide and hope for the best. Now, we use embedded dashboards to test flavors in select markets, track performance in real time, and make data-driven decisions about where to expand. It's like A/B testing for ice cream - and it works.

We've also seen huge benefits in our supplier relationships. By sharing embedded reports with our dairy and ingredient partners, we've improved transparency and collaboration. They can see exactly how their products are performing and adjust their operations accordingly. It's a win-win.

We use data to guide them directly to where they should focus

Choosing the Right Analytics Partner

Of course, none of this would be possible without the right technology. When we were evaluating analytics platforms, we knew we needed something flexible, secure, and scalable. Our data lives in the cloud, and we needed a solution that could match our architecture and security requirements. Qlik's ability to support single-tenant deployments and integrate seamlessly with our existing systems made it a natural fit.

Another big plus was the self-contained nature of Qlik apps. Each one includes its own database, which means we can spin up specific analytics experiences for different teams without overloading our core systems. That modularity has been key to our success - we can build, test, and deploy new insights quickly, without disrupting the rest of the business.

And let's not forget automation. With so many locations and users, we needed a platform that could handle provisioning, single sign-on, and user management at scale. Qlik's robust API support made that possible, freeing up our IT team to focus on more strategic work.

The Sweet Taste of Insight

At the end of the day, embedded analytics isn't just a tech upgrade - it's a mindset shift. It's about meeting people where they are and giving them the tools to make smarter, faster decisions. For us, that means better flavors, smoother operations, and happier customers.

We're still learning, still iterating, and still finding new ways to use data to delight our fans. But one thing's for sure: embedded analytics has become a core ingredient in our recipe for success. And just like our ice cream, it's only getting better with time.