From Data to Decisions: Test Intelligence That Drives Action

TREND INSIGHT

NI SOFTWARE | 4 MINUTE READ

AI and edge computing power a unified data ecosystem, turning test data into insights for smarter decisions, improved quality, and faster innovation.

2025-01-27

As product complexity continues to climb, so do the stakes for product testing, where even minor failures can have dire consequences. Advanced technologies are being integrated into critical applications like autonomous vehicles and aerospace operations, intensifying the focus on quality and reliability and requiring more rigorous testing. Organizations are accumulating mountains of data from these tests and facing an additional new challenge: how to take advantage of all that test data to accelerate decision-making, improve outcomes, and ultimately sharpen their competitive edge. 

Let’s explore some data problems we frequently see organizations face—and discuss ways to go from data overload to actionable intelligence.

More Data, More Problems

While data captured from modern test systems offer immense potential, unlocking actionable insights remains a challenge, including the following common struggles:

 

  • Disparate sources and formats—Siloed environments and inconsistent formats make it difficult to aggregate data, draw meaningful connections, uncover relationships, and generate actionable insights.
  • Unstructured data—Presentations, PDFs, and other unstructured sources contain critical information but are difficult to search and catalog.
  • Lack of accessibility and reuse—Engineers often duplicate work because existing knowledge and intellectual property (IP) aren’t accessible across teams.

 

When you can do more measurements and demand higher quality, you inevitably create more data—and with it, a bigger data challenge.

Rudy Sengupta

VP and GM of Emerson T&M’s Test and Analytics Software Business

From Data Overload to Actionable Intelligence

Organizations must rethink how they manage and use their valuable test data. The key lies in unifying fragmented, unstructured, and inaccessible data into an intelligent system powered by edge computing and AI.

The Impact of Edge Computing

Edge computing revolutionizes the way data is processed by enabling analytics to happen directly at the source—where the data is generated. By analyzing data at the edge, engineers benefit from instant insights, reducing costly delays caused by transferring information to centralized servers or the cloud. 

Edge computing allows organizations to detect anomalies, investigate root causes, and take immediate corrective actions to enhance product quality. For example, engineers can identify subtle performance issues in real time which, if left unchecked, might escalate into critical failures.

Human Expertise Enhanced by AI

AI also plays a pivotal role in turning raw data into meaningful insights. By integrating AI into workflows, repetitive and time-consuming tasks can be automated, giving engineers time to focus on higher-value work.

 

For example, test engineers can upload specifications and datasheets in various formats and then review AI-generated recommendations through the lens of their specialized domain knowledge. The result is a collaborative, transparent workflow where AI handles the sorting of large data sets, while human experts refine and interpret the outputs, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

Creating a Unified Data Ecosystem

The cornerstone of actionable data intelligence lies in creating a unified ecosystem where all test data—structured and unstructured—is integrated and easily accessible.  

 

A unified approach ensures the following objectives:

 

  • Data consistency—Reduce errors caused by conflicting or duplicate data.
  • Enhanced searchability—Make critical insights accessible to teams across the organization.
  • Cross-functional collaboration—Enable engineers, designers, and operational leaders to work from a shared, context-rich foundation. 

When organizations recognize their test data is more than just a byproduct of engineering workflows, they can begin to leverage it as a strategic asset. However, unlocking this value requires intentional and thoughtful data management practices that align with business goals.

Your data is always trying to tell you something, but are you truly able to listen and understand?

Rudy Sengupta

VP and GM of Emerson T&M’s Test and Analytics Software Business

Turning Data into IP

Leading organizations are transforming their test data into a powerful competitive asset. Measurement points, test sequences, data sheets, performance metrics, RMA information, and customer feedback combine to form a new kind of intellectual property—one that extends beyond traditional product IP. This IP is not a static resource—it grows and evolves as organizations accumulate more insights over time.

 

By leveraging historical data alongside AI-driven analytics, organizations gain a holistic view that allows them to anticipate future trends, predict potential bottlenecks, and refine designs based on real-world evidence. The outcomes go beyond improved products—every piece of data fuels innovation through smarter decisions, drives accelerated growth, ultimately strengthening an organization’s competitive edge.

Reimagine Test and Measurement with Emerson’s Test & Measurement Group

The future of test and measurement lies requires actionable intelligence. By leveraging the latest advancements in computing and AI, NI empowers organizations to transform their data into a strategic, competitive asset. 

 

NI software (including the NI LabVIEW+ Suite, NI SystemLink™ software, and NI OptimalPlus GO) is designed to create a seamless ecosystem that drives improvements in quality, efficiency, and innovation while addressing the data overload challenge. Now is the time to rethink your approach to data. Move beyond capturing information and start generating actionable intelligence.