It is essential that the IT department be consulted while selecting the right BI system. Workers in this department have to intelligently, in an orderly fashion evaluate the BI needs, and select an appropriate tool. While selecting a BI system, such as microsoft business intelligence platforms they will have to take into consideration the platforms supported by the system, the databases and files supported, its integration with the existing IT infrastructure, the connectivity options, backup and recovery options, and the end user functions, among other criteria. Organizations have to realize the important role the IT department plays in the success of any BI system. For BI systems to have a marked effect, active IT department involvement is necessary.