Key insights The concept of real-time in business intelligence often does not mean instantaneous. Data processing and analysis can have slight delays due to system limitations. Businesses should manage expectations regarding the speed of data insights. Business Intelligence (BI) tools aim to provide timely information but are not always immediate. Understanding the difference between perceived real-time and actual data processing time is crucial for decision-making. Effective use of BI requires balancing speed with accuracy and reliability of data. Keywords Real-time business intelligence data analytics BI tools real-time reporting decision-making insights dashboard performance optimization