Define 'business analytics' in relation to BI.

Business analytics plays a crucial role in the field of Business Intelligence (BI) as it focuses on the systematic exploration and analysis of data to gain insights into past business performance and trends. This definition encompasses the use of various techniques and technologies aimed at understanding historical data, which is essential for making informed business decisions.

By investigating past performance, organizations can identify patterns, measure outcomes, and recognize areas for improvement. This analytical approach allows businesses to harness historical data to inform future strategies, optimize operations, and ultimately drive growth.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of business analytics as it relates to BI. For example, standardizing business operations involves procedural consistency rather than analyzing historical performance. Similarly, providing an overview of accounting practices primarily focuses on financial reporting and does not involve the analytical exploration of business outcomes. Managing customer relationships relates more to CRM systems than to the analytical processes that assess past business performance.