The answer may be that too many BI platforms are mired in historical analysis across siloed back ends. The action is in a new, more integrated world of dynamic, real-time information that's emerging from Microsoft, Oracle and other BI vendors. These suites empower real users--not IT pros drafted into duty--and let them draw valuable data from processes, events and other sources beyond conventional data warehouses.
Their vehicle for display? Real-time dashboards that process up-to-the minute information and present it for immediate use and analysis. But that level of integration carries risks: Data sharing within BI brings up serious security, compliance and privacy concerns. And then there are the turf wars, as departments, employees and business partners scramble to protect data--their prime intellectual asset--from internal and external competitors.
Still, a new vision of real-time, networked intelligence is possible thanks to affordable computing and storage platforms. These, combined with advances in leveraging BAM (business activity monitoring) to track strategic business objectives and cost-effective data-warehousing appliances, should help vendors extend the use of BI throughout the business world. Now, will they rise to the challenge? And will IT buy in?
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United BI Nation
The list of BI players is a veritable who's who: Big application and systems providers--including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and most recently, Hewlett-Packard--are trumpeting BI, analytics and data warehousing and are challenging in markets once owned by pure-plays such as Business Objects, Cognos, Hyperion, Information Builders, MicroStrategy and SAS. In addition, systems integrators and resellers are clamoring for BI expertise to buff up their services.
