Cognos Inc. this week will unveil a release of business-intelligence framework software that the vendor says will let IT managers more easily deploy business-intelligence capabilities. Cognos also is expected to unveil an event-notification application that analysts say will let companies deliver better service to their customers.

The business-intelligence framework gives users of Cognos applications, such as the Impromptu query and reporting tool and PowerPlay analytical-processing software, a way to exchange data and analytical results. It also provides a common set of administration and security services for the applications.

The release, Cognos Series 7, offers deployment and configuration-management tools and security features based on the Secure Sockets Layer encryption protocol. The framework's portal technology can be integrated with enterprise portal software from vendors such as Plumtree Software Inc., letting users access Cognos software from other applications. The new NoticeCast application monitors business transactions and events and notifies users via E-mail, digital cell phones, or PDAs about supply-chain activity, sales and financial alerts, and changes in customer relationships.

The new software moves Cognos "out of passive business intelligence and into active business intelligence," says Aberdeen Group analyst Bob Moran, and it will help companies give their best customers "concierge treatment."

Logistics provider Schneider Logistics Inc. is testing NoticeCast. "We plan to use it to give our customers and our management visibility into the status of inbound and in-transit inventory," says Bill Braddy, VP of engineering and knowledge services at the Green Bay, Wis., company. NoticeCast can alert managers when a shipment is running late.

The Cognos Series 7 technology will be built into new releases of Cognos business-intelligence tools starting in January. The NoticeCast application also will ship in January. Pricing for NoticeCast hasn't been set.