Microsoft Buys Datazen For Mobile BI

New York Auto Show: Cool Cars With Hot Tech

Microsoft today announced its acquisition of Datazen Software, a front-runner in mobile business intelligence, KPIs, and data visualization for Windows, iOS, and Android devices. The purchase will enhance the strategy for Power BI, Microsoft's cloud-based business analytics service.

Technology from Datazen will further Microsoft's efforts to use Power BI to help businesses create a data culture with tools that can derive as much value from data as possible. Companies need simpler ways to discover data insights they can use to improve their businesses. Now that more employees are bringing mobile devices to work, mobile BI is a growing trend.

[See what else Microsoft is doing with mobile apps. Read Microsoft Office Delve: Updates, Mobile App.]

Datazen positions itself as a mobile BI program for customers who need an on-premises solution. The mobile-first company already has enterprise customers around the world using its technology, which is optimized for SQL Server Analysis Services and the Microsoft platform overall.

As part of today's announcement, SQL Server Enterprise Edition customers with version 2008 or later and Software Assurance can download the Datazen Server software at no additional cost. Those eligible can visualize and interact with data on their mobile devices through the native mobile apps, which can be downloaded for free from their respective app stores.

"Datazen technology and solutions will complement Power BI, our cloud-based business analytics service, rounding out our mobile capabilities for customers who need a mobile BI solution implemented on-premises and optimized for SQL Server," wrote Kamal Hathi, partner director for Cloud + Enterprise at Microsoft, on the company's official blog.

Microsoft plans to integrate Datazen technology with Power BI eventually in an effort to provide another hybrid bridge for customers' on-premises cloud investments.

In announcing its acquisition in a blog post on its website, Datazen CEO Miljan Braticevic wrote that the Datazen team will continue to develop and evolve its product as part of Microsoft. "We have an exciting roadmap and are really looking forward to bringing new features to market," he stated.

Current Datazen customers and partners should note that the entire Datazen product stack, including server, publisher, and all mobile clients will continue to be available in their current forms.

Attend Interop Las Vegas, the leading independent technology conference and expo series designed to inspire, inform, and connect the world's IT community. In 2015, look for all new programs, networking opportunities, and classes that will help you set your organization’s IT action plan. It happens April 27 to May 1. Register with Discount Code MPOIWK for $200 off Total Access & Conference Passes.