Business Intelligence Apps Available on Demand

VentanaQuickTake

Take
A growing number of business intelligence (BI) vendors are offering BI software as a service (SaaS). They range from well-known companies such as Business Objects (with www.crystalreports.com), Cognos and SAS to new entrants such as LucidEra and Oco and Seatab, which have established their presence over the last two years. In Ventana Research's view, the SaaS trend is a response to customer companies looking for less expensive software licensing, simpler deployment and higher usage rates. While these are all valid reasons for moving to SaaS, it does not signal "the end of software as we know it," as CEO Marc Benioff of salesforce.com claims.

In evaluating the SaaS model, Ventana Research recommends that organizations carefully consider security implications, such where the hardware physically is located, who has access to the servers and data, and the impact of these factors on regulatory compliance. Moving to SaaS is not as easy as simply having your BI software hosted; the issues of multiple client tenancy and managing organizations' access to the data and applications can be challenging, as Siebel and, more recently, SAP learned. Further, we recommend that organizations evaluate how a vendor's SaaS architecture fits with their IT standards and its impact on interoperability with their own internal systems.

About Ventana Research
Ventana Research is the leading Performance Management research and advisory services firm. By providing expert insight and detailed guidance, Ventana Research helps clients operate their companies more efficiently and effectively. These business improvements are delivered through a top-down approach that connects people, process, information and technology. What makes Ventana Research different from other analyst firms is a focus on Performance Management for finance, operations and IT. This focus, plus research as a foundation and reach into a community of over two million corporate executives through extensive media partnerships, allows Ventana Research to deliver a high-value, low-risk method for achieving optimal business performance. To learn how Ventana Research Performance Management workshops, assessments and advisory services can impact your bottom line, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.
2006 Ventana Research