Business Intelligence Tools: Comparison and Market Analysis
TDWI Technology Market Reports provide TDWI Members an annual overview of an important technology sector within the business intelligenc (BI) market.
- By Cindi Howson, Wayne Eckerson
- June 19, 2008
The business intelligence landscape has changed considerably in the last year. Software heavyweights SAP, Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft all made major acquisitions and innovations reflecting BI’s new spot at the top of the CIO’s agenda. Leading BI vendors are expanding their strategy from selling BI tools predominantly to information technology (IT) departments to selling BI-enabled business solutions to business executives and unit heads. Despite the industry consolidation, innovation continues as big and small vendors unveil new products and modules that make BI easier and more effective to use.
About the Authors
Cindi Howson is the chief data strategy officer at ThoughtSpot and an analytics and BI thought leader with a flair for bridging business needs with technology. At ThoughtSpot she advises clients on data strategy and best practices to becoming data-driven, influences ThoughtSpot’s product strategy, and is the host of The Data Chief podcast. Cindi was previously a Gartner research vice president as the lead author for the data and analytics maturity model and analytics and BI Magic Quadrant, and a popular keynote speaker.
Wayne Eckerson is an internationally recognized thought leader in the business intelligence and analytics field. He is a sought-after consultant and noted speaker who thinks critically, writes clearly, and presents persuasively about complex topics.
Eckerson has shared his insights and advice with a wide range of companies. Recent clients include AAA, Air Canada, Carlsberg, Boston Beer, New Balance, Avalon Bay Communities, and TE Connectivity. He has also conducted many groundbreaking research studies, chaired numerous conferences, and written two widely read books: The Secrets of Analytical Leaders: Insights from Information Insiders and Performance Dashboards: Measuring, Monitoring, and Managing Your Business.
Eckerson is founder and principal consultant of Eckerson Group, LLC, a business-technology consulting firm that helps business leaders use data and technology to drive better insights and actions. His team of senior researchers and consultants provide cutting-edge information and advice on business intelligence, analytics, performance management, data governance, data warehousing, and big data. They work closely with organizations that want to assess their current capabilities and develop a strategy for turning data into insights and action. He can be reached at [email protected].