Microsoft Business Intelligence

So, I thought that I would give you all a break from my recent blogging about RSS and switch topics completely (don’t worry though, my ranting about the power of Enterprise RSS will soon be back.

With the recent press release from Microsoft about their forthcoming “Office 12″ and integrated “Business Intelligence” functionality, we have been asked by our prospects, customers and partners how we think this will impact us. Therefore I thought that I would give it to you straight from the proverbial horses mouth (that’s me).

Microsoft has traditionally owned two of the key components of a Business Intelligence Solution: 1) Microsoft SQL Server and Analysis Services has long been a staple for creating data marts and OLAP cubes 2) Excel has evolved as a preferred choice of data presentation and manipulation for the “average Joe”. The problem has been that the two are completely disjointed. The average Joe has no idea what an OLAP cube is, let a lone knows how to plug one into excel… 

My opinion is that Microsoft has created tools that lay the foundation for a great BI deployment (all of which we integrate with), but is still missing the crown molding and other finishing touches that truly make one successful. And I seriously doubt that Office 12 will be magical enough to make all of this happen. My suspicion is that its another spin to get their existing customers to upgrade to another version of Office. This will no doubt be an expensive process with an unclear ROI.  We have customers still using Office 97 and enjoying the full functionality of a robust Business Intelligence solution… How will Office 12 address these scenarios? In addition, the web based interface that BlueVue touts has long been a favorite of our users.

I will finish by saying this: “We know your data, so you don’t have too…”. In other words, the day that Microsoft can take your Real Time ACD data, your WFM, QA, HRIS, and CRM data; and with a turnkey solution integrate it and present it to not only your front line staff in interactive and intuitive reports, but also your CEO in his personalized dashboard; then I’ll be worried…

In the meantime, thank you for your loyalty and patronage, and as always… BlueVue Rocks.