Microsoft plans new business intelligence tools for Office 2007
Summary
Microsoft is wasting no time leveraging ProClaritys business intelligence (BI) tools after announcing its plans to acquire the company just two months ago. PerformancePoint Server combines a business analysis engine the company acquired with ProClarity, with an Excel front end and SQL Server analysis and reporting features to provide business performance management, said Michael Smith, director of Microsoft?s Office business applications group. This move is anticipated to bring all of Microsofts various Office BI efforts into a cohesive whole that will allow it to compete with major competitors while also strengthening the need for its SQL Server 2005. A preexisting BI tool, Microsoft Business Scorecard Manager, will see the end of its development as a standalone product and instead be rolled into PerformancePoint. Eager users of BI can expect to get their hands on Microsofts new technology in the second quarter of 2007.
