Top IT research firm gauges business intelligence market and finds BusinessObjects XI provides greatest value for end users

Nucleus Research, a global provider of IT research and advisory services, today announced the availability of its Business Intelligence Scorecard. The independent study shares rankings of BI vendors, based on five levels of criteria, and addresses emerging trends and needs in the business intelligence (BI) realm. The research note provides businesses with practical advice for effectively deploying business intelligence solutions.

For this study, Nucleus analysts conducted independent assessments of data gathered from individual vendor’s customers as well as other users in the market sector. Key findings in the research include the following:

• Customers are seeking vendors that can provide guidance on how BI can fit specific business requirements.
• Pure play BI vendors will soon extend their suites with greater vertical capabilities and richer visualization tools.
• The key to expending BI benefits beyond the power user community is finding tools that provide intuitive access to BI system novices.
• There will be greater convergence of BI and predictive analysis tools.
• Microsoft's pricing strategy and the ubiquity of its technology in the midmarket will make it more difficult for BI competitors to make inroads in that part of the market.

The BI ROI Scorecard announced today includes rankings for Business Objects XI, Cognos 8, Hyperion System 9, Microsoft, MicroStrategy and SAS Enterprise BI Server.

Overall vendor scores, with a highest possible of 5.0, found Business Objects leading the BI category with a 4.6 and Cognos and Hyperion tied for second, both receiving a score of 4.4. Ratings are determined by Nucleus Research’s assessment of five key factors contributing to the ability of a solution to deliver a positive return on investment:

• Deployment – based on how easily and quickly a solution can be deployed
• Adoption – based on usability and the potential scalability of adoption
• Support – based on the ability of the solution to function with limited internal support costs
• Business Impact – based on the potential of the solution to deliver returns through clear and repeatable benefits
• Vendor – based on a vendor's track record and ability to help a customer maximize ROI

"Any organization evaluating business intelligence solutions needs to take a close look at their current capabilities, conduct a thorough assessment of their needs and then evaluate offerings based on those requirements," said Kathy Quirk, research manager of Nucleus Research. "By taking advantage of our case-based research, Nucleus clients are able to benefit from the key considerations that are necessary for achieving maximum return on investment in BI technology."

The Business Intelligence Suite report can be viewed on the Nucleus Research website at nucleusresearch.com.

About Nucleus Research

Nucleus Research is a global provider of IT advisory and research services that provides CFOs, CIOs and their staffs with the real-world information they need to maximize the business returns from their technology investments. Its analysts blend financial analysis and case-based investigations with comprehensive technology expertise to deliver factual return-on-investment (ROI) data to organizations worldwide. The company uses an uncompromising set of processes and tools to evaluate the financial return on IT assets and is the only firm to gain certification by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Nucleus Research has analyst experts across the entire enterprise software and hardware space and provides clients with ongoing advice to help with both short-term technology decisions and long-term strategic plans. For more information, visit nucleusresearch.com