/dq/media/agency_attachments/UPxQAOdkwhCk8EYzqyvs.png)
Follow UsAt IBMs annual event Information on Demand 2010, which was held in Las Vegas from October 24 to 28, the company launched its new version of software called Cognos 10, which is a combination of business analytics and optimization. The event was attended by over 10,000 people across continents.
Robert Le Blanc, senior VP, middleware software, IBM while introducing the software said, Cognos helps identify business trends, opportunities and analyze. It is available through license fee and is cloud enabled, which is favourable for SMBs.
Talking at the event, Rob Ashe, GM, business analytics remarked, Cognos can integrate data using real-time intelligence and cloud on to a single user interface and uses social networking and communication devices such as I-pads, phones etc. The data can be accessed from any mobile networks such as mobiles, iPads etc. Steve Mills, senior VP and group executive, IBM software & systems group, spoke about data warehousing capabilities and IBMs offerings in that space. Mills said, We are moving away from the traditional warehousing and taking a holistic approach. Our new and improved warehousing capabilities run 3 times faster.
Krishna explaining the nuances of the software, elaborated, Any company, irrespective of the size, can utilize, optimize, and customize Cognos to their requirement. It lets them explore data (historical or recent) with various combination of analytics. Cognos can help in zeroing the business probabilities as well. Krishna also elaborated that Cognos has an interactive facility wherein the data/analytics can be charted into videos and usage of built-in images. This information can be accessed from any form of communication as long as it is enabled to this feature.
Colin Shearer, worldwide industry solutions leader, SPSS, IBM, spoke about their integration with IBM. SPSS, which is now part of IBM, has contributed to Cognos through its predictive analytics.
Colin Shearer, IBM SPSS also commented, Predictive Analytics is used in variety of verticals from telecom, banking to retail and insurance. According to IDC the market size is about $16 bn. In India the market is similar especially in telecommunications. Quoting an example Shearer said, Predictive analytics are used in juvenile and repeat offenders, predicting customer preferences in certain consumer goods etc. Since there is a large customer base in India, it is our key market area. SPSS Modeler also allows organizations to reduce costs and increase operational productivity.
IBM has about 8000 consultants working over business analytics and Cognos. Currently the company is banking on all sectors ranging from BFSI, telco, banking and insurance, retail etc.
During the event, JCB Partners won Best of Information on Demand Showcase, while Alpine Consulting Inc won the award for Excellence in Information Management Solution. The CTO Innovation award was bagged by TerraEchos Inc and Information Management Rookie of the Year was won by Buckley Data Group LLC.
Apart from the regular sessions, labs were set up for partners and customers to experience IBMs offerings and learn hands-on.
Revathi Raghavan/DQChannels
(The author was hosted in Las Vegas by IBM)