April 19, 2004

Welcome to 5-Minute Briefing: Data Integration, a summary of key news, trends, and insights that IT and line of business managers need to know to address crucial data integration challenges.

Databeacon Announces Support for Microsoft Analysis Services
Databeacon Inc., a developer of Web reporting and data analysis software, has announced support for Microsoft Analysis Services. The new release enables mid-market enterprises to leverage their investments in Microsoft Analysis Services to gain more insight from corporate data reports and make better business decisions. Databeacon defines the mid-market as 100-to-1000-employee organizations, which are either standalone companies or departments in larger organizations.
.... "When we look at the nature of those departments they have very limited budgets and they have very limited IT resources," Andy Coutts, president and CEO of Databeacon, told 5 Minute Briefing. "The other thing we know about that market is there is a prevalence of Microsoft SQL Server and, as a result, Analysis Services out there. In order for us to meet the needs of the market, we really have to support Microsoft Analysis Services in that people may already have multidimensional data sitting there."
.... Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services includes OLAP and data mining features. Coupled with Databeacon software, mid-market organizations with limited skills or funds can turn data into an interactive format that is easily understood by everyone in an organization. "Just as people are far more efficient at gas pumps and at ATMs where they can get the service themselves, the same thing is true with analysis, if you can lower that front-end hurdle, so that most users can actually make use of the reporting technology in a real-time fashion, you can enable them to answer their own questions," Coutts noted. More information is available at www.databeacon.com.

Pitney Bowes Buys Group 1 Software
Pitney Bowes Inc. said it would buy Group 1 Software Inc. for $321 million to expand its line of document-management products. Pitney Bowes, which provides postage meters and management services that are a mainstay in corporate mailrooms, will pay $23 a share in cash for Group 1, a provider of direct-marketing services and maker of software that helps companies format customer databases. Group 1 has its roots in postal automation services. The transaction should close in the third quarter of 2004. "Software is an increasingly important part of our value proposition," said Michael J. Critelli, chairman and CEO, in a conference call following the announcement. "This acquisition allows us to buy an enhancement to our capabilities faster than if we built it ourselves and enhances all our growth strategies."
.... Group 1, Critelli said, will help Pitney Bowes address the $4 billion market integrating information in mail-oriented documents across customer-touch points as well as its international presence. Group 1 offers mailing automation, data quality, document composition and data integration solutions. For more information, go to www.pitneybowes.com.

Database Trends and Applications is the leading monthly publication providing corporate information projects teams with timely coverage of the technology, intelligence and insight needed to conceptualize, plan, initiate, implement and manage large-scale, integrated information-rich projects. Building on its long tradition within the multivalue and multidimensional database market, Database Trends and Applications now addresses the full range of enterprise information issues, including operational, transactional, and analytical systems.

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Forrester Analyst,
Dr. Philip Russom Presents:
"Enterprise Architecture for Distributed Data Integration"

View this informative Webcast to hear Dr. Russom address current trends in enterprise data integration and share his view on how a data integration architecture can address the challenge of integrating distributed data across the enterprise.

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