Press Releases

PLEASANTON, Calif.- May 14, 2010 - Despite the longstanding availability of enabling technologies, businesses today are still in the early stages of maturing their use of business intelligence and performance management, according to benchmark research findings announced today by Ventana Research. This major research on Business Intelligence and Performance Management, the latest from the leading business technology research firm, analyzed input from hundreds of organizations around the world to assess the maturity and direction of their efforts.

This research examined organizations' people, process, information and technology competencies and what they require to enable effective business intelligence and performance management. It found most still in early stages of development, with only 15 percent at the highest innovative level of maturity in the Ventana Research Maturity Index™. Size helps, the research found; the largest of organizations are more mature. There is growth in advancing BI into performance management in the areas of operations, finance and customer management in more than half of organizations, and a strong desire to improve in 41 percent of them.

The findings offer significant new insights into the maturity of this market as well as the challenges faced by organizations seeking to improve. They show that almost three-quarters of businesses struggle just to accomplish basic querying and reporting - challenges often associated with a reliance on spreadsheets. However, some organizations are planning to advance by deploying search, improved presentation capabilities and metrics creation. The research also found a small but growing desire to provide mobile device support for BI and performance management as well as what-if scenario analysis and collaboration.

"This benchmark research confirms the importance of business intelligence and performance management while showing that maturity is not as advanced as has been thought," said Mark Smith, CEO & EVP Research of Ventana Research. "It uncovered a dissatisfaction with existing technologies and the effectiveness of investments to date, but shows that organizations plan improvements in BI in the areas of analytics, search and mobility as well as a desire to establish performance management effectively. Our Maturity Index analysis finds a ways to go in organizations' integration of BI for performance management and the leadership needed to have business drive improvements."

Ventana Research will detail the findings of this benchmark research in a live interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 26th at 10:00 am Pacific time that will discuss the research findings and offer recommendations for improvement. Key research findings to be discussed will include:

- organizational barriers preventing improvement BI and performance management. 

- interest in new methods to access technology via cloud computing with SaaS.

- the need for better data and analytics.

- steps needed to build confidence and improve effectiveness in organizations.

- the role of spreadsheets in supporting business intelligence.

- the adequacy of and satisfaction with  technology to meet organizations' needs.

Register for the Webinar

The research was sponsored by Information Builders and Microsoft and media sponsors BusinessIntelligence.com, Business Finance, Information Management, Intelligent Enterprise, SearchCRM.com, SearchDataManagement.com, SearchManufacturingERP.com, SearchOracle.com and SearchSAP.com.. Those interested in learning more about the benchmark research can find additional information at http://www.ventanaresearch.com/bipm/. As a part of your registration you will receive insights and education from Ventana Research on using technology effectively in business.

About Ventana Research

Ventana Research is the leading benchmark research and business technology advisory services firm. We provide insight and expert guidance on trends and mainstream and disruptive technologies. Our unparalleled insights and best practices guidance are based on our rigorous research-based benchmarking of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions worldwide. The combination we offer of benchmark research, market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver business and technology education and expertise to our clients where and when needed to reduce the time requirements, cost and risk of technology investments. Ventana Research provides the most comprehensive analyst and research coverage in the industry; the many business and IT professionals worldwide who are members of our community benefit from Ventana Research's insights, as do highly regarded media and association partners around the globe. Our views and analyses are distributed daily through blogs and social media channels including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Business Week's Business Exchange. Ventana Research was ranked the #1 analyst firm you can trust in enterprise software for 2009 for its relevance to the industry. To learn how Ventana Research advances the maturity of organizations use of information and technology through benchmark research, education and advisory services, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

Media: Copies of benchmark research report and interviews are available upon request.

Media Contact: Marisela Reynoso  

(925) 242-2579 marketing@ventanaresearch.com