Perhaps in seeking to offer an alternative perspective, I might have come across as something of a Luddite; Devil’s Advocate is a hazardous occupation!

I do agree that there are some exciting things happening with BI technology, but also think that many companies have not successfully exploited the last generation of technology (or even the one before). Addressing that issue has to be down to the companies themselves as you suggest.

Peter

I think you revealed a bias in Nigel’s analysis, that he sees the unabated march of new product features as crucial. You were correct to point out that this isn’t really the solution to BI malaise.

On the other hand, the surrounding technology of BI is moving pretty fast, so I suppose vendors do need to keep up. Besides, I don’t look to the vendors to be able to do more than install their products and maintain them. The answer to better use of the tools has to come from elsewhere.

Thanks for the reply. You may well be right. Recessions tend to offer opportunities to smaller companies as they retain the agility and boldness to try things when their larger brethren are retrenching.

A countervailing trend is perhaps that large companies with relatively stable cash-flows may be in a position to gobble up smaller fry at knock-down prices at present.

Peter

I personally think that this is the time for the smaller players to raise, Companies like Qliktech and SiSense have the opportunity to gain more market share

Peter

I have a blog post on this at http://www.business-intelligence-quotient.com/?p=96