More Scalable Tool Slips BI into Enterprise Front Line - Page 2

Integration with security systems is another new feature in WebFocus 5.3. The software allows users to access information from anywhere through a browser using pre-existing single sign-on security. It then integrates with IBM/Tivoli Access Manager; Netegrity Inc.s SiteMinder; RSA Security Inc.s ClearTrust; and a new security plug-in that provides built-in support for Active Directory, LDAP, WebFocus Reporting Server and relational database systems. CA is buying Netegrity for $430 million. Read more here. But the biggest bonus of the update in Watkins mind is support for SVG (scalable vector graphics). These are preferable to GIF or JPEG images, since they scale without jagged lines and thus can be viewed on screens in boardrooms, printed in large format or otherwise distributed. "Our clients have been asking for [the] new vector graphics," Watkins said. "A lot of our reports have tags and graphs on the same page. They wanted boardroom-quality printouts." Keith Gile, an analyst at Forrester Research, in Westport, Conn., said that many of the research firms clients are heading toward consolidation of BI platforms, the end goal being one BI system that can address strategic performance, tactical support and operational performance. Toward that end, scalability and embeddability into applications are both key, he said. "My take is that Information Builders has worked to develop a product that is scalable and embeddable within applications, rather than demanding that there be a separate environment altogether where you did your analysis that was disparate from the apps you run your business on," he said. "When you change the dynamics from originally rolling [a BI system] out to 2 percent of your headcount to then go to 30 percent, scalability comes to the No. 1 or No. 2 thing to think about. You need access to data, scalability and security." Gile said Information Builders isnt seen as best of breed in either analytic or enterprise reporting, but the company is a "strong hybrid" of the two and gives WebFocus 5.3 high marks for scalability, calling it "truly scalable." Gile also parceled out kudos for the updates security integration. "They can build interestingly complex analytic reports and deploy to a large enterprise audience of customers," he said. WebFocus 5.3 is available immediately. Check out eWEEK.coms Database Center at http://database.eweek.com for the latest database news, reviews and analysis.

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