Sybase Extends Business Intelligence

Sybase Inc. on Monday announced a partnership to resell SPSS Inc.s Clementine data mining software as part of Sybases business intelligence offerings.

With Clementine, users of Sybases Adaptive Server IQ Multiplex analytical database and Sybases Industry Warehouse Studio packaged data warehouse software can get a forward-looking information and identify new business opportunities, officials said.

The partnership also will include a technology exchange between Sybase and Chicago-based SPSS, officials said, although they declined to provide details on that aspect of the partnership.

The move adds data mining to Sybases mix of partnerships aimed at offering a full array of business intelligence applications for use with Adaptive Server IQ Multiplex. Other partnerships include Informatica Corp. for data extract, transform and loading capabilities; and Business Objects SA and MicroStrategy Inc for query and visualization tools.

Sybases business intelligence approach is markedly different from database competitors such as Oracle Corp., IBM and Microsoft Corp. Microsoft has built an OLAP engine and data mining capabilities within its SQL Server. Oracle, which began those steps with its 9i release, is planning to embed further OLAP and data mining features within its database engine in Release 2.

IBM has followed a partnership approach, building Hyperion Solution Inc.s OLAP technology into various DB2 database offerings. But IBM officials say they are working on more deeply embedding OLAP and data mining into its database engine.

Sybase, of Dublin, Calif., isnt planning to follow suit, officials said. Sybase is continuing down its partnership path and focusing its energy more on making Multiplex IQ the leading data warehouse database.