Microsoft muscles into business reporting

ToshiroOC · Feb 14, 2003, 08:06 AM

Microsoft plans to embed a business-reporting feature into its SQL Server database software, a move that will likely cause jitters among specialized business-reporting software companies.

The software giant said Wednesday that in the first half of this year it will begin a testing program for SQL Server Reporting Services, a planned add-on feature for a forthcoming SQL Server database code-named Yukon. Business reporting tools pull information from databases and generate preformatted reports, such as regular updates on sales.

The company did not say when a final product would be generally available, although testing cycles for Microsoft products usually last several months or more than a year. But the announcement of the feature may make some potential customers postpone buying decisions in order to see what Microsoft has to offer, said John Hagerty, vice president of AMR Research.

"It's going to cause some consternation with some vendors--no question. But when people are buying business intelligence products, in a lot of cases they have very pressing needs," said Hagerty. Most businesses are closely tied to the providers of their existing reporting tools because they have already significant investment in that software, he added.

Hagerty pointed to two companies--Crystal Decisions and Actuate--as rivals in the business-reporting, or business intelligence, niche that might feel the most "heartburn" from Microsoft's plans. But several other companies in the category will adjust more comfortably, analysts said.

--By Marin LaMonica, source: news.com (CNET)

Article can be read here.

Feb 14, 2003, 08:06 AM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Microsoft muscles into business reporting Microsoft plans to embed a business-reporting feature into its SQL Server database software, a move that will likely cause jitters among specialized business-reporting software companies. The software giant said Wednesday that in the first half of this year it will begin a testing program for SQL Server Reporting Services, a planned add-on feature for a forthcoming SQL Server database code-named Yukon. Business reporting tools pull information from databases and generate preformatted reports, such as regular updates on sales. The company did not say when a final product would be generally available, although testing cycles for Microsoft products usually last several months or more than a year. But the announcement of the feature may make some potential customers postpone buying decisions in order to see what Microsoft has to offer, said John Hagerty, vice president of AMR Research. "It's going to cause some consternation with some vendors--no question. But when people are buying business intelligence products, in a lot of cases they have very pressing needs," said Hagerty. Most businesses are closely tied to the providers of their existing reporting tools because they have already significant investment in that software, he added. Hagerty pointed to two companies--Crystal Decisions and Actuate--as rivals in the business-reporting, or business intelligence, niche that might feel the most "heartburn" from Microsoft's plans. But several other companies in the category will adjust more comfortably, analysts said. --By Marin LaMonica, source: news.com (CNET) Article can be read here.