Advancing BI through improved ease of use, better information presentation

Synergy Business Intelligence is wasting no time bringing the advantages of the newest release of IBM Cognos 8 version 4 to the market.

As the country's foremost Cognos solution provider, Synergy BI is already introducing the recently released solution, which delivers new advances in business intelligence, to its client base.

According to Marie Bijker, Senior Consultant at Synergy Business Intelligence, the new release from IBM Cognos is designed to make enterprise information use faster, easier and more user-friendly.

"With new features across core capabilities, IBM Cognos enables organisations to build a dynamic, enterprise-class performance management platform to better inform and engage their users, and align them with strategic goals."

Bijker explains that new features in the software are organised around three key concepts: Inform, Engage and Align.

"In terms of Inform, the latest release of Cognos 8 is designed to deliver information with greater context, while accelerating collaboration, to drive better, more informed decisions," she says.

Meanwhile, Engage is targeted directly at improving the user experience by making business intelligence easier to use. This is achieved through the ability to build a more dynamic and interactive performance management experience. "Users can access and present information in the format they prefer. As a simple example, some might prefer a bar graph over a pie chart; the software allows the user to customise the information they see and how it is presented by constructing their own dashboard."

Align focuses on closing the gap between strategy and execution, continues Bijker. "Here, IBM Cognos has worked to provide complete visibility into targets, plans, forecasts, and results. For example, with the Business Viewpoint feature, users are able to organise, manage and restructure information as required. IBM's Cognos 8.4 provides for a more interactive experience of business intelligence, which offers more flexibility to change in line with dynamic business environments."

Synergy Business Intelligence is hosting sessions in Cape Town and Durban to present IBM Cognos 8 version 4 to its coastal clients (and prospects). The Durban breakfast session will be held at the Durban Country Club on 16 February 2009, while the Cape Town Cocktail event will be held at BoE Clocktower, V&A Waterfront on 17 February 2009.

For more information or to register, e-mail Priscilla.doig@synergy.co.za or visit www.synergy.co.za