JSE-listed IDION Technology Holdings, the multi-faceted software and solutions development group with operations in South Africa, Europe, the US and the Far East, is setting its sights on South Africa`s rapidly growing data warehousing and business intelligence markets.
The company`s Business Solutions Group (IDION.BSG) has become a business partner of Cognos, the world`s largest and most successful business intelligence company. IDION.BSG is establishing a team of business intelligence solutions specialists and consultants to support the new business focus.
"The demand for business intelligence solutions is only now taking off in South Africa. It`s been talked about for some time, but companies have always had more pressing issues to deal with," says Herman Taljaard, Business Development Manager, IDION.BSG.
"Now, with Y2K behind them and with the systems in place to get their business processes right, they want to be able to measure their performance and see where they can improve their businesses. I see a huge market developing for business intelligence solutions and IDION.BSG has the right spread of expertise to address it."
IDION.BSG is based in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It has one of the largest Microsoft focused development skills pools in South Africa as well as access to extensive AS/400 solutions development expertise via IDION`s US subsidiary Vision Solutions. IDION.BSG is focused on providing innovative business solutions to cater for clients` specific needs, thereby increasing profitability of their clients.
In addition to its new business intelligence operation, IDION.BSG`s strategic focus is on providing solutions for the new economy. These solutions include business to business connectivity, employee self service, operational acceleration and e-procurement.
Commenting on the new strategic partnership, Alan Mosely, Manager at Cognos South Africa, says: "There`s no disputing Idion is the sort of Best-in-Class company that will help ensure Cognos remains the most extensively used business intelligence suite in the world today. As a company which sees our alliance partners as being our most important asset, we look forward to working with Idion in the future and developing a long relationship. It`s a company that has a depth of expertise and the breadth of successful delivery, which few other companies can match."
Taljaard believes the main task facing many South African companies today is to unite the islands of information that currently exist on different systems throughout the enterprise into a single data mart or data warehouse. "This is where a lot of our customers are moving now. They need a global view of all the information they have to gain key insights into their business and improve the bottom line," he says.
Using easy-to-use desktop tools such as Congos` PowerPlay and Impromptu data marts can be built quickly on PC servers running on Windows 2000 and using MS SQL.
"While building the data warehouse is the long-term objective of many business intelligence projects, data marts provide access to critical data sooner, allowing business managers to reap the rewards sooner. In fact, the payback comes within months," says Mosley.
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