Statistical analysis software takes a JMP

To remain competitive, companies are increasingly forced to reduce costs and become more efficient using their existing technologies. JMP, a business unit of SAS Institute, has developed statistical software that provides a solution to this challenge - and presents a platform for companies to do more in less time.

According to Hans de Roos, manager for applied solutions at Octoplus Information Solutions - a JMP provider in SA - JMP enables organisations to make intelligent business decisions and has the built-in flexibility needed to allow Windows, Macintosh and Linux users to utilise it.

"The characteristics of successful companies are that they constantly innovate, improve efficiencies and quality through automation, reduce waste, prevent defects, increase customer satisfaction, and bring products to market faster.

"JMP can also be used in Six Sigma implementations. Six Sigma is a business process improvement methodology that is proven to prevent defects, streamline processes and increase financial performance.

"What makes JMP truly remarkable is that the user can go straight to intelligent storage and extract the necessary data. By offering dynamically linked statistics and graphics, a scripting language that automates analyses, and market leading 'design of experiments' capability, JMP software empowers all levels of users and researchers to explore data, make discoveries and quickly gain knowledge for better decision-making," he adds.

Ray Greenwood, senior consultant: sales support at SAS, says that for business analytic intelligence to be fully utilised across the enterprise, it is vital that software applications co-exist.

"However, there are always challenges to deal with, especially from a platform and analytic perspective. SAS Analytic Intelligence and JMP software address many of these," he explains.

"The products support experts and non-specialists, and their open extensible platform for shared metadata and common infrastructure ensure simple sharing between analytic applications and business intelligence applications," he says.

De Roos says JMP is capable of reading virtually any database, including Oracle and SQL, and will execute any SQL statement at the click of a mouse. JMP also fully integrates with Microsoft Word and other Microsoft software via the journal and layout facility. JMP features its own scripting language, and can produce tables, charts and graphs, and ensures data quality control.

"With JMP, you don't need to be able to program or have any technical skills. JMP is so user-friendly that users can write their own applications within the system. It is possible to manipulate any information extracted, which can then be classified into categories and stored as variables in data sets," De Roos adds.

"Although JMP has an interface to SAS code, which means that it is possible to import SAS data sets, JMP can be used independently of SAS and is in no way bound by any SAS licensing standards.

"The integrity of JMP software and its ability to provide extensive customisation capabilities makes it an appealing product to work with. One of the outstanding features of JMP is its fully-featured statistics package that includes decision trees and neural networks, which makes it easier to use thanks to zero compromise between functionality and ease of learning," he concludes.