20 Oct 2008

Business intelligence tipped as trend for 2009

Firms looking to manage their data more efficiently will be targeted by business intelligence solutions providers during 2009, an expert has predicted.

Companies are likely to demand new technologies that will allow them to gain quicker access to managed data, argued James Hiner, editor in chief of IT website TechRepublic, in his blog at ZDNet.

Business intelligence offers accurate data and event management while simplifying a firm's IT environment, according to Cognos.

Mr Hiner said: "Business intelligence should be about making the data easily accessible to the employees who need that data to make better decisions."

Experts at Gartner's Symposium ITxpo 2008 event predicted business intelligence among their top ten IT technologies which will have a significant impact on enterprise during the next three years.

At the conference, IT experts Carl Claunch and Dave Cearley said business intelligence is a top strategic area for development in 2009, as firms will soon "get serious" about demanding new technologies to help fuel improved decision-making and better results.