Analytics Powers Soft-Pedal Microsoft Realtime Reporting Threat

By Barbara Darrow CRN
Thu. Apr. 07, 2005

Microsoft's planned entry into real-time reporting will either spell Armageddon for business intelligence competitors or is no big deal, depending on whom you ask.

Microsoft partners expect the company to start beta testing what will be an aggressively priced Office Realtime Reporting Server later this year. Microsoft would not comment on the server, code-named Maestro....

"This is an interesting move [by Microsoft] because it would build atop Microsoft's enormous push for realtime anything with Live Communications Server and messaging," said Melanie Turek, vice president of Nemertes Research, Chicago. "I truly believe realtime data is very, very important and, as more people have instant messaging and can talk to each other right now, they'll start wondering why they can't get their data right now. This need for realtime data [distribution] will only grow."