IBM IOD 2010: IBM takes wraps off Cognos 10 BI tool

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IBM has updated its Cognos business analytics toolset to cater for the growing number of enterprise mobile users.

With more then one billion mobile workers expected globally by 2013, Cognos 10 has been fine tuned to deliver what data, detail and insight is demanded by users of devices such as the iPad, iPhone and BlackBerry.

The solution also features a new interface that IBM claims is more closely linked to how people are using and want to use such tech as well as integrating social networking capabilities and Lotus Connections software to aid decision making.

Dave Lafferty, vice president of marketing and information management for IBM’s software group, suggested the makeover of its core Cognos software would “redefine the way organisations will interact with information.”

Against the backdrop of the Cognos 10 announcement, IBM also unveiled new database software in the form of DB2 10 – bringing with it a performance boost of 40 per cent – and InfoSphere Server, which is designed to help businesses better integrate and assess the quality of their data.

“We are at a very interesting inflection point. There is so much excitement around this area and data analytics,” said Steve Mills, senior vice president and group executive of Big Blue’s software and systems group.

“Businesses need to gain more insight into where the world around them is going.”

The new solutions were unveiled as part of IBM’s Information on Demand conference being held this week in Las Vegas. IBM suggested that, in addition to more than 10,000 attendees, more than 400 customers are speaking about their experiences at the event.

One such customer case study reflecting on the benefits they have gained from better data insight was Nevada’s own Clark County Family Services department. It provides social services to more than two million residents and has used IBM analytics tools to help do more with less, make substantial savings and better serve the needs of local people.

Historically, a predominantly spreadsheet-based process meant programming staff would spend around 14 hours creating a report. It now takes half the time, according to IBM.

“Despite a fast-growing state population and struggling economic climate, we were able to boost our quality of service and also generate more than $7 million in new revenue using IBM analytics,” said Eboni Washington, a senior management analyst at Clark County, who spoke enthusiastically about the power of putting decision making and insightful data into the hands of case workers out in the field.

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