New DecisionTime Server Enables Accurate Forecasting

No detail is too small and now, no database is too large for SPSS Inc's new DecisionTime Server. The latest addition to the SPSS line of time-series forecasting software builds on the success of DecisionTime and WhatIf?, the first automated forecasting and scenario analysis products from SPSS launched late last year. Using the sophisticated techniques that enable DecisionTime users to create better time-series forecasts, DecisionTime Server helps business users increase their productivity by working with large datasets more efficiently. The product is currently shipping worldwide.

"DecisionTime Server is part of an SPSS strategy to deliver advanced analytics to business users so their organizations can serve their customers more profitably," said Tom Moellering, SPSS marketing manager. "Better forecasts enable organizations to be more efficient both internally and throughout their supply and distribution chains. The resultant improvements in execution drive better customer relationships.

"With DecisionTime's unique automated modeling," Moellering added, "We were the first to put the power of advanced forecasting in the hands of business users. Now DecisionTime Server enables those people to work with larger datasets without overtaxing PC capacity or their time. This product is ideal for marketers who need to build more product line forecasts and attack major organizational issues such as customer acquisition and loyalty."

DecisionTime Server uses the SPSS Distributed Analysis Architecture (DAA), which minimizes the use of computing and network resources and maximizes performance by eliminating the need to copy and convert the data used in analysis. Instead, data stay on the server, which saves time, allows administrators to maintain a high-level of data security and reduces network traffic. DecisionTime Server also eliminates file size limitations, permits simultaneous multi-user access and facilitates data access from many sources. The end result is enterprises, especially those with huge amounts of centralized data, can create better time-series forecasts quickly and securely.

DecisionTime and WhatIf? can be used in many types of organizations. For example, marketing analysts can use DecisionTime's exclusive Expert Modeler technology to automatically build sales forecasts across several product lines and geographic regions. Using DecisionTime Server, analysts can conveniently access historical data on a server or their local machine. They access data and create a forecast on a separate server machine, minimizing the amount of required time and desktop resources. The forecast result can be sent to decision makers in an organization using WhatIf?. A product manager, for example, could use WhatIf? to see the effect on sales revenue of sending more direct mail pieces or spending more on advertising. At the same time, an inventory planner could use the plan created by the marketing manager to order the appropriate amount of inventory.

DecisionTime and WhatIf? serve many industries in multiple departments including marketing, sales, strategic planning and operations. For example, DecisionTime helps people more easily and accurately forecast: - Retail - sales, revenue, expenses and demand - Telco - activations, churn, revenue and call volumes - Finance - account balances, customer acquisition and customer loyalty - Services - customer satisfaction, new customers, repeat customers, subscribers, listeners, viewers and revenue - Healthcare - number of patients, procedures and average length of stay - Education - university revenues, enrollment and endowments - Government - government assisted program expenses, income and economic variables.

System Requirements for DecisionTime Server NT 1.1 - Windows NT 4.0 with service pack 3 or above; Service pack 5 is recommended - 64MB RAM; 128MB of RAM is recommended - 12MB hard disk space - Pentium or Pentium-class processor running at 300MHz or faster - Network adapter running the TCP/IP network protocol - CD-ROM drive System Requirements for DecisionTime and WhatIf? 1.1 Client - Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT 4.0 - 32MB RAM - SVGA monitor - 486DX processor or higher - 30MB hard disk space - Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.

Pricing and Availability

The North American list price for DecisionTime Server is $19,990. International pricing varies. The price for additional copies of DecisionTime, including one copy of WhatIf?, is $1,999. Additional single-user licenses of WhatIf? are $399. A variety of pricing programs, including aggressive multiple unit pricing and site licensing are available. DecisionTime and WhatIf? can be purchased online in the SPSS Software Store or by calling 800-543-2185.

SPSS also offers advanced forecasting capabilities to developers as components. For more information on DecisionTime development opportunities, contact Tom Moellering at tmoellering@spss.com.

About SPSS

SPSS Inc provides solutions that discover what customers want and predict what they will do. As a result, SPSS' customers interact with their customers more profitably. SPSS' solutions integrate and analyze marketing, customer and operational data in key vertical markets worldwide including: telecommunications, health care, banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods, market research and the public sector.

Founded in 1968, the company has more than 40 offices, over 900 employees and 1999 revenues of $142 million. The company also has won the following awards: No. 70 on Forbes 1999 list of the "200 best small companies" and as the 22nd most profitable company on the Nasdaq exchange by Equities magazine; 1999 World Class Solution award in business intelligence and named "best decision support system for business intelligence" in the 1999 RealWare award competition; No. 14 in DM Review's 1999 Data Warehouse Top 100; placed No. 23 on the 1999 Soft-letter 100, a ranking of the top 100 personal computer software companies in the United States; and No. 97 in the 1999 Software 500, a ranking of the world's largest software vendors by Software Magazine. Headquartered in Chicago, SPSS has offices and distributors around the world. For more information, visit www.spss.com.

Contact SPSS, Susan Kalell 800-525-4980 pr@spss.com.