LUCENT AND MCNC RESEARCHERS SELECT MathSoft's S-PLUS

MathSoft Inc announced that researchers at Lucent Technologies and MCNC's Next-Generation Internet Research, a non-profit corporation offering advanced electronic and information technology, have selected S-PLUS statistical data mining software to measure and predict Internet traffic to improve network planning.

Researchers will develop statistical models and data visualization applications using S-PLUS to enable ISPs to anticipate data load to build scalable systems. The predictive models, designed for ISP network planners, will use pattern-finding techniques and visualization to predict Internet traffic growth and identify failures before they happen, resulting in improved service for Internet businesses.

"After a review of available technologies, the research team chose S-PLUS for this statistical data mining application because it provides a better solution than older, more expensive statistical analysis systems. Our technology offered the team a powerful platform to meet the demanding requirements for data-driven discoveries. Our 3-D visualization tools also offered the team a significant advantage over competitive software," says Shawn Javid, senior vice president and general manager, MathSoft Inc. "Our predictive analysis solution allows customers such as Lucent and MCNC to anticipate problems and enhance service."

"Successful traffic modeling depends heavily on robust statistical software and its ability to analyze very large data sets created from information packets. S-PLUS offers unsurpassed analytical power and flexibility for analyzing packet-level processes. Further, the software offers unique Trellis graphics that allow us to view our results on a single page, making it easy to understand our results and take appropriate action," says Daniel Stevenson, Director of Next-Generation Internet Research at MCNC and Principal Investigator for Helios.

"To cope with very large traffic databases, the Helios team has developed a traffic measurement and analysis system that begins with packet header collection on network wires, and ends with data analysis on a cluster of Linux PCs running S-PLUS. We selected this ACM award-winning software because of its elegant and flexible design. S-PLUS offers powerful performance when analyzing Internet traffic data because it allows us to build analytical tools rapidly," says Bill Cleveland, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Statistics and Data Mining Research Department, Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies.

Predicting Internet traffic is challenging because it requires quantification of an intricate, fast-growing network connecting the world. System stability is important to infrastructure builders as the Web becomes increasingly important for business, research, education, and entertainment. Researchers at Lucent and MCNC, are using S-PLUS to facilitate growth and scalability of future Web development.

About MCNC

MCNC is a non-profit corporation offering advanced electronic and information technology resources to business, government, and universities to provide competitive advantages in the marketplace. Next-Generation Internet is an advanced research program at MCNC that seeks to advance the research and development of Internet technologies through collaboration with various governmental agencies, university researchers and high-tech industry partners. The areas of interest for NGI Research include optical networking, security, traffic analysis, and multigigabit communications.

About Lucent Technologies

The Statistics and Data Mining Research department at Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies consists of fourteen statisticians, performing basic research in statistical methodology and computing, and collaborating with scientists, engineers and managers throughout Lucent Technologies in areas such as communications and networking. They are part of the Mathematical Sciences Research Center located in Murray Hill, New Jersey.

About MathSoft Inc

MathSoft's Seattle-based Data Analysis Division provides technology and solutions for statistical data mining and Web-based decision support. The division's S-PLUS and StatServer products supply high-end statistical data mining, visualization, and predictive analysis capabilities for business and scientific applications. The division's consulting services group provides professional resources for rapid development and delivery of Web-based, mission-critical data analysis solutions.

MathSoft's Data Analysis division can be contacted at www.splus.com, by phone at 1-800-569-0123, by fax at 206-283-8691 or via mail at 1700 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109.

Contact MathSoft Inc, Judy McOstrich, 206-283-8802 x356, jmcostrich@splus.mathsoft.com or MCNC/NCNI, Yokima Cureton, 919-248-1907, yokima@mcnc.org.