Maximal Announces Max 3.0 BI Solution

Maximal Innovative Intelligence Ltd announced version 3.0 of Max, its award-winning data analysis tool. Designed specifically to exploit the extensive productivity and analytical functionality capabilities of the new Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services, Max 3.0 introduces a host of new features in a package that is exceptionally easy and cost-effective to deploy enterprise-wide.

With support for Microsoft's Analysis Services and the ability to work in a browser, Max 3.0 is ideal for implementation over an Intranet, in corporate portals, or over the Internet. Max 3.0 also achieves an industry first with the introduction of One-Button Analysis, which offers unprecedented speed and ease of use to all decision-makers, regardless of their level of analysis experience. Max Interactions, allows easy export to PivotTable Services, Excel 2000, and PowerPoint 2000 as well as setting a standard for simplified import, export and synchronization with other third party tools.

"Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services provides customers with one of the most comprehensive and integrated analytical platforms on the market," said John Eng, lead product manager for SQL Server at Microsoft Corp. "Our goal in developing Analysis Services was to provide a complete analysis solution for rapidly delivering scalable business intelligence applications. Max 3.0 takes advantage of the latest features in Analysis Services to provide customers with a complete solution for enterprise wide business intelligence."

Added Eran Megiddo, chief technology officer at Maximal: "Microsoft's powerful Analysis Services platform enabled us to integrate many features and capabilities our customers had been asking for, particularly in the area of Web-based deployment and analytical robustness. Requiring zero administration of the client device, Max 3.0 and Analysis Services can be cost-effectively deployed to everyone in the enterprise and, with our "one-button analysis", everyone can use it."

Max 3.0 offers dramatic performance, ease of use and cost-effectiveness advantages to users, IT administrators, and integrated solution developers. The familiar browser interface and Web enablement makes Max 3.0 an easy to learn and use analysis tool for any user. It also enables enterprises to effectively utilize their corporate portals and deploy data analysis capabilities throughout the organization with little or no additional administration. With 'One-button analysis' Max performs all the analytical and calculation work associated with data analysis, leaving users to concentrate on their core competencies rather than the mechanics of analytics. "Interactions" make it easy for users to export to all their familiar applications, and also leverage corporate investment in complementary tools. With a totally re-written architecture for this version, Max 3.0 includes a complete SDK (Software Developers' Kit) that enables fast and straightforward customization, extension, and integration.

Max 3.0 supports all key features of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services, including: Web Access - The Max 3.0 front-end works in a browser and can connect over the Internet to an Analysis Services server, enabling users to connect to the data at any time, from any location. Actions - Max 3.0 allows a wide variety of actions to be launched from within Max, enabling users to utilize an external application, database query, or Web page to further analyze or share information based on a specific data (cube) element. Security enhancements - Max 3.0 offers robust security based on the enhanced security model in Analysis Services. Real-time OLAP - Cubes can be set up to refresh the data automatically according to user-defined parameters; real-time views can be saved in a portal for easy access to up to date data. Drill-through - Max 3.0 users can quickly and effortlessly access the source data that generates a particular data selection. Large dimension support - Extremely large dimensions can be created and viewed in Max 3.0; the large amount of data is organized to enable speedy navigation. Specialized dimension types - Max 3.0 supports the new dimension types available in Analysis Services, including ragged dimensions and parent-child dimensional hierarchies, which vastly expands navigational and analytical capabilities.

Max 3.0 is expected to be released in November 2000. It will be available in two configurations, Max 3.0 SA (Stand Alone, for up to 50 seats) and Max 3.0 EE (Enterprise Edition, for 50+ seats), which will include a central view and configuration administration module as well as the ability to save a view in an SQL repository.

About Max

Max is an easy-to-use data analysis tool. It provides a comprehensive overview in a single screen and enables non-technical business users and expert analysts alike to quickly and easily uncover problems, opportunities and trends, with minimal effort. Since its launch in June 1999, Max has carved a strong niche in the Microsoft-centric business intelligence market. Acclaimed by users, industry analysts, and media reviewers for the ease and speed of use it offers non-technical business users, Max has also been cited as a powerful enabler for expert analysts and database administrators.

About Maximal

Founded in 1998, privately held Maximal Innovative Intelligence provides powerful, easy to use business intelligence solutions that enable organizations to quickly and easily discover the knowledge hidden in their data warehouses and gain the competitive edge. Maximal holds international patents on its core technology and on its MaxView graphical interface. Maximal is a member of the Microsoft Data Warehouse Alliance 2000 and is a certified Microsoft ISV. The Company is also a founding member of the Analytical Solutions Forum. Maximal is headquartered in Tel Aviv, where it maintains its R&D. Its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Maximal Corporation, provides sales, marketing, distribution, training and customer support in North America. Contact Information: North America: Maximal Corporation, 11921 Freedom Drive Suite 550, Reston VA 20190 Tel: 703-925-5959, Fax: 703-904-4399, info@maxsw.com. International: Maximal Innovative Intelligence Ltd, Tozeret Ha'aretz 18, Tel Aviv, ISRAEL 97891 Tel: +972-3-6911136, Fax: +972-3-6911137, info@maxsw.com. For more information, visit our Web site at www.maxsw.com.

Contact Maximal, Eran Even Kesef, 703-925-5959, eranek@maxsw.com or Kristy Needham, 210-820-3070 x102, kristyn@weinkrantz.com.