SHOWCASE ANALYTICS INSIGHT 4.0 OFFERS WEB ACCESS

ShowCase, a leading provider of enterprise intelligence solutions and a division of SPSS Inc, announced the general availability of Analytics Insight 4.0, a Web-enhanced version of the company's data warehouse and business intelligence (BI) solution. Designed for medium- to large-size companies that store their data and applications on the iSeries 400, Analytics Insight 4.0 now allows users to perform basic analytics when they are away from the office. It can also help companies expand their capabilities beyond simple desktop reporting to complex analytical activities.

Powered by the ShowCase STRATEGY 4.0 integrated data warehousing and business intelligence solution, Analytics Insight includes ETL, Query/Reporting and basic analytics capabilities. The solution fully leverages the reliability, power and scalability of the iSeries 400 and enables users to work from a single central repository of data, maintaining "one version of the truth" throughout the enterprise. Using Analytics Insight 4.0 to access their data via Analyzer for the Web, users will benefit from considerable time savings, ready access to up-to-date information and more consistent reports and analysis. In addition, IT organizations benefit from transparent and efficient installation and software upgrades, enabled by the Web.

"Using Web-enhanced Analytics Insight 4.0, companies can begin to create either a full-scale data warehouse or smaller data marts targeted at solving specific business problems. It's really a stepping stone to a complete OLAP solution that includes Essbase/400," says Paul Hesser, ShowCase vice president of marketing and operations. "Web-enhanced Analytics Insight 4.0 can be viewed as the first step toward performing complex analytical activities, and we are pleased to offer organizations this comprehensive, cost-effective solution."

Sales, marketing and finance users can use Analytics Insight 4.0 to make better business decisions based on easy access to clear, concise and consistent data through a user-friendly graphical interface. They can then use this information to quickly perform business analytics based on key performance indicators. For example, sales and marketing managers can more closely monitor performance of items at specific customers over time periods, identify product contributions and profitability trends, and easily recognize customer buying patterns to develop more focused service programs. Finance users can implement more effective forecast and budgeting processes, as well as perform more detailed, time-dependent variance analyses of customer and product margins.

Key features

Analytics Insight 4.0 provides both end users and financial analysts with a mechanism for viewing and analyzing relational data. Using Analyzer, either through Windows or an Internet browser, further enhances this analysis. Relational data is prepared first by using Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Builder and Query to create an environment that makes it easy for users to perform basic analysis. Users will then employ Query, ReportWriter and Analyzer (either full client or via the Web) to perform analysis and reporting tasks. Because all users are accessing the same data, reports and analysis will reflect consistency from one user to the next.

Enhanced features of Analytics Insight 4.0 include:

• Web Access to Relational Data - Web access makes Analytics Insight 4.0 a powerful analytic tool that can be used through a variety of Internet browsers. The Analyzer Web interface is very similar to Windows Analyzer interface and includes most features and functions of Windows Analyzer.
• Access to Microsoft SQL Server Data - Users can now build a query that accesses SQL Server data simply by selecting a SQL Server data source. This feature gives Query and ReportWriter users more data from which to perform analysis and create reports.
• Server Consolidation - A significant benefit to IT departments, Analytics Insight 4.0 consolidates the full functionality of Analyzer OLAP Server into Warehouse Manager. The new server is easier to install and simpler to configure and maintain.
• Access to More Data Sources - Users can now access two additional data sources: Oracle on AIX and Microsoft SQL Server on NT through Warehouse Builder, significantly expanding the amount of information from which users can draw to perform analysis and create reports. Additional license fees apply for this feature.

Pricing and Availability

ShowCase Analytics Insight 4.0 is available immediately in the United States and in Europe. Pricing starts at $45,000.

About ShowCase

ShowCase, a division of SPSS, provides Enterprise Intelligence solutions to help companies discover and seize business opportunities in an evolving global marketplace. ShowCase offers the first integrated Web content management and business intelligence solution to help companies solve their strategic business information needs. Through a worldwide team, ShowCase offers reporting and analytic solutions in areas such as financial management and customer relationship management analytics (CRM). The ShowCase Website can be found at www.spss.com/showcase.

About SPSS Inc

SPSS Inc enables organizations to develop more profitable customer relationships by providing analytical solutions that discover what customers want and predict what they will do. The company delivers analytical solutions at the intersection of customer relationship management and business intelligence. SPSS analytical solutions integrate and analyze market, 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.

Headquartered in Chicago, SPSS has more than 40 offices, over 1300 employees and 2000 pro forma revenues of $198 million. The company also has received the following honors: No. 77 on Forbes 2000 list of the "200 Best Small Companies" and No. 12 on the 2000 DM Review 100; placed No. 16 on the 2000 Softo letter 100, a ranking of the top 100 personal computer software companies in the United States; and No. 115 in the 2000 Software 500, a ranking of the world's largest software vendors by Software Magazine; listed on Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for 2000. For more information, visit www.spss.com.