SPSS Ships SPSS 9.0 For Windows; New Analysis Features and Data Access Options Improve Leading Data Analysis Software
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Information is abundant these days -- sometimes too abundant. As data stores grow in size and number, effectively accessing and analyzing that data is becoming more challenging. SPSS 9.0 for Windows, now shipping in North America, features enhanced graphical analysis capabilities, new statistics and new data access tools to simplify the acquisition and analysis of these large amounts of data from numerous sources.

Topping the list of new features in the leading statistics package is a table-to-graph function that allows users to create a picture of their tabular data in a few mouse clicks. Instead of sifting through a mountain of numbers to find important factors and relationships, analysts can switch over to a graph of their data for a visual representation of the information, whether it is from basic reports or advanced analytic techniques. Unlike spreadsheets and other data analysis programs, which require users to work through a multi-step wizard to make and perfect their graph, users make changes to the graph on the fly. Additionally, tables that are switched to graphs can include all data in the report or can be focused on a specific portion of the data. This enables users, especially those working with large amounts of data, to quickly pinpoint facts, patterns and trends that might otherwise be tedious and time-consuming to find.

The new release of SPSS for Windows also expands the variety of data sources analysts can access. The addition of an ASCII Text Wizard to SPSS' extensive set of data acquisition tools gives users the ability to map ASCII data from wherever it resides whether it be a data warehouse or a Web database, for example, where ASCII is often the format of choice - and make it available to create useful information in SPSS for Windows. In addition, by joining SPSS 9.0 with the recently announced SmartViewer Web Server, organizations can have a comprehensive Report OLAP system not only for acquiring and analyzing data, but also for distributing and consuming information.

"More data is available to model builders and knowledge workers today and with sources ranging from ERP systems to data warehouses to the Internet, it can be found in any number of formats," SPSS Senior Market Manager Russ McNeilly said. "Market researchers, statisticians and businesspeople need the means to access and analyze that data to find the kind of information that will lead to better decisions. SPSS 9.0 provides the means. In addition, if you add SmartViewer Web Server, which SPSS introduced earlier this year," he added, "you have a complete report OLAP system with more statistical analysis and ad hoc reporting power than any other OLAP product available. The two products together allow you to quickly distribute valuable information to your entire organization for individualized analysis."

Other new SPSS 9.0 for Windows benefits include:

• Expanded data access and management - In addition to the ASCII Text Wizard, SPSS 9.0 features direct data interfaces for Oracle Express, Arbor Essbase and BusinessObjects.
• Expanded graphical comparisons - New, interactive graph types, including area, stacked bar and double-axis graphs, enhance the graphics capabilities introduced in SPSS 8.0 and provide for easier, better comparisons. Other new graphics features include the ability to plot multiple variables in one chart and the ability to chart the values of individual variables. Additionally, new graph customization options, including the ability to re-order and hide categories, specify data ranges and add reference lines, simplify analysis and strengthen the presentation of findings.
• More in-depth analysis - New statistics provide for more insightful analysis. With Multinomial Logistic Regression, users can predict categorical outcomes with more than two categories such as predicting whether a customer will buy product A, product B or product C, and the addition of Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis allows users to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a test.

Together, SPSS 9.0 and the recently released SmartViewer Web Server deliver report OLAP via the Web. With SPSS 9.0, model builders and knowledge workers alike can clean and prepare data for analysis; create multidimensional report cubes and interactive graphs; and manipulate cubes and graphs for unique views that lead to better decisions. Then, using SmartViewer Web Server, they can post reports on the Internet or an intranet where customers and colleagues can view and interact with them using only their Web browsers. SmartViewer Web Server gives information consumers the power to view, slice, dice and drill down into reports online. SPSS also offers a standalone version of SmartViewer, which is designed as a Windows client application for people who do not have Web access.

SPSS 9.0 System Requirements

• Windows 9x or NT
• 586/P90 or higher
• 16MB RAM
• 60MB disk space
• SVGA Monitor
• Math co-processor

Pricing and Availability Information

The North America list price for a single user license of SPSS for Windows is $799. A variety of pricing programs, including aggressive multiple unit pricing, site and network licensing are available. The product is now shipping in North America and is expected to ship internationally in January 1999. SmartViewer Web Server is priced at $19,999 in North America for an unlimited number of users.

Company information

SPSS Inc. is a leader in the large markets for analytical solutions: business intelligence (data mining and market research), quality improvement and scientific research. SPSS products and services transform organizations by helping users leverage information to grow revenues and improve processes. Today, more than 2 million people use SPSS, the world's best-selling software for desktop analysis, to create and distribute information for better decision making.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 1998, SPSS is one of the most enduring software companies in the world. SPSS has won the following awards: named No. 28 in DM Review's Data Warehouse Top 100; ranked among Forbes 200 Best Small Companies in America; Business Week's Top 100 Growth Companies for 1997; placed No. 21 on the 1998 Softletter 100, a ranking of the top 100 personal computer software companies in the United States; and No. 87 in the 1998 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 http:// www.spss.com.

SPSS information is available on the World Wide Web through the SPSS Press Center at: http://www.spss.com/press.