RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT DATA WAREHOUSING IS BENEFITING UK

Research indicates that a majority of UK organizations are getting real business benefits from data warehousing but that a large minority still have no plans to implement one. Studies just published by Hyperion, in conjunction with Computer Weekly, shows that although 48% of respondents had either implemented, or were actively planning to implement a data warehouse, 43% had no plans to build one at all. However, of those using a data warehouse, 70% felt that it had delivered all, or most, of the business benefits they had expected. The research, which was carried-out by Computer Weekly's own research department, involved interviewing 200 respondents in the UK, all of whom were either board level directors, directors, department heads or managers.

Another finding of the survey was that, in those companies with a data warehouse, 40% of respondents said that IT carried-out the business analysis function rather than finance. The research also found that 81% of respondents saw the biggest advantage of having a data warehouse as giving wider access to business data within the organization. Whilst 57% anticipated better access to more detailed data, 54% believed faster access to data would be possible, and 51% expected a data warehouse would give more accurate business data.

Tony Speakman, director of marketing at Hyperion, says regarding the survey, "Some interesting findings have come out of this research. Of these, the most interesting is the fact that those companies who use a data warehouse seem to be receiving the business benefits they were looking for. However, the research also suggests that there is a large swathe of British business not using a data warehouse, and seemingly sceptical about the business benefits that they can offer. This suggests an educational problem, which vendors such as Hyperion must work hard to address."

"The findings also show that IT seems to be carrying out most of the analysis in companies rather than end users," Speakman continues. "One way around this would be for IT to provide end users with the correct tools to extract data and perform analysis and 'what if' scenarios themselves. This would help an overloaded IT department to rid itself of some of its burdensome user support role."

For a copy of the research report please contact Catherine James at Hyperion on (0181) 995 3631, or e-mail: catherine_james@hyperion.com.

For more information, visit http://www.hyperion.com.