i2 Technologies and Teradata Team

Enterprise data-warehousing specialist Teradata and supply-chain software provider i2 Technologies have joined forces to develop a new data management and enterprise analytics solution. Slated for release during the second half of 2005, the product will allow users to collect master data into an enterprise data warehouse for streamlined business processes. The agreement includes certification of i2 applications to Teradata along with joint sales, marketing, and services. The solution will initially target global retailing, manufacturing, and transportation companies. Once i2s Master Data Management (MDM) application is certified for the Teradata Warehouse, data management will be integrated between the enterprise data warehouse (EDW), enabling Teradata EDW to serve as the data integration point for i2 applications. Initial porting and certification to Teradata will include i2 MDM as well as Performance Manager, the i2 analytic and reporting application, and Supply Chain Visibility, i2's supply chain event-management application. Teradata CMO Bob Fair says that while his firm and i2 shared the same development ideas and vision of data warehousing with supply chain management, the partnership also offers value for both company's set of customers. "Integrating a comprehensive MDM application into our enterprise data warehouse will provide companies the ability to improve their asset utilization and reduce time-to-market," Fair says. "This partnership offers value for our customers, because by integrating our enterprise data management platforms we're helping them simplify their architecture and reduce implementation costs." Lou Agosta, an independent technology analyst, agrees, stating that the integration makes perfect sense for the two companies, especially with the importance that master data management plays in supply chain management. "Teradata has really balanced its enterprise data warehousing and technology distribution to fit nicely within supply chain management. Then, you have a company like i2 Technologies that has lots of customers with data coming out of their ears. That combination is really important when a company is trying to build a unified view of the customer." Agosta says important factors for the success of the new data management solution will be the ability of the two companies to integrate their data software, and create predesigned software to enable i2 customers "the ability to drill down thru to the supply chain management offered within Teradata. If not, companies could be on the lookout for a data management solution that could be expensive, complex, and have extended implementation time." Related articles: Data Management and Predicting Customer Behavior Quality Decisions Rely on Quality Data