BPM Samples the Entire Enterprise

OutlookSoft today launched OutlookSoft 5, the company's flagship product designed for BI and business performance management (BPM). Version 5 is focused on predictive analytics, and is designed to leverage data from multiple solutions, including ERP, CRM, SFA, and sales compensation management tools, so users can use predictive modeling to make business decisions. Targeted for enterprise and upper-midmarket customers, OutlookSoft 5 can draw data from finance and accounting systems, operational data from CRM and ERP solutions, or unstructured data from desktop programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The program is managed and information is presented through a Web interface. OutlookSoft 5's business process flow (BPF) functionality lets users monitor and enforce enterprisewide information and technology processes by leveraging data, process and workflow tracking, and application interfaces. End users can also use BPF to put critical data into a broader context, enabling them to make more accurate decisions about the business. OutlookSoft 5 supports multiple environments, including Microsoft SQL, SOA, and Oracle. Because OutlookSoft leverages enterprise information from across the board, as opposed to data from only a customer database, companies are offered a "fuller view of their customers," says Ben Plummer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at OutlookSoft. "Users can take into account financial data from accounting or leverage survey results from an EFM solution. That information can then be used to drive future decisions about customer strategies and investments." More and more companies are looking to leverage analytics and performance management solutions to draw more insight into their customers and business, says Nigel Rayner, research vice president at Gartner. "Corporate performance management continues to be high on many management agendas, driven by the twin pressures of continuing compliance demands and the need to better understand and control what drives performance in the enterprise." The company sits behind Hyperion and Cognos in market share, but Plummer hopes the company doesn't compete directly against both companies, because both focus more on the BI side, as opposed to the overarching BPM focus of OutlookSoft. Moving forward, OutlookSoft plans on launching an on-demand version of its flagship product in 2007. Related articles: Performance Management Spending Will Increase BPM Goes to School