March 29, 2005

CUSTOMER WINS PUMA North America is using SPSS predictive analytics software to manage its inventory in real time across domestic retail operations within North America. PUMA sales consultants are now creating inventory reports in real time to track retail sales and identify which products and sizes are selling. The reports also track individual store performance on an hourly, monthly, or yearly basis, and measure how stores compare with one another. Convergys has implemented its Infinys Rating and Billing software for Hong Kong mobile network operator, SmarTone. Convergys worked with LogicaCMG to complete the implementation of Infinys, which is supporting the rollout of SmarTone's 3G-enabled service offerings, which include live TV news, full song downloads, real-time, multiplayer online games, and video calls. IN THE NEWS Oracle has completed its acquisition of Oblix, a privately held developer of identity-based security software that allows Web-access control, identity administration, and user provisioning. Oblix also provides security and regulatory compliance solutions. Oblix's technology complements the identity and access management solutions currently available in Oracle Identity Management, according to the companies, and will be included as part of Oracle Application Server 10g. Oblix products, including COREid, SHAREid, and COREsy, will continue to be available on a standalone basis. Francisco Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WebTrends business unit, a provider of Web analytics. Greg Drew, current general manager of WebTrends, will continue to lead the business and will assume the role of president and CEO of the new standalone WebTrends business. The transaction is expected to close in the quarter ending June 30, 2005. Siebel Systems and Active Endpoints, a provider of services-oriented integration solutions, have announced a strategic technology and business alliance. Under the terms of the alliance Siebel will integrate and redistribute Active Endpoints' ActiveWebflow technologies as a component in selected business applications and offerings. In addition, Active Endpoints has joined the Siebel Alliance Program as a strategic software partner. Informatica will enter into an OEM partnership with Composite Software, a provider of enterprise information integration (EII) solutions, according to Informatica. Under the agreement the company will offer the Composite Information Server as a complement to the Informatica PowerCenter data integration platform. The companies also are conducting joint development and sharing property, code, and engineering plans to fully integrate the Composite Information Server technology with PowerCenter. The first phase of integration is scheduled for the release of PowerCenter in fall 2005. The Composite Integration Server will be available on an OEM basis from Informatica in the second quarter of 2005. NEW PRODUCTS Vuepoint, a training solutions provider for the sales and marketing channel, has launched Vuepoint Learning System 5.0. The latest version includes improvements in data analytic trend and regression analysis, online wizards that manage the interface, and an integrated infrastructure with ERP software. Concerto Software released Cooperative Selling Model for its North American Channel Partner program. Under the new model Concerto will assist in all phases of the sales cycle based on support requirements of the partner, according to the company. This includes lead generation activities, sales tool development, or joint marketing programs. Vonexus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Interactive Intelligence, has signed an agreement enabling it to package its Microsoft-based IP PBX software with Quintum Technologies' SIP Tenor VoIP MultiPath switches to give organizations increased reliability, improved quality of service, and simplified deployment. The Vonexus IP PBX, called Enterprise Interaction Center (EIC), is designed for Microsoft's SMB customers. EIC applications include autoattendant, presence management, call routing, and queuing. Screen pop and IVR integration will be available in the second quarter of 2005 for Microsoft Great Plains and MS CRM. Related articles: How to Maximize Analytics' Effectiveness New Alliances and New Products at Siebel's User Week