Powering next-generation BI systems

Many server functions, such as application and web serving, can be handled easily by “commodity” Windows platforms. But requirements for core business intelligence (BI) database serving are significantly different. This report explains the requirements of next-generation BI and details the technological components and features that companies should look for in their choice of server hardware, arguing that it is best served by a scalable, high-performance and reliable server platform. It looks at how one supplier, IBM, is bringing together the smarts of its Cognos BI platform and processing brawn of its Power Systems to support customers adopting BI or expanding their BI ambitions across the enterprise. It examines the key value proposition that joint IBM Cognos-Power customers can gain from implementing BI software optimized to run on a scalable, high-performance and reliable platform.