OSBI Platforms

Overview

Options for OSBI technology are expanding geometrically. Just about every aspect of an intelligence platform – including database, ETL, reporting, scorecard, OLAP, analytics, workflow, dashboard, and rules engine – has one or more legitimate OS options that can be used. OpenBI is committed to R&D, evaluating functionality, fit, and viability of OSBI technologies especially as they relate to supporting the various aspects of a performance management infrastructure. As a result of our efforts, we have developed strategic relationships and practical expertise with those OSBI technologies that we deem best-of-breed.

Technology

Pentaho and JasperSoft are the leading commercial OSBI vendors and OpenBI’s preferred OSBI platforms. They provide wide-ranging, integrated BI suites including ETL and data integration, reporting and report management, OLAP, dashboards and BI process management. Both are well-funded enterprises, offering professional software support and software indemnification services. They are stewards of the broader open source development ecosystem.

R is the leading OS statistical analysis and graphing package. Though not (yet) formally managed by a commercial vendor, R is a full-featured, mature product, whose support and development ecosystem is a model for all OS technology.

WEKA is a leading machine learning tool that is part of the Pentaho platform. OpenBI uses WEKA in combination with R to build clustering, classification and predictive models.

PostgreSQL, MySQL and Ingres are leading OS database technologies. OpenBI recommends that our clients consider their use for all but the most intensive data warehouse implementations. Commercial support is offered for all three, with EnterpriseDB providing additional low-cost extensions to PostgreSQL enabling easier migration from Oracle environments.

If your environment dictates a hybrid architecture, comprised of both OS and proprietary BI technologies, OpenBI can accommodate. Our professionals have been delivering BI/DW solutions for over a decade and have deep experience with leading, proprietary BI technologies including Oracle, DB2, Informatica, BusinessObjects, Cognos, SAS and S-Plus.