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February 23, 2007
[trend] BI Vendor Landscape
"BI vendor consolidation will happen. There is a lot of talk about how consolidation scenarios will play out. Cognos likely will be bought by IBM. Business Objects is probably going to be folded into Oracle. I don't know who's going to buy MicroStrategy or where Hyperion is going ... There is a good chance that both Hyperion and Cognos might end up with IBM."
Dr. Jim Goodnight, CEO, SAS
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What is the implication of this trend to BI professionals?
Posted by William Cho at February 23, 2007 12:45 PM
Comments
Reading between the lines, Goodnight is thinking of selling up to IBM himself. If it means sensible pricing for the software, customers will be delighted. Professionals would do well to avoid getting tied to one or other product.
Posted by: Boots at February 24, 2007 6:33 AM
The evidence is all there in recent Press: selling off real estate assets; shutting down International HQs & offices; consolidating global operations in Cary NC; farming out sales to Resellers and, most telling of all; no effort to establish a successor, despite Goodnight's advancing years. Then these statements about buy-outs among the competition. Trying to divert attention maybe ...
Posted by: Boots at February 25, 2007 8:43 AM
This is what Goodnight said recently .. "SAS will still be standing as a strong independent vendor ..." It will be hard to figure out what is really in his mind. By the way, Oracle bought Hyperion yesterday - this consolidation contiues in this market.
Posted by: Will at March 2, 2007 9:43 AM
SAS execs have been making statements, of course, because they are repeatedly being asked the question. It would be naive to suppose SAS hasn't been approached, along with the other candidates. The difference with SAS is that (having no shareholders) doesn't need to worry so much about the impact - or 100% veracity - of exec statements.
Are they just playing 'hard to get' ?
Posted by: Boots at March 3, 2007 8:30 AM
At the end of the day only Jim Goodnight will know about the fate of SAS. He has fame and wealth. And probably his name will be associated with SAS as long as the company exists.
SAS does not seem to be a family business (is that right?). Probably he will hire a professional CEO & Chairman to replace his position one day rather than getting his family member involved. He could be better off selling the business, cash out, and focus his mind on something else for the rest of his life - like being a full-time philanthropist. SAS will probably do well even after he leaves for the business model and SAS brand is very strong.
Who know what he will want to do?
Only thing we know ... he has the call.
Posted by: Will at August 25, 2007 4:34 PM
