Business intelligence (BI) is coming of age in 2002, according to Gartner. The research firm predicts that new technologies will emerge and merge with existing technologies, and force vendors to deal with a changed BI marketplace. Daman Consulting (http://www.damanconsulting.com), headquartered in Austin, TX, has positioned itself to compete in the evolving BI market. Described as an Advanced Business Intelligence concern, Daman serves Fortune 500 and mid-market firms in a range of industries. Their clients include the Pillsbury Company, Boeing, Washington Mutual, and Daimler-Chrysler. 

Eric Kavanagh, corporate communications director for Daman, points out the critical role BI technology plays during a recession. He says it's no secret that IT spending is down since the recession officially began; however, BI technologies can be the most beneficial precisely during tough economic times. Technologies such as data warehousing, online analytical processing (OLAP), and information portals help companies improve their operational efficiencies and, thus, their bottom lines. Ten years ago BI was only economical for Fortune 500 companies but today, Kavanagh says, BI is not only more affordable for smaller companies, it is a necessity.

Kavanagh notes the proliferation of database technology throughout major industries in predicting that BI, as an industry, will remain strong and growing for years to come. The bad news is that the BI market is already somewhat saturated. The key to success in the BI market hinges, to some degree, on flexibility. According to Kavanagh, because technologies change rapidly, firms that cannot keep up quickly lose credibility.

To maintain its share of the BI market, Daman Consulting has kept pace with the times. The company began with Enterprise Application Integration in 1995, added data warehousing in 1997, and online solutions through the year 2000. Today the firm is dedicated to Enterprise Integration. Kavanagh explains that, although Daman is relatively small with only 45 employees, the company has partnered with key industry players, including IBM and Microsoft. In fact, Daman is involved with two of Microsoft's Partner Advisory Councils: the Business Intelligence PAC (BIPAC) and the Fusion PAC. Daman also hosts its own conferences and seminars, such as the Business Intelligence eXchange (BiX). Kavanagh is also responsible for the company's Visionary program, which supplies its members with BI white papers.

How is the Business Intelligence market treating you? What technology and business challenges are you faced with this year? I'd like to know. Drop me a line at kerner4@surferie.net.