Information Builders - WebFOCUS Performance Management Framework v5

Abstract

The WebFOCUS Performance Management Framework (PMF) is an application suite for enterprise metrics management and Business Intelligence (BI). Using PMF, business strategies can be measured and tracked and ‘owners’ are automatically linked to their business objectives. Built entirely on the WebFOCUS BI platform, PMF offers built-in multi-dimensional support. Organisations can benefit from PMF’s rapid start-up and simple customisation capabilities and need not be existing customers as the solution is also offered through an application-limited licence. This means that organisations committed to BI platforms from other vendors can adopt PMF without the need to first deploy WebFOCUS BI. Information Builders continues to excel in Operational Performance Management (metrics, dashboards, and scorecards), and in conjunction with partners is able to address Financial Performance Management too. Pervasive performance management is the mantra of Information Builders and to this end the company places significant emphasis on accessibility and usability. By utilising offline tools, such as interactive PDFs and HTML files, PMF can extend the reach and range of enterprise-wide Performance Management initiatives. An independent software vendor, Information Builders’ core products are the WebFOCUS BI platform and iWay integration software.

Key Findings

Strength

• A relatively quick solution to implement and well suited to rapid customisation.
• Very strong Operational Performance Management solution.
• The PMF application bundle will appeal to medium-sized organisations.
• Good use of Web 2.0 technologies and support for mobile/offline working.

Information

• Commitment to the WebFOCUS BI stack is not a PMF prerequisite.

Weakness

• Still building relationships with major System Integrators and developers.

Look Ahead

Future plans for PMF included integration with industry-specific offerings for Insurance, Healthcare, and Higher Education. New third-party partner solutions are expected for Supply Chain benchmark performance and Budgeting/Consolidation performance.

Read the full Technology Audit on the Butler Group Web site.