IBM bets big on business analytics solutions

Technology giant IBM today said it is focussing on business analytics and access management segments to strengthen its portfolio in the country.

The company, which is traditionally known for its hardware and servers, provides platform to software companies to develop software like business analytics and access management. The segment contributes about 25 per cent to the global revenues.

"Our acquisition of Cognos has helped us strengthen the business analytics capability. Currently, the adoption of such solution is low in India, but we expect to grow fast in the coming months and there are a lot of opportunities that we see," IBM India/South Asia Director (Software Group) Pradeep Nair said.

IBM had acquired Canada-based Cognos in 2008 to strengthen its portfolio in areas like information integration, content and data management, and business consulting services.

The company is targetting verticals like banking, insurance and telecom for its business analytics software platform.

"For example, banks can use analytics software to go through their customer profiles and then cross-sell other products that they have. It not only brings in business, but also increases effective utilisation of existing data," he said.

Similarly, telecom firms can suggest various talktime plans to its subscribers and sell other services, based on the user patterns, he added.

According to research firm IDC, the global business analytics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven per cent over 2009-2014.