Intelligent Enterprise

IBM has added to its business intelligence portfolio software and services that provide industry-specific analytic applications in the areas of financial performance, human capital management and customer management.

The latest offerings help clients analyze information as it is fed from different sources, and then use what's learned to improve business performance, according to IBM. For example, the analytics software for financial performance consolidates data from such sources as a general ledger, accounts receivable and payable and inventory into standard reporting formats that provide managers with insights into planning and performing effectiveness, receivable and payable risk, cash management and invoice activity.

Customers of IBM's latest offering, introduced Wednesday, include DHL Express Germany. The shipping company is using IBM software to analyze more than 30 million customer records in "seconds instead of hours," according to the vendor.

The industry-specific products build on IBM's "Business Analytics and Optimization Services," a new practice that the company announced in April. The practice comprises 4,000 consultants drawn from IBM's BI, information management, performance management, content management and enterprise integration practices.

The new services formalized what was a collaborative initiative backed by IBM Global Business Services (GBS), the IBM Software Group and IBM Research. Those three organization had already completed some 400 analytics- and optimization-related engagements within the last year alone.

The new industry-specific software includes applications for financial services, health care, life sciences and the government sector.

As an example, IBM is offering to financial services new industry models to help meet regulatory and compliance requirements. The models support new rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission, International Financial Reporting Standards and International Accounting Standards.

For health-care providers, IBM analytics software can tap into clinical, operational and financial systems, including billing, lab, pharmacy and electronic medical record systems in order to develop best practices. For example, that analytics could help identify the forms of treatment that are working best among large groups of patients with similar symptoms.

IBM has launched a Web site with more information on its Business Analytics and Optimization Services.