Moving Forward with the On Demand Real-time Enterprise

2 Moving Forward with the On Demand Real-time Enterprise

1.1 The environment today

We find ourselves today in a time where the stock market is very volatile, there is

a general slow down in business and we are constantly reminded of the threat of

recession, many businesses are struggling to get profitable, and customer loyalty

seems a thing of the past. To combat these conditions, companies need

capabilities that can enable them to proactively manage and direct their

business. One such critical capability required for this enablement is for their

information to be closer and closer to real-time, and available when it is

demanded. Having information that is more and more current cannot only enable

a significant business advantage, but in these times it is fast becoming a

requirement for business survival. Further fueling this requirement are the

demands for regulatory compliance.

Having real-time information can enable a business to employ proactive

decision-making for business goal and measurement achievement, rather than

the more common reactive problem impact minimization when it is recognized

that goals and measurements will not be achieved. Being proactive is the key.

Thus the need for, and focus of this redbook are on the on demand, real-time

enterprise.

The topic of an on demand real-time enterprise brings with it a very wide scope,

and one that we cannot completely cover in this redbook. So we focus in on the

specific area that is of greatest interest to us in the writing of this book, which is

the integration with, and support of, business intelligence.

The word real-time is a bit of a non-specific term these days. Not because it has

no specific meaning, but because it has been so used - and mis-used. It is now

commonly used to mean whatever one wants it to mean - within some reason.

Thus is the advent of terms such as near real-time, right time, almost real-time,

just-in-time, active, and so on.

Therefore, we give you here a brief description of a few of the terms as they will

be used in this redbook. It will help as you read this book, and as you develop

your real-time enterprise strategy and direction.

Business intelligence

One characterization of business intelligence (BI) is that it is insight gained from

analyzing quantitative business data to make a better informed decision. The

typical business intelligence user performs a decision support role and uses

business data to provide insight into, as an example, company strategy and

direction. In addition to traditional BI, Business Performance Management (BPM)

is an initiative that has expanded the scope of BI to include the integration of