Sagent Version 2 Boosts Turnkey Data Mart Solution with Interactive Desktop and Web-Based Analysis Tools
Innovative ROLAP Architecture First to Combine Scalability and High Performance
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 28, 1997 -- SAGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC. today made it easier for decision makers to analyze their company's critical data by introducing Version 2 of its flagship SagentTM Data Mart Solution, adding interactive multidimensional analysis capabilities to the system's popular data mart population capabilities. The Sagent Data Mart Solution Version 2, lets workgroup users display, drill, pivot and filter multidimensional data sets in crosstab or chart form with uncompromised performance, while giving browser users all the analytical capabilities over the Internet or corporate intranet.
Sagent Version 2's new multi-tiered on-line analytical processing (OLAP) architecture avoids the tradeoff between high performance and scalability plaguing other products by combining the best of desktop multidimensional technology and server-based aggregate processing. It is also the first to automatically create and populate specified aggregate data tables on the server, relieving IS from this time-robbing and error-prone burden.
"With Sagent Version 2, we've finally solved the problem of simultaneously achieving performance and scalability in on-line analytical processing," said Ken Gardner, president, CEO and co- founder of Sagent Technology. "Only the end-to-end systems approach of the Sagent Data Mart Solution can offer the degree of seamless integration, high performance and scalability we have achieved with the new multidimensional analysis capabilities introduced in Version 2."
Introduced in October 1996, the Sagent Data Mart Solution is the first tightly integrated set of tools for populating data marts, managing them and providing decision makers with facilities to intuitively access, analyze and collaborate on data. Version 2 integrates Visual Basic for Applications 5.0 as the scripting language to provide more powerful data manipulation beyond the capabilities of SQL. Sagent was chosen by Microsoft as one of the first licensees of this technology.
According to a 1996 Robertson Stephens & Co. report, data marts are expected to account for 50 to 75 percent of the $15 billion decision support systems market over the next 5 years. Additionally, a 1996 Sentry Research report, "Data Warehousing Directions," showed that a single-vendor solution was preferred by 53 percent of respondents.
SAGENT ANALYSIS
The new Sagent Analysis desktop module for Version 2 adds OLAP capabilities to Sagent Information StudioTM, the end-user, desktop component of the Sagent Data Mart Solution. It lets users immediately begin performing intuitive multidimensional analysis of their data in a familiar, easy-to-use environment that seamlessly integrates all of the workgroup features available in Sagent's Information Studio, including publish-and-subscribe distribution.Sagent Analysis lets users view their data as crosstabs or charts of multiple dimensions, and stages the results of queries as aggregate totals on the desktop for optimal performance during analysis. Data can be presented as crosstabs that summarize and organize the data by dimensions rather than listing individual records, or displayed using a variety of business charts, such as pie charts and bar graphs. Charts can be selected and formatted with the aid of a powerful wizard to guide the user through the process.
Analysis can be performed by drilling, pivoting and filtering the data in either crosstabs or charts, and by selecting from a variety of aggregate functions. Multiple analysis displays give users several different views of the same data, each view immediately accessible with a simple mouse click. Users can also use the new exception highlighting feature to find data that meets specified business criteria. Finally, all crosstab data can easily be saved as an Excel spreadsheet or incorporated into other Microsoft Office applications.
HIGH PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY
Only Sagent Analysis combines the performance of desktop multidimensional "cubes" with the scalability of server-based aggregate processing by combining the best of both technologies. As a result, Sagent Analysis can address a broader range of analytical processing applications.On the desktop, Sagent's FlashcubeTM technology enables Sagent Analysis to deliver extremely fast response times as users drill down to get more detail by staging the results of each information request in a multidimensional format in local memory. Crosstabs and charts immediately display changes made by users while drilling, pivoting or filtering because Sagent Analysis intelligently uses aggregates created in real time on the desktop or already stored on the server.
At the server level, the Sagent Data Mart Server is "aggregate aware," enabling it to quickly process information requests involving very large amounts of summarized data. And unlike any other multi-tiered OLAP product in the industry, the Sagent Data Mart Server can also automatically create and populate the aggregate tables in the underlying database. Typically, this process is performed manually by a data administrator, which is both time consuming and prone to errors.
WEB ENABLED
In Sagent Version 2, Sagent WebLink gives Web browser users on the Internet or corporate intranet the same data analysis capabilities found in Sagent Analysis. New ActiveX controls let users display, drill, pivot and filter crosstabs and charts within their browser, on any operating system. Sagent WebLink is a server-based facility that allows components built within the Sagent environment to be accessed and executed through popular Internet web browsers.
WORKGROUP ENABLED
Because Sagent Analysis is part of the Sagent Information Studio, it automatically inherits all of that desktop environment's workgroup decision-making capabilities. Workgroups can easily share queries, query results and ongoing analysis.Sagent's easy-to-use distribution features follow a publish-and-subscribe model for data sharing. After users have graphically built and run a request for information, they can publish these requests, called Plans, for others in the workgroup to access and use. Similarly, the results of these information requests, called Snaps, can also be published and made available to anyone in the workgroup. Whenever a change is made to a published item, Sagent agents automatically issue alerts to all subscribed parties, enabling all workgroup members to stay current.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
Version 2 of the Sagent Data Mart Solution is in production and is offered in five different packages. For pricing and details on the five packages, please refer to the Sagent Data Mart Packages press release dated 4/28/97.
ABOUT SAGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Sagent Technology was founded in June, 1995 to bring business information closer to decision-makers and make it quicker and easier to use and share. Sagent Technology provides integrated data mart tools for populating data marts - or functional data warehouses - and giving end users intuitive access to the data. The company was co-founded by Ken Gardner and John Zicker, both formerly with ReportSmith, Inc., and its marketing efforts are headed by Perry Mizota, formerly vice president of marketing at Business Objects, Inc. Sagent has strategic partnership agreements with Oracle, Microsoft, Prism Solutions and Ralph Kimball Associates. Sagent is funded by Crosspoint Venture Partners, El Dorado Ventures, Greylock Limited Partnerships and U.S. Venture Partners.
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