Is Bi applications open-source or commercial?
In embedded bi: Open Source or other cial? In this article, the author elaborated on his views on how to choose the Bi platform. The following is a summary:
When integrating Bi and report functions into applications, you must find a balance between demand, cost, and development cycle.
Integrating reports in applications is a common requirement. However, users usually have more complex requirements on reports, such as customized report design, report creation, analysis, and performance management from time to time. Independent software developers (ISVs) and application developers need to make choices between open-source tools and high-end commercial Bi platforms.
Five years ago, onyx Software Corp and Ottawa-based bi vender Cognos Inc cooperated to implement the report function in CRM. Initially, the program only has the basic report function, but CRM Customers can select dashboards, metrics, scorecarding and OLAP analysis of cagnos as needed. They did not seriously consider open-source Bi, because open-source Bi does not have the features they want. In addition, they are concerned about program quality and version control. Open-source software is developed based on communities, so it is updated frequently.
Other enterprises have similar experiences. They do not want to re-develop the Bi platform, but integrate mature platform products.
However, for many other ISVs, the price of open-source Bi is the biggest concern when they choose products. They would rather
Use a very cheap price, and then do some additional development customization.
Open-source Bi is especially attractive to Java developers. Most open-source Bi is based on Java, including eclipse's business intelligence and reporting tool (Birt), jaspersoft's jasperreports and pentaho.
The biggest challenge facing open-source Bi is not technology, but the market. Due to promotion issues, customers usually worry about the availability of open-source Bi in applications.
Open-source Bi with commercial support is attractive to developers. SAIC Inc. provides applications for the oil and gas market, using eclipse Birt. Depending on the project requirements and budget, developers can choose between the Open Source BIRT, commercial support edition BIRT, or other commercial platforms.
Due to market competition incentives, any method that can save costs must be tried. If you have to pay for a commercial software license before starting work, project development will be very difficult.