BI VERDICT. The ultimate report on Business Intelligence. TIBCO Spotfire 5. [Analysts: Dr. Christian Fuchs, Larissa Seidler, April 2013]

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1 THE BI VERDICT The ultimate report on Business Intelligence TIBCO Spotfire 5 BARC Product Review Analyst Verdict Conclusion [Analysts: Dr. Christian Fuchs, Larissa Seidler, April 2013] This document is not to be shared, distributed or reproduced in any way without prior permission of BARC.

2 Vendor and product overview Product characterization TIBCO Spotfire is a Self Service Business Intelligence (SSBI) solution designed to help business users build interactive dashboards and conduct visual and advanced statistical analyses. TIBCO Spotfire applications deliver good performance due to its integrated In-Memory data storage. Vendor TIBCO Spotfire belongs to the U.S. software vendor TIBCO, a market player especially renowned for its middleware and SOA technology offerings. Spotfire was originally developed by a Swedish software vendor of the same name that specialized in interactive tools for visual analysis. The company existed for over a decade before joining TIBCO in Vendor profile Vendor Offices Employees TIBCO Software Inc. Worldwide Customers 4,000 Revenues (2012) 3,600 (Approximately 300 for TIBCO Spotfire alone) ~$1.024 billion Approximately 300 of the 3,600 TIBCO employees worldwide are assigned to TIBCO Spotfire. The product s core research and development team of developers is still based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Individual solution components such as the mobile client and specific statistical methods are developed in Seattle, Washington (USA). In recent years TIBCO has recorded double-digit growth rates and 10% average increases in new customers. Strategy TIBCO Spotfire is positioned as a Self Service tool for data discovery and analysis. According to TIBCO, predefined data models for analysis (as typically found in OLAP analyses) are not agile enough to help users gain new insights from their existing data. TIBCO Spotfire, therefore, aims to support dimension-free data discovery to provide users with adequate leeway in analyzing their data. The product s analytic functionality ranges from simple visual data navigation to advanced statistical analysis and predictive data modeling. To strengthen its statistical analysis capabilities (i.e. developing, testing and using statistical methods and predictive analyses), TIBCO purchased Insightful Corporation in 2008 along with the company s rights to the statistics software S+. S+ is a commercial version of R, an open source programming language for statistics, and is compatible with R. TIBCO Spotfire is used in a wide range of business departments and industries including telecommunications, utilities, automotive, banking, insurance, consumer goods, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and transportation. Companies based in Europe can purchase TIBCO Spotfire direct from the vendor s own sales organizations for Northern, Central and Southern Europe. Licensing is based on named-user or server models and generally covers a three-year period. Maintenance and support fees total 16% of the list price and include on average one major and one minor release per year. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 1

3 Architecture Spotfire Enterprise Analytics Platform TIBCO Spotfire has a classical client-server architecture (see Figure 1) based on proprietary In-Memory data storage. Dimension-free Data Exploration Spotfire Professional Analytic Applications Analytic & Operational Dashboards Spotfire Player Security: Central IT LDAP Administration, Integration & SDK Spotfire Server In-memory Engines Spotfire Player Server Enterprise Social Collaboration tibbr Data Mashup Spotfire Advanced/ Application Data Services Data Connectivity Web Service data SAP ERP, SAP BI Other Applications Spotfire Statistics Services Advanced Statistics & Predictive Analytics Corporate data marts Relational databases Rules & Event Services Real-time Connectivity Spotfire Automation Services Figure 1: Architecture of TIBCO Spotfire Users can integrate data from various sources into the product s own In-Memory engine with TIBCO Spotfire Professional, the.net-based full client, and create data models within the comfortable Information Designer interface. With the help of the Information Designer wizard, users can build proprietary data models, which in TIBCO are called Information Models. Data connections, links among the data sources and the access rights to the data are stored in the data model. TIBCO Spotfire Application Data Services (OEM of Composite) offers assistance in more complex data integration tasks, for example, from various heterogeneous platforms or special systems such as SAP. TIBCO Spotfire Professional users can access data in relational systems through an Information Link that can be created with the help of a wizard. Technically speaking, an Information Link encapsulates the SQL statement for the data query which the user can modify if necessary. TIBCO Spotfire offers native support for Oracle, Teradata and Microsoft SQL Server as relational sources. Starting in Version 5, users can also run queries generated in TIBCO Spotfire directly in these databases (i.e. In-Database analytics). The advantage of In- Database analytics is that the workload for queries and calculations can be shifted to the underlying database, which then returns the results to the front end. Additional relational data sources can also be accessed via ODBC or JDBC. Apart from relational data sources, users can also integrate flat files (e.g. structured text files, Excel spreadsheets or XML streams) and multidimensional data. As of version 5, the tool offers wizard-based access to multidimensional data in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services using MDX. The user interface can display data from both relational and multidimensional sources (e.g. relational data from a table, multidimensional data in a chart) but, at present, not in the same object. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 2

4 The Information Model and Information Links (i.e. data-related metadata) are always saved to TIBCO Spotfire Server. TIBCO Spotfire Server is the central instance for administering metadata, running services and managing the solution as a whole. The solution saves TIBCO Spotfire s own internal report metadata in DXP files, which contain information about the application that was created and, in most cases, a link to the Information Links or data sources. These DXP files are then stored on the user s PC or in the Library. This Library also serves as the solution s central metadata repository which saves TIBCO internal metadata as well as data-related metadata. The metadata repository is stored in a relational database on the TIBCO Spotfire Server. In addition to report-related metadata, DXP files generally only contain links to the data sources, meaning integrated data is not saved with it. TIBCO Spotfire, however, does offer a technical option to embed imported data into DXP files making it possible, for example, to send DXP files to other users thus supporting offline reporting requirements. TIBCO Spotfire users can choose from a variety of clients as shown in Table 1. Table 1: Front ends available from TIBCO Spotfire Client TIBCO Spotfire Professional TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player TIBCO Spotfire Web Player TIBCO Spotfire S+ Function TIBCO Spotfire Professional is the main client for the solution. As a desktop application (full client), TIBCO Spotfire Professional offers business users a Self Service environment for integrating data as well as creating analyses and applications that can be consumed with TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player and TIBCO Spotfire Web Player. Similar to TIBCO Spotfire Professional, TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player is also a full-client installation but with fewer functions. TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player focuses on displaying (i.e. not creating) applications. TIBCO Spotfire Web Player is a DHTML client (Web client) offering the same functionality as TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player but using a different way to share the content. Web Player uses TIBCO Spotfire Web Player Server in the background, for example, to render the application so it can be displayed on the Web. TIBCO Spotfire S+ is an Eclipse-based desktop client and application development environment for creating statistical and predictive analytics based on the commercial, statistical programming language S+. TIBCO Spotfire Professional can run and visualize models created with TIBCO Spotfire S+. While the TIBCO Spotfire Professional, TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player and TIBCO Spotfire Web Player clients are designed for business users, the TIBCO Spotfire S+ application development environment is targeted at trained analysts and statisticians. TIBCO Spotfire Professional users are typically power users who supply consumers with analytics or analytic applications through TIBCO Spotfire Web Player or TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player. As part of TIBCO Spotfire s granular authorization concept, administrators can regulate the amount of available functionality. User information and access rights (authentication) are saved to a file. Data authorization is managed through data views which filter to sections of the data model. Although a dedicated role-based concept is not available, administrators can define user groups and assign individual rights to them. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 3

5 Reporting As a SSBI solution, TIBCO Spotfire focuses on screen-driven analysis (see Figure 2). Power users can create reports that resemble dashboards with TIBCO Spotfire Professional. These reports primarily comprise highly interactive charts enabling users to visually explore the data. In addition to the classical standard chart types (e.g. column, bar, line and pie charts), TIBCO Spotfire offers a variety of maps, micro charts, and even specialized visualizations that efficiently display relationships within the data. If the available graphical capabilities are not sufficient for specific requirements, users can create individual chart types or objects using TIBCO Spotfire API and integrate them into their reports. If desired, users can switch the selected chart type ad hoc through the integrated tool bar. Scrollbars and other filter elements (e.g. full-text searches, drop-down lists, check boxes) adjacent to the charts make it easy for users to drill down to lower levels or roll up to higher ones within the data hierarchies. Figure 2: Analytic application including a geo analysis in TIBCO Spotfire Professional To create new reports, users can position objects on the screen using drag and drop. With the formula editor in TIBCO Spotfire Professional, users can also add individual, dynamic calculations ranging from basic functions to predefined statistical methods. In the finished application, users can manipulate report objects through filters and the filters panel, which is a filter bar for all filter objects. Groups and hierarchies of report objects can be created using drag and drop. The solution automatically recognizes parent-child relationships and directly displays the hierarchies that were created in the filters panel, where they can be used to filter the data. The product also identifies which report or graphical object is best suited for the data that was selected by the user. Since users can create filters separately starting in version 4.0, the filters panel can also be hidden. Although TIBCO Spotfire primarily focuses on the screen display of dashboards, reports and analyses, users can print reports as part of the tool s report distribution capabilities. To prepare for printing, the tool will scale the report to the necessary page size (e.g. DIN A4). Other options for distributing dashboards, reports and analyses include TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player, TIBCO Spotfire Web Player, and exported PDF or PowerPoint files. Dashboards, reports and analyses that are shared in TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player and TIBCO Spotfire Web Player maintain their fully interactive navigation, filters, sort options, etc. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 4

6 Dashboards Dashboards generally comprise different report and graphic objects organized in tabs. When creating dashboards in TIBCO Spotfire Professional, users can select and position dashboard objects from the menu using drag and drop. All TIBCO Spotfire graphics are highly interactive as part of their standard functionality. Generally speaking, any changes to the selection in the filters panel will directly affect all other dashboard objects. TIBCO Spotfire offers strong capabilities for implementing a guided navigation within an interactive dashboard or BI application. With the text field report object, users can add text, images and links to an application or report. These links can trigger a variety of actions (e.g. to open a URL) which can be based on conditions allowing users to jump from one view to the next. Users can incorporate this type of cross reference to call up various actions (e.g. remove filter, undo) available in the menu. TIBCO Spotfire also offers capabilities to create Python scripts and assign them for example, to buttons in the front end. As a whole, companies can use TIBCO Spotfire to implement highly individualized commands and dashboard applications which users can manipulate through the various navigation capabilities. Once a dashboard has been created with TIBCO Spotfire Professional, it can be consumed in TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player, TIBCO Spotfire Web Player or in the TIBCO Spotfire Web Player mobile client. Users can open TIBCO Spotfire Web Player from the browser on their mobile devices. TIBCO Spotfire also supports ipad devices with a special hybrid app that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. The hybrid app opens TIBCO Spotfire Web Player in the background enhancing it with native ipad functions allowing users, for example, to view a central Library containing all available mobile applications in the app. Users can add comments to TIBCO Spotfire applications through bookmarks. Each bookmark saves five dimensions: the selected object, selected dashboard, page layout, chart settings as well as current filters and selections. Since each bookmark in TIBCO Spotfire has its own URL, it is easy to share applications with other consumers. In combination with the actions described above, bookmarks can also be used to create guided environments or navigations between applications. To promote the exchange and communication of TIBCO Spotfire content, TIBCO offers Tibbr, its own separately licensed collaboration and social networking platform. Similar to Facebook, Tibbr allows users to share a variety of content (e.g. dashboards, reports, analytic findings) and discuss it in chats, video conferences or even surveys. Companies can either use Tibbr separately or as a fully integrated component of TIBCO Spotfire (see Figure 3). BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 5

7 Figure 3: Full Tibbr integration in TIBCO Spotfire Professional Analysis In addition to interactive dashboards and reports, TIBCO Spotfire s prime strengths lie in visual and statistical data analysis with TIBCO Spotfire Professional. The full client supports the complete range of tasks from integrating data and conducting analyses to communicating and commenting on the findings. TIBCO Spotfire offers strong visual analysis as well as advanced statistical methods. Users can analyze any dimensions within the available dataset without predefined structures - as are commonly found in OLAP analyses. Users can visually analyze data using a comprehensive set of charts including interactive and three-dimensional chart types (see Figure 4). By clicking on individual elements or selecting groups with a lasso, users can focus on specific areas of charts. This selection automatically impacts other charts and can be saved as a filter. The objective of the solution is to replace classical drill functions in predefined hierarchies through visual selections or groupings in charts. Nevertheless, users can still define hierarchies so that they can analyze their data through drill functions. TIBCO Spotfire supports geo analysis based on interactive ESRI maps which integrate well in the solution. These maps have the same interactivity as other chart types in TIBCO Spotfire. Mashups with Google Maps or other online map providers are also supported. An undo function facilitates interactive analysis. In addition to providing robust functions for visual analysis, TIBCO Spotfire supports advanced statistical methods. TIBCO Spotfire Professional offers a comprehensive formula editor to create individual calculations that can be used in the application. Users can access multiple, predefined statistical S+ and R functions in the formula editor and then display the results in TIBCO Spotfire charts. For more complex requirements, users can integrate SAS and Matlab functions using TIBCO Spotfire Statistics Services (TSSS). Statisticians can also use the TIBCO Spotfire S+ client to develop statistical models that can be run and visualized in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. Starting in version 5, TIBCO Spotfire Professional also contains a built-in proprietary runtime (TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R TERR) to execute R programs in TIBCO Spotfire. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 6

8 Figure 4: Visual analysis in TIBCO Spotfire Professional BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 7

9 Conclusion TIBCO Spotfire is a SSBI solution that provides business users with comprehensive functionality for visual and advanced statistical analytics. The software is well designed for building interactive dashboards and graphical, on-screen reports. Together with specialized clients primarily targeted at trained analysts and statisticians, TIBCO also offers full, Web and mobile clients for end users to consume TIBCO Spotfire content. Analysts and statisticians, in turn, can share their findings with other users through these front ends. The integrated bookmark function, for example, provides a way to create dashboards or analytic applications with guided navigations for business users. TIBCO Spotfire offers a wide range of capabilities to support collaboration through Tibbr, its own, separately licensable collaboration and social networking platform. In addition to visual data analysis, building analytic applications is another strength of TIBCO Spotfire. Users can drag and drop chart objects to the desired position on the desktop. Users can effectively visualize data and intuitively navigate through datasets using the wide range of chart types. By embedding complex statistical methods and models, trained analysts and statisticians can conduct predictive analyses using the capabilities offered in the S+ and R programming languages. TIBCO Spotfire offers its own In-Memory data storage, which loads data from relational, as well as multidimensional sources, into the computer s memory where users can access it for high-performance analytics. Other new functions such as In-Database analytics, which run calculations in select relational databases, offer the promise of high-performance queries on large datasets as the actual query or calculation load is shifted to the underlying database. This product review for TIBCO Spotfire 5 is part of the BARC study The BI Verdict, which serves as a central knowledge base for best practices and evaluations of products and trends in the Business Intelligence market. The study tests and evaluates software for reporting, analysis and dashboarding. More information about this study is available at BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 8

10 Strengths and weaknesses Strengths Scalable In-Memory and In-Database solution designed to support business users with visual and advanced statistical analytics Comprehensive capabilities for visualizing data Unrestricted, visual data navigation Flexible environment for developing interactive on-screen dashboards and applications for reporting and analysis. Objects can be positioned anywhere on the canvas. Good collaboration capabilities with the social networking platform Tibbr (separate license required) Execution of S+, R, SAS and Matlab models Weaknesses TIBCO Spotfire Professional offers basic data integration capabilities. A specialized data integration platform (OEM Composite) is available for more complex requirements. Limited support for typical OLAP navigation and calculations in tables Limited functionality for formatted, printed reporting Native support for only one MDX data source (i.e. Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services). MDX commands cannot be modified. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 9

11 Factbase No. Criterion Description 1 Systems architecture 1.1 Platform Client: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 Server: Web Server: Microsoft IIS, Windows Server 2008/2012 (64-bit only) Application Server: Windows 2008/2012, Linux (Red Hat, SUSE) 1.2 Architectural robustness The solution was created using the same base code. The clients are all developed with.net and are well integrated. TIBCO Spotfire S+ is an acquired technology that generally runs on a separate server (Spotfire Statistics Services). Models that are created in TIBCO Spotfire S+ can be run in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. TIBCO Spotfire Server, a platform-independent system developed in Java (Tomcat by default), is the central instance for the solution s administration (support for clustering/failover and load balancing). The Web client (TIBCO Spotfire Web Player) runs on the Microsoft IIS Web server. 1.3 Clients TIBCO Spotfire Professional: Full client for creating interactive TIBCO Spotfire applications (dashboards, reports, analyses). TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player: Full client to display and navigate applications created in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. TIBCO Spotfire Web Player: Web client to display and navigate applications created in TIBCO Spotfire Professional on the Web. TIBCO Spotfire S+: An Eclipse-based full client for developing statistical methods and predictive analytics with the statistical programming language S+. These methods and analyses can be used in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. 1.4 Programming interface (API) TIBCO Spotfire API discloses the full functionality of the product so that programmers can automate or extend the system, for example, with custom charts that can be used in the applications. In addition to supporting OEM integrations, the API can also manage events or automatically distribute scheduled reports. 1.5 Component integration TIBCO Spotfire Professional, TIBCO Spotfire Enterprise Player and TIBCO Spotfire Web Player are integrated. Users can consume the contents created in TIBCO Spotfire Professional with these players. TIBCO Spotfire S+ is an acquired technology that has been integrated with TIBCO Spotfire. Models created with TIBCO Spotfire S+ can be run in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 10

12 No. Criterion Description 2 Access to data sources 2.1 Standard databases Native support for Oracle, Teradata and Microsoft SQL Server as relational databases. Starting in Version 5, users can also run queries directly in these databases (In-Database analytics). Access to other relational data sources is possible via ODBC or JDBC. Users can also access flat files (e.g. text, Excel or XML) and multidimensional data through MDX (wizard-based access to Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services). Additional data sources such as MDX, BAPI, Salesforce.com, Siebel, etc. can be integrated with TIBCO Spotfire Application Data Services (OEM of Composite, separate license required). 2.2 Special databases TIBCO Spotfire can access the data sources listed above as well as its own In-Memory data storage as a special database. 2.3 Unstructured data Through a partnership with Attivio, TIBCO Spotfire offers Attivio Intelligence Engine (AIE), an embedded tool supporting integrated analysis of unstructured data. 2.4 Access to local data Users can drag and drop Excel or CSV files to the TIBCO Spotfire Professional GUI. This action triggers a wizard that recognizes the structure of the file and maps the existing files in the Information Model. When creating a local connection, users can either opt to embed the file (i.e. data from the local file is saved in the application) or to save the file to a server (i.e. data is published to the server and the file is referenced in the application). 3 Systems administration 3.1 Metadata storage TIBCO Spotfire metadata is stored in the Library, which contains report definitions, data (optional), users, etc. The Library is stored in a relational database; Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server are currently supported. 3.2 Semantic layer TIBCO Spotfire contains a proprietary data model called an Information Model. This model stores the data connections and links to data sources; access rights are part of the model as well. The data is stored in columns without a pre-defined structure in the computer s memory. Users query the data using Information Links (i.e. a type of SQL command) and can modify the automatically generated SQL command if necessary. The Information Model and Information Links are stored on TIBCO Spotfire Server. 3.3 Self Service modeling Both the server and solution should be administered by an IT department. and administration in line Departmental power users with strong IT skills can, however, manage the of business integration and modeling tasks in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 11

13 No. Criterion Description 3.4 User identification and security Administrators can specify which functions are provided to individual users through a granular system of access rights. Data access is defined in data views which filter to sections of the data model, saved in the Information Model, and managed in SQL. Administrators can transfer users from the database or create new ones. Although a designated role-based concept is not provided, administrators can define user groups and assign individual rights to them. 4 Performance optimization and scalability 4.1 Systems monitoring and optimization 4.2 Performance acceleration and data caching No special monitoring functions are available. Various system logs (including user logs) can be analyzed in TIBCO Spotfire. Standard monitoring tools (e.g. TIBCO Hawk and others) can also be used to monitor the system. TIBCO Spotfire uses In-Memory processing to increase performance. It also supports on-demand data loading to minimize the load on the memory. Data can be loaded from relational sources as well as TIBCO Active Spaces, a distributed, In-Memory data storage. 4.3 Data and user scalability In real customer scenarios, TIBCO Spotfire supports over 5,000 users at its largest customers. It also, however, supports customer scenarios with just 5 users. In typical customer scenarios (approximately 80% of all customers), 100 users work with TIBCO Spotfire. 4.4 Load balancing and availability TIBCO Spotfire relies on third-party offerings as well as server functions to support load balancing and system availability. In most cases, these tasks are performed by the Web server (Microsoft IIS). 5 User interface 5.1 User environment and navigation TIBCO Spotfire is a user-friendly solution that is designed to provide visual analysis and data exploration capabilities for business users. Although the solution was developed with.net, it doesn t have a typical Microsoft look and feel with menus and ribbons. Overall, the user interface has an appealing, modern appearance. 5.2 Search Search functions are available throughout the Information Model and Library. Users can search for filter values as well as metadata. Data searches are supported in the full-text filter. 6 Report development 6.1 Report development environment TIBCO Spotfire reports resemble dashboards and are designed for screen output. The reports are saved to internal TIBCO Spotfire DXP files that contain report-related and data-related metadata. Source data can also be embedded into DXP files to support offline reporting requirements. Power users from business departments can create an application by dragging various report objects (primarily graphics, but also tables) and dropping them into the desired position on the screen. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 12

14 No. Criterion Description 6.2 Formatting and layout Applications created with TIBCO Spotfire Professional are designed to display information and support visual navigations on a computer screen. Reports can be broken down into various tabs. Conditional formatting is supported. One report object can affect another report object. As a result, a filter or selection in one chart can have an effect on another. 6.3 Interactivity features Users can navigate in and analyze the dataset using interactive report objects. Visualizations that are based on the same data model automatically affect other charts in the dashboard. Users can define reusable filters in the filters panel as well as links to create references between applications or application pages. 7 Information delivery 7.1 Briefing books Users can export static images (i.e. similar to screenshots) of report objects to PowerPoint, PDF or HTML files. Here they can decide if all report objects should be displayed on one page or separate pages. Classical printed briefing books are not supported. 7.2 Scheduling and alerts Alerts can only be activated in Automation Services (not directly in the TIBCO Spotfire Professional front end). The IT department or a power user with the appropriate IT skills must create an Automation Services job that writes a procedure which, in turn, triggers the alert in the database. Automated report distribution (i.e. scheduling) is implemented in the same manner. A script created in Automation Services must be triggered externally to enable scheduling. 7.3 Report bursting Reports can be automatically distributed to multiple users by creating a script that is triggered externally (see section 7.2). 7.4 Export and printing Static images of report objects can be exported to PowerPoint, PDF or HTML files. Data can also be exported to Excel, TXT, PDF, HTML or PowerPoint files. Reports can also be printed. 7.5 Mobile clients TIBCO Spotfire Web Player can be opened in various mobile browsers. For ipad devices, TIBCO Spotfire also offers a separate hybrid app. (Users can download a native app from the Apple App Store and install it on their devices; the app opens TIBCO Spotfire Web Player in the background). 7.6 Publishing to other users and portal integration Applications created with TIBCO Spotfire Professional can be distributed with the loaded data to other users by . Reports can also be distributed through Automation Services (see section 7.2). Generated analyses and reports can be stored in central folders of the Library, where they can be shared with other users based on their respective rights. TIBCO Spotfire supports Microsoft SharePoint as a portal. If necessary, TIBCO Spotfire can be integrated into other portals as well without losing its interactivity. With Tibbr, TIBCO Spotfire offers a separate collaboration and social networking platform to promote the communication of TIBCO Spotfire content. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 13

15 No. Criterion Description 8 Overlapping functions 8.1 Navigation and userdefined / automated actions The application uses a visual navigation through report objects and tabs. Jumps can also be added so that users can navigate between charts. The text field report object also offers the possibility to add predefined functions or self-written Python scripts to various navigation elements and buttons. 8.2 Charts TIBCO Spotfire offers a wide range of highly interactive visualizations from standard charts to advanced, three-dimensional charts with miniature charts (i.e. sparklines). Companies can also embed custom charts that were programmed with API. Users can select values in charts by clicking on them or lassoing a group of them. This selection directly affects other charts and can be saved as a filter. If hierarchies are defined in the data model, users can also use drill functions to analyze the data. 8.3 Comments Text can be added to the application through the text field report object. 9 Analysis and queries In addition, defined analysis views can be saved as bookmarks, commented and sent to other users. With its own separately licensed collaboration and social networking platform Tibbr, TIBCO Spotfire offers a separate solution that provides a wide range of functions to support collaboration. Tibbr is integrated with the TIBCO Spotfire clients and offers capabilities to comment on analyses and share them with other users. 9.1 OLAP analysis and navigation in data Classical OLAP analysis is not the main focus of TIBCO Spotfire. Users can, however, visualize data using cross tables and access drill functions within report objects. Users can also define hierarchies in the filters panel to make selecting members easier. 9.2 Set analysis Association analyses based on attribute values are not supported. 9.3 Visual analysis Dimension-free visual analysis (i.e. with no predefined structures) is one of TIBCO Spotfire s strengths. Users can drag and drop report objects to visualize the content they wish to evaluate based on their individual requirements. Lasso selections of values within report objects and interactive drill functions in charts are supported. Conditional formatting is supported in charts and tables. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 14

16 No. Criterion Description 9.4 Advanced analysis In addition to strong functions for visual analysis, TIBCO Spotfire also offers advanced statistical methods. Through a formula editor, users can access statistical S+, R, SAS and Matlab functions and display the results in charts. 9.5 Excel Add-In An Excel add-in is not available. Statisticians can also use the TIBCO Spotfire S+ client to develop statistical models that can be run and visualized in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. Starting in version 5, TIBCO Spotfire Professional also contains a proprietary runtime for R programs (TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R - TERR) so that they can be run in TIBCO Spotfire. Matlab and SAS models can also be run in TIBCO Spotfire Professional. BARC Product Review TIBCO Spotfire 5 Page 15