Microsoft releases PerformancePoint preview

Microsoft has released the first community technology preview of PerformancePoint Server 2007, its integrated performance management software.

The commercial product is scheduled for launch in mid-2007, and will provide analytics and financial planning capabilities built on top of SQL Server 2005.

The preview includes planning, budget, forecast and score-card functions. A second preview, expected early next year, will add analytics based on Microsoft’s ProClarity acquisition.

Many businesses using PerformancePoint will run Microsoft's Office suite as a front-end to access the business intelligence held in the new package.

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