Finally, the Table is Set

With IBM's move to acquire Cognos now official, the consolidation once predicted by the sages in the world of industy analysts has finally come to pass. Leaving aside some of the other not-insubstantial players still out there but less like to be acquired (SAS and MSTR come to mind, as they did for BOBJ blogger Timo Elliott), we have a very interesting line-up remaining--vendors with incredibly deep pockets, all having the same customers in one department or other, and each with their own angle from which to advance their vision of BI:

SAP--from the ERP system

IBM--from the database but with one of the strongest implementation arms

ORCL--from the database and ERP/EPM applications

MSFT--from the database and Office

This is of course broadly speaking--there's overlap all over here (Dynamics ERP from MSFT for instance), but as we move to the next generation of BI, it will be interesting to see how each of the vendors are able to exploit their strengths, and their opponents weaknesses, to their advantage. More to come on this deal analysis later!