Microsoft Picks Up Datazen Software, Beefing Up Mobile BI Toolbox

Microsoft revealed Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of Datazen Software, a company specializing in mobile-based business intelligence enterprise tools for Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company plans to integrate Datazen's mobile-based technology with its existing business intelligence solution, Power BI, an Office 365 cloud service tool that helps enterprise clients organize, visualize and extract value from data.

Microsoft did not reveal the terms and conditions of the acquisition.

[Related: Microsoft Rolls Out Built-In Office 365 Mobile Device Management Features ]

Partners applauded the completed acquisition as a reinforcement of CEO Satya Nadella's goal of developing Microsoft into a mobile-first, cloud-first company through strengthening its mobile tool portfolio.

"This is just another step for Microsoft's mobility platform and shows us how important that end point is for them," said Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN Infotech, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Microsoft partner.

"BI is a hot topic on everyone's radar, and Microsoft is doing anything they can to make it simpler for enterprise clients. It is a confusing field, and this is a start to bring BI down to a developed app that gives executives easy access to information with the push of a button on their mobile devices."

Datazen Software, based in Toronto, offers native apps for all platforms, which drive key performance indicator repository tools to connect to live data sources and outline trends, BI dashboard tools for data visualization and analysis, and publishing tools to construct dashboard layouts.

The acquisition of Datazen is also meant to enhance Microsoft's SQL Server Analysis Services, which deliver online analytical processing and data mining for BI applications. According to Microsoft, SQL Server Enterprise Edition customers with version 2008 or later and Software Assurance may download the Datazen Server software at no additional cost.

"Companies around the world need simpler ways to find data insights they can use to improve their business," wrote Kamal Hathi, partner director of Cloud and Enterprise at Microsoft, in a blog post. "With the pervasive use of mobile devices at work, mobile business intelligence is at a tipping point. Datazen is a mobile-first company at the forefront of this wave, with enterprise customers around the globe using its technology."

Robby Hill, founder and CEO of HillSouth, a Florence, S.C.-based Microsoft partner, said he sees opportunities for his own company to bolster revenue through Microsoft's strengthened focus on the business intelligence field.

"I think all Microsoft partners should evaluate this acquisition as a way to expand their practice to offer BI solutions to customers, if they aren't already," he said. "This tool should be powerful in assisting partners to build a new revenue stream."

Equally as important are the implications of Microsoft's acquisition for its overall cross-platform mobile strategy, LAN Infotech's Goldstein stressed.

Microsoft has made several recent strides in strengthening its array of tools across multiple operating system platforms, including the recent announcement of a deal with Samsung to provide pre-installed productivity services for Android device customers.

For partners, this means that Microsoft's business-focused tools on its Office 365 suite and other platforms are available to customers with an array of devices beyond Windows Phone, including iOS and Android.

"We've seen Microsoft investing a lot in their cross-platform mobile strategy," said Goldstein. "Our customers want that freedom of choice, and we want to take away those boundaries for them. It's great for partners because it is difficult to force users into one platform."

PUBLISHED APRIL 14, 2015