Microsoft today announced the acquisition of Toronto-based Datazen Software, a cross-platform mobile business intelligence and data visualization solution provider.
The company said that the move is meant to help bring a data culture to more companies through accessible tools.
“Companies around the world need simpler ways to find data insights they can use to improve their business,” said Kamal Hathi, partner director, cloud and enterprise at Microsoft in a blog post. “With the pervasive use of mobile devices at work, mobile business intelligence (BI) 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.”
According to Hathi, Datazen is optimized for SQL Server Analysis Services and Microsoft platforms and offers data visualization and key performance indicators on Windows, iOS and Android.
Companies running SQL Server Enterprise Edition version 2008 or later and Software Assurance are now able to download Datazen Server software for free.
“This means millions of people around the world will now be able to visualize and interact with data on their mobile devices, using the native mobile apps available at no charge at the respective app stores,” Hathi wrote.
In a separate blog post, Miljan Braticevic, CEO of Datazen, assured that existing deployments including server, publisher and all mobile clients would continue to be available in their current form.
“Datazen is positioned as a mobile BI solution for customers who need a solution that is implemented on-premises,” Braticevic wrote. “As such, it will complement Power BI, Microsoft’s cloud-based business analytics service. Our team will continue to develop and evolve the product.”
Microsoft said it has plans to integrate Datazen with Power BI to offer customers a bridge their on-premise investments into a hybrid cloud.