Information Builders Streamlines Enterprise Reporting and Performance Management at Western Power Distribution
WebFOCUS and iWay Software Improve Decision-Making Through Better Access and Delivery of Information
London, February 1, 2010
Information Builders, an independent leader in business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced that Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distribution network for South West England and South Wales, has standardized on the WebFOCUS BI platform for improved performance management, enterprise-wide reporting, analysis, and information delivery. For a number of years, WPD has depended on iWay Software, an Information Builders company and an innovator of enterprise integration solutions, to access all its data sources and then use WebFOCUS to provide critical business intelligence within management, financial, and operational reports.
WPD’s business relies on the information with a variety of systems ranging from a mainframe, Oracle 10g database, and other enterprise software applications. The company did not want to separate reporting tools because it wanted a single view of its business using all data assets. After a review of potential solutions, WPD turned to Information Builders because it could deploy iWay intelligent adapters to integrate all the data sources and then use WebFOCUS to present and deliver the information to all users.
Mark Perry, applications manager, Western Power Distribution, said, “With WebFOCUS, we are giving staff access to the most accurate information and in a way that puts them in control. This empowerment results in better decision-making, improved performance against KPIs, and a more efficient business.”
WPD recognized the flexibility and self-service capabilities of WebFOCUS as a key benefit to the business and IT department. With WebFOCUS, WPD could not only create standardized reports for users across the enterprise, from local team leaders to super users and management, but also enable users to build their own custom reports quickly and easily. Previously, IT had to develop every report, which was time consuming for everyone. Now IT has put control into the hands of users, freeing themselves to focus on other strategic IT initiatives.
The deployment of WebFOCUS has given WPD the ability to better manage their business with up-to-date information easily accessed through the BI platform. Moreover, by giving the control to users, the company is enabling key staff to use information to make more informed decisions about running the business. This, in turn, ensures that teams in the field managing the infrastructure are managed and coordinated in the most efficient manner for WPD’s customers. By improving the use of information, delivering it in a format that meets the needs of end users, and reducing the demand on IT, WPD is realizing the benefits of operational business intelligence.
“Western Power Distribution has put enhanced reporting capabilities into the hands of the people who need it most without straining their IT department beyond its means. By allowing each user to find information through easy-to-use dashboards and create their own reports, our BI and integration software are having a tangible benefit in the way the company operates,” said Gerald Cohen, founder and CEO of Information Builders.
About Western Power Distribution
Western Power Distribution is the electricity distribution network operator for South West England and South and West Wales. The company delivers electricity to 2.5 million customers over a 26,000 sq kms service area. The network consists of 83,000 kms of overhead lines and underground cables, and 90,000 substations. The company has approximately 2,000 staff.About Information Builders
As a leading independent Business Intelligence (BI) company for the past 30 years, Information Builders has provided innovative solutions to more than 12,000 customers, including most of the Fortune 100 and numerous U.S. federal government agencies. The company’s flagship WebFOCUS product is the world’s most widely used BI platform. Superior architecture and intuitive nature enables WebFOCUS to address the needs of everyone in the extended global enterprise – executive, analytical, operational, and beyond. It provides the agility to adapt to changing business conditions with the security, scalability, and flexibility to support dozens to millions of users.Unique to the company is the integration expertise it brings to the BI market. Information Builders iWay Software suite solves complex integration problems with pre-built components that require minimal custom programming. The award-winning combination of WebFOCUS and iWay gives Information Builders customers the ability to embrace the company motto: “Because Everyone Makes Decisions.”
Information Builders is committed to customer service excellence with a Professional Services division that specialises in building custom applications using WebFOCUS and iWay Software. Headquartered in New York City with 90 offices worldwide, the company employs 1,450 people and has more than
350 business partners.
