Assessing Competitive Intelligence Software: A Guide to Evaluating CI Technology

Citation

Hooper, V. (2004), "Assessing Competitive Intelligence Software: A Guide to Evaluating CI Technology", The Electronic Library, Vol. 22 No. 6, pp. 531-532. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470410570866

In the light of the huge investment in business intelligence (BI) and competitive intelligence (CI) software ($148 billion in 2001) and the daunting nature of evaluating CI software, the authors have sought to present a comprehensive, yet succinct guideline which can be followed in evaluating CI packages.

This aptly titled volume provides excellent coverage and clarification of the underpinnings of the CI concept as well as providing a sound and helpful benchmarking method for the evaluation of CI technology.

Starting with an explanation of the building blocks of knowledge from data, information, intelligence to knowledge, the authors provide a clear picture of the differences and relationship between each of these as well as the cycles which link them together. From there, the added value that is provided by intelligence, and thence intelligence and expert systems is illustrated. This then leads into the concept of competitive intelligence.

However, numerous definitions of competitive intelligence exist as well as a number of different ways in which the scope of CI is delineated. In addition, only a few conceptual models of the CI cycle exist.

The authors stress the importance of gaining a sound understanding of the core concepts according to which software will be developed. In order to establish this basis, they compare the more prevalent models of the CI cycle, noting the main steps of the cycles and then determining to what extent each of the models addresses each of the steps. These steps consist of: identification of CI needs; acquisition of CI; organization, storage and retrieval; analysis; packaging; and distribution. The authors then use these common steps to form the basic criteria for assessing the CI software.

While many packages perform the more encompassing activities linked to BI and market intelligence and the more specific competitor intelligence, only packages designed especially for CI were considered, and only off‐the‐shelf packages at that. Furthermore, these packages met the following three requirements:

1. 1.

   The software should perform two or more (preferably four or five) value added processes

2. 2.

   These processes should include identifying the IC needs.

3. 3.

   They should also perform some sort of analysis.

In terms of these requirements, six packages were deemed suitable but only four made demonstration copies available on their websites so these were the packages evaluated: Knowledge.Works; Strategy!; Viva Intelligence Portal; and Wincite.

The evaluation proceeded according to an assessment of the packages in terms of each of the criteria established previously, as well as a comparative discussion according to each criterion. It was stressed that the purpose was not to rank the packages in order of preference but to highlight the differences between the packages as well as how temporary these differences might be, according to what the users might require.

The introductory information that is provided sets the scene very well. It establishes clearly where competitive intelligence sits on the knowledge ladder as well as the differences and possible confusion surrounding the definition of the topic and its scope.

The authors provide a very sound explanation of their point of departure and the establishment of the basis of their evaluation criteria. The description of the methodology is easy to understand, and the reader is left in no doubt as to why those criteria are being used.

The assessment of the various packages according to these criteria is soundly executed with clear, logical substantiation. The comparative discussions are particularly enlightening.

The tables provided throughout the book are appropriate and extremely helpful as are the various diagrams. The language is simple and clear and easy to follow.

This publication holds great potential benefits, not only for CI professionals, software developers and vendors, but also for anyone interested in information systems development and application in general or in more specialized fields on knowledge management, strategy, etc. It will prove invaluable for both practitioners and academics alike.