Who will sell and implement PerformancePoint Server?
PerformancePoint Server really is a new animal in the Microsoft Zoo (Official Launch September 19th 2007). The competive positioning among Hyperion, Cognos or Business Obejects (Cartesis) suggests that deep knowledge of subjects like financial planning or statutory consolidation will be necessary beside all the technical knowledge needed to build the models and user interfaces. The technical knowledge needed is vast - the components involved beside PerformancePoint Server are SQL Server along with its Analysis Services and Integration Services components, Excel and SharePoint. And so many Microsoft partners who have implemented infrastructure solutions or data-warehouses with a technical approach up to now, have started to embark on the PerformancePoint journey ramping up their technical skills.
Adrian Downs of B(iQ) asks the question about specific certifications on PerformancePoint for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) which I think is a good idea. Given the mostly technical background of most Microsoft partners today I think there will have to be a hell of a lot of Controlling, Accounting and Business knowledge packed into those certifications.
A new day for BI - but also one for Microsoft. And an excellent opportunity for those Microsoft partners who talk the talk and walk the walk in Performance Management.
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