BPM Grows Up

In 2003, the business performance management software landscape shifted dramatically. Here is a rundown of the changes.

Over the past year, business performance management moved well beyond budgeting and reporting. Applications expanded in functionality, and the vendor landscape changed dramatically. Making sense of the new universe is the first step in implementing a BPM solution. Here is a rundown of the shifts under way and a comprehensive guide to product choices.

The fledgling is maturing. Little more than a youngster a few years ago, business performance management (BPM) software moved from childhood into adolescence during 2003. While growth hasn't been explosive, it's been steady.

"There was 20 percent growth in the BPM market from December 2002 to December 2003, along with more awareness of BPM among companies and more ability among its users to look at analytics from an integrated view," says John Van Decker, vice president, technology research services, with Meta Group Inc. in Stewartsville, N.J.

The market has seen a lot of consolidation and the changing of vendors' corporate structure, but it has seen many new entrants, as well. With these transformations have come new and expanded applications for users. Quite a few niche players
have emerged. These companies seek to differentiate themselves by serving specialized markets.