Amazon picks up an intelligent Penguin

Amazon.com is deploying Linux-based business-intelligence tools to improve the efficiency of its financial budgeting, forecasting and reporting.

The online retail giant will use a range of analytics software from business-intelligence vendor Cognos as part of a multiyear agreement. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Amazon will use Cognos' Linux-based reporting and analytics software as well as planning tools for its finance and operational organizations. The move reaffirms Amazon's commitment to open source after switching to a Linux-based infrastructure from Windows several years ago.

Ken Collins, data warehouse director at Amazon.com, said in a statement: "Cognos will provide us with the ability to improve both the collaboration and efficiency of our reporting processes as well as enable a more integrated view of the enterprise. The company's commitment to Linux, the solution's Web services architecture, and its open data strategy were all key factors to our selection."

Demand for tools that can provide real-time business analytics capability have led to something of a boom in the business-intelligence market. Butler group estimates the global market for these products will reach $10 billion by this year, while IDC puts the current UK market worth at about $340 million.