Microsoft BizWhaaa???!!!

There's been chatter about a Microsoft BizSharp (or Biz#) product for some time. And while all the yick yack centered on business intelligence, beyond that there was little agreement about what this might end up being.

Smart money is that BizSharp is a planned financial planning "server" in the Office domain, that would compete head-on with offerings from Cognos and Hyperion.

For awhile some thought this would surface as a "plug-in" for Microsoft Business Scorecard Manager, a server once known as Maestro. But now it looks like Microsoft wants to build out its Office Server ranks more.

BizSharp is from the same biz apps group Maestro is, said one source familiar with plans. "It's a head-on competitor to Hyperion Financial Management and Cognos financial planning offerings," said this source.

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"Microsoft has finally realized that spreadsheets are not ideal for these tasks no matter how many servers you put out because the beauty of spreadsheets, that you can change all the variables, is something you don't need in a world of strict controls and regulations."

Said another source, a solution provider who has--to borrow from Robert DeNiro-- "been hearing some things" about BizSharp: "All these BI guys want to verticalize their offerings for different niches. This is Microsoft's first step," said one solution provider.

Here's an interesting take by DMReview.com on all this mishigas.

Microsoft had/has partnerships relationships with Hyperion, Cognos, and a other BI players even as it continues to push into their space. Nothing new there.

Hyperion's aging Essbase remains a force and some solution providers say Hyperion's reporting tools remain the creme de la creme.

Microsoft's also watched OutlookSoft for some time as that company built high-octane analytics atop Microsoft's stack. Rumors of buyouts came and went. Then Microsoft bought Proclarity in April.

BizSharp talk quieted down in recent months and is now picking up again. Maybe the cone of silence descended while the company worked out how to fold the ProClarity goods into its grand plan.