This IDC study examines the opportunities for extending business intelligence from a batch-based to a scheduled technology. It distinguishes the three major types of applied BI ? operations/production versus customer centric versus financial/business performance management analytic applications. Highlighted are the different requirements for processes in each domain that would require event-based BI support.

"With all the hype around business activity monitoring, one would expect event-based BI to be pervasive. However, market research shows that the adoption of BAM is in an early phase," said Henry Morris, IDC group vice president and general manager, Integration, Development, and Application Strategies. "When the timing of decisions or potential reporting of corporate exposure depends on events, event-based BI is a necessity. When the decision cycle is more extended, event-based BI is a needless and expensive luxury. It all depends on the application."