STRATEGY! Enterprise Top-Ranked Software by Fuld & Co.
Annual Review Awards STRATEGY! Highest Overall Score

October 2004

STRATEGY! was awarded high scores by the Fuld & Company in their 2002, 2003 and 2004 evaluation of software programs for marketers, executives and other professionals involved in competitive intelligence activities. Here's a sample of what Fuld says about STRATEGY!: 

“STRATEGY! was designed specifically for use by anyone who wants to track and understand key aspects of their own competitive environment... p articularly well suited for CI professionals that primarily support sales and marketing clients...”

"STRATEGY!'s strength lies in its support of organizing information from many sources, mostly tactical, to create a multi-dimensional basis for effective analysis and decision-making.”

“STRATEGY! dynamically generates charts comparing products, services, companies, or any other user-defined aspect of any competitive environment. … they can come in quite handy for analysis and insightful reporting.”

“STRATEGY! features one of the most comprehensive analysis support capabilities in the market today.”

“There are several channels and formats through which the CI team can disseminate the analyses … a definite plus .”

“… STRATEGY! has excellent reporting functions. … to its credit, the software allows users to customize their reporting functions beyond the 150 or so built in reports.”

“… a very flexible reporting tool.”

“STRATEGY!'s overall functionality and layout is pleasing …”

“ Ease-of-use is one of its stronger points, making it a good product for CI teams that are just beginning to integrate technology into the CI process.”

IMPORTANT NOTE : NOT ALL SOLUTIONS SATISFY ALL NEEDS

As proud as we are of being top-ranked by Fuld and Company, we wanted to point out that what's most important is that the software you choose can meet YOUR needs. The Fuld report reviewed thirteen software packages that actually do very different things in many cases. The 'best software solution' for you depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

Are you looking for a way to organize, analyze and distribute competitor information?

For example, easily provide short, up-to-date reports that compare products or services, profile companies and key people, etc., so that others in your company who “just want to use the information” can easily get the reports via a browser, without ever having to learn how to use a new piece of software. If that's the case, then STRATEGY! is what you may be looking for.

Are you looking for a way to organize information about your competitive environment for easier analysis?

If so, a relational database solution is likely what you need and STRATEGY! or Wincite Systems are what you should look at.

Are you looking for a way to monitor competitor's websites automatically?

For example, if a competitor's website changes, the tool will let you know, and show you ONLY what has changed since the last time you saw it. If so, then you should check out C4U or NexLabs.

Are you looking for a programming tool or for services which will allow you to search for and compile very specific information automatically from the internet?

For example, you want to find any discussion about Starbucks happening anywhere on the internet, including expressions of dissatisfaction that may occur in chat groups, etc. If so, then WebQL Software may be what you are looking for.

Are you looking for a CI specific workflow system or portal solution for use by your company's formal (and fully funded) CI department?

For example, if you need a system specifically designed for organizations where top executives post Key Intelligence Questions to your analysts, so that the analysts can then compile documents for analysis and commentary, then Cipher Systems or ClearForest may be what you are looking for.

Are you looking for a decision-support software?

If you need software which helps ask questions of a group trying to arrive at a specific decision in a disciplined way, you might want to take a look at Wisdombuilder.

Are you looking for a database designed and built to meet exact structural expectations that you have already identified?

If you have an excellent idea already of exactly what you need in terms of how your competitor information should be structured within a relational database framework, then you should look at either Wincite, or a contractor that provides custom software and database programming.

Are you a single user (just doing this work for your own benefit and use, not intending to serve anyone else with your work results) looking for a way to store competitive information?

If  compiling information about people, products, and companies is most important to you -- and you don't need to  regularly generate reports or share any of this information with others -- then  Microsoft Excel might work for you.

Are you looking for a way to analyze market signals?

If you have a need for a specialized tool to collect and analyze market signals, then Docere could be the best solution for you.

Are you looking for a way to track and understand what people are saying about your company, products or services?

For example, consulting and technology services can be used to allow you to monitor what is being said about your brand and competitors brands on the internet. If that sounds like what you need, then take a look at Intelliseek.

Are you looking for a way to analyze text across loads of documents?

If automated text analysis is really what you would find most valuable, then you may want to check out Cipher or Megaputer.

BOTTOM LINE: YOUR NEEDS COME FIRST. We recommend that you begin by defining what what you are trying to do, then consider the tools that are best suited for the job. (For example, we use C4U. It's a very handy software tool – and it's FREE). If you have questions about any of this, please contact us anytime at info@strategy.cc.