Cognos chosen one of the 'Hottest Companies of 2006'

The START-IT Hottest Companies Award recognises software and hardware vendors that have developed innovative applications or products for the manufacturing industry. Nominees were asked to describe their essential product or service, provide their growth record for the last three years, explain how their product or service was unique, and pinpoint reasons they were 'hotter' than their competitors. Chosen as one of the industry's leading technology providers in manufacturing, Cognos exhibited solid year-over-year financial growth, industry innovation and market leadership.

"Manufacturers need accurate information in a timely fashion and 'Hot Companies' are at the top of their game in providing the information technology to accomplish it," says Peggy Smedley, editorial director of START-IT.

Many of the world's largest, most innovative manufacturers, including the top ten automakers, 19 of the top 20 consumer packaged goods companies, and nine of the top 10 high tech organisations, use Cognos performance management solutions to increase profitability, improve sales performance, drive operations effectiveness and optimise the supply chain.

"It is an honor to be selected by START-IT Magazine for our continued contributions to the manufacturing industry,"

said David Brierley, regional manager, Cognos Middle East and Africa. "Cognos is focused on delivering solutions and best practices to our manufacturing customer base, enabling them to drive, monitor and alert against key metrics for optimal enterprise performance."

Recent Cognos innovations for the manufacturing sector include the launch of Cognos 8 Business Intelligence, Cognos Go! and manufacturing-specific Performance Blueprints, like the Cognos Sales & Operations Planning Blueprint, and the Cognos Trade Promotion Management Blueprint.