In Assessing Competitive Intelligence Software, authors Bouthillier and Shearer demonstrate a practical, systematic method that businesses can use to evaluate competitive intelligence (CI) software independently. With this book in hand, firms can successfully compare features, identify strengths and weaknesses, and invest in products that meet their unique needs.

“This book makes two important contributions,” according to Chun Wei Choo in his foreword to the book. “First, it constructs a conceptual model of CI that is based on a clear and distinctive analysis of the underlying information processes driving the cycle....A second major contribution is the development of a useful framework for evaluating CI software platforms.”

The authors begin by providing essential background on competitive intelligence and an overview of the relevant software applications. Next, at the heart of the book, they demonstrate their assessment methodology through an evaluation of four leading CI software packages. In addition, they identify important information sources, map information needs to intelligence outcomes, and describe key analytical techniques.

Chapters are:

• Value-Addedness and Information: Two Notions, One Goal
• A Conceptual Framework for Competitive Intelligence
• Identifying the Value-Added Processes of Competitive Intelligence
• Overview of Competitive Intelligence Software Applications and Related Products
• Evaluating Competitive Intelligence Software
• Conclusion: Competitive Intelligence Technology–Summary, Implications, and Trends

The book includes more than 30 useful figures and tables; an appendix featuring a unique “do-it-yourself” evaluation form for CI software; bibliography; recommended resources; and index.

France Bouthillier holds a Ph.D. in information studies and has taught at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in the area of management and business information since 1992. She is the principal investigator for a 3-year research project on the information needs and behaviors of small businesses.

Kathleen Shearer received her MLIS in 2001 from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She is a freelance information professional currently contracted as a research associate with the Canadian Association of Research Libraries.

Advance Praise for Assessing Competitive Intelligence Software:

Bouthillier and Shearer have established the benchmark for evaluating CI software. Their groundbreaking work offers a systematic and easy-to-use evaluation framework and a set of design parameters to guide
new product development. A must-read for CI professionals and software vendors alike.”

—John E. Prescott, Ph.D.
Professor of Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh

“This is the most practical and impartial guide for business professionals interested in CI software I have seen to date—and not only from a technical point of view. It’s high time someone tackled the challenging issue of comparing software, and the authors have far exceeded my expectations. The sensible evaluation criteria and the link made at each step to an organization’s intelligence needs are particularly useful features. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has been struggling in evaluating CI software.”

—Estelle Métayer
President, Competia

As commercial software products for Competitive Intelligence (CI) have begun to emerge and gain acceptance, potential users find themselves overly dependent on information supplied by the software makers. Reviews and surveys are published from time to time, but CI is not a "one-size-fits-all" process and the software that supports it must be highly customized. This new book is the first to propose a systematic method firms can use to evaluate CI software independently, allowing them to compare features, identify strengths and weaknesses, and invest in products that meet their unique needs. Authors Bouthillier and Shearer demonstrate their 32-step methodology through an evaluation of four of the most popular CI software packages. In addition, they identify important sources of information about CI software, map information needs to intelligence outcomes, and describe key analytical techniques.

2003/211 pp hardbound

Assessing Competitive Intelligence Software
1-57387-173-7 $39.5