TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In a partnership with the SAS Institute, a leading manufacturer of business intelligence software, The University of Alabama will present a symposium on Business Intelligence on Oct. 31 at the Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence on the UA campus.

The symposium will bring together leading figures from a variety of industries to share information about how they are employing the emerging technology of business intelligence.

Business intelligence is defined as the activities related to deploying analytics to exploit existing corporate data and to assist in refining processes to collect and obtain new data. The analytical methods used to develop data include statistics and data mining.

Once data has been assessed to determine its best use, the information is used to assist management in making more educated business decisions that can give an organization a competitive advantage. As businesses become more competitive, business intelligence empowers businesses with the ability to use information to best serve their customers, which, in turn, increases the organizations’ chances for survival.

According to Dr. Michael Hardin, professor of statistics at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, businessmen realize they need more data to effectively make decisions about their business. For that reason, more companies are beginning to see business intelligence as an emerging technology that can greatly assist them in making decisions.

The partnership between The University of Alabama and the SAS Institute has been a mutually beneficial relationship, Hardin said. SAS has awarded grants to the University valued at more than $500,000, mostly through business intelligence software used for research and development purposes.

“SAS has helped us more and more by quickly making available materials and resources,” Hardin said.

Hardin, who will serve as co-chair of SAS’ Data Mining and Business Intelligence Conference in 2004, said working with a group like SAS also helps give the University national and international exposure. Hardin added that in a recent Japanese television broadcast, the University was mentioned as being involved in a working relationship with SAS, proving the far-reaching benefits of the partnership.

According to Hardin, SAS has a, “strong commitment to higher education.” The company has provided a number of resources for University students involved with business intelligence. After graduation, these students will enter the workforce with SAS software training.

At the symposium later this month, speakers will discuss new developments in areas such as banking and finance, manufacturing, marketing, and healthcare. A highlight of the event will be a keynote address by Dr. William Kahn, chief scoring officer for Capital One Financial.

Registration is available by e-mailing a name, address and phone number to dmerchan@cba.ua.edu, or by telephoning, 205/348-6085. For anyone needing overnight accommodations, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Four Points in Tuscaloosa, 205/752-3200.