Microsoft Snags a 'Google Analytics' of Its Own
Microsoft says it has made a significant investment in DeepMetrix, a 15-year-old Web traffic analysis firm. The acquisition is likely in response to a similar one archrival Google made a few months back. Microsoft's Internet division, MSN, plans to ultimately incorporate the DeepMetrix Web analytics tricks into future releases of Microsoft AdCenter, Internet search, Office Live and MSN Spaces, a Microsoft rep said. DeepMetrix makes a number of different software applications, including graphical bulletin boards. But what most attracted Microsoft is its feature that provides real-time information about the traffic visiting a Web site, details Web operators greatly benefit from knowing. "Microsoft chose DeepMetrix because of its great technology that delivers superior Web analytics software," a Microsoft spokesperson wrote in an e-mail. "It is the best target for this space." While the word "Google" never appears in the statement Microsoft provided, it may as well have been sprinkled into every sentence. By incorporating the traffic intelligence features into its online array, Microsoft can better compete with Google. That's because Google recently introduced its own DeepMetrix-like feature, which it calls Google Analytics. DeepMetrix customers using its features to improve Web site traffic include beverage maker 7Up, Yale University, the Portland Trail Blazers basketball franchise and scores of others. Microsoft also said May 4 it purchased Massive, a New York-based video game advertising specialist, to add a new twist to ads across all its online properties, and imagery provider Vexcel Corporation to add a "real-world" feel to the Microsoft local search and mapping experience. |
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Comments (29)
We are also comparing Deep Metrix to Google Analytics to see how each performs, especially in the ease of use, tie-ins with e-commerece, and reliability. Dan Harbison Portland Trail Blazers
Posted by Danh | May 4, 2006 7:54 PM
but I suppose it wont be available as a service to other website hosts.
Posted by dts | May 5, 2006 9:08 AM
Hopefully, it will be better than Google Analytics which I tried and wasn't impressed with. The rollout of the Google Analytics which overwhelmed Google and negatively affected the Analytics module was not impressive. But, the price was. WebTrends is a nice package but I find the java applications to be poor performing.
Posted by Jim O'Connor | May 5, 2006 4:29 PM
We worked with a MS Server based client of ours in setting up their internal web stats system. Intially we started with DeepMetrix. The system was extremely large and complex to install. The database install failed and the support guys were unable to give any reasons why, or any solution. We then turned to Urchin (the foundation of Google Analytics) and it installed within minutes. We use Google Analytics ourselves and for our clients, and while the 5 site limit is a pain, the stats are extremely good. MS is now trying to play catch up with (in my experience) bloatware, although i guess this makes them good bedfellows! Mark Lowe Strategic Advantage
Posted by MarkL | May 5, 2006 5:27 PM
I found working with LiveStats quite simple actually. If the previous commenter thinks running a self installation program too large and complex, then he's in the wrong industry. However, this is a software product which does have higher requirements than others at it's price point, so a lot of people tend to forget that you cannot run it on a 5 year old machine. That being said the feature set present in it has been excellent over the years and generally exceeds that of its competitors by far. Overall though I'll reserve my judgement on whether this was a good tranaction or not once MS has released the first version of the new Livestats....
Posted by M. Greg | May 6, 2006 10:29 AM
Nice article; I have linked to it from my blog. Microsoft's move reminds me of a quote I heard long, long ago (attributed to Rudyard Kipling, 1865 - 1936): They copied all they could follow but they couldn't copy my mind so I left them sweating and stealing a year and a half behind. Come to think about it, it has been almost a year and a half since Google bought Urchin.
Posted by Timothy | May 7, 2006 2:23 PM
Not sure that being second to market is such a problem for MS - they've been there several times before (Word, Excel, IE, Windows) and have made a success of it on many occasions. Google's experiences in providing this (and the capacity problems they've run into) will be very instructive to MS. Plus, the launch of GA probably depressed the price of DeepMetrix, which can't have hurt...
Posted by Ian Thomas | May 8, 2006 11:34 AM
Has anyone taken a look at VisiStat? I'd say they're next.
Posted by Sam | May 11, 2006 8:18 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 2:17 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 2:25 PM
The two behemoths begin battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 2:29 PM
The two behemoths begin battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 2:29 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 3:43 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 3:46 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 6:49 PM
The two behemoths battle in the Web traffic analysis game. Some like Microsoft, some Google. Stay tuned, more opines to come.
Posted by Google Watch | May 12, 2006 10:11 PM
We've been using LiveStats.NET for about 6 months now and I must say their analtyics solution is top notch. We did a trial run with a few of DeepMetrix's competitors, but none could produce the type of data we needed to see ease of use. LiveStats is extremely simple to use, even for the non-techie and nstallation was a snap. LiveStats pricing blows everyone out of the water (excluding the free Google Analytics) for what you get. However, I'm now deeply concerned this has become a Microsoft product. I'm afraid the excellent customer service will evaporate and the LiveStats team may eventually end up in a storage shed out back in Redmond.
Posted by Colt West | May 13, 2006 11:04 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 8:21 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 8:22 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 8:43 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 8:44 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 9:51 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 9:52 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 9:52 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 16, 2006 10:05 PM
Microsoft's to unveil a Google enterprise killer of its own, source says.
Posted by Google Watch | May 17, 2006 1:31 AM
Wow - I first worked with DeepMetrix back in they early 90's when they were producing Graphical Bulletin Board Software (first RoboBoard, then Robo/FX, then MediaHost) ... Guess Seth Hamilton (president of Deep Metrix) finally cashed in. When he first started Hamilton Telegraphics he was still a teenager! Nice Job, Seth - I always knew you'd do quite well!
Posted by Schmecky | June 5, 2006 10:28 PM
I always knew Seth would do well too! Don't forget to keep in touch with your friends in Ottawa/Gatineau.
Posted by Lois | January 9, 2007 2:58 PM
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog :-)
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day :)
Posted by Florian | January 28, 2007 5:02 PM