Cluster gives BI processing power

By using a new 'internet-scale cluster database' a web start-up hopes to offer firms additional processing power. Aster Data Systems has introduced a method by which computers can work in tandem to crunch complex web statistic and business intelligence (BI) data. It splits various elements of data into a loader tier and a worker layer, which handle data loading and store data on local disks, respectively. Above these sits, what it calls "queen nodes", which, Jack Norris, vice president of marketing, says do the "intelligent query planning and processing". "An end-user doesn't need to see there's a queen tier, or worker tier or a loader. They're just seeing an Aster database," he added. By collecting web statistics companies can identify user trends, which may help them better target their products and refine their marketing efforts. Expert measurement advice and the ability to interpret data is essential for companies wishing to further asses their BI.