This year the Gold Award in the SQL Server Products of the Year 2006 General category goes to reporting software maker Tableau Software Inc., which edged out the competition with a new version of its data visualization software Tableau 2.0.

Visualization software helps IT shops by making information in databases easier to understand using tools to help analyze the data. Tableau helps make visualization easier because it can turn data into live pictures and create different formats in which to analyze data. It uses a simple drag-and-drop metaphor and raises different questions until the answer becomes clear.

Although Tableau 2.0 might not replace standard reporting tools, one of our judges said, "It can certainly make data analysis very simple and intuitive." Not only did this Windows-based product earn its highest mark for ease of integration, but it also earned great scores for innovation, performance, functionality and value. Tableau 2.0 sells for $1,799 for the Professional Edition and $999 for the Standard Edition. Prices include the first year of maintenance and unlimited technical support.

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