AI Advances Analytics Software from Reporting to Action, ISG says

Key Terms

agentic ai technical

Agentic AI refers to computer systems that can make their own decisions and take actions without needing someone to tell them what to do each time. It's like giving a robot a degree of independence to solve problems or achieve goals on its own, which matters because it could change how we work and interact with technology in everyday life.

semantic models technical

Computational systems that capture the meaning of words, sentences, and documents so machines can interpret, compare, and generate human language; they include word embeddings, semantic search tools, and language models trained to recognize concepts and relationships in text. Investors care because these models let firms and analysts automatically read filings, press releases and news, surface key themes or risks, and turn messy text into searchable data—like a trained reader that summarizes and tags large document collections.

generative ai technical

Generative AI is a type of computer technology that can create new content, like text, images, or music, on its own. It’s important because it can produce realistic and useful material quickly, which could change how we create art, write stories, or even develop new products. Think of it as a smart robot that can invent and produce things almost like a human.

natural language interfaces technical

Software systems that let people interact with computers using everyday speech or text instead of complex commands, like talking to a helpful assistant or typing a question into a search box. They matter to investors because they can change how customers and employees use products and services—affecting sales, engagement, support costs and competitive position—which can influence a company’s growth prospects and operational efficiency.

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Rapid adoption of AI capabilities helps enterprises prepare data, automate workflows, expand access to insights, new research says

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Analytics software is becoming the foundation of AI-enabled workflows that not only interpret data and make recommendations but help to execute actions, according to new research from global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III).

The 2026 ISG Buyers Guides™ for Analytics report that AI and machine learning are now standard capabilities for generating insights that are delivered through business intelligence tools. With agentic AI, these systems are beginning to link analysis directly to execution by coordinating actions required to implement decisions.

“Analytics and business intelligence software increasingly run on AI,” said Kathy Rudy, partner, ISG Data, Analytics and Technology Office. “By 2028, almost all providers will use AI agents to automate and accelerate analytics processes. This trend is transforming and quickly expanding how enterprises analyze and use data.”

The ISG Buyers Guide research provides the rankings and ratings of 60 software providers and their products for enabling organizations to use data for tactical and strategic purposes. The series includes guides to AI-based analytics software, platforms for healthcare, manufacturing and retail organizations and products from emerging providers.

Advances in computing power over several decades have made analytics software more interactive and able to process larger datasets, ISG says. In step with this evolution, enterprise needs have grown from reporting aggregated information to planning, forecasting and using new forms of visualization. Analytics is used in a growing range of activities, including cost monitoring, supplier performance evaluation and development of staffing plans. Organizations are striving to make analytics more accessible to all employees, leading to its integration into business applications and everyday workflows.

AI and ML are extending the capabilities of analytics software in several areas, the research finds. Generative AI helps enterprises streamline data preparation, the most time-consuming step in analytics, with self-service tools that suggest ways to construct semantic models and combine datasets. Natural language interfaces, copilots and AI-based assistants allow non-technical users to generate insights. ML can analyze product usage data and anticipate user needs, and organizations say it has increased sales and enabled faster responses to opportunities.

Enterprises selecting analytics platforms for any industry should evaluate both fundamental analytics capabilities and AI-enabled decision support, ISG says. Key considerations should include data preparation, collaboration features, embedded analytics and integration with other systems. Buyers should also examine providers’ roadmaps for GenAI, agentic AI and automated insights, keeping in mind the need for effective governance and transparency.

“With the growing use of agents, AI is changing data analysis from something users request to an automated source of insights,” said David Menninger, executive director and distinguished analyst, ISG. “Enterprises should understand this potential while ensuring trust in analytics-driven decisions.”

For the 2026 ISG Buyers Guides for Analytics, ISG produced six Buyers Guides: Analytics, Analytics Emerging Providers, AI Analytics, Healthcare Analytics, Manufacturing Analytics and Retail Analytics. Each covers the essential platform categories and products in the given technology segment. A total of 60 providers were assessed: Advantive, Aera Technology, Alibaba Cloud, Arcadia, AWS, Buxton, Cloud Software Group, Cube, Databricks, dataPARC, Definitive Healthcare, Domo, Epicor, Google, GoodData, Health Catalyst, Hex, IBM, Idera, Incorta, Infor, insightsoftware, Innovaccer, Inovalon, InterSystems, IQVIA, Klipfolio, Kyligence, Kyvos, Lantek, MedeAnalytics, Merative, Microsoft, Milliman MedInsight, NextGen Healthcare, Nuqleous, o9 Solutions, OpenText, Oracle, OWOX, Phocas, QAD, Qlik, ReBiz, RetailNext, Salesforce, SAP, SAS, ServiceNow, Sigma, Sight Machine, Sisense, Solvoyo, Strategy, symplr, ThoughtSpot, Toucan, Verkada, ZeOmega and Zoho.

ISG rates software providers in five evaluation categories: Overall, Product Experience, Capability, Platform and Customer Experience. Providers ranked in the top three for each evaluation category are named as Leaders. Within each platform category, those that meet the greatest proportion of our evaluation criteria are named as Overall Leaders.

Oracle was the top Overall Leader in all the Buyers Guides covering established providers. In the Buyers Guide for Analytics, Oracle was followed by Domo and IBM. In the guide for AI Analytics, it was followed by IBM and AWS. In the guide for Healthcare Analytics, it was followed by InterSystems and SAS. In Manufacturing Analytics, it was followed by Microsoft and SAP. In the guide for Retail Analytics, it was followed by SAP and Infor.

In the Buyers Guide for Analytics Emerging Providers, Kyvos was the top Overall Leader, followed by Sigma and Hex.

In addition, the following providers were rated as Exemplary or Innovative in each of the Buyers Guides:

Analytics: AWS, Databricks, Domo, IBM, Oracle, Qlik, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary. Microsoft, ServiceNow and Strategy were rated Innovative.

In addition, the Buyers Guide for Analytics addresses capabilities for collaborative analytics and developer analytics. For Collaborative Analytics, Domo, IBM, Oracle, Qlik, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary, while Microsoft, SAS, ServiceNow, Strategy and Zoho were rated Innovative. For Developer Analytics, Databricks, Domo, IBM, Oracle, Qlik, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary, while Microsoft, SAS, ServiceNow and Strategy were rated Innovative.

Analytics Emerging Providers: Hex, Sigma and Kyvos were rated Exemplary. Aera Technology, Incorta and Klipfolio were rated Innovative.

AI Analytics: AWS, Databricks, Domo, IBM, Oracle, Salesforce and SAP were rated Exemplary. Microsoft, ServiceNow, Strategy and Zoho were rated Innovative.

Healthcare Analytics: Infor, InterSystems, NextGen Healthcare, Oracle, SAP and SAS were rated Exemplary. Health Catalyst, Innovaccer, IQVIA, MedeAnalytics and Milliman MedInsight were rated Innovative.

Manufacturing Analytics: Infor, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and SAS were rated Exemplary. Epicor, Incorta and QAD were rated Innovative.

Retail Analytics: Infor, Microsoft, Oracle, RetailNext, SAP and SAS were rated Exemplary. Epicor and Solvoyo were rated Innovative.

The ISG Buyers Guides for Analytics are the distillation of more than a year of market and product research efforts. The research is not sponsored nor influenced by software providers and is conducted solely to help enterprises optimize their business and IT software investments.

Visit this webpage to learn more about the ISG Buyers Guides™ for Analytics and read executive summaries of each of the six reports. The complete reports, including provider rankings across seven product and customer experience dimensions and detailed research findings on each provider, are available by contacting ISG.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827239426/en/

Laura Hupprich, ISG
+1 203 517 3132
laura.hupprich@isg-one.com

Erik Arvidson, Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978-518-4542
isg@matternow.com

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.