Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : SPSS - What are your thoughts -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Philip H. Lee who wrote (8)	3/26/1997 10:19:00 PM
From: Robert B.	Respond to of 23

On what basis do you question the long term viability of SPSS? I have been using their products since 1980; currently use the SPSS 7.5/Windows program. It is excellent! Much easier to use that their major competitor, SAS. SAS doesn't even have a true windows product out yet. Their SAS/Assist interface is mediocre. In recent years SPSS has purchased major competitors, including BMDP and SYSTAT. Surely buying out the competition contributes to "long term viability." Furthermore, research scientists and other statistically-oriented professionals (e.g, market researchers) tend to have strong loyalties. It is a hassle to learn another program's intricacies and syntax. Please note that this company receives much of its revenues from ongoing licenses. It basically "rents" its products to universities, corporations, and even individuals (I have a yearly site license, for instance, that provides them with an annual fee of $175). As a result, it does not suffer as much as other companies from delayed introductions of new versions. This is a great company! Whether or not it will be a great stock in the near term is another issue. (I'm going to buy if it drops a bit more.) Comments about the viability of SPSS are absurb. This company has been around for years, has closed the quality gap it once had with SAS, is growing revenues and earnings impressively, is coming out with new products, and is acquiring other products to broaden its base. With regard to new products, SPSS Diamond is an interesting "data mining" product that was the topic of earlier queries. The company also recently purchased a scientific graphic company. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? One question for those of you who know about database companies. Wouldn't a company like SPSS be a great acquisition for an Oracle or Informix? Has anyone heard any speculation about acquisitions? I haven't, but it seems to me that SPSS would provide a natural fit with a database software company. Am I missing something here?

To: Philip H. Lee who wrote (8)	10/31/1997 2:04:00 PM
From: Daniel Shaffer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 23

SPSS Rated #11 by Forbes among "200 Best Small Cos." Hello, Philip I notice that SPSS was listed as No. 11 in the Nov. 3, 1997 issue of Forbes Magazine in an article titled, "The 200 Best Small Companies in America". I do not own SPSS but I have used their software. Their SPSS for Windows is an excellent product and gaining a lot of market share in the university communities (especially their bargain-priced "educational" edition]. What do you or anybody think about SPSS as an investment today? Dan