We have evaluated other options, including those that offer open-source options. This solution is at a higher level. I did not look into paid options, however. 

We looked at other options but it was clear that IBM was the simplest solution to deal with because of its organization. You have the three main topics of data mine: data science as in association, segmentation and clustering. IBM has it organized for each branch and the added advantage of having an automated icon. If someone is not expert at this technique then this program can deal with maybe up to eight different models and you can pick the one you want.

For the different teams, people used Tableau, SAS, different applications that are out there. We wanted one that would not just give us the data, but forecast the data and predict the data.

Some of the team might prefer Tableau as it's a newer solution, but this one works for us. 

I looked at Microsoft and Alpine Data. I also considered SaaS.

I chose IBM SPSS because of their experience with the solution, what they brought to bear, and their relationships.

1. They are established. 
2. Having worked there, I knew the tool, I had used it in prior roles. 
3. The cost models: I prefer to own a solution versus leasing, much like a SaaS solution. This was one of the things that stood out. 
4. I know the product managers for SPSS and where they were heading from a roadmap solution, and it is very much aligned with what I was trying to do. 

It was this altogether, as well as the price.

I checked out RapidMiner, which is a good alternative. However, SPSS Modeler is more capable and automated. 

We looked into SnapLogic, SaaS, and open source. We chose SPSS Modeler because of the drag and drop capabilities and most of our business analysts are non-technical, so this was attractive to them. 

We ended up working directly with an IBM partner, but we also worked with Revelwood and LPA.

Oracle and SAP. SPSS, however, is widely known and widely used in Turkey. University students learn it, so it's easy to find professionals to work with it.

Usually open-source solutions.

I was not a part of the contracting and RFP phase.

I don't think my university looked into any other vendors. We are providing licenses to students and faculty members.

Just IBM.

We were looking for an ERP system that would help us streamline the whole process. My director reviewed four or five different scenarios and decided on IBM.

We did look at other vendors, but I cannot name them as I was not part of the selection process.

I evaluated and tested SAS Enterprise Miner and KNIME.

We are also interested in Watson Analytics. There is an issue that we are trying to understand because we are in a different industry. We find it quite challenging to transfer the data to the cloud. Therefore, we want to understand if it is possible to do it on-premise. We are trying to investigate this issue.

JMP, because my team is moving toward SAS. I don't quite like SAS because of the user interface, but now they have JMP which is graphical and I like it.