18 Oct 09 Microsoft's Web Analytics Solution: Gatineau

Microsoft has announced plans to offer a web analytics application to go directly head to head with Google Analytics. The code name for the project is Gatineau, which is the name of the Canadian city from which DeepMetrix was located. DeepMetrix was recently acquired by Microsoft and is in the process of adapting the application to fit its own needs.

Ian Thomas recently stated that the next step in the project is an invitation only beta. Microsoft hopes to reduce some of the problems associated with the general launch of Google Analytics, in which Google was simply overwhelmed by the response it received with its web analytics program. Mr. Thomas is reserved in his remarks, and has offered no hints if Gatineau is going to resolve and enhance some of the issues that customers have with Google Analytics.

Currently the field of free web analytics applications is dominated by Google, who offers a pretty comprehensive package that they obtained through Urchin and later made free to everyone. Although it is nearly impossible to come out with a perfect tool that pleases everyone there are some marked improvements that Google could make its in web analytics application. Among the few things that he is saying is that he hopes that it will launch sometime in 2007, and that the name of the final product is still up in the air.

Google Analytics does have its flaw, such as having to modify the script to get it to show the full referring source. Hopefully Gatineau resolves these flaws. Gatineau is way too complicated to pronounce, and a simpler catch phrase application name should be announced prior to release.

About the Author

Jeff Lawrence is the owner of Sonicko Consultanting. This article may be reused provided that the full content is published. Sonicko focuses on web analytics and Google Analytics in particular. They provide Google Analytics installation and implementation, training, and support among other services. Based out of Los Angeles, CA you can reach them at their website: http://www.sonicko.com