Going to install/toy with it in free time.
And just before I’ll be more informed, the current view is:
I think the strong points of Ms BI(CPM\EPM, call it whether you like) are:
1 None (or little) integration problems. All niche-BI vendors spend a lot of effort integrating acquired products (for ex, Cognos with Adaytum&Frango, BO with SRC). And it’s still a long way to go. And see Ms AX and Nav as an example of hard integration road.
2 Enterprise scale db & olap engine.
3 Special workflow engine
4 User-friendly interface (excel)
5 Strong brand\cheap prices
6 The possibility to develop add-ons and increase functionality by programming.
And the weak points:
1 The “integration” of SQL server, AS, BizTalk, Proclarity. It’s easier, due to all .Net stuff, but on initial phase it just won’t work (remember EPB).
2 No experience in CPM area, nor in development, nor in selling such solutions.
3 The lack of concentration. Ms is so huge and wide-aimed, it just lost it’s focus. See Joel’s excellent post on this theme. And the update.
4 The possibility to develop add-ons and increase functionality by programming.
It’s interesting to see how these statements will change after some product experience.