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Inference™ comprises a software solution platform that enables you to use the familiar Microsoft Excel and Word environment to assemble dynamic documents (document mashups) containing your data, software objects, scripting commands, and text annotations (commentary). When executed, a dynamic document runs scripting commands and generates a results document that contains textual, numerical and graphic output of scripting commands in addition to formatted text annotations. For example, you can write scripts in Python, MATLAB or R to automate repetitive tasks involving data access, collection, preparation, analysis and reporting. |
Inference provides a software framework for literate programming, which supports more efficient source code and software documentation. Dynamic documents are easily and rapidly assembled by end-users without assistance from IT and represent do-it-yourself composite applications for focused technical and business applications.
Inference enables end-user development of software applications
Creating software applications used to require software programmers, IT support and corresponding long lead times. Inference allows non-professional developers to assemble, configure and customize applications (end-user/do-it-yourself/situational applications) needed for specific business purposes (long-tail software). Inference allows domain users to directly capture and codify their specific knowledge and requirements, and share them with others. And, Inference provides Inference Studio, an integrated development environment, which makes it easy to assemble, edit and debug your dynamic scripts. Users of Inference cite benefits that include assured delivery of the right functionality, flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and high quality and usability of applications produced.
Inference assembles composite applications in Microsoft Excel and Word
Inference provides the framework for combining existing software functions into new applications that solve specific business problems. Such new applications have features analogous to Web 2.0 data and enterprise mashups and rich internet applications, except that they are hosted in Microsoft Office rather than in a web browser. For example, Inference provides many of the capabilities of Microsoft Silverlight in a browser but executes them in Microsoft Word and Excel to yield documents rather than web pages.
Inference allows you to select the appropriate scripting environment
Microsoft provides two principal tools for building Office Business Applications: Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and Visual Studio for Office (VSTO). Unfortunately, the capabilities of the former are too limited and the learning curve for the latter is too steep for non-professional developers. Inference totally removes these limitations. As a non-programmer you can select from a spectrum of dynamic scripting languages with supporting libraries that are right for the job and appropriate for your skill level.
Inference delivers tailored technical and business solutions
Inference is used to assemble a range of focused applications in areas including the following: experimental design, design of experiments (DOE), machine learning, test-driven development (e.g., test automation, unit testing), marketing analytics, data mining, business intelligence and data visualization. For example, Inference has been used to develop custom exploratory data analysis applications, which address specific business needs and are easier to use than Spotfire and Tableau software.