STATISTICA has enjoyed a remarkable and unmatched record of reviews and awards, specifically:

STATISTICA has received the highest rating in EVERY comparative review in which it has been featured since its first release in 1993.

The following page contains a detailed summary of every known review of STATISTICA, various awards received throughout the years, and published user comments.

2008

• International Scientific Computing World
• Scientific Computing World

2007

• The American Statistician
• Scientific Computing World
• University of Bielefeld
• Scientific Computing World
• Scientific Computing World

2006

• Institute of Biology
• Quality Digest
• Scientific Computing
• Tooling & Production
• DM Review
• Scientific Computing

2004

STATISTICA 8: Menu-driven statistics on
steroids (lots of steroids!) - a review in
International Scientific Computing (June 2008)

In a review written for users of statistical software in biological science, Dr. Graham Smith (a Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa University, UK) praised virtually all aspects of STATISTICA - its analytical comprehensiveness, graphics, and UI/system features. The graphics in STATISTICA were praised as "excellent and clearly outperform the perfectly functional, but more limited, graphics capability of " other applications. It was also noted that the "full analytical power of STATISTICA is excellent." Dr. Smith notes that in STATISTICA, the graph and analytical output is managed in sophisticated multi-tabbed tree-based workbooks or reports and as an OLE server (i.e., STATISTICA graphs can be embedded and edited from inside other applications). Smith goes on to say that the StatSoft website has an excellent on-line statistics manual (http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/stathome.html) and the STATISTICA help is particularly good for the statistical novice.

Leading manufacturers are looking for ways to apply advanced quantitative analysis and modeling techniques to help their employees create better products. This in-depth article describes how Caterpillar, Inc. - one of the leaders in manufacturing technology - used predictive data mining on their mountains of data that they have been already collecting to uncover the manageable process parameters most important to the quality outcomes of finished products.

Like many large companies, Peoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar has developed sophisticated data-collection techniques. A single manufacturing plant can use thousands of gages, sensors and other automated devices to collect data from machines and other manufacturing equipment. However, much of the massive amounts of data the company collected for monitoring hundreds of process parameters went largely unused.

Caterpillar has recognized that certain combinations of settings of process variables could potentially produce highly desirable outcomes, but the "rules" that govern the relations between the settings and their outcomes are usually very complex and not known to even experienced engineers. What combinations of knobs need to be turned and in which direction? What design features need to be modified and by how much? What exactly in the manufacturing "stream" needs to get adjusted, altered, tuned or tweaked to positively affect the quality and compliance outcomes?

Building on years of experience with SPC and Six Sigma quality initiatives, engineers at Caterpillar are now deploying PROCEED - a cutting edge data-mining and modeling software developed with StatSoft Inc. ( www.statsoft.com) - that empowers enterprise wide quality control and improvement. The software has helped Caterpillar's manufacturing and design engineers use empirical data to achieve significant quality and performance improvements.

A breakthrough in PROCEED overcomes a critical barrier in deploying data mining in manufacturing: making the specific recommendations from the predictive models relevant to practical implementation. Included with PROCEED is not only a highly intelligent computational engine that searches for root causes and optimizes process parameters but also a set of graphical tools to help users interact with the virtual process models. The user interface offers a mechanism that allow engineers to "poke" the model with what-if scenarios so that they can see the implications of their actions in a safe (virtual) environment.

For example, the software has managed to identify a subset of variables that caused trim balance outcomes during finished product testing - a very complex problem that could not be solved using traditional methods. "The model allowed the Caterpillar team to determine that a reduction in run-out of two interacting features on the assembly would reduce [the occurrence of] trim balance problems by approximately 50 percent," says Bill Matthews, a manufacturing engineer at Caterpillar.

   Click here to read the entire article

This article provides an in-depth look at the PROCEED software platform and how it is currently being used by large manufacturing companies such as Caterpillar. The review details PROCEED's analytical approaches, the various ways in which they can be applied, and the optimal outcomes that the software produces. “Until now, data analysis techniques have been limited to one or two variables. That has changed thanks to new software developed by Caterpillar and StatSoft Inc…Together, the two companies created PROCEED software…for the modeling, optimization, and simulation of complex manufacturing processes…"PROCEED software goes beyond the traditional methodologies to link variables from three or more facets of a given process. The higher-order analysis helps produce "actionable information" that allows engineering and production managers to create and compare what-if scenarios.”

Caterpillar's Tony Grichnik states that PROCEED's “key is gaining insight from the data's knowledge and then coupling the knowledge to actions.”

The article discusses how PROCEED uses “traditional knowledge extraction methods to help manufacturers derive and validate simple to complex causal relationships between manufacturing processes and product quality outcomes...PROCEED software provides an interactive software environment to optimize the production process to achieve the best results along multiple outcomes...The software also reduced the expensive and time-consuming finished product testing at Caterpillar. The ROI is derived from decreased invetment in test equipment and personnel to perform the test, increased product throughput from the reduction of the time-consuming testing, and reduction of expensive rework and scrap by reducing the rate of product failures.”

   Click here to read the entire article

STATISTICA's top classification in a "Comparative Statistical
Software Review" (SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING, February 2006)

Grant also praises the power of STATISTICA Data Miner (including Text Miner) applications, which - despite his initial reluctance to embrace the general data mining approach - have managed to "convert" him: "it [STATISTICA Data Miner] allows a lot of ground to be opened up to intuition, very quickly generating a useful volume of possibilities for closer examination by more traditional means." When using STATISTICA Text Miner in the real-life application, the program allowed him "to trawl for clues through records such as memos, reports and so on - in fact, almost anything on the plant network - and that was, in the event, how one vital piece of the jigsaw was found."

Felix Grant, a respected lecturer and reviewer in the UK, recently wrote an article for Scientific Computing World on the background and use of text mining and gave praise to StatSoft's STATISTICA Text Miner. He says of StatSoft, "(Statsoft) inspires confidence by not overselling what its products can do; and that confidence carries over into the implementation."

Here are some direct quotes from the article that give an idea of Grant's thoughts on Text Miner:

"STATISTICA Text Miner (in full, Text Mining and Document Retrieval, but hereafter Text Miner) is conservative, though not falsely modest, in its claims, all of which are based on well-known and verifiable methods"

"These tailored rules are an investment of expensive, skilled time and are very dependent on linguistic register, so we welcomed the discovery that they can be saved for subsequent reuse"

"The software has to be able to visit the documents in question, and Text Miner can take directories full of specified source files, locally or remotely located, crawling along links as required, chewing up the contents and spitting out a frequency matrix with commendable speed."

"STATISTICA, as always, prefers an open-hand philosophy of providing the tools and the good advice, then leaving the usage to the user."

"In fact, though, despite my initial suspicions, which diverted us into extensive, early control testing, Text Miner copes well with this."

In his recent article "How to Choose a Data Mining Suite", Dr. Robert A. Nisbet reviews five popular data mining suites to help companies evaluate which suite is best for their particular needs, including STATISTICA Data Miner, SPSS-Clementine, Affinium Model, Insightful Miner, and KXEN.

The article contains an extremely detailed comparison of procedures and features of these five products on over 100 dimensions (with a detailed table reproduced in the article), concluded with the final composite scores. STATISTICA Data Miner has received a total score of 1,147 (almost two times higher than its closest competitor, SPSS Clementine).

Referring to his comprehensive table showing a weighted comparison of the features and functions of the different tools, Dr. Nisbet notes that by comparing the relatively moderate cost and the weighted score across all features and functions, STATISTICA Data Miner is "the clear winner" and is "in a class by itself". He goes on to state that "no data mining suite available today provides more tools for performing data mining projects" and proclaims STATISTICA Data Miner as his "personal favorite" among the tools he evaluated.

Dr. Nisbet lists the pros of STATISTICA Data Miner, including "the richest combination of parametric statistical and machine learning data mining algorithms", "highly flexible tools for model output", "powerful tools for reduction of dimensionality", and "scalability (STATISTICA Data Miner can more rapidly process larger data sets both in terms of their dimensionality and the overall size than the other products)".

Dr. Nisbet has over 30 years experience in complex systems analysis and modeling as a Research Professor (University of California, Santa Barbara) and as consultant in data mining sciences. While at NCR Corporation and Torrent Systems, he pioneered the design and development of configurable data mining applications for retail sales forecasting, and Churn, Propensity-to-buy, and Customer Acquisition in Telecommunications and Insurance.

   Click here to read Dr. Nisbet's table of results in pdf format.

A review in the February 2003 issue of DM Review describes how STATISTICA Data Miner's impressive array of data mining algorithms solved a variety of classification and prediction problems for Oklahoma State University graduate IT students.

STATISTICA Data Miner was the "premier choice" for OSU's Department of Management Science and Information Systems, according to Dr. Dursun Delen, Assistant Professor. Delen states, "Based on my years of experience in industry and in academia, I can confidently say that STATISTICA Data Miner has one of the most comprehensive data mining algorithms on the market." He also calls the graphical tools and their outputs "phenomenal."

Delen lists many other advantages over other data mining tools, including a graphical, interactive, user-friendly interface, rich set of visualization tools, processing speed, and its ability to be launched as a Web application. In spite of these many strengths, Delen also found STATISTICA Data Miner to be "less expensive than other comprehensive toolkits in the market."

OSU students used STATISTICA Data Miner for the prediction of diabetic illnesses based on demographic, social and recreational parameters; target marketing models for better promotional mailing; prediction of financial indicators such as the S&P 500; and foreign exchange rates, among others.

Felix Grant, a well-known lecturer and reviewer in the UK, recently commented on the latest versions (version 6) of STATISTICA QC Charts, Data Miner, and Neural Networks in a software review published in the September issue of Quality Digest magazine.

In the review, Grant remarks on STATISTICA QC Chart's to handle large data sets, multiple databases, and real-time auto-updating saying, "There must be limits to the density and variability of data flow, but I’ve not yet discovered them -- despite some very demanding work that would make most software packages cry."

In the same review, Grant calls STATISTICA Data Miner "the best tool I've seen yet for actually applying what you learn at the sharp end of industry" and "the easiest to use data mining control I've encountered." He goes on to praise its friendly user interface and strong set of exploratory analytic routines.

Lastly, the reviewer addresses STATISTICA Neural Networks. Although admittedly tentative when it comes to using nn software, Grant finds that STATISTICA Neural Networks has "particular strengths for unfamiliar users and those with reporting or team working priorities."

"These new additions to the STATISTICA 6 product range take traditional quality further, make it more accessible, and introduce a new level of integration that yield considerable synergy payoffs. If you have unsolved analytical problems, try STATISTICA 6."

To read the complete review go to the Quality Digest Web site.

In a recent article in the Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America (January 2002 issue) reviewers call STATISTICA Neural Networks (SNN) an "excellent package for both new and experienced users of neural networks" and "by far the best, in terms of ease of use, power."

Reviewers Jeffrey Lusk, Oklahoma State University Department of Forestry, and Steven Wilson, of EcoLogic Research, compare STATISTICA Neural Networks with Neural Connections from SPSS and Qnet 2000 from Vesta Services. They agree that "SNN's interface is more intuitive than other packages and allows users to view simultaneously data, network predictions/output, and performance statistics." They conclude that STATISTICA is "the most intuitive and easiest to use of the three packages."

They found the genetic algorithms utility unique to STATISTICA. "SNN can test various combinations of variables against each other to evolve an optimal set for subsequent neural network development. The genetic algorithm also ranks variables in the optimal subset, indicating which variables are most important. This feature is useful for removing noisy, information-poor variables from large data sets prior to further analysis. Neither of the other two neural network packages mentioned above has this capability."

They also praise the simulation tool in SNN as being "much more intuitive and easy to use than a similar tool in SPSS's Neural Connections," while "Qnet 2000 does not provide a simulation tool at all." They go on to say that "SNN will generate classification networks if it detects a categorical dependent variable in the training data set. No additional input is required from the user, and model building is again very fast and efficient....Diagnostic output is very complete, and includes a sensitivity analysis to help determine the importance of different input variable to the final model."

In the February 2002 issue of DM Review, John Deere Quality Engineer Navaid Ahmed gave STATISTICA rave reviews for its performance, ability to integrate, data visualization capabilities, and much more.

In the article, Ahmed discussed the variety of reasons why at John Deere "the decision to select STATISTICA was unanimous." According to Ahmed, "The versatility and flexibility of the product were the main reasons for selecting STATISTICA. It can be used for a variety of different forms of statistical analysis. Excellent service support and broad-based statistical analysis capability were the major advantages that this product had over others we considered."

Ahmed also applauded StatSoft for its excellent and prompt technical support saying, "Quick email responses and solutions to problems I've faced have been the best part of working with the vendor."

A recent (October 19, 2001) article in COMPUTERWORLD (Polish version) described how ALSTOM Power Elblag Sp. z o.o., a top manufacturer of turbine castings, uses STATISTICA Enterprise/QC to optimize its production processes and ensure quality.

Jerzy Slawinski, ALSTOM Power's quality manager, speaks highly of STATISTICA Enterprise/QC in the article, "The STATISTICA Enterprise/QC system is not just a package that runs on the computer on the desk of an analyst. It is an integrated solution which links production, data acquisition, database and analytical parts."

"About 30 operators and engineers" and "a wide group of managers use the system" for data collection, data management, and statistical analysis. The entire process was described in the article:
"STATISTICA Enterprise/QC continuously retrieves data: first, components and raw materials characteristics are measured (this additionally controls reliability of the suppliers), then characteristics of moulding sand (tensile strength and permeability), furnace charge, fire-clay moulders, melted metal composition and pouring process are monitored, parameters of heat treatment recorded, casting quality is measured (repair welding factor), dimensional compatibility checked. Each cast generates several hundred records of data. The factory produces over 400 tons of casts each month. Measurement data are retrieved by the system automatically or sent to the system by operators with measurement devices or keyboard data entry. STATISTICA Enterprise/QC stores measurement data in an external database (in this case it is an Oracle database) and runs on a network server."

Slawinski says, "The global market in our sector is very competitive. Turbine castings dropped in prices by 50% in the last 5 years. In this situation, quality is not a negotiable option, we talk only about costs and time to delivery. Producers who will not manage to change in time will not stay in this market." The comprehensive analytical tools, flexible alarm notification, interactive query facilities, and many other innovative features in STATISTICA Enterprise/QC help ALSTOM Power meet these essential quality standards.

For the fifth consecutive year, STATISTICA has been rated one of the top five products in statistical software by Scientific Computing & Instrumentation, a popular magazine among scientists and engineers. Published in the December 2001 issue, the annual selection is based on the products generating the most reader interest, as indicated by the use of the Reader Service Card, in a variety of product categories.

Felix Grant, writer for Scientific Computing World, has just published a praise-filled review of STATISTICA 6 - "STATISTICA goes from Strength to Strength". The title seems appropriate, since throughout the review Grant praises practically every new feature in the program!

In general of STATISTICA 6 Grant says, "Down in the works, among the actual processes that a statistical package is there to perform, there are too many small enhancements, evolutions and developments to detail."

Here are some direct quotes from the article that give you an idea of Grants thoughts on STATISTICA 6 features:

On Customization -
"Further evolution of the customisation potential is another welcome feature - STATISTICA has always been highly configurable to suit the user and environment; this quality has now been extended considerably. Option defaults are extensive, and most interface artefacts can now be created, moved, modified or removed in a rapid, efficient, highly intuitive manner. Menu customisation is mesmerically addictive, so easily can objects be moved from one place to another as if playing with children’s building blocks."
"The ability to provide each user (or each group of users) with a version of the analytic tools best suited to their needs, extraneous distractions hidden or removed, is invaluable. Productivity is further enhanced if the user can adopt mnemonics and layouts that mimic other regularly-used software - and this, too, is now easier than ever."

On Graphics -
"Control, throughout, is effortless and precise. "
"Staying with the visual, STATISTICA's already impressive graphics technology has been further developed. There are now a hierarchical style system and intelligent format painting, which (once I was used to them) greatly cut the time and fiddle involved in tuning final output, as do new options in output design."

On VB -
"A variety of professional problems that I encountered during this period were solved quickly, efficiently and glossily with VB-automated STATISTICA, with or without other application interactions. These ranged from data repair macros, and mimic routines for the expert mentioned above, to online data polling and direct data logging, to a sudden need for HTML reports updated on a minute-by-minute basis."

On System Limits -
"STATISTICA as a whole has been overhauled to allow what seems to be more or less unlimited external data access power. Internal limits have also been removed - or, at least, I think they have. StatSoft makes use of the word 'practically' more than once in these contexts, which leaves the ambiguous possibility that limits still lurk out there somewhere. Whatever boundaries may remain, however, I haven't found them - despite a determined attempt, using access to a terabyte store, which tied up my 1GHz/1024Mb machine for more than 36 hours but eventually completed."

On Web functionality -
"Most software products are evolving to survive in this new environment; and STATISTICA is now very strong in the Internet or Intranet capability department."

A new survey conducted by SCIENCE (the publication of the American Association for Advancement of Science; circulation: over 150,000) of a randomly selected sample of its readers has provided data on how StatSoft, Inc. is perceived by the community of scientists and administrators of science. The following are unedited statements about StatSoft, Inc. and its products volunteered anonymously by the respondents. The data for the surveys, sponsored by SCIENCE magazine, were collected by the Harvey Research Organization, Fairport, New York. The following selection of excerpts has been accepted by SCIENCE for use in this material (reprinted by permission of SCIENCE and Harvey Research Organization):

"I have used StatSoft [STATISTICA] before(...). You can't beat them."
-- Professor of Biology, University

"I know a lot of people that use it (...). The [STATISTICA] graphics are awesome."
-- Research Assistant, University

"We use this in many of our departments. The university appreciates its versatility."
-- Professor of Biology, University

"They make excellent statistical software."
-- Genetic Toxicologist, Industry

"(...) They have a great series of software packages."
-- Associate Professor, University

"(...) I think that StatSoft has a good thing going with this product. You can do a lot with it."
-- Associate Professor, University

"(...) I use their statistical package. I need to get another program from them. They have good quality."
-- Professor, Medical School

"I do know this company. I have a good image of them."
-- President, Industry

"I am familiar with this company. I have a good opinion of them."
-- Program Leader, Industry

"I think that StatSoft is excellent."
-- Vice President of R&D, Industry

"I like their statistics package because you can use it in all different fields. We have used it to make some of our displays. (...) I have always been impressed by them."
-- Botany Curator, Museum

"They have some excellent software. Some of it is very useful. I think the company is on the cutting-edge.""
-- Microbiologist, Government

"I have a good image of this company."
-- Asst. Professor, University

"(...) I am very impressed with them."
-- Sr. Research Associate, Laboratory

STATISTICA 6 (Beta) recently received a very warm welcome from reviewer Felix Grant in the review "The future is here...at last" in the July/August issue of Scientific Computing World. Grant begins by reviewing the most obvious change from previous version, the interface, and describes the STATISTICA 6 interface as "extensively customizable to reflect your own requirements." He continues, "This ability to shape a working environment in the interests of maximum personal or team usefulness has, of course, always been one of STATISTICA's strong points; but the means now reflect current Windows trends."

He goes on to compare the functionality in STATISTICA favorably against that of one of the most popular software products in the world, "Menus adapt automatically to application frame context, in a way that is better managed and more flexible than Microsoft's, and customization can be made to reflect this. So far, I have not yet hit the limits of this customization potential."

In the remainder of the review Grant praises many other areas of the program, including the new integrated STATISTICA Visual Basic - "well cool", the workbook system - "a definite advance," and many others... "Graphics benefit from an impressive range of incremental improvements with new types, more visual and intuitive access selection, enhanced brushing and zooming, style management, and interactive sectioning of 3D constructs. There are new statistical procedures in modelling and data mining, and improvements in a swathe of others. The whole package, never slow on its feet, has gained noticeably in speed and responsiveness."

After running STATISTICA alongside competing products Grant concludes, "I have become a fan (of STATISTICA), encountering only superior performance, enhanced handling and no glitches."

The July 9th issue of The Scientist featured a brief overview of some of the most commonly used statistical software tools on the market, and STATISTICA's description clearly stands out among the descriptions of its peers.

In his introduction to the comprehensive statistical tools available, Author Paul Wolf notes that "Several large packages are geared toward the statistical expert. These are often more flexible, and some can handle larger and more complex data than their smaller brethren can. Familiarity (and effective instruction) can make even the most cumbersome software user-friendly, but the general trend is toward ease-of-use across the spectrum."

However, later in the same section, he introduces STATISTICA by saying "The difference between simple and relatively inflexible packages and complex and versatile ones is not necessarily clear cut." Wolf describes STATISTICA as "a very flexible and widely-used application that could appeal to both experts and beginners" and goes on to say, "the entire approach to the software is scalable, and quality of output is excellent".

For the fourth year in a row, STATISTICA has been rated one of the top five products in statistical software by Scientific Computing & Instrumentation, a popular magazine among scientists and engineers. Determined by reader response to items published in over a 12 month period, Scientific Computing & Instrumentation published the year 2000 winners in the recent July 2001 issue. Editors chose the products that generate the most reader interest, as indicated by the use of the Reader Service Card, in a wide variety of product categories.

For a fifth consecutive year STATISTICA has received high marks from Scientific Computing and Instrumentation readers in multiple categories. STATISTICA is the winner in the QA/QC software category for the second year in a row in Scientific Computing and Instrumentation's July issue. STATISTICA is also a finalist in the category of statistical software.

STATISTICA recently received the Reader's Choice Award and the highest ranking ("Finalist") among general purpose statistics software packages in the "AI Software (Expert, Neural)" category of the Reader's Choice Awards published in the 2001 Bonus issue of Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities. Next to STATISTICA, only very specialized packages, designed specifically for trading/forecasting, received accolades. No other general purpose statistical software package was even mentioned in the results of the vote. The additional fact that StatSoft products have never been advertised in this publication, so readers know STATISTICA only from other sources, makes this award especially flattering.

In the February 2001 issue of DM Review magazine, STATISTICA Enterprise/QC received a glowing review from Photronics, a leading worldwide supplier of photomasks, high precision quartz plates used in the manufacture of semiconductors. In 2000, after a team from Photronics conducted a thorough investigation of several SPC packages, they chose the unique scalability and versatility of STATISTICA Enterprise/QC in order to guarantee the quality of its products shipped to consumers. Photronics recently implemented STATISTICA Enterprise/QC at six sites internationally and plans to have six more sites on-line by March 2001. STATISTICA Enterprise/QC was selected because of its ease of integration with Photronics' existing manufacturing execution system and because it provided flexibility beyond the existing system. According to Barbara Manville, Photronics director of corporate software development, StatSoft representatives worked diligently to resolve issues specific to their organization. Manville stated, "The best part of working with StatSoft has been the expertise of the technical support staff who are well versed in both statistics and the inner workings of the package."

Click here to read the complete review.

In his recent comprehensive review of the latest version of STATISTICA (see the next section), Felix Grant, a software reviewer for Scientific Computing World, has summarized comments collected from "existing users [who] allowed detailed examination of (and some experimenting with) one STATISTICA Enterprise installation, two of STATISTICA Enterprise/QC, and one of WebSTATISTICA." The reviewer concluded that "these products display the familiar modularity and contain all the elements necessary for a potential dispersed data web of any kind. A STATISTICA Enterprise/QC/WebSTATISTICA set up takes (SPC) data from a database, analyses it using what is essentially STATISTICA, then outputs results in web form instead of on paper."

Grant is extremely complimentary of the STATISTICA Enterprise/QC system, touting its "proven capability at an automated industrial scale" and applauds StatSoft products in general: "No other company, however, has so successfully managed the particular trick of making a range of standalone products appear to be aspects of the analytical package - an extension of the inherent modularity."

STATISTICA was ranked extremely high "amongst the small elite pack of leaders" in the August/September 2000 issue of Scientific Computing World.

In his very thorough three page review, reviewer Felix Grant discusses in detail practically all aspects of the STATISTICA family of products including the new, interactive modules introduced in version 5.5 (Visual General Linear Models, Visual Generalized Linear Models, Visual Partial Least Squares, and Visual General Stepwise Regression) as well as the new technologies offered by StatSoft to integrate the software with other applications and computing environments. The author summarizes by saying STATISTICA "excels in delivering clearly branded intuitive methods, ergonomic appeal, responsiveness and adaptability to a wide range of consumers." Grant calls STATISTICA version 5.5 "thoroughly modular, extremely open, and extensively customisable." He claims STATISTICA possesses "a uniquely intuitive usability which weighs heavily with real-world users" and features "the best onboard large database capability of any product in its market."

"Numerous statistical products offer API hooks to developers and OLE to other applications; several provide ready made interaction links to specific in-house or third-party products; a few offer a stable of other products which relate to the analytical package. StatSoft does all of these. No other company, however, has so successfully managed the particular trick of making a range of standalone products appear to be aspects of the analytical package - an extension of the inherent modularity."

VISTEON, one of the world's largest suppliers of automotive components and systems, gave rave reviews to STATISTICA Enterprise/QC in a recent issue of the popular French magazine, QUALITE REFERENCES (July 2000). VISTEON representatives claimed "STATISTICA Enterprise/QC is actually only limited by our imagination." In the process of redesigning their SPC system and preparing for QS 9000 certification, they chose the STATISTICA/STATISTICA Enterprise/QC system for a variety of reasons discussed in the article: "STATISTICA Enterprise/QC is really flexible, and we could perfectly match the software to our current system, in a very easy and quick way: each entry is customizable (operator's name, lot number) which allows for very detailed analyses of the process variations. The extensive tools that are offered in STATISTICA Enterprise/QC (DOE, multivariate analyses) was also an important aspect of our choice." VISTEON is clearly more than pleased with their choice, saying "As of today, our system grows very quickly, and is not limited by our software."

Scientific Computing and Instrumentation readers recently voted STATISTICA number one in the QA/QC Software category. This is the fourth year in a row STATISTICA has received high marks from Scientific Computing and Instrumentation readers for its comprehensive array of statistical techniques, analytical power, and user-friendly, customizable interface. STATISTICA has received the highest rating in EVERY comparative review of statistical software since its first release in 1993.

In the March issue of Futures, a popular magazine among stock traders and analysts, STATISTICA garnered the highest point total when pitted against two other popular statistical packages. STATISTICA ('99, version 5.5) was awarded the highest overall rating (a total of 145 points), while packages by SPSS (version 10) and S-Plus (2000) received 139 and 103 points, respectively. STATISTICA achieved the highest marks in 10 out of 17 categories, including User Interface, Basic Statistics, Graphing and more. The reviewer also praised STATISTICA's powerful but easy to use programming language and the sophistication of STATISTICA's unique general linear and nonlinear modeling procedures. He notes "STATISTICA graphics are of exceptional quality and the easiest to edit." This review marks the seventh consecutive year since 1993 in which STATISTICA has received the highest rating in EVERY comparative review of statistics software in which it has been featured.

Britannica, the makers of the oldest and largest general reference in the English language, recently placed the StatSoft web site in the company of an elite group and awarded StatSoft with the Britannica Internet Guide Award. Britannica editors praised the StatSoft web site as one of the best on the Internet when reviewed for quality, accuracy of content, presentation and usability.

STATISTICA has received the Reader's Choice Award and the highest ranking among statistics software packages ("Finalist") in the "AI Software (Expert, Neural)" category in a Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities' reader survey. The only other product of a statistical software company that was mentioned in the results of the vote is SPSS' Neural Connection ("Honorable Mention"). The fact that StatSoft products have never been advertised in this publication, so readers know STATISTICA only from other sources, makes this award especially flattering.

STATISTICA is the Top Ranked Statistics Package in the
"Statistical Analysis Software" Category of a Reader Survey
by Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities (2000 Bonus Issue, p. 19)

STATISTICA has received a Reader's Choice Award and the highest ranking among statistics software packages ("Finalist") in the "Statistical Analysis Software" category in a Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities' reader survey. STATISTICA was trailed by SPSS ("Semi-finalist"), and SAS, Minitab, and S-Plus ( "Honorable Mentions"). The fact that StatSoft products have never been advertised in this publication, so readers know STATISTICA only from other sources, makes this award especially flattering.

For the third year in a row, STATISTICA has been ranked a Top 5 Statistical Software product in the year end issue of Scientific Computing and Instrumentation. Selected annually, the top five products are selected based on the amount of reader inquiries generated throughout the year. In the same issue, STATISTICA received the 1999 Reader's Choice Award for statistical software from the readers of Scientific Computing and Instrumentation. (see below)

STATISTICA "Known for its Clean Interface and
Impressive Graphics Output" Offers "High-End
Stats in a Friendly Package" According to
NASA Tech Briefs Review (July 1999, p. 20)

STATISTICA has received another complimentary review in the July 1999 issue of NASA Tech Briefs, a leading engineering and design magazine with a circulation of more than 200,000. The reviewer says "STATISTICA has long been known for its clean interface and its impressive graphics output" and agreed with this analysis after using the program. He claims "Even simple tasks are easier with STATISTICA," but he also gives STATISTICA accolades for its ease of use in areas less familiar to the user: "Searching STATISTICA for tests I rarely or never use let me check my methods with ease…The sophistication of high-end stats packages does count!" In conclusion, he calls STATISTICA "a new friend" for analyzing data.

STATISTICA receives 1999 Reader's Choice Award
for statistical software from Scientific Computing and
Instrumentation for third consecutive year (December 1999).

For the third consecutive year, STATISTICA has received the 1999 Reader's Choice Award for statistical software from the readers of Scientific Computing and Instrumentation. This is an especially great honor based solely upon the votes of a large number of scientists and data analysts voting on Quality, Reliability, Ease of Use, Technical Support, Value to Price. Scientific Computing and Instrumentation (formerly known as Scientific Computing and Automation) is a leading scientific journal that focuses on the latest computer, software and instrument technologies available for scientist and technical professionals.

"STATISTICA maintains the top position among
standardized statistical computer programs"
according to SCIENCE magazine review (May 21, 1999, pps. 1291-1292)

STATISTICA has received another extremely positive review in SCIENCE magazine, a widely recognized general science journal read by a broad spectrum of scientists. In his review, SCIENCE reviewer Bruce McCallum calls STATISTICA a "Carnival of Stats" and the top program of its kind on the market. He summarizes: "STATISTICA maintains the top position among standardized statistical computer programs." and notes, "A reasonable question to ask is whether one should pay almost $1,000 for STATISTICA's functions, which are also available on less elegant, but less expensive programs"..., but follows this question with, "The answers lie in the program's performance." The writer further applauds STATISTICA by saying, "Authors cite STATISTICA in the methods section of their papers because of the program's high standards, commitment to accuracy, and technical sophistication for output."

STATISTICA Receives 1998 Technological
Distinction Award from BYTE (March 1999)

STATISTICA has received the "1998 Technological Distinction Award" from BYTE (Spanish Edition) in recognition of the advanced technology of its system features, computational procedures, and graphics. STATISTICA is the only data analysis product that was included among the winners. Other products that received the same award include: ms Visual Basic 6.0, Adobe Photoshop 5.0, IBM Visual Age Java Professional, IBM ThinkPad 390, and HP Deskjet 895 Professional Printer.

 
Highest ratings for STATISTICA in an extremely positive review in
BIOTECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE (November/December 1998, pps. 5-11)

A comprehensive (4 pages long) review of STATISTICA and the new features and enhancements introduced in the'98 Edition has just been published in BIOTECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE AND INTERNET JOURNAL. STATISTICA has received yet another extremely positive evaluation and the highest rating on each of the three general evaluative dimensions used routinely in the BIOTECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE reviews: Usefulness, Ease of Use, and Freedom from Bugs. The reviewer praises the unusual comprehensiveness of the program, "excellent documentation" and the high quality of phone support offered by StatSoft, the quality, customizability and selection of graphics, and the performance of the system (even on low-end hardware). Many unique features of STATISTICA are recognized and discussed in depth (e.g., the Module Switcher, the self-prompting dialogs, the high-performance worksheet). Finally, the reviewer comments extensively on the large amount of new functionality offered in the new release. "It is usually a disappointment to see a new version of analytic software appear only to find that a few cosmetic changes have been made," however, "StatSoft programmers have ... substantially extended the depth and breath of the program" and added "much of substance" (p. 5). "The efforts of StatSoft to enhance and continually upgrade support for this powerful and flexible tool should be appreciated by users at all levels." (p.11).

The statistics package with the highest number of points
in the 1998 SPC (Statistical Process Control) Software
Buyer's Guide published by Quality Digest (December 1998)

In the recent edition of the Buyer's Guide published by Quality Digest (December, 1998), practically all Statistical Quality Control Software packages currently available on the market were rated on 43 (0/1) dimensions (each worth 1 point), divided into four categories:

1. Statistical Quality Control problem solving tools (9 dimensions)
2. Statistical Analysis and Design of Experiments - DOE (12 dimensions)
3. Statistical Process Control (16 dimensions)
4. Data Interface (6 dimensions).

STATISTICA Industrial System has received the highest total number of points of the compared SPC (data analysis) programs.

Highest ratings for STATISTICA Neural Networks in
an extremely positive review in BIOTECHNOLOGY
SOFTWARE (November/December 1998)

A comprehensive (3 pages long) review of STATISTICA Neural Networks has just been published in BIOTECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE AND INTERNET JOURNAL. STATISTICA Neural Networks has received yet another extremely positive evaluation and the highest rating on each of the three general evaluative dimensions used routinely in the BIOTECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE reviews: Usefulness, Ease of Use, and Freedom from Bugs. The author of the review (Dr. John A. Wass from Abbott Laboratories), clearly appreciates the intentions of the developers of STATISTICA Neural Networks to design a program that would offer an optimal balance between "user-friendliness and simplicity" and "sophistication and complexity." He praises the unusual comprehensiveness of the program (as evidenced by the wide selection of supported algorithms: "Again, StatSoft does not skimp when it comes to important functionalities; both depth and breadth of techniques are available in the package." (p. 10)), as well its exceptional ease of use that is not typical for applications of the caliber of STATISTICA Neural Networks.

The highest rated statistics software
in a Buyer's Guide rating published
by Scientific Computing and Automation
(September 1998)

STATISTICA has again received the highest rating in a comparative listing of features of statistical packages, this time in the recent edition of the Buyer's Guide published by Scientific Computing and Automation (September, 1998). Practically all popular statistics packages were rated on 28 (0/1) dimensions (each worth 1 point). Some of these dimensions represent support for specific types of analyses (e.g., Experimental Design, Process Analysis, Quality Control), others are evaluative (e.g., Precision/Accuracy, Speed, Variety of Tests). STATISTICA has received the highest total number of points (25) of all compared statistics programs.

STATISTICA called "a very powerful and
amazingly flexible product, with stunning
graphics," Scientific Data Management -
Software Reviews (November 1998)

STATISTICA has received another exceptionally positive review in a highly respected, professional publication. In a comprehensive evaluation of the program published in Scientific Data Management (Software Reviews) practically all aspects of the functionality of the program received the highest marks. It is clearly the most positive review of a statistics program that has ever been published in Scientific Data Management:

"STATISTICA is a very powerful and amazingly flexible product. If anything, it is almost too flexible and you are overwhelmed by choice … this is a heavy weight package by any definition …the data editor is better than many employed in packages of this type … one of the key benefits of STATISTICA is the wonderful graphical outputs that can be produced … with an incredible range of smoothing and fitting options … [the documentation] is very impressive … this is an excellent product and provides an amazing range of features and customization with stunning graphics."

STATISTICA rated #1 again in
a comprehensive comparative
review; BYTE (September 1998,
Spanish edition)

In a comprehensive comparative technical review of five statistics software packages (STATISTICA, SPSS, Minitab, Statgraphics, and S-PLUS), including comparative benchmarks of computational accuracy and extensive quantitative ratings of various aspects of the functionality of the programs, STATISTICA has been selected again as a clear winner by the reviewers of BYTE magazine.

Summary rating STATISTICA (release 5.1) 25 SPSS (release 7.5) 22 Minitab (release 12) 18 Statgraphics Plus (release 3) 17 S-PLUS (release 4) 16

"The winner, STATISTICA stands out for its excellent interface and powerful functionality. (…) It is a perfect product, allowing the users to perform their analyses efficiently and to well present the results. STATISTICA offers all the analyses that are offered by the products that received the lower ratings but it allows you to perform these analyses more efficiently, and also its results are more reliable. (…) Of all the programs analyzed in this comparison, STATISTICA was the only program that can serve as a benchmark of accuracy (precision) of calculations. (…) Not only does STATISTICA offer all those advantages, but it is also less expensive than some other compared programs."

Highest marks for STATISTICA Neural Networks
in a technical review in In-Psych (in press, October 1998) by
Dr David Gunaratnam, University of Sydney

Dr David Gunaratnam (a professor at the University of Sydney, a renown expert in neural networks technology, and a teacher of neural networks courses) has published a technical review of STATISTICA Neural Networks in In-Psych magazine, a publication of the Australian Psychological Society. Practically all aspects of the program have received very high marks, including the comprehensiveness of the application, the quality and efficiency of its user interface (and the "ease of use"), as well as the accompanying documentation and the integration of the program with other applications:

User interface is possibly one of the best features of the program. The toolbar and the associated buttons have been effectively used to partition the program into layers, allowing the users to readily access the networks that are commonly used and with the most application potential. The buttons performing similar or associated functions have been clustered together and arranged in a logical sequence, reflecting the different stages in neural network modeling. (…) The tasks of creating, training and testing networks have been made extremely simple and involve the user making selections from a series of fixed (dialog) and resizable windows using micro-scrolls, buttons and check boxes. There are a number of resizable graphics windows for checking network architecture, for monitoring network performance during training, and for visualization of the results. (…)

All the activities associated with creating a neural network model for a particular application has been streamlined and organized so that they can be carried out effortlessly. (…) The information requested or stored in the different dialogs and windows is also organized in a logical manner, and users should have no difficulty in finding the required information about a network, once the organizational structure is understood. Though the program is packed with a number of features, options and refinements, the concise and reasonably flat representation used allows one to access even the most advanced features without having to delve too deeply into the program. (…)

"The ‘all and end’ of statistics packages?
- STATISTICA runs pretty close to being just that"
Another glowing review, PC Magazine
(September 1998, Australian Edition)

STATISTICA has received another extremely positive evaluation in a major computer magazine. In her comprehensive review of the program, Alison Currie (one of the editors of PC Magazine) writes:

"An enormous choice of procedures, great graphics and a toolbar that walks you through the job at hand -- STATISTICA does it all. The only risk with this statistical package is that the wealth of things you can do with your data might detract you from your main purpose. (…) The graphics in STATISTICA are of such high quality, in fact that they outshine even some of the specialized graphics packages we’ve seen. (...) The package can perform an enormous range of statistical analyses (…) overall ease of use is astounding. (…) STATISTICA is quite inexpensive in comparison to the other powerful statistics packages, as the user is getting all of the modules in a single system (and not via add-ons that have to be purchased separately). (…) StatSoft markets STATISTICA as the be all and end of statistics packages, it runs pretty close to being just that."

STATISTICA’s unparalleled
power, speed and capacity…
(an Award Statement published
by the Editors of Scientific
Computing and Automation,
July 1998)

In the July issue, the editors of Scientific Computing and Automation published a summary statement about STATISTICA as part of the presentation of the Readers’ Choice Awards (where STATISTICA has been voted #1 in the category of statistical software):

"STATISTICA offers unparalleled power, speed and capacity to handle large datasets and designs of practically unlimited size, and unusual comprehensiveness of its procedures. STATISTICA also offers a unique quality of implementation of every operation and a list of unique features. STATISTICA includes also a comprehensive development environment. Its powerful scripting and programming languages (SCL and STATISTICA BASIC) include automation options, hundreds of pre-programmed specialized functions and procedures, and shortcuts (e.g., Wizards) allowing the users to develop even large and advanced custom applications (or integrate STATISTICA with other applications) with a minimum amount of effort."

STATISTICA rated #1 again in
a comprehensive comparative
review by Nature magazine

We are pleased to announce that STATISTICA has been rated #1 in yet another major comparative review and received another glowing evaluation, this time from Nature - one of the most respected science journals in the world.

The reviewer stated that "Of all the Windows-based graphical packages surveyed, STATISTICA was the most impressive." In this comprehensive article, STATISTICA was compared with practically all (16) statistics and graphics software packages available on the market, including products from SAS, SPSS, and many other manufacturers.

The reviewer went on to say, "I found that STATISTICA provided the most impressive array of graphical options. It was obvious that this package was the best," "...it is very obvious that this is a prototype for where graphics packages of this information age will be heading." and "...this was the most well-rounded and powerful Windows package on the market."

The text of the review is available on the Nature magazine web site.

Nature (published by Macmillan) and SCIENCE (published by AAAS) are the two most widely distributed and highly regarded general science journals in the world, read by a broad spectrum of scientists in astronomy, natural sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, and social sciences (for information on how readers of SCIENCE evaluate STATISTICA, see the reader survey results given below).

Reader's Choice Award for STATISTICA
(top rated statistics package in a reader survey
by Scientific Computing and Automation)
(July 1998)

STATISTICA has received the 1998 Reader's Choice Award and the highest rating in a reader survey conducted by Scientific Computing and Automation (a leading US scientific computing monthly, circulation: 150,000). This is the second award from the SC&A readers in a row (STATISTICA was also rated #1 in 1997). This distinction is particularly rewarding for us since it is based on results of a vote of a large number of users -- data analysts and statisticians who use analytic software for real world applications.

STATISTICA recognized and highly praised in a survey
of a random sample of readers conducted by SCIENCE
(May 1998)

A survey conducted by SCIENCE (the publication of the American Association for Advancement of Science; circulation: over 150,000) of a randomly selected sample of its readers has provided data on how StatSoft, Inc. is perceived by the community of scientists and administrators of science. This survey reiterizes the results of the 1992 and 1997 surveys The following are unedited statements about StatSoft, Inc. and its products volunteered anonymously by the respondents. The data for the surveys, sponsored by SCIENCE magazine, were collected by the Harvey Research Organization, Fairport, New York. The following selection of excerpts has been accepted by SCIENCE for use in this material (reprinted by permission of SCIENCE and Harvey Research Organization):

"StatSoft is well known for high quality statistical software. This product [STATISTICA] has been tops against the competition in all comparisons. It has a perfect track record. Not too many products are so dominant."
-- Pathologist/Cell Biologist, University

"I've heard of StatSoft. They provide a lot of different software. It has a statistical orientation."
-- Professor, University

"I know the company [StatSoft], they are innovative and forward-moving."
-- Professor, University

"I have this software package [STATISTICA]. (…) I've been happy with this software."
-- Dept. Head, Government

"StatSoft is a company that makes statistical software packages for microcomputers. They have been around for a long time. They always get good reviews."
-- President, Industry

"Their [STATISTICA] ad is a pretty accurate reflection of the things their software can do. If you need more from your statistics software, then you don't have STATISTICA."
-- Professor/Immunologist, University

"They [StatSoft] have good products that work well."
-- Professor of Psychology, University

"This [StatSoft] is a well known company that puts out a very large number of software programs."
-- Medical Director, Healthcare Services

"I know a little bit about StatSoft. This [STATISTICA] is a very powerful program. They've been around and they're well established. They do lots of good stuff."
-- Research Associate, Industry

"Th