The secret is out: Microsoft is developing an analytics tool for Adcenter that will compete directly with Google Analytics. The information was leaked a few days ago by Dave Naylor, who learned of the analytics tool (codenamed “Gatineau”) at a Microsoft briefing in London. Somehow he got a hold of some screen shots and published them on his blog. This prompted a blog response from Ian Thomas, a Microsoft rep involved in Gatineau’s development and transition to the market. According to Thomas, Microsoft was about to make a public announcement about the tool when the leak occurred.
“Fortunae meae, multorum faber”. The motto refers to the timber industry and the great name of the citizens of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
It is also the code-name of MSN’s new Web Analytics project. “Gatineau” is scheduled to be released to United States MSN AdCenter customers sometime in mid 2007.
“…The target audience for this project is broadly similar to the target audience for Google Analytics – though it’s emphatically not our intention simply to replicate the functionality within that product.”, said Ian Thomas, the director of Microsoft’s Gatineau project, on his blog “Lies, Damned Lies…”
According to Thomas, “Gatineau” is based on technology acquired from DeepMatrix Corporation, which MSN acquired in 2006. “The next step for the project is an invitation-only beta program which we expect to start within the next few months.”
When we know more information, we will be sure to post it here and to let you know!
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