We often hear views that relegate software to a secondary role in a Competitive Intelligence System of organisations. While it is true that a CI System must be supported by an appropriate strategy, a rational selection of people, a process adapted to the dynamics of the organisation and leadership and resources as driving forces behind a successful system, software also plays a crucial role. So much so that a good or bad choice can be key to the success or failure of the project.

Throughout the many years that we have been working in the field of Competitive Intelligence we have noticed the great differences that exist between the ways of doing CI in the Anglo-Saxon world (especially the United States) and Spain. Every time we attend an international congress or event – like SCIP – we realize the great differences (structural, organizational, operative) that exist between both worlds. In this article we will try to clarify what these differences are and why both options are valid.