SAS Institute announced on Thursdaya new toolset aimed at giving business users the ability to work with predictive analytics software, which has historically been the province of specialized statisticians.

Predictive analytics refers to the practice of crunching existing data sets in an effort to determine patterns and predict future outcomes.

Google and AOL have renewed a long-term partnership that gives AOL Web properties access to Google search and advertising services.

The partnership, in place since May 2002 and renewed for the third time, provides revenue-sharing from AOL in exchange for search services. The new deal will expand to give AOL access to Google's mobile search products and Google subsidiary YouTube access to AOL's video content, the companies said in a statement.

An information security company will soon release a tool that will allow companies to test their ERP (enterprise resource planning) software for security threats.

The first version of X1 works with SAP business platforms, said Mariano Nuñez Di Croce, director of research and development for Onapsis. The company eventually plans to add modules for Siebel, Oracle and PeopleSoft ERP applications, he said.

AP - Dell Inc. doesn't have to start over in its quest to become a significant purveyor of technology for businesses after losing a multibillion dollar bidding contest for an obscure data-storage maker.

AP - ArcSight Inc. said Thursday its fiscal first-quarter profit tripled as the cybersecurity software and services company's sales jumped 39 percent.

AP - The showdown over 3Par Inc. that ended Thursday was a puzzling spectacle.