Minitab
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Minitab's interface |
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Developer: | Minitab, Inc. [1] |
Latest release: | 14.2 / May 18, 2005 |
OS: | Windows |
Use: | numerical analysis |
License: | Proprietary software |
Website: | www.minitab.com |
Minitab is a computer program designed to perform basic and advanced statistical functions. It combines the user-friendliness of Microsoft Excel with the ability to perform complex statistical analysis. In 1972, instructors at the Pennsylvania State University developed Minitab as a light version of OMNITAB, a statistical analysis program by NIST. It soon became the world's leading statistical software for academic instruction, and is currently used at more than 4,000 colleges and universities worldwide.
The software's success led its creators to form Minitab Inc. in 1983. The privately owned company is headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, with subsidiaries in Coventry, England (Minitab Ltd.) and Paris, France (Minitab SARL). The company also maintains a worldwide network of resellers and representatives.
Today, Minitab is often used in conjunction with the implementation of Six Sigma and other statistics-based process improvement methods. Thousands of companies in more than 80 countries use it, including over half the companies in the Fortune 500.
As of 2006 the full version costs $1195, but a stripped-down student version is bundled with many statistics textbooks.
In August 2006, the company introduced Quality Companion 2 by Minitab, process improvement software designed to help professionals plan, organize, execute, and report on Six Sigma and other quality improvement projects. The commercial version costs $450, and discounts are available for academic use.
Quality Companion 2's functions complement the data analysis provided by Minitab Statistical Software, and together the two products provide a complete solution for managing Six Sigma projects.
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